Graz Airport, also known as Graz Thalerhof International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Austria welcoming around 1 million passengers a year.

Graz is Austria’s second largest city and the perfect base to explore the beautiful Styrian region. A university city, Graz is also the economic hub of Austria with a large science-based commercial sector. It also has a fascinating history as well as natural beauty and a thriving food and entertainment culture.

Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, picking up a rental car from Avis Graz Thalerhof International Airport is the perfect place to start your Austrian adventure.

You’ll find our Avis location at Graz International Airport located within the arrivals area, of the main terminal building. If you are returning your car to us after hours, there is a key drop box available.

The drive into the centre of Graz from Graz International Airport is just 13.3km (8 miles) and will take around 30min depending on traffic conditions and the time of day. You’ll head north from the airport and take the Süd Autobahn (A2) right into the centre of the city.

Set on a hillside above the River Mur, with its terracotta roofs, steeples and domes, Graz has been described as having a mediterranean feel and the first place to head to get to know the city is the Schlossberg.

Catch the funicular to the top of this tree-lined hill and enjoy a coffee while taking in the panoramic view. Check out the Uhrturm clocktower, all that remains of the castle destroyed in the Napoleonic war before heading down the hill into the centre of the city – taking the steps or riding the 175 metre slide.

Head to Herrengasse, Graz’s main shopping street and stop off at the world’s largest armoury home to around 32,000 objects from medieval swords and canons to chainmail and armour.

Step back into the present with a stroll around the main square and up the cobbled Sporgasse street home to independent shops selling local produce and delicacies.

If you are planning a road trip from Graz International Airport you will find so much to explore within easy reach. Head along the Mur River, into the surrounding Steiermark countryside for the Kesselfallklamm gorges, a wonderful nature park a 30min (25km) drive north. Also worth a visit to the north of the city is Stift Rein the oldest Cistercian monastery in the world.

One of the best drives from Graz is to take the South Styrian wine route, a trip of around 50min with a stop at the beautiful old town of Ehrenhausen halfway.

While there is a good public transport connecting Graz International Airport with the centre of Graz, for more flexibility and the chance to explore the surrounding region of Styria along with popular destinations further afield like Salzburg or Vienna, hiring a car is the best option.

In Graz as in the rest of Europe you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road. When you are driving in Austria, you need to carry a full valid driving license and proof of ID (passport). For detailed information before you travel, we’ve created a handy guide to the driving rules you need to know in Austria.

Before you leave the airport in your rental car, it’s helpful to find out about parking in Graz. There is plenty of parking both in Graz in the inner-city short-term parking (blue) zones, in the green zone parking where you can park for several days or at park and ride car parks on the edge of the city.