Vienna to Graz by car: the A2 or the S6 via Semmering

The two routes from Vienna to Graz are almost the same length, and both follow the A2 to the Seebenstein junction, south of Wiener Neustadt. There the A2 carries on over the Wechsel to the eastern edge of Graz, while the S6 turns west through the Semmering tunnels to Bruck an der Mur. From Bruck the S35 follows the Mur valley to the A9, north of Graz.

The two routes side by side

Why the apps can pick different roads

With only a couple of kilometres between the routes, each app picks on expected speed, weighing the Wechsel climbs, the single-lane S6 tunnels, roadworks and live traffic in its own way, so two apps can send you different ways for the same departure.

To see which one your app chose, open the route overview: the S6 heads west past Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag, the A2 south-east past Hartberg and Gleisdorf.

Roadworks this autumn

From spring 2027 the single-lane S6 works move to the Steinhaus and Semmering tunnels and continue until the end of 2029. Check ASFINAG's roadworks information on the day.

Vignette, but no section toll

The A2, S6 and S35 all need a vignette, and none of them is on ASFINAG's section-toll list. A day trip needs the €9.60 digital 1-day vignette and a weekend the €12.80 10-day one (2026 prices, checked 26 September 2026); the rules are in our vignette guide.

Speed limits and the Wechsel

The A2 crosses the Wechsel at roughly 730 m, with steep gradients and tight curves. On a section of the Vienna-bound side, section control checks your average speed, and the limit follows the weather, so go by the overhead signs.

Styria's air-quality 100 km/h limits around Graz ended in April 2025 and May 2026, so the normal 130 km/h applies unless the overhead signs show a lower limit.

Parking near Graz station

The station is on Europaplatz, west of the Mur. The square in front allows 1 hour at most, daily 8:00 to 22:00. Other blue-zone streets allow 3 hours, Monday to Friday 9:00 to 20:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 13:00, for €1.30 per 30 minutes. The green zone has no time limit and costs €1 per half hour or €11 a day on weekdays, 9:00 to 20:00. Parking unpaid or past your time costs €25 from the 13th minute (graz.at, shown on 26 September 2026).

For longer stays, the Bahnhof garage at Europaplatz 12 costs €2.50 an hour, €25 a day at most (city garage list, 26 September 2026).

Park and ride on the way in

Off the A2 at Graz-Ost, P+R Murpark is directly on the way in, with its own stop on tram line 4. Its combined ticket costs €12.50 for 24 hours of parking plus buses and trams in zone 101 (price list valid from 1 July 2026). From the north, P+R Weinzödl is on your way and listed by the city as free.

By train instead

On a sample weekday (29 September 2026), ÖBB runs a direct Railjet from Vienna's main station to Graz every hour, taking 2 hours 26 to 2 hours 36 minutes. The Semmering base tunnel should carry its first trains in 2030, bringing the trip under two hours.

Checklist

• A vignette valid for your travel day; the S6 and S35 need one as much as the A2.
• On the S6, take the S35 at Bruck an der Mur.
• ASFINAG's roadworks information for the Wechsel and the S6 tunnels.
• From 1 November to 15 April, winter tyres whenever the road is wintry, on the Wechsel and the Semmering too; see our winter driving guide.
• Where to park: 1 hour at most in front of the station, or P+R Murpark or Weinzödl.
• Live times from Mapssy before you leave, then a look at your app's route overview to see whether it chose the A2 or the S6.