Tolls in Europe

In Europe, motorway tolls have different names: Whether vignette in Austria or Switzerland or Péage in France. But they all have one thing in common: They don’t make your holiday cheaper.

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All information for your roadtrip

Toll fees are as diverse as the countries you want to travel. Italy, Croatia, France and many more countries charge tolls for the use of their motorways or individual roads. Nevertheless, they are easy to manage if you are well informed and include them in your holiday planning right from the beginning. We will tell you, in which European countries what kind of toll is due and what the price is. Thus, you are perfectly prepared for your roadtrip.

Better pay before than getting angry afterwards!

Of course, it’s not great to pay for the use of roads since it’s getting at the expense of your holiday budget. But it gets even more expensive if you get caught fare-dodging. As with the use of public transport without a ticket, you also risk paying high fines when you are caught fare-dodging on toll roads in Europe.

But caution, you can still be punished even if you bought a vignette but do not attach it correctly to the windscreen. In Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland the fee is about 180 Euro. Slovenia even charges fines of up to 800 euros. According to this, you should better buy your ticket first and play it safe!

What’s behind the toll fees in Europe?

Basically, there are two types of toll for the use of traffic routes: The route-based toll and the time-based vignette. With route-based tolls, you are not always asked to pay the entire motorway or expressway network. It is also regulated differently whether you have to pay when entering or leaving the motorway. Besides, some countries also use electronic payment systems.

You buy the vignette in advance. It is available at border crossings, in all sales outlets with a vignette symbol and also at petrol stations and post offices, for example. The fee is due at the relevant sections of the route.

The route-bound toll

Eight countries of the European Union have costs associated with the use of certain routes. These include tolls in France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Tolls are calculated on the basis of the travelled distance. The distance is also decisive for tolls in Great Britain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Norway, Serbia, Turkey and Belarus.

The vignette

The time-bound vignette is used for tolls in Bulgaria, Austria, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The validity depends on the respective country.

Special toll

In addition to conventional tolls, special tolls may also be charged in certain countries. In Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Denmark and Sweden, special toll charges become due at the use of certain bridges, tunnels and passes.

The toll-countries alphabet

To help you find your way around quickly and get the information you need regarding toll charges at your holiday destination(s), we prepared a Tolls-Countries-ABC. You find the most important European countries with respective information about their toll systems in alphabetical order here.

A – Austria’s toll system

In Austria, the vignette is also called “Pickerl”. This sticker must be affixed correctly – Preferably on the top left of the windscreen or in the middle behind the rear-view mirror. Be careful when attaching them on tinted windows as this can impede the legibility of the vignette. In addition, special tolls for bridges, tunnels, highways or the like may apply.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons:

• 10 days: Approx. 9 €
• 2 months: Approx. 26 €
• 1 year: Approx. 87 €

A – You’re lucky: Tolls are not levied in Andorra or Albania.

B – Tolls in Bosnia-Herzegovina

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the toll amount depends on the type of vehicle and the route you drive. You have to draw a ticket at your arrival and pay for it when you leave the toll road.

B – Tolls in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, vignettes are compulsory. In addition, special tolls for bridges, tunnels and ferries may be charged.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons:

• Daily vignette: Free of charge
• 7 days: Approx. 8 Euro
• 1 month: Approx. 15 Euro
• 1 year: Approx. 50 Euro

Special toll roads in Bulgaria:

• Giurgiu – Ruse
• Silistra – Kalarash
• Vidin – Kalafat
• Oriahovo – Beket
• Nikopol – Turnu Magurele

C – Tolls in Croatia

In Croatia, tolls are only charged when entering or exiting motorways. All other roads are free. However, special tolls may be charged for the use of tunnels and bridges. The prices vary from route to route but are between 0,80 Euro (Zagreb – Bregana) and 16,23 Euro (Zagreb – Lipovac).

