Graz Hauptbahnhof

Graz Hauptbahnhof, abbreviated Graz Hbf (German meaning Graz principal Station; frequently rendered as Graz Central Station), is the principal train station in Graz, Austria. The station is around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) west of the city center, and it is connected via tram.

The station is a significant stop on the Southern Railway, which connects it to Vienna to the north and Slovenia to the south. It is also the eastern end of the Styrian Eastern railway line, which runs to Hungary, and the western terminus of the local Köflach railway line. The Koralm Railway will eventually provide a direct route from Graz to Italy through Klagenfurt.

The first railway station opened here in 1847, but due to a significant rise in passenger traffic, a larger station was built on the same location between 1871 and 1876.

In 1945, allied air strikes completely destroyed the stately station built in 1876. The present station’s construction was finished in 1956. The station was built in the usual 1950s design, and the main ticket hall is now a listed structure.

The station was modernized and partially rebuilt in 2001 to provide escalators to the platforms as well as a small commercial complex.

Since 2010, there has been further extensive construction work to prepare the station for its new position as an international transit hub and to accommodate increased national and regional traffic. When the Koralm Railway is finished, all international traffic from Vienna to Italy will travel through Graz.

All platforms will be rebuilt and lengthened, and two more platforms for regional trains will be built. All platforms will also be outfitted with new, contemporary roofs.

One of the two foot tunnels leading to the platforms has been extended all the way to the Wagner Biro Straße, allowing access to the station from the west.

The Eggenberger Straße railway bridge has also been reconstructed to create room for more lines.

A new local transport hub for trams and buses has been erected on and beneath the station forecourt to connect all four tram lines that pass through the neighborhood to the station. Until recently, two of these tramlines terminated on the station forecourt, while the other two passed close to the station. To address this issue, a new underground tram stop has been built beneath the station forecourt, allowing all four tram lines to stop right outside the station’s main entrance.

Graz Hauptbahnhof features five platforms that serve nine different tracks.