Car Hire in Graz

About Graz

Graz is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and famous for its university, which was founded as early as 1585. This may give you an impression of tranquillity and beauty, but Graz has much more to offer than just that. The city has a spectacular architecture that dates back centuries. There is a fantastic nightlife with many bars and restaurants for every taste and budget. And in summer there are also many green spaces where you can meet for picnics or sports. All this makes Graz a good place to study and live, but also a good place to work.

Basic info and car hire in Graz

• Location: Southern Austrian province of Styria
• Population: 283.869 (2017) 
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: The climate in Graz is temperate continental, with cold winters and warm summers. 
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Austria is a highly developed and stable country, with an excellent network of roads.
• Car hire in Graz:  With a rental car in Graz you can explore all of Austria's beautiful landscape and cities. The most popular pickup location is at the Graz airport. 

 Driving in Graz

Driving around Graz is a real pleasure. The city was recently named the best city in the world for drivers. It is both easy and cheap to drive around the city. There are different speed limits depending on which road you are driving on, but there are plenty of signs to help you keep up. Parking is also made easy for you, as there are monthly parking permits that make it easy and cheap to park at your destination or anywhere else that is convenient for you.

When renting a car, read the fine print in the contract about where you are allowed to take the car. Many rental companies prohibit drivers from taking rental cars to Eastern European countries. If you do this anyway and get caught, the consequences are extreme. Speed limits are 30 to 50km/h inside built-up areas, 100km/h outside built-up areas, and 130km/h on motorways. 

In winter, roads in alpine areas can become dangerous due to snow, ice, and avalanches. Some mountain roads may be closed for extended periods. Between November 1 and April 15, the use of winter tires is mandatory. All-season tires meet the requirements if they are marked M S and have at least 4 mm of the tread. In addition, the local police may prescribe snow chains during or after heavy snowfall.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Austria is 18 years. However, most car rental companies require you to be at least 21 to rent a car and at least 25 years to avoid paying an additional young driver fee. 
• International Driving Permit: Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.  
• Additional papers: Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in Austria)  
• Additional requirements: Reflective jackets (in case of breakdown on all main routes), warning triangle, first aid kit, headlight deflectors (depending on the vehicle, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the light beam manually).  
• Children in the car: If you are travelling with children under 12 or less than 135cm tall, you are required by law to have a child seat in your car. If you do not have your own, most car rental companies will provide one for a fee. However, it is advisable to request such a seat before collecting the vehicle, otherwise one may not always be available.
• Driving side of the road: Right Side. 
• Lights: Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed. 
• General speed limits: Speed limits are 30 to 50km/h inside built-up areas, 100km/h outside built-up areas, and 130km/h on motorways.  
• Parking suggestions: Parking is also made easy for you, as there are monthly parking permits that make it easy and cheap to park at your destination or anywhere else that is convenient for you.

What to see in Graz

The city of Graz is the second-largest in Austria. Much of its centre is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It combines Baroque architecture, including fine examples of Rococo, Gothic and Romanesque churches, with other architectural styles from the last thousand years. Graz also has an excellent university with a long history dating back to 1585.

Graz is famous for its historic centre and old squares such as the Dreifaltigkeitsplatz with beautiful churches, a monastery and the baroque Karl Franzens University of Graz. The most important sights are the Landhaus, the City Hall, Eggenberg Palace and Herrengasse with its famous shops. In front of the Styrian Parliament, there is a statue of Archduke Karl, Duke of Teschen, who saved Graz from being sacked by Napoleon's troops in 1809.

For architecture lovers, there are buildings from different eras, from Gothic to Baroque and Neoclassicism to Biedermeier. Eggenberg Palace is a particularly impressive sight, as it was built in the Baroque style but also has elements of the Renaissance, such as magnificent frescoes and marble halls decorated with paintings by famous artists like Tintoretto, Guido Reni or Antonio Viviani.

Drive your rental car beyond Graz

The most popular attractions are the Schlossberg with the Graz Cathedral, the museum district with the Kunsthaus Graz or, for example, the Looshaus, but there are countless galleries, museums and churches everywhere, so you'd better start planning your route through them before you set off. Also worth mentioning are some theatres such as the Volkstheater or the Bodenbauer Theatre, where spectacular musicals are often performed, and the Odeon Theatre for more intimate performances. You do not need to worry about accommodation either, as there are plenty of hotels in Graz, especially near the city centre. If you prefer to stay elsewhere, you can always rent a flat or try one of the many campsites nearby. The best way to explore this beautiful city is by bike, which you can easily rent in the city. Rent a car and discover all the hidden gems outside Graz, where peace and seclusion are still possible even though you are only moments away from the vibrant city centre.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Graz

it's easy to say that Graz, Austria, has one of the best culinary scenes in all of Europe. From traditional Austrian cuisine to French and Italian dishes to trendy new restaurants that seem to open every month, it would be hard not to find something good to eat here. The city centre is full of small cafés where you can stop for a quick bite or enjoy a cup of coffee while people-watching along the way.