Most motorways and highways in Austria require vignettes of drivers on vehicles under 3.5 t. Nevertheless, in December 2019, a new regulation came out: passenger cars are exempt from the vignette requirement on certain routes. The drivers of trucks with a weight over 3.5 t must still pay the toll and install a Go Box device.
For the most part, a new regulation benefits travelers who use Austria for transit: make a short stop in Austria to get to the onward country in their itinerary.
Presently, there are four toll-free roads in Austria: A1 Westautobahn (Walserberg to Salzburg Nord), A12 Inntalautobahn (Kiefersfelden to Kufstein South), A14 Rheintal/Walgau (Hörbranz to Hohenems Vorarlberg), and A26 Linzer Autobahn (Linz Westring).
Since only certain parts of the motorways are toll-free and not the entire motorway, it may be confusing for drivers to get which routes exactly do not require the Austrian vignette. For example, you are able to drive to Salzburg Nord without a vignette if you are entering the country from the A8 in Germany and crossing the border at Walserberg. You will have to pay tolls, though, if you go all the way to Linz or even Vienna.
Such confusing situations can result in penalties for drivers. Therefore, it is essential to be able to distinguish Austrian toll-free routes from toll routes. Get familiar with all the information regarding the vignette obligation in Austria. It is also recommended to use navigation devices with the most up-to-date road maps, which will help you to identify toll-free routes and avoid roads requiring a vignette.
Why are toll-free routes implemented in Austria?
The launch of toll-free routes in Austria happened for a number of reasons. Many drivers, willing to avoid purchasing a vignette, began to use rural roads. It led to heavy traffic on the roads near the municipalities, which became a huge problem for residents of those areas.
Because of the volume of traffic, sometimes, vehicles even came to a standstill. Furthermore, it caused more pollution in the regions and increased the risk of accidents for locals and tourists.
The regulation to allow usage of Austrian highways without toll stickers gradually solves the above-mentioned problems, releasing residents from the great burden of toll bypass traffic.
The best toll-free routes in Austria
There are four important routes in Austria where drivers of cars up to 3.5 t can use certain sections without the need to obtain an Austrian vignette.
Toll-free on the A14 Rheintal/Walgau highway
You can drive on the car section from Hohenems in Vorarlberg towards Germany up to the German-Austrian border crossing without a vignette. This route is extremely popular among ski holidaymakers who can get to the state of Tyrol from Hohenems only within about an hour.
Toll-free on the A12 Inntal highway
This toll-free Austrian section enables you to come from Tyrol to Salzburg and from Kiefersfelden to Kufstein-Süd the fastest. It is also one of the best sections near the border since you can keep on driving to the Walserberg border without purchasing a vignette.
Toll-free on the A26 Linzer Autobahn (Mühlkreisautobahn)
The A26 Linzer Autobahn, which should be toll-free, is still under construction, with its project containing three sections. The first section is expected to be ready in 2024. However, the whole project is to be completed only by 2031.
Toll-free on the A1 Westautobahn
The A1 Westautobahn gives you an opportunity to get from the German state border at Walserberg to Salzburg Nord. This is a toll-free highway that allows to drive almost 300 km without a valid vignette.
Toll-free routes in Austria to reach other countries
Through Austria, you can drive toll-free to such countries as Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia. In order to get to South Tyrol in Italy from Austria toll-free, you need to drive through the Kiefersfelden border crossing to Kufstein, and there use the B175 state road to Italy. If you travel from Germany and want to get through Austria to Italy, drive on the B182 Brennerstraße, which bypasses the toll Brenner Pass.
Drivers willing to reach Croatia through Austria without a vignette should drive via Passau and use the B138 that stretches to the Austrian-Slovenian border in Lavamüd. Then you can get to the border crossing with Croatia through European Route 59 – the trip can be completed within 2 hours.
You can reach Slovenia via the B138 or the B99 from Passau. The B99 state road, which is a bypass route of the toll Tauern Tunnel, can take you to Ljubljana within 6 hours.
FAQ
Which roads are toll-free in Austria?
Austria offers four toll-free highways: A1 Westautobahn (Walserberg to Salzburg Nord), A12 Inntalautobahn (Kiefersfelden to Kufstein South), A14 Rheintal/Walgau (Hörbranz to Hohenems Vorarlberg), and A26 Linzer Autobahn (Linz Westring).
Does a new Austrian regulation apply to all vehicles?
No. A new Austrian regulation regarding toll exemptions only applies to passenger cars weighing up to 3.5 t. Vehicles with a GVW over 3.5 t must still cover a separate toll and have a Go Box device that automatically calculates the toll amount.
Which countries can you enter from Austria without obtaining a vignette?
Through Austria, you can travel to Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia toll-free. It is highly advised to do research and plan your itinerary beforehand in order to ensure that all the roads you choose for your trip do not require a vignette. If you enter the Austrian toll road without a valid vignette, you will be fined.
What to do if I plan to use a toll road in Austria?
If you intend to use a toll road in Austria and your vehicle is under 3.5 t, you must purchase an Austrian vignette. It is available as a toll sticker or a digital vignette, which can be easily obtained online. To order a digital vignette for Austria, you need to complete a short form, pay the fees, and receive the purchase confirmation via email.