C – Tolls in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic also has a vignette obligation. Roads marked “D” or “R” are subject to tolls. In addition, there is a distance-related toll on all roads marked with “M”. Toll-free roads are shown separately.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons:

• 10 days: 11,50 Euro
• 1 month: 16,30 Euro
• 1 year: 55,50 Euro 

D – Tolls in Denmark

All-clear – Denmark has no tolls or motorway fees! You will only be asked to pay on the Storebaelt bridges between the islands of Funen and Zeeland and on the Øresund bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö. Single trips for a car up to 3.5 tons cost between 34 and 48 Euros. However, there are also discounted repeat and annual tickets.

F – Tolls in France

In France, motorway or expressway tolls are due when you drive in or out. The kilometer costs from 7 to 14 cents. As the charges are calculated on the basis of the driven kilometers, we cannot give an overall cost breakdown here. Special tolls for bridges, tunnels or the like may also be charged.

Toll-free roads in France:

• Bypasses of Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille
• Some routes in Alsace/Lorraine, Auvergne and Brittany

G – Tolls in Greece

Tolls are also charged in Greece when you drive into or out of motorways or expressways. You have to plan 4 to 16 Euros for the use of most sections of the road. You may also have to pay special tolls for the use of tunnels and bridges.

Motorway tolls are due between:

• Evzoni
• Thessaloniki
• Athens
• Patras
• Tripoli

G – Tolls in Great Britain

Even though tolls are rare in the UK, you have to pay on the M6 from Birmingham to Wolverhampton and on the connection to Wales. Depending on the time of day, it will cost you around 4 to 6 pounds. On the other hand, there are only a few bridges and tunnels with tolls.

A city toll is due here:

• London
• Downtown Durham

I – Ireland Toll

Tolls in Ireland are usually paid in cash at the paying agent. At the electronic toll station of the M50 around Dublin (called eToll), the payment is only possible after passing through. The payment can be made by telephone or via Internet. In addition, there are over 2,000 shops throughout the country that are marked with the “Payzone” sign, where you can also pay the toll.

Toll roads/sections:

• M1 Motorway (Dublin – Belfast)
• M3 Clonee-Kells (Dublin – North-West)
• M4 Kilcock – (Dublin – Sligo or Galway)
• N6 Galway – Ballinasloe
• M7/M8 Portlaoise (Dublin – Limerick and Dublin – Cork)
• N8 Rathcormac – Fermoy Bypass (Dublin – Cork)
• N25 Waterford City Bypass (Dublin – Waterford)
• M50 Dublin (Between Junction 6 and 7)

Chargeable tunnels/bridges:

• Dublin Tunnel (Extremely expensive during Rush-Hour!)
• Limerick Tunnel

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons:

• M 1: 1,90 Euro
• M 3: 1,30 Euro
• M 4: 2,90 Euro
• M 7, M 8: 1,80 Euro
• M 50: 3 Euro
• N 6, N 8, N 25: 1,9o Euro
• East Link Toll Bridge: 1,70 Euro
• Limerick Tunnel: 1,80 Euro

I – Italy’s toll system

Italy charges tolls when entering or exiting motorways or expressways. The kilometer costs about 7 cents. In addition, there are special tolls for bridges, tunnels or the like.

There’s a city toll obligation in:

• Milan
• Bologna

Private vehicles are forbidden in the historical center of Rome.

M – Tolls in Macedonia

In Macedonia, there is a charge for driving in and out of motorways or highways. The kilometer costs about 5 cents. Not all routes are subject to charges.

Chargeable routes between:

• Kumanova and Gradsko
• Tetova and Gostivar
• Skopje and Tetova

N – Toll of the Netherlands

Tolls are rare in Holland; there are only two toll routes.

Chargeable routes:

• Kiltunnel (For a car: 2 Euro)
• Westerschelde-Tunnel (For a car: 5 Euro)

N – Norway toll

In Norway, tolls are only sometimes levied: This includes some roads, bridges, tunnels and city centers. However, in most cases you cannot pay cash. The so-called “AutoPASS-Box” – a completely electronic toll system – is the easiest way through the toll stations. All information about the system can be found here: https://www.autopass.no/.

