Toll in Austria
Why do you have to pay toll fees?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees, as there is a general toll obligation. Toll amounts are charged for the use of certain routes, tunnels, and bridges. The money collected through tolls goes towards the expansion and maintenance of the road network, allowing you a smooth journey to your holiday. The main areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management, road safety, and environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: Construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: Use of new technologies such as intelligent transport systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: Expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll collected?
Tolls can be collected in different ways. These include the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll, and special toll routes.
Vehicle
Vignette
Distance-based toll
Special toll
Motorcycle
✓
✗
✓
Car (up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight)
✓
✗
✓
Car (over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight)
✗
✓
✓
Motorhome (up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight)
✓
✗
✓
Motorhome (over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight)
✗
✓
✓
Truck (up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight)
✓
✗
✓
Truck (over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight)
✗
✓
✓
Vignette requirement: Cars and motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight
With the vignette requirement, toll fees are not charged based on kilometers driven, but rather as a flat rate that varies depending on the duration of travel. Depending on the vehicle class, the price of a vignette may vary.
By purchasing a vignette, you make a one-time purchase that allows you to use all toll roads (except special toll routes). The vignette requirement applies in Austria to vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (technically permissible total mass excluding passengers). Motorcycles are also subject to the vignette requirement in Austria. More detailed information on the various vehicle classes and the corresponding regulations can be found in our guide.
Distance-based toll: Trucks, buses, and motorhomes over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight
The distance-based toll applies in most countries to vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (trucks, buses, larger motorhomes). Unlike the vignette requirement, this is not a flat rate, but rather the toll is based on the kilometers driven, the vehicle class (number of axles), and the emission class. Accordingly, the amount of the toll fee can vary greatly. The distance-based toll is collected via a transponder (on-board unit), which you must purchase online or at sales points specific to each country and install in your vehicle. Payment is then made automatically via the stored payment method.
In Austria, the so-called GO-Box is required for this. For vehicles subject to the distance-based toll (over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight), the vignette requirement does not apply.
Special toll / route toll / video toll: Applies to all vehicles
Special toll routes are often tunnels or mountain pass roads. In Austria, the special toll is also referred to as the route toll (Note: risk of confusion with the distance-based toll). Using a special toll route incurs an additional fee. This is calculated as a flat rate, similar to the vignette, and varies according to vehicle class.
The special toll is charged for specific routes that are neither subject to the vignette requirement nor the distance-based toll. This means for you: Even with a vignette or transponder (GO-Box), additional fees apply for certain sections of the route.
Vehicle owners who use a special toll route must purchase a route toll ticket. For vehicles with a distance-based toll, the amount is automatically billed via the GO-Box.
Since many special toll routes can be reached via access roads subject to the vignette requirement or distance-based toll roads, it is advisable in any case to also purchase a vignette or a transponder. Further information on the individual special toll routes in Austria can be found in our guide.
Digital vignette: Simple, convenient, and from home
Order your digital vignette now conveniently from home. Benefit from the immediate validity of your vignette for Austria and start your journey stress-free.
Free route planner
With our free route planner, you can quickly and reliably find out which toll products you need for your journey through Austria.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a good drive to Austria and are happy to help you with any questions about toll regulations. Contact us via our email.
