Karawanken Tunnel (Special Toll Route)
What is the Karawanken Tunnel?
The Karawanken Tunnel connects the two European countries of Austria to the south and Slovenia to the northwest. The tunnel was built between 1986 and 1991. With a total length of 7,864 metres (approximately 7.9 kilometres), it covers 4,402 metres on the Austrian side and 3,546 metres on the Slovenian side, and takes its name from the connection between Austria and the Slovenian Karawanken mountains. Via the A11, it provides a direct connection through the Slovenian Karawanken to the Slovenian E61.
To further increase the capacity of the Karawanken Tunnel, ASFINAG began the full expansion of the route on the A 11 in September 2018. The first step was the construction of the second tunnel tube (east tube). After a construction period of just under seven and a half years, it was completed and opened in mid-March 2026.
Immediately afterwards, the comprehensive refurbishment of the existing tube (west tube) will begin. During these works, traffic will initially be routed in two-way traffic through the new tube. The refurbishment is scheduled to be completed by mid-2029. After that, both tubes can be used for regular directional traffic, and two-way traffic will no longer be necessary.
How long does a journey through the Karawanken Tunnel take?
Thanks to the Karawanken Tunnel, the travel time from Villach (the nearest larger city to the northwest of the Karawanken Tunnel on the Austrian side) to Ljubljana (the nearest larger city to the southeast near the Karawanken Tunnel on the Slovenian side) for around 2,000 vehicles per hour (capacity) has been reduced by approximately one hour.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a safe trip to Austria and are happy to assist you with any questions about toll regulations. Detailed information on tolls in Austria can be found in our guide. Feel free to use our route calculator to plan your trip perfectly and have suitable toll products displayed. For further questions about your trip or our digital vignette, please contact us via email.
FAQ about the Karawanken Tunnel
Is the Karawanken Tunnel subject to a toll?
Yes, the Karawanken Tunnel is subject to a route toll. Therefore, additional fees apply regardless of whether you hold a vignette.
Can you pay by debit card at the Karawanken Tunnel?
Yes, payment by debit card is possible at the Karawanken Tunnel.
Can you bypass the Karawanken Tunnel?
The Karawanken Tunnel can be bypassed by taking the 109 southwest of Villach and crossing the Slovenian border via the so-called Wurzen Pass. On the Slovenian side, the route then continues via the 201 towards Podkoren.
Is the Wurzen Pass also suitable for motorhomes?
As the Wurzen Pass is very steep in places (gradients of up to 18%), it is not recommended for longer vehicles such as motorhomes (especially in icy and/or snowy conditions).
