European freeways are expressways. Many of them are paid by fees received from drivers during the trip on the highway. Since the roads in Austria are paid, traveling on these highways requires a “vignette” - a sticker that the driver attaches to the windshield in an appropriate place so that the authorities can see if he paid the appropriate fee. These stickers inform about the payment of a road tax, which allows you to drive on the highway.
Tolls
Are all roads in Austria toll or not? Since 1997, the use of all freeways and motorways requires the purchase of a vignette for cars (up to 3.5 tons) or an on-board GO-Box device for trucks and buses. Payments must be made to access the Austrian motorway at any time.
What are the toll roads in Austria?
On routes that are more expensive to maintain, mainly in the Alps, payment is made per kilometer. For example, on the Pärn highway with tunnel sections, on the Tauern motorway (Tauern tunnel), on the Karavanken motorway, and also on the Brenner motorway. Therefore, drivers do not need to have a vignette on these tracks.
Stickers
They have a different duration of action (10 days, two months or a year). The vignette is made so that you can not remove it, and then stick it again. You must purchase a sticker and attach it to the place indicated on the back of the vignette: either in the upper left corner or in the center, below the point of attachment of the rear view mirror on the inside of the windshield. If the top of the glass is tinted, then the vignette must be attached under the tinted area so that it can be clearly seen.
The motorcycle also needs a sticker.
Vignette purchase
You can purchase a vignette at border gas stations, in tobacco traffic stores. The sticker must be purchased before entering Austria, at least 10 km to the border.
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that when you enter the country, you can no longer go back and get a vignette, the driver will just pay a fine. Currently, the amount for this administrative violation, called a special tax, is more than 200 euros. It is paid locally, otherwise the amount increases.
So, the purchase of a vignette does not mean that you can ride all roads and tunnels for free.
In Austria there are tracks that require payment of a fee on the spot (in the booth). Many of them go through tunnels, so you have to stop in front of him to pay a fee.
Make sure you keep the payment receipt, because the vignette is only valid if you show the payment receipt.
Toll roads in Austria in 2018
A9 - Pirn Motorway, Bosruk Tunnel.
A9 - Pirn Motorway, Glainalma Tunnel.
A10 - Tauern Motorway, Tauern and Katschberg Tunnel.
A11 - Karavanken motorway, Karavanken tunnel.
A13 - Brenner Motorway (entire route).
A13 - Brenner Motorway, exit Stubai.
S16 - Arlberg Motorway, Arlberg Road Tunnel
Where is the sticker required?
On toll roads in Austria, vignette is the main attribute, with the exception of sections with tolls, which are calculated on the basis of mileage.
Cost
The price of the vignette for a period of 10 days is € 8.70.
For 2 months - € 25.30.
For 1 year - € 84.40.
Motorcycle vignettes are priced at € 33.60 (1 year), € 12.70 (2 months) and € 5.00 (10 days).
Where to buy a vignette
At gas stations, in automobile associations and special public management points responsible for roads.
Asfinag
This is a company that develops, finances, maintains autobahns and expressways in Austria. Asfinag does not receive subsidies from the state budget. It works exclusively with revenue from tolls collected on toll roads. Almost 100% of the proceeds from the sale of stickers and fares are invested in the construction, operation and safety of a high-level road network in Austria.
Digital Vignette
Since 2018, car and motorcycle owners have been offered an innovative alternative to stickers. Since November, it is possible to purchase a digital vignette in an online store. Like adhesive, it is available for a period of 10 days, 2 months and a year. There is no difference: the same validity period and the same prices.
Route Prague - Vienna
When planning a trip, it is important to note that toll roads from Prague to Vienna will help you get to your destination faster. The entire route is 317 km away. You can get there in 4 hours.
Usually people travel to Vienna by bus or train, but if you want to depend on no one, then a car is ideal. You can take a taxi or rent a car.
Car rent
If you rent a car in Austria, there will be a vignette by car, since these costs are already included in the rental price. However, if you plan to travel from another country, you will need to purchase your own.
Route fee
Are toll roads in Austria? Some motorway sections apply tolls. This is due to the high cost of constructing special structures such as tunnels (the Tauern or Gleinalm tunnels). Fees are charged for higher maintenance costs.
Who is charged in Austria
The kilometer system is used on Austrian motorways and roads. The fee is charged on all trucks and buses with a total weight of 3.5 tons or more.
How to find out if a vignette is needed
A sticker is required when traveling by car or motorcycle on any Austrian motorway or expressway.
Even if you just drive through Vienna, you still have to buy a vignette, as there are several highways and highways in the city.
A bit of history
From the late 60s and mid 70s of the last century, tolls were introduced on some roads in the Austrian mountains. In the early 90s, they began to charge a fare for the entire network of highways. The main motive for deciding on the introduction of a system of toll collection was primarily financing and covering the costs of their maintenance and repair. After 1996, Parliament passed a law on the collection of tolls on all motorways and expressways. Vignette was introduced as a short-term interim solution in 1997. From January 1, 2004 to the present time, an electronic toll for the use of roads is in force, payment is proportional to the distance traveled without obstacles.
All vehicles exceeding the permissible gross weight of 3.5 tons are required to pay the distance (mileage).
Passenger vehicles still have to pay a toll on buying roads, buying a vignette. All 2,000 km of motorways and expressways are subject to a new toll system.
The main purpose of charging
It consists in providing a sufficient financial basis for the maintenance, operation, modernization and further development of the motorway network in Austria. All revenues are for road improvement. No additional financial support is allocated from the budget. Infrastructure costs are calculated based on the distance traveled by vehicles.
On sections of roads crossing the Alps that require higher costs, higher rates have already been set in the past based on the mileage traveled by cars.
Go-Box and payment methods
In vehicles weighing more than the maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tons, including all trucks, buses and heavy vans, a small device called Go-Box should be installed. It must be installed on the vehicle before you leave the motorway or expressway. The fare on the roads will vary in this case from the number of axles of the car, the number of kilometers and the emission class Euro.
Go-Box is an electronic device that uses microwave technology to communicate with paid portals.
Toll roads in Austria, how to pay? There are two payment methods: Pre-Pay and Post-Pay. The first method allows the driver to upload a large loan to his Go-Box. The Post-Pay system does not require a loan to be loaded into the Go-Box. The owner of the vehicle simply periodically receives a bill for kilometers.
Regardless of whether you use Pre-Pay or Post-Pay payment methods, this can be done with a debit or credit card, paying online. The price depends on the number of axles and engine emissions.
Administrative responsibility
Since 2004, trucks must have a Go-Box - a small white box that works using electrical control points and radio wave transmitters installed in different places. Overhead 3-D infrared laser scanners are used to detect and photograph trucks traveling without this device. A fine of € 110 must be paid by the driver if the car is on a highway without a Go-Box or vignette, and a fine of € 240 if the vignette is not attached to the windshield.
Safety Required
From November 15 to March 15, vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tons must be equipped with snow chains. Therefore, the mandatory requirement is that all vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons should be equipped with winter tires.