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Austria Slovenia Border Crossing

Border

The border between Austria and Slovenia stretches over a length of 330 kilometers. The largest section of the border is formed by the Karawanken, the Bacher Mountains, and the Lavanttal Alps. Other border sections are formed by the rivers Kutschenitza, Mur, and Drava.

These special geographical conditions result in there being only a few border crossings for drivers. For vacationers, the most important motorway crossings are the Karawanken Tunnel and Spielfeld (AT) - Šentilj (SVN).

Importance of Border Crossings in Europe

Within the EU Schengen area, there are usually no border controls, except in specific cases for the protection of public order and internal security. International sports events like the Football World Cup and major political events are among those exceptions. Due to increased illegal immigration, border controls on the Austrian side have been strengthened as of 2023.

As an EU citizen, you can pass through border control easily with a passport or ID card and carry goods for personal use. The only downside to border controls is longer waiting times at the border crossings. However, if you register a digital vignette in advance, you won't have to wait twice at both the border control and the toll station, but can pass the toll station without stopping.

Important Border Crossings between Slovenia and Austria

The most important border crossings from Slovenia to Austria for vacationers are the Karawanken Tunnel and the motorway crossing Šentilj (SVN) - Spielfeld (AT).

  • Karawanken Tunnel: The nearly 8-kilometer-long Karawanken Tunnel was built between 1986 and 1991 and connects the Slovenian A2 motorway, which runs directly through Ljubljana, with the Austrian A11 motorway. The construction of the tunnel reduced the travel time between Ljubljana and Villach by more than an hour. During the travel season in the summer months, more than 30,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily, so increased waiting times may occur. During heavy traffic and the risk of congestion, the speed limit in the tunnel is reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h, which also extends the travel time. Outside the travel season, around 10,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily.
  • Šentilj (SVN) - Spielfeld (AT): At the border between Šentilj and Spielfeld, there are two border crossings. One of them is the motorway crossing between the Austrian A9 and the Slovenian A1, while the other is a border crossing between the Austrian federal road B67 and the Slovenian main road 437. The crossing between B67 and 437 is a way to avoid toll fees. However, traveling without motorways and expressways comes with a significantly longer travel time. Traveling via the motorways is much less stressful for travelers, especially if the digital vignettes are registered in advance. For those passing through to Croatia, the Spielfeld - Šentilj motorway crossing is the most convenient as it connects via the A1 in Maribor to the A4, which leads directly to the Croatian border.

Toll Sticker Requirement in Slovenia and Austria

Both Austria and Slovenia require toll stickers for their motorways. In Slovenia, there is only the digital vignette now. In Austria, the classic adhesive vignette can still be purchased, but the digital version is simply more convenient.

You save a lot of stress and time by paying for the digital vignette in advance and registering your license plate. You won't need to wait at the toll station, collect coins, or stand in line at a rest stop, but can handle everything comfortably from your sofa. You can even do this weeks before your vacation.

Toll Sticker Requirement in Slovenia

If you want to use the Slovenian motorways and expressways during your trip, you need an electronic vignette, known as the E-Vinjeta. Additional fees apply on certain routes (such as the Karawanken Tunnel). You can choose from different durations:

Route-Based Toll in Slovenia

If your vehicle exceeds 3.5 tons GVW, you will need a DarsGo On-Board Unit instead of the vignette to pay the route-based toll. This toll depends on the distance traveled, the number of axles, and the Euro emission class (level of pollution). The Euro emission class is divided into pollutant classes 1-6. Class 1 represents high pollution, while class 6 represents low pollution.

Austria

The following section provides an overview of whether you need a vignette and if there are any specific toll sections.

Austria: Vignette Requirement (or not?)

For the use of the Austrian motorway and expressway networks, tolls are charged in the form of a vignette requirement. Therefore, vehicles up to 3.5 tons need a (digital) vignette. You can choose from different durations depending on your vehicle class. For more information, you can find here.

However, there are also toll-free motorways. Ways to avoid the vignette requirement. To what extent it makes sense to avoid the toll can be read in our article here.

Route-Based Toll in Austria

Note that for vehicles over 3.5 tons GVW, the vignette requirement is waived and instead a route-based toll is charged. This performance-dependent toll is settled using a GO-Box, which must be installed in your vehicle for data collection.

Special Toll Routes

In addition to the vignette requirement and the route-based toll, there are certain special toll routes in Austria that you should be aware of during your trip. Additional fees apply for using these special toll routes.
  • Arlberg Tunnel S16: Payment on-site with cash, credit card, or Maestro card
  • Felbertauern Tunnel: Payment on-site with cash or credit card
  • Gleinalm Tunnel, Bosruck Tunnel/Pyhrn Autobahn: Payment on-site with cash, credit card, or Maestro card
  • Karawanken Tunnel: Payment on-site with cash, credit card, or Maestro card. The Karawanken Tunnel is also part of Slovenia as a connection between Austria and Slovenia, and therefore represents a special toll route in Slovenia as well. The toll must be paid in the direction from Slovenia to Austria at the Hrušica toll station. If you come from Austria, the above-mentioned regulations apply, which are explained in more detail here.

Here you can find more information on the various tunnels and certain mountain passes.

Your Journey Starts Now!

Order your vignette easily and conveniently with us. Benefit from the immediate validity of the digital vignette and choose from different durations for a digital vignette for Slovenia and a vignette for Austria.