The border between Austria and the Czech Republic is 466.1 km long, featuring numerous road crossings and one highway crossing at Drasenhofen (AT) / Mikulov (CZ). At the highway crossing, note that there is a vignette requirement in both Austria and the Czech Republic.
To avoid delays at toll stations at the border crossing, it is advisable to purchase the digital vignettes for both countries online in advance. This method is significantly faster and more convenient than purchasing the vignette at rest stops or toll stations during travel.
Within the EU Schengen area, border controls are generally not conducted. Therefore, checks at the Austrian-Czech border are performed only in exceptional cases, such as during international sporting events or significant political events.
Border checks may also occur when internal security is at risk. As of October 2023, increased checks are being conducted at the Austrian-Czech border due to a rise in smuggling activities, potentially resulting in waiting times during peak traffic periods.
As an EU citizen, a valid ID card or passport suffices for crossing the border. While carrying goods is permitted, there are quantity restrictions on alcohol and tobacco.
Both Austria and the Czech Republic require vignettes on highways and some expressways. The toll fees collected are utilized for the maintenance of the highways. Both countries now offer a digital vignette as an alternative to the traditional sticker vignette.
This allows toll fees to be paid conveniently online, with the license plate registered and captured by cameras at toll stations. Consequently, it is unnecessary to stop at rest stops to purchase a vignette or wait in line at toll stations.
In the Czech Republic, there are 10-day, monthly, and annual vignettes, with a one-day vignette becoming available in 2024. The sticker vignette is no longer offered in the Czech Republic; only the digital vignette remains. The vignette requirement applies to nearly all vehicles up to 3.5 tons. Vehicles powered by natural gas or biomethane incur only half the toll fees, while electric cars are completely exempt from the vignette requirement.
In Austria, in addition to the digital vignette, the sticker vignette is still available. The digital vignette can be registered for 10 days, 2 months, a year, and, from 2024, also for one day. Note that electric cars are also subject to tolls in Austria. Furthermore, on certain mountain passes and tunnels, a special route toll is charged that is not included in the general highway toll. Vignettes for the relevant tunnels and mountain passes can be conveniently purchased online, similar to the highway vignette.
For travelers, the border crossings at Leopoldschlag (Wullowitz), Kleinhaugsdorf (AT) / Haté (CZ), and the highway crossing Drasenhofen (AT) / Mikulov (CZ) are usually the most noteworthy.
Due to border and toll checks at the highway crossing, there may be waiting times. However, with a digital vignette, you can generally pass through the toll stations without stopping.
The Drasenhofen (AT) / Mikulov (CZ) border crossing is the only highway crossing between Austria and the Czech Republic. The Austrian A5 becomes Highway 52 in the Czech Republic, and these highways are part of the European route E461, providing the fastest connection between Vienna and Brno.
Due to the toll stations, there can be waiting times during peak traffic hours. However, if you have obtained a digital vignette online in advance, you can usually pass through the toll stations without stopping, thereby saving considerable time.
The Kleinhaugsdorf (AT) / Haté (CZ) border crossing is located on the European route E59, which runs from Zagreb via Maribor, Graz, and Vienna to Jihlava in the Czech Republic. The roads on both sides of the border can be used without a vignette; however, a vignette is required when entering a highway or expressway.
Another European route crossing on the Austrian-Czech border is situated in the town of Wullowitz (district of Leopoldschlag AT). This crossing is on the European route E55 from Denmark to Greece, providing a direct connection between Linz, České Budějovice, and Prague.
In Austria, the border crossing is accessed via the toll road Mühlviertler Schnellstraße S10. However, no vignette is required directly at the border crossing—only when entering the next highway or expressway.