Toll in Ireland
Why do you have to pay toll fees?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll obligation. But what does that mean? For the use of many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges, so-called toll fees are charged. The money raised through tolls is invested, for example, in the road network. This ensures a smooth journey on your way to your holiday. The primary areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: new technologies such as intelligent transport systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll collected?
In general, tolls can be collected in various forms. These include the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll and the special toll.
In Ireland, there is no nationwide toll system. However, toll fees are charged for certain motorway sections as well as bridges and tunnels. This means you pay a fee for using this route. Since the toll is not determined based on distance travelled, but is a flat rate per vehicle category, this type of toll is also called a special toll. Accordingly, you only pay a (special) toll fee for using certain routes. However, the majority of regional and national roads are toll-free and can therefore be driven on free of charge.
The amount of the toll fees differs depending on the motorway route. Vehicles are only distinguished based on two categories: motorcycles over 50 cm and cars. Below you will find a list of all toll-liable motorway sections.
M3 Clonee - Kells (Navan - Kells):
M3 Clonee - Kells (Clonee - Dunshaughlin)
M4 Kilcock - Enfield - Kinnegad Motorway
M7/M8 Portlaoise - Castletown/Portlaoise - Cullahill
M50 Dublin Road: the most important ring motorway around Dublin, on which there are no barriers or options to pay with cash. Instead, your vehicle is electronically recorded by its number plate as it passes through, also known as "eFlow". The toll can then be paid online, by phone, or at "Payzone" shops. For rental cars, this is also often done via an installed transponder.
N6/M6 Galway - Ballinasloe
N8/M8 Rathcormac - Fermoy Bypass
N25 Waterford City Bypass
There are also certain tunnels and bridges that are subject to a toll obligation. Here too, the amount of the toll fees differs depending on the tunnel or bridge. Vehicles are only distinguished based on two categories (motorcycles over 50 cm and cars). The exception is the Dublin Port Tunnel, where no distinction is made between two categories of motor vehicles. At the Dublin Port Tunnel, the amount of the toll fees is based on the day of the week. Below you will find a list of all toll-liable tunnels and bridges:
Dublin Port Tunnel
East Link Toll Bridge
Limerick Tunnel
Regulations for motor vehicles
The following regulations apply to motor vehicles:
Vehicle combinations: are tolled like cars.
Motorhomes: are tolled like cars, regardless of the permissible total weight (in short: gross vehicle weight).
Accordingly, when using toll-liable motorway sections, tunnels and bridges, the car toll fee applies to vehicle combinations and motorhomes. Therefore, when it comes to vehicle categories, a distinction is only made between motorcycles up to 50 cm and cars.
Paying the toll
You can pay the toll fees for the various routes at the toll stations, electronically with a transmitter device, or afterwards.
If you want to pay directly at the toll stations, payment with cash or in some cases by credit card is possible. For electronic payment of toll fees, you need a transponder (transmitter device). Many rental cars therefore have a built-in transponder that collects the toll fees and enables automatic billing at the end of the rental period.
Subsequent payment is particularly important for the M50 ring motorway. For this toll-liable route, you can settle the toll fees online afterwards, at "Payzone" stations, or by phone.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a good trip and an unforgettable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ on Tolls in Ireland
Answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
Is there a toll requirement in Ireland?
{"faq_question":"Is there a toll requirement in Ireland?","answer":"
Yes, in Ireland there is a toll requirement for certain motorway sections as well as individual bridges and tunnels. However, a nationwide toll system does not exist. The majority of regional and national roads are toll-free.
"}Do you need a vignette in Ireland?
No, there is no vignette requirement in Ireland. Instead, a so-called special toll is charged. This means that you pay a fixed fee per vehicle category for the use of certain routes.
Which roads in Ireland are subject to tolls?
Tolls apply, among others, on sections of the M3, M4, M7/M8, M50 (Dublin Ring Road), N6/M6, N8/M8 as well as the N25. In addition, certain tunnels and bridges such as the Dublin Port Tunnel, the East Link Toll Bridge, and the Limerick Tunnel are subject to tolls.
How does the toll work on the M50 in Dublin?
On the M50 ring motorway, there are no barriers or cash payment. Vehicles are registered electronically via license plate recognition ("eFlow"). The toll must then be paid online, by phone, or at so-called "Payzone" stations. For rental cars, billing is often handled automatically via an installed transponder.
How can you pay the toll in Ireland?
Payment is made either directly at toll stations (in cash or, in some cases, by credit card), electronically via transponder, or afterwards online or by phone, depending on the route. On the M50 in particular, paying on time afterwards is essential.
What vehicle categories are there?
In Ireland, a basic distinction is made between two vehicle categories: motorcycles over 50 cc and cars. The amount of the toll fee depends on the respective route and/or the vehicle category.
Are motorhomes and vehicle-trailer combinations tolled differently?
No. Motorhomes and vehicle-trailer combinations are tolled like cars regardless of their permissible total weight. The same fees therefore apply as for regular passenger cars.
