The border between Austria and the Czech Republic is 466.1 km long, with numerous road crossings and one highway crossing at Drasenhofen (AT) / Mikulov (CZ). At the highway crossing, note that there is a vignette requirement in both Austria and the Czech Republic. To avoid wasting time at toll stations at the border crossing, it is worthwhile to purchase the digital vignettes for both countries online beforehand. This is much faster and easier than buying the vignette at rest stops or toll stations during the trip.
Within the EU Schengen area, border controls are generally not conducted. Thus, checks at the Austrian-Czech border are only performed in exceptional cases. Such exceptions include international sporting events like the Football World Cup or major political events. Border checks are also conducted when internal security is at risk. As of October 2023, increased checks are taking place at the Austrian-Czech border due to a rise in smuggling activity. As a result, there may be waiting times during periods of heavy traffic. As an EU citizen, a valid ID card or passport is sufficient to cross the border. Carrying goods is also permitted, but there are quantity restrictions for alcohol and tobacco.
Both Austria and the Czech Republic require vignettes on highways and some expressways. The toll fees collected are used for the maintenance of the highways. Both countries now offer a digital vignette as an alternative to the traditional sticker vignette. This allows the toll fees to be paid easily online, and the license plate is then registered and captured by cameras at toll stations. This means you do not need to stop at rest stops to buy a vignette or wait in line at toll stations. In the Czech Republic, there are 10-day, monthly, and annual vignettes. From 2024, a one-day vignette will also be available. The sticker vignette is no longer available in the Czech Republic, only the digital vignette remains. The vignette requirement applies to almost all vehicles up to 3.5 tons. Vehicles powered by natural gas or biomethane pay only half the toll fees. Electric cars are completely exempt from the vignette requirement. In Austria, in addition to the digital vignette, the sticker vignette is still available. The digital vignette can be registered for 10 days, 2 months, a year, and from 2024, also for one day. Electric cars are also subject to tolls in Austria. Note that on some mountain passes and tunnels, a special route toll is charged that is not included in the general highway toll. Vignettes for the relevant tunnels and mountain passes can be conveniently purchased in our online shop, just like the highway vignette.
For travelers, the border crossings at Leopoldschlag (Wullowitz), Kleinhaugsdorf (AT) / Haté (CZ), and the highway crossing Drasenhofen (AT) / Mikulov (CZ) are usually the most interesting. Due to border and toll checks at the highway crossing, there may be waiting times at the border. However, with a digital vignette, you can usually pass through the toll stations without stopping.
The Drasenhofen (AT) / Mikulov (CZ) border crossing is the only highway crossing between Austria and the Czech Republic. The Austrian A5 becomes Highway 52 in the Czech Republic. The highways are part of the European route E461 and are the fastest connection between Vienna and Brno. Due to the toll stations, there can be waiting times during peak traffic hours. However, if you have obtained a digital vignette online in advance, you can usually pass through the toll stations without stopping and save a lot of time.
The Kleinhaugsdorf (AT) / Haté (CZ) border crossing is located on the European route E59, which runs from Zagreb via Maribor, Graz, and Vienna to Jihlava in the Czech Republic. The roads on both sides of the border can be used without a vignette. A vignette is only required when entering a highway or expressway.
Another European route crossing on the Austrian-Czech border is located in the town of Wullowitz (district of Leopoldschlag AT). It is on the European route E55 from Denmark to Greece, which provides a direct connection between Linz, České Budějovice, and Prague. In Austria, the border crossing is accessed via the toll road Mühlviertler Schnellstraße S10. However, no vignette is required directly at the border crossing – only when entering the next highway or expressway.
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