Europe > Austria > Graz (GRZ)
The Car or no Car advice for Graz can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Graz ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Graz ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Graz?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Graz without a car 🚶♂️🚋
Graz is one of the easiest Austrian cities to enjoy without driving. The historic old town (Altstadt) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is almost entirely walkable. Narrow streets, arcaded courtyards, and hilltop views from the Schlossberg are all best explored on foot. The funicular and glass lift up the Schlossberg remove the need for any uphill driving entirely.
Public transport is excellent. Graz has a dense tram network, frequent buses, and a main station that connects directly to Vienna, Salzburg, Linz, and beyond. Trams run straight through the city centre, making it easy to move between neighbourhoods, museums, and restaurants without planning around parking.
Cycling is also popular 🚲. The Mur River paths provide flat, scenic routes through the city, and bike lanes are well integrated into daily life.
Day trips by train 🚆
If you are staying in Graz, many excursions work perfectly by rail. Trains run to Vienna in around 2.5 hours, making a long day trip feasible. Regional services also reach Leoben, Bruck an der Mur, and even Maribor in Slovenia, which is surprisingly close and very easy to visit without a car.
When a rental car becomes useful 🚗
A rental car starts to make sense if you want to explore Styrian wine country, thermal spa towns, or small villages scattered through the hills. Public transport exists, but it is slower and less flexible. A car also helps if you plan to cross into rural Slovenia or link Graz with alpine regions rather than sticking to rail corridors.
Conclusion – should you rent a car in Graz? ✅
Graz strongly leans toward no car needed for city breaks and rail-based travel. However, if vineyards, spas, or countryside detours are part of your plan, renting a car for a day or two adds freedom without being essential for the city itself.
