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The Bosruck Tunnel

Last updated: 01.09.2025 Reading time: 5 Minutes

What is the Bosruck Tunnel?

The Bosruck Tunnel is a special toll route on the Pyhrn Motorway A9 (Wels – Graz) in the center (Styria) of Austria, meaning that for this section you must pay a route toll (special toll). Specifically, the Bosruck Tunnel consists of a railway tunnel including two road tunnels that pass under the Bosruck. Depending on the route, the Bosruck Tunnel is crossed when traveling from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, or Germany towards Hungary.

The Bosruck road tunnel has a total length of 5,509 meters (5.5 km), features two tubes (construction of the 2nd tube began in 2009), which run mostly parallel to the approximately 80-year older railway tunnel, and has been fully completed since 2013. Since September 15, 2023, the Bosruck Tunnel and the Gleinalm Tunnel have also been barrier-free:

  • The lanes have been widened from 2.3 meters to over 3 meters, making it easier for large cars, motorhomes, and trailers to pass through.
  • The digital toll lane is even barrier-free. So anyone who already has a digital route toll ticket can pass through the toll station more quickly this way.
  • The new signage at the toll stations clearly indicates where holders of a digital route toll must line up, as well as those who do not yet have a ticket.
  • The lane for the route toll is marked green already 200 meters before the actual toll station to prevent last-minute lane changes.
  • Passing without a ticket can result in heavy fines.

Travel to Slovenia and Croatia

Since a trip to Slovenia or Croatia will very likely take you through the Bosruck and/or Gleinalm Tunnel, travelers are well advised to purchase an immediately valid, digital route toll (special toll) before starting their journey, to at least save some time at the relevant toll stations during the trip.

FAQ about the Bosruck Tunnel

Since the Bosruck Tunnel is a special toll route, no vignette is required for passing through, but a route toll ticket must be purchased instead. The price of the route toll varies depending on the number of trips.

You can bypass the Bosruck Tunnel by taking the Landesstraße 320 in Altenmarkt im Pongau (formerly federal roads B 146 and B 308), which then becomes the E651 (European road) towards Liezen. After Liezen, continue via Selzthal. However, when bypassing a toll tunnel, always consider that while you save the toll fee, the detour usually means a significantly longer drive and therefore also higher fuel costs. Whether bypassing the tunnel is worth it depends on the individual case.

Both tunnels are located on the A9 Pyhrn Motorway, which runs from Wels to Graz. Both sections are subject to tolls.

The Bosruck Tunnel is located on the A9 Pyhrn Motorway (Wels – Graz), south of the Gleinalm Tunnel.

On the way from Wels to Graz, you drive on the A9 Pyhrn Motorway through both the Gleinalm Tunnel and the Bosruck Tunnel, both of which are subject to tolls.

Depending on the direction you are traveling from to Croatia, you will need to pass through the Tauern Tunnel and/or the Karawanks Tunnel, as both are located on the border with Slovenia.
Milena Paasch
Hey, I'm Milena. I love to travel. Thanks to that, I've already seen a lot – for example, various states in the USA, the Niagara Falls in Canada, several places during a round trip through Sweden, Spain, Italy, and a few other fascinating destinations. I've also always been passionate about reading and writing texts. Being a copywriter is therefore a perfect match for my interests. I strive to offer readers an exciting and enriching reading experience and want my texts to be truly enjoyable to read!