Are you travelling to Austria by car? If so, you’ll probably have to pay tolls. On most Austrian motorways and expressways, you’ll need a vignette, but there are also a number of specific sections for which you pay a separate section toll. Examples include the Brenner Motorway, the Tauern Tunnel and the Arlberg Tunnel. As a result, the Austrian toll system might seem a bit complicated at first, but fortunately it’s not too difficult in practice. In this blog, we explain how toll roads in Austria work, which roads incur additional tolls, what the current charges are and how you can pay the tolls easily.
Would you like to find out more about Austria?
Are you planning a trip to Austria? If so, why not take a look at our tips for the best travel time, the daily budget, travel advice and which travel documents you need. Here you’ll find all the practical information about Austria.
1. How do toll roads work in Austria?
In Austria, most motorways and expressways are not free of charge. Are you travelling on these roads in a car, motorbike, camper van or other vehicle with a technically permissible maximum mass of up to and including 3,500 kg? If so, you will usually need an Austrian vignette. However, a vignette alone is not always sufficient. This is because Austria has a number of special sections where route toll is levied.
- Vignette: required on most Austrian motorways and expressways.
- Route toll: a separate toll for six specific sections of the Austrian motorway network.
Tip: would you like to know exactly which vignette you need, how much it costs and where you can buy it safely? Then be sure to read our in-depth blog post on the vignette for Austria.
Do you need to pay a toll or buy a vignette to travel to Kufstein?
Are you travelling from Germany and is Kufstein your final destination? If so, you can drive along the A12 from the German border to the Kufstein-Süd exit without an Austrian vignette. This section is exempt from the vignette requirement. If you’re continuing on the A12 beyond Kufstein-Süd, for example towards Innsbruck, you’ll enter the section where a vignette is required and will need a valid vignette.
Tip: curious to find out what there is to do in this region? Check out our blog with The best sights and tips for Kufstein.
Tolls in Austria when travelling in a motorhome
With a motorhome, weight is particularly important. Motorhomes with a maximum authorised mass of up to and including 3,500 kg are, in principle, subject to the vignette system and standard route tolls. Does your motorhome have a maximum authorised mass of more than 3,500 kg? If so, the kilometre-based GO toll system applies. If you have a heavier motorhome, make sure you check carefully in advance which toll rules apply to your vehicle.
2. Which toll roads are there in Austria?
In Austria, there are six sections for which you pay a separate section toll. These are located on five different motorways and expressways.
| Road | Toll section |
|---|---|
| A9 Pyhrn Motorway | Bosruck Tunnel |
| A9 Pyhrn Motorway | Gleinalm Tunnel |
| A10 Tauern Motorway | The Tauern and Katschberg Tunnels |
| A11 Karawanken Motorway | Karawanken Tunnel |
| A13 Brenner Motorway | Brenner |
| S16 Arlberg Expressway | Arlberg Tunnel |
Tip: Are you travelling through both the Bosruck and Gleinalm tunnels? If so, you can at ASFINAG You can also choose a combined toll product.
3. How much will toll roads cost in Austria in 2026?
The price varies depending on the route. The following fares will apply for a single journey in 2026:
| Toll section | Single journey fare 2026 |
|---|---|
| A9 Bosruck Tunnel | €7,00 |
| A9 Gleinalm Tunnel | €12,00 |
| A9 Bosruck + Gleinalm | €19,00 |
| A10 Tauern/Katschberg | €15,00 |
| A11 Karawanken Tunnel towards Slovenia | €9,00 |
| A13 Brenner Motorway | €12,50 |
| S16 Arlberg Tunnel | €13,00 |
Are you travelling back along the same route? If so, please bear in mind that a single-journey ticket is only valid for one passage. You will therefore need to pay the toll again on the return journey.
Please note: rates are subject to change. You should therefore always check the current prices on the official website just before departure ASFINAG toll shop.
4. Paying tolls in Austria: how it works
Check your route using the ASFINAG Toll Planner
The easiest way to work out which toll you need is via the official ASFINAG toll planner. Enter your starting point and destination to see which toll products are required for your route.
- Just a sticker
- Section-based tolls only
- A combination of both
Pay for route tolls online in advance
Do you know in advance which toll road you’ll be using? If so, you can purchase the digital route toll via ASFINAG before you set off. The toll product is linked to your registration number, so you won’t need to buy a separate ticket at the toll station. If you haven’t arranged anything in advance, you can also pay on the spot at the toll stations. Please pay close attention to the signs above the different lanes.
FLEX digital journey-based toll
Not quite sure which toll route you’re going to take? If so, you can use FLEX digital journey-based toll. You register your number plate and payment method, and the charges for any toll roads you use are automatically deducted.
Please note: FLEX does not replace the standard Austrian vignette. If, in addition to toll roads, you also use normal roads where a vignette is required, you will still need a valid vignette for those roads.
Read also: Car holiday in Austria: everything you need to know before you set off
Read also: What to do in Kufstein? The best sights and tips
5. Can you avoid toll roads in Austria?
Yes, in many cases you can avoid certain toll roads by using local and regional roads. Whether it’s worth it depends mainly on the extra journey time. We would therefore recommend comparing in advance how much time an alternative route takes. Sometimes taking a detour is fine, but sometimes you end up spending more time on the road.