P – Tolls in Poland

Tolls are due on some routes in Poland, such as the A1, A2 and A4 motorways. The price depends on the driven kilometers. Thus, different charges come up.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons:

• A1: Gdansk – Torun (178 km): Approx. 7 Euro
• A2: Swiecko – Konin (269 km): Approx. 17 Euro
• A4: Katowice – Krakow (79 km): Approx. 5 Euro 

P – The toll in Portugal

Portugal charges tolls when entering or exiting motorways or expressways. The prices vary according to the length of the driven distance as well as according to type and size of the vehicle. The most expensive route is Lisbon – Faro with approx. 17 Euro.  On the other hand, you only have to pay 40 cents for the connection Lisbon – Estoril. In addition, special tolls for bridges, tunnels or the like may apply.

Electronic toll in Portugal

On some motorways and motorway sections, the toll is paid electronically. These routes are signposted with “Electronic toll only”. For non-Portuguese vehicles, the payment is made in advance or by debiting the credit card. Vehicles with foreign registration plates must be registered in advance for all systems in order to pay the electronic toll.

The EASYToll system is recommended for journeys of up to 30 days and when entering via an “Electronic toll only” motorway. You can pay by credit card at the payment terminals called “Welcome Points”, which are located close to the border on the electronic toll motorways (A28 – Viana do Castelo; A24 – Chaves; A25 – Vilar Formoso; A22 – Vila Real de Santo António). The license plate is assigned to the credit card. The receipt serves as proof of payment and must always be carried along. Registration and cancellation can also be done online.

More information can be found here: portugaltolls.pt or tollcard.pt

R – Romania’s toll fees

Also in Romania, vignettes are compulsory. In addition, charges apply for some bridges, tunnels and similar.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons are:

• 7 days: 3 Euro
• 1 month: 7 Euro
• 3 months: 13 Euro
• 1 year: 28 Euro

S – The toll of Switzerland

Vignettes are also compulsory in Switzerland. However, you can only buy an annual vignette for 40 francs, which is valid for 14 months. The vignette can be bought in Germany as well, but costs 38.50 Euros.

Special tolls:

• Road tunnel at the Big St. Bernhard: 29,30 Euro (One-way)
• Tunnel Munt La Schera: 35 Euro (Round trip from Sunday to Friday)
• Tunnel Munt La Schera: 42 Euro (Saturdays)

In addition, Switzerland has “Car loads” (Cars loaded to trains) at some passes and tunnels that are subject to charges.

S – Tolls in Serbia

Serbia requires tolls when entering or exiting motorways or highways. The toll can be paid in cash in Dinars, Euro (Small bank notes or coins) or by credit card. The most expensive route costs about 6 Euro and leads about 240 kilometers from Belgrade to Niš.

S – The toll of Slovakia

Slovakia also has a vignette obligation. The annual vignettes are valid from January 1^st to January 31 of the following year, i.e. 13 months.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons:

• 10 days: 10 Euro
• 1 month: 14 Euro
• 1 year: 50 Euro

S – Slovenia’s tolls

Vignettes are also compulsory in Slovenia. The Slovenian police is very meticulous and checks the cars regularly.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons:

• 7 days: 15 Euro
• 1 month: 30 Euro
• 1 year: 110 Euro

S – Spain toll

In Spain, all roads marked “AP” are subject to tolls on entry and exit. There are also certain tunnels and bridges where you have to pay. All in all, Spain is not very cheap when it comes to tolls but the tariffs may vary depending on the time of day.

Toll-free city motorways or bypasses:

• Valencia
• Barcelona

Toll city highways:

• Madrid

The route from Zaragoza to Bilbao is the most expensive with 32,05 Euros whereas the route from La Coruna to Carballo is the cheapest with 2,50 Euros.

T – Tolls in Turkey

Turkey has only partial toll fees, e.g. the Bosporus bridges in the direction of Asia. For each route you have to expect a fee between 0,70 and 4,66 Euro.

U – Hungary’s tolls

Hungary has a vignette obligation that applies not only to all motorways and expressways but also to numerous federal and main roads. In addition to Norway, Hungary has the most modern toll system in Europe – It is fully electronic.

Prices for vehicles up to 3.5 tons are:

• 10 days: approx. 10 Euro
