Route Toll: The Brenner Motorway A13

The Brenner Motorway is one of the key routes through the Alps and forms part of the European north–south corridor (European route 45). In 2022 alone, 16.58 million cars and 2.73 million trucks crossed the Brenner, which connects Austria and Italy, resulting in significant traffic volumes.

On the A13 motorway, which runs over the Brenner from Austria to Italy, a route toll is required. It is important to distinguish between the Brenner Tunnel and the Brenner Base Tunnel.

While the Brenner Tunnel is subject to the route toll and serves road traffic, the Brenner Base Tunnel is being built for rail transport and is expected to be completed by 2032.

You can find further information on travelling by train from Innsbruck to Franzensfeste via the Brenner Base Tunnel in our guide.

The route toll (also called special toll) is a fee in Austria that must be paid on certain road sections independently of the vignette. In most cases, a vignette is still required, as access and exit routes generally need a vignette.

How much does the Brenner route toll cost?

The cost of the route toll (special toll) on the A13 Brenner Motorway depends on the pass purchased, i.e., the number of trips. You can buy a route toll for a single trip, two trips (e.g., outbound and return) or as an annual pass.

With the annual pass, you can use the Brenner Motorway all year round. The advantage of the digital route toll is that the toll—like the vignette—is registered to the licence plate and recognized automatically. At toll stations on sections subject to the route toll, there are green-marked lanes specifically for the Digital Route Toll (formerly: video toll).

These lanes have no terminals for cash or card payments; they may only be used by vehicles with a route toll already registered, which significantly reduces waiting times in practice.

The Europabrücke

On the A13 Brenner Motorway, in the area of the Brenner Tunnel, lies the Europabrücke, the heart of the A13 between Patsch and Schönberg in the Stubai Valley. A route toll is charged for using the Europabrücke; however, it is included in the fee for the entire Brenner Tunnel. If you have already paid the route toll for the full A13, no additional fee is due for the Europabrücke.

From 2040, a comprehensive renewal of the Europabrücke is planned. The complete new construction over an expected period of four years will result in significant restrictions for travellers.

Austria and Italy: Which toll applies where?

Austria and Italy have different toll and vignette systems. The Italian Brenner Motorway A22 connects at the border to the Austrian A13 motorway. While the route toll applies on the Austrian motorway, there is no corresponding special toll in Italy; the A22 is therefore not subject to the route toll.

Italy also has no vignette requirement. The toll for the A22 is charged as a distance-based toll; the amount depends on the kilometres travelled and the vehicle class.

On site, the toll can be paid at toll stations at the respective motorway exits in cash or by credit card. Payment via Visacard, a prepaid card for paying tolls on Italian motorways, is also possible.

Where does the Brenner route toll (special toll) apply?

Unlike other special-toll sections that cover only certain parts of a motorway or expressway, the entire A13 is subject to the route toll. The toll plaza for the A13 Brenner Motorway is located near Schönberg.

Route Planner

With our route planner, you can quickly and easily find out which toll rules apply to your trip by entering the start and destination of your planned journey. In addition, our product finder helps you select the products you need.

The Brenner Pass

The Brenner Pass is a border pass between Austria and Italy and is among the most important routes for Alpine transit. It was already used for crossing the Alps in antiquity; up to the Middle Ages, the Via Raetia was one of the most significant Alpine roads. In the 16th century, a postal route over the Brenner Pass was established; in the 19th century, the Brenner Railway became the first railway line across the main Alpine ridge from Innsbruck to Verona.

The Brenner Motorway was built in the 1960s and opened in the 1970s. It is a key connection between Austria and Italy: The Italian European route 45 and the Autostrada A22 lead directly to the Brenner Motorway; the route is one of the most important transit corridors between the two countries.