What is the Tauern Tunnel in Austria?
The Tauern Tunnel motorway is located in the southwest of Austria and comprises a 6,546 metre (6.5 km) long road tunnel on the Tauern motorway A 10. Together with the Katschberg Tunnel, the Tauern Tunnel forms an important link between Villach and Salzburg. Originally, the Tauern Tunnel – just like the Katschberg Tunnel – was planned with two tubes. However, as the project progressed it became apparent that the budget was insufficient and actual traffic volumes remained below the initial forecasts, so in 1975 it was decided not to build the second tube.
A special toll is also charged for the Tauern Tunnel, as it is a designated special toll route. For this section, and thus for passing through the Tauern Tunnel, there is no obligation to purchase a vignette; a vignette is therefore not required.
FAQ about the Tauern Tunnel
Why was the Tauern Tunnel closed?
During the night of 29 May 1999, a serious traffic accident occurred in the Tauern Tunnel, caused by the microsleep of an Austrian lorry driver. The resulting damage amounted to a total of 28 million euros and led to the Tauern Tunnel being closed for around three months.
Is the Tauern Tunnel currently open?
The Tauern Tunnel is undergoing extensive modernisation between 18/11/2024 and 04/07/2025. As part of these modernisation works, certain maintenance measures were absolutely necessary, which is why the Tauern Tunnel had already been completely closed between 12/04/2023 and 17/05/2023.
Can the Tauern Tunnel be bypassed?
Yes. As the B99 largely runs parallel to the Tauern motorway, you can first follow the B99 to Radstadt, then continue towards Obertauern and rejoin the Tauern motorway at St. Michael im Lungau.
How long does it take to drive through the Tauern Tunnel?
The pure driving time through the Tauern Tunnel is approximately 12 minutes.
Is it worth bypassing the Tauern Tunnel?
As bypassing the Tauern Tunnel takes around 45 minutes, a detour is generally only advisable if traffic reports or radio announcements indicate waiting times of around one hour or more before reaching the Tauern Tunnel.
