Border crossings in Europe
The border between Austria and Slovenia stretches over 300 km. Border crossings serve to regulate and control border crossings and, where applicable, border crossings are provided as the legal means of entering a country. From the Austrian side, for example, there are 39 official border crossings into Slovenia. Within the Schengen area, there are generally no regular border controls. However, Austria is currently temporarily reintroducing border controls with Slovenia, currently ordered until 15 March 2027. Therefore, carry a valid ID card or passport with you.
Vignettes in Austria and Slovenia
Both Austria and Slovenia have a toll or vignette requirement for the use of motorways and expressways. The vignettes for Austria and Slovenia are included in our flat rate:
Border crossings between Austria and Slovenia
As a country in the centre of Europe, Austria has many border crossings with its neighbouring countries. For example, there are 39 official border crossings on the border between Austria and Slovenia, plus a whole range of hiking and cycling paths, footpaths, country lanes and the like.
The official border crossings are either roads or railway lines connecting two towns on the borders. At the rail connections, a train station still exists in the towns from the days of border controls, so that border checks could take place in the train during the crossing. The most important crossings for drivers are the motorway crossings Spielfeld – Šentilj (A 9/A 1) and the Karawanks Tunnel (A 11/A 2). In addition, the Loibl Pass with the Loibl Tunnel and the Wurzen Pass lead across the border as mountain pass roads.
Most important border crossings between Austria & Slovenia
The most important border crossings between Austria and Slovenia are the major crossings where you can make quick progress using motorways. From Austria to Slovenia (and vice versa), the 2 major border crossings on the south-eastern and south-western border between Austria and Slovenia are particularly important:
The Spielfeld - Šentilj border crossing on the south-eastern border between Austria and Slovenia
The Karawanks Tunnel on the south-western border between Austria and Slovenia
Spielfeld - Šentilj border crossing
At the border between Spielfeld and Šentilj there are 2 border crossings: one directly from the motorway (A 9, Austria) onto the motorway (A 1, Slovenia), and one from the federal road (B 67, Austria) onto the main road (437, Slovenia).
The shortest waiting times can be expected at the crossing from the A 9 to the A 1 (European route E 59 from the Czech Republic to Croatia).
The corresponding route is also not subject to a distance-based toll, so the vignette for Austria is sufficient here.
For the A 1 on the Slovenian side, a vignette is also required, the Slovenian e-vignette. For through travellers, e.g. those on their way to a holiday in Croatia, the toll-vignette motorways are recommended for a journey that is as stress-free as possible.
However, anyone wanting to save on vignette costs also has the option at this border crossing of travelling via the B 67 and the 437 road towards Croatia.
Avoiding motorways and expressways does involve a considerably longer travel time, but it can also reward travellers with beautiful views.
In any case, thorough route planning should definitely be carried out beforehand. Travellers to or from/via Graz should choose the Spielfeld border crossing.
Karawanks Tunnel border crossing
The border crossing through the Karawanks Tunnel is located on the south-western border between Austria and Slovenia.
Here, the A 11 leads from Austria through the Karawanks Tunnel onto the A 2. Both sections are part of the European route E 61 from Austria to the Croatian Adriatic coast. The route via European route 61 is particularly recommended for travellers to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana and to the Slovenian and Croatian Adriatic coast.
The A 2, as part of the E 61, leads to Ljubljana. From there, the A 1 leads towards the Slovenian Adriatic coast, after which the E 61 continues via further roads to the Croatian Adriatic coast.
Travellers to or from/via Klagenfurt am Wörthersee should choose the Karawanks Tunnel border crossing. For the Karawanks Tunnel, you pay a special toll of €9 (vehicles up to 3.5 t) in each direction of travel: towards Slovenia to ASFINAG, towards Austria to DARS at the Hrušica toll station.
On our subpage about the Karawanks Tunnel toll for Austria, you will find further information on prices. Towards Slovenia, you can pay the toll on site at the toll station or in advance as a digital route toll ticket with ASFINAG. The tunnel toll is not included in the base price of our Vignette Flat Rate, but towards Slovenia you can add it with the Austria route toll add-on. Towards Austria, you pay the tunnel toll to DARS; this direction is not included in the add-on.
FAQ on the Austria-Slovenia border
Answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
Is the route through the Karawanken Tunnel subject to a toll?
Yes. For the Karawanken Tunnel, a special toll of €9 applies per direction of travel (vehicles up to 3.5 t): towards Slovenia payable to ASFINAG (on site or in advance as a digital route toll ticket), towards Austria payable to DARS at the Hrušica toll station. It is included neither in the vignette nor in our flat rate.
How many official border crossings are there between Austria and Slovenia?
There are 39 official border crossings along the more than 300 km long border, including both road and rail crossings.
Do I need a separate vignette for Austria and Slovenia?
Yes, both countries require a vignette for motorways and expressways. Details about Austria can be found in our guide on tolls in Austria.
Which border crossing is best suited for continuing on to Croatia?
The Spielfeld – Šentilj border crossing offers the shortest waiting time and leads directly from the Austrian A9 to the Slovenian A1.
About the author
Michelle Albrecht