Toll in Austria

Why Do You Have to Pay Toll Fees?

Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. This is known as a toll obligation. But what does that mean? Tolls are collected for using specific roads, tunnels, and bridges. The funds generated from these tolls are reinvested into the road network, ensuring a smooth journey on your way to vacation. The primary investment areas include infrastructure, traffic management and safety, and environmental protection.

• Infrastructure: Construction and maintenance of roads and highways
• Traffic Safety and Management: New technologies like intelligent traffic systems or toll bridges
• Environmental Protection: Expansion of noise barriers or emission reduction measures

How Are Tolls Collected?

Tolls can be collected in different ways. These include the vignette obligation, the distance-based toll, and special toll routes.

Vignette Obligation: Cars & Motorhomes up to 3.5 t GVWR

Under the vignette obligation, tolls are charged as a flat-rate fee rather than based on kilometers driven and vary depending on the duration of your trip. You purchase a digital vignette before your journey and choose from several validity periods. Depending on the vehicle class, the price of a vignette may differ.

Purchasing the vignette is a one-time transaction that allows you to drive on all toll-required roads (excluding special toll routes, also called route tolls). The vignette obligation in Austria applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t GVWR (technically permissible gross weight, excluding passengers). However, there are country-specific exceptions. Motorcycles are not subject to the vignette obligation in Austria, meaning you do not need a vignette to use Austria’s road network with a motorcycle. For detailed information about the various vehicle classes and their vignette requirements, please refer to our guide.

Distance-Based Toll: Trucks, Buses & Motorhomes over 3.5 t GVWR

Distance-based tolls apply in most countries to vehicles over 3.5 t GVWR (trucks, buses, motorhomes). Unlike the vignette, this toll is not a flat fee, but is based on kilometers driven, vehicle class (number of axles), and emission class (pollutant level). Therefore, the toll amount can vary significantly. It is collected using a transponder (a transmitting device). This transponder, often called an on-board unit, must be purchased depending on the country, either online or at sales points, and mounted in your vehicle. It enables contactless payment, and the toll amount is automatically deducted from your registered payment method.

In Austria, you must purchase what is called a GO-Box (transponder) to pay toll fees for distance-based toll routes. For vehicles subject to the distance-based toll (vehicles over 3.5 t GVWR), the vignette obligation (vehicles up to 3.5 t GVWR) does not apply.

Special Toll / Route Toll / Video Toll: Applies to All Vehicles

Special toll routes are often tunnels or mountain passes. In Austria, special toll is also referred to as route toll (Note: do not confuse with distance-based toll). If you pass through a special toll or route toll section, you will have to pay an additional fee. This fee, like the vignette, is a flat rate and varies based on vehicle class.

The special toll is charged for specific routes that are not covered by the vignette or the distance-based toll. This means that even if you have purchased a vignette for motorway use or already paid your distance-based toll using a transponder (GO-Box), there are route sections where an additional fee is required. The special toll therefore applies to anyone wishing to use these specific routes.

All vehicle owners who wish to use a special toll route must pay the route toll. Vehicles with a vignette pay an extra fee in addition to their vignette and must purchase a route toll ticket for using the special toll route (either on-site or digitally from us). Vehicles subject to the distance-based toll do not need a ticket for the route toll—the amount is automatically calculated via the GO-Box (transponder) when entering the toll section.

Additionally, most special toll routes can only be accessed via vignette-obligated or distance-based toll roads. Therefore, regardless of whether you use a special toll route, it is always advisable to purchase a vignette or a transponder. More detailed information on the various special toll routes in Austria can be found in our guide.

Digital Vignette from us: Easy, convenient, digital

Order your digital vignette now conveniently from home with us. Benefit from the exclusive offer of the immediate validity of your digital vignette for Austria and avoid the 18-day waiting period. Choose from various validity periods and vehicle classes for your vacation. We want your trip to be as pleasant as possible with our digital vignette. Traveling should be simple!

Free Route Planner

With our free route planner, you can quickly and easily find out which toll products you need for your journey through Austria.

The DMC Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey!

We wish you a great trip to Austria and are happy to assist with any further questions regarding Austria and the relevant toll regulations. Contact us via email: [email protected]

Michelle Albrecht

Hello, I'm Michelle, and I absolutely love writing. As a copywriter, I've turned my passion into a career! Of course, I also let my creativity run wild in my own books. Ever since I spent half a year living in Australia, my wanderlust has grown even stronger (and I never thought that was even possible). That’s why I’m all the more excited to share tips with my readers for their future adventures!

Michelle Albrecht

Hello, I'm Michelle, and I absolutely love writing. As a copywriter, I've turned my passion into a career! Of course, I also let my creativity run wild in my own books. Ever since I spent half a year living in Australia, my wanderlust has grown even stronger (and I never thought that was even possible). That’s why I’m all the more excited to share tips with my readers for their future adventures!