6. What should you take with you in the car when travelling to Austria?
Are you travelling to Austria by car? If so, don’t just check your vignette and any road tolls, but also make sure you have the mandatory items in the car. In Austria, you must have, amongst other things, a warning triangle, high-visibility vest and a suitable first-aid kit Take these with you. We would therefore advise you to check before setting off that everything is still in the car and that your first-aid kit is still complete and in good working order. This will prevent you from having to search for the right items just before you reach the border.
Handy for when you’re out and about:
→ Safety vest for use in the car
→ Hazard triangle
→ First-aid kit / EHBO-set
→ Complete European driving holiday set
Don’t have everything you need at home yet? You can easily buy these items in advance via Bol.com Whether the ANWB Online Shop. That way, you can sort everything out before you set off and won’t have to go looking for the right safety equipment whilst you’re on the road.
Tip: are you travelling to Austria in winter? If so, be sure to check the current regulations regarding winter tyres and snow chains. These regulations depend on factors such as the weather conditions and your route.
7. Useful websites for toll roads in Austria
We try to keep this blog as up to date as possible, but toll charges and terms and conditions are subject to change. You should therefore always check the official information just before setting off.
- ASFINAG: official information on vignettes and route-based tolls.
- ASFINAG Toll Planner: Check which toll products you need for your route.
- Royal Dutch Touring Club: A handy guide in Dutch on driving, tolls and traffic rules in Austria.
8. Our tips for toll roads in Austria
Paying tolls in Austria sounds more complicated than it actually is. Once you understand the difference between a vignette and a route-based toll, it all becomes much clearer. Our top tip is not to wait until you reach the Austrian border to work out what you need. At home, enter your route into ASFINAG’s toll planner and check which toll products apply to your journey. You can then arrange your vignette and any digital route-based tolls in advance.
Save the confirmation details on your phone and check your number plate and its validity one last time before setting off. After that, all you really need to do on the road is follow the sat-nav. And if you decide on the spur of the moment to change your route? Just check whether your new route takes you through a different section of the toll road.
9. Frequently asked questions about toll roads in Austria
1. Where are the toll roads in Austria shown on the map?
The toll motorways in Austria are mainly situated on major routes through the Alps. You’ll find them on the A9 Pyhrn Motorway, A10 Tauern Motorway, A11 Karawanken Motorway, A13 Brenner Motorway and S16 Arlberg Expressway. Would you like to know which toll roads you’ll encounter during your journey? Then enter your starting point and destination in the ASFINAG’s official toll planner in or view the map by ASFINAG.
2. Which toll gate should you use in Austria?
Which lane you should take at an Austrian toll station depends on how you pay the motorway toll. Have you purchased a digital motorway toll in advance and is it linked to your number plate? If so, follow the signs for digital motorway tolls. If you wish to pay on the spot, choose a lane where payment is accepted. Always pay attention to the current signage above the lanes.
3. What payment methods can you use on toll roads in Austria?
At Austrian toll stations, depending on the specific toll station, you can pay by cash and with standard payment cards, amongst other methods. You can also purchase route tolls digitally in advance via ASFINAG. With Digital Route Toll FLEX, you register your vehicle registration number and payment method in advance, after which the routes you have travelled can be billed automatically.
4. Is it cheaper to buy Austrian motorway tolls online in advance?
Buying online in advance is particularly handy because you can sort out your toll payment before you set off and, at compatible toll stations, make use of digital number plate recognition. Don’t automatically assume that buying online is cheaper. Always check the official ASFINAG Toll Shop for the current price.
5. How do you check whether your digital motorway toll for Austria is valid?
After purchasing a digital route toll online, it is important to check that, amongst other things, the correct registration number, country of registration and route have been recorded. You should therefore keep the purchase confirmation and check your details before setting off. For up-to-date information about your purchase and its validity, please contact ASFINAG.
6. What happens if you accidentally drive through without a valid toll?
If you drive on a toll road or a road requiring a vignette in Austria without the required toll, this may have financial consequences. The rules and amounts applicable depend on the situation and the section of road travelled. You should therefore check with ASFINAG to find out what to do if you have accidentally driven through without a valid toll.
7. Do you need to pay an additional toll in Austria if you’re towing a trailer or caravan?
Whether a trailer or caravan affects the toll you pay depends on the toll system used and the vehicle combination. You should therefore check the current vehicle categories and conditions with ASFINAG before setting off, particularly if you are travelling with a heavy vehicle combination.
8. Can you buy a route-based toll on the road if you haven’t arranged anything in advance?
Yes, you don’t always have to pay for section-based tolls digitally before setting off. On roads with section-based tolls, there are toll stations where you can pay the toll due on the spot. However, paying digitally in advance can be easier, as your toll product can then be linked to your number plate. At the toll station, always follow the signs and choose a lane that is suitable for your payment method.
Fortunately, toll roads in Austria don’t have to complicate your car journey. For most of the Austrian motorway network, you’ll need a vignette, whilst on six specific sections you’ll pay a separate section toll. Which combination you need depends entirely on your route. So, before you set off, check your route via ASFINAG, sort out your vignette and any section tolls in good time, and make sure you’ve checked your number plate carefully. Then switch on your sat-nav, put on your playlist, and the best bit begins: off to Austria!
If you still have any questions after reading this blog, or if you’re unsure which toll you’ll need to pay for your route, please feel free to send us a message at Instagram, we are happy to think with you.
We try to keep this blog about toll roads in Austria as up to date as possible, but we can’t do this without your help. Has anything changed, or is any of the information no longer correct? Please let us know via info@thousandtravelmiles.nl.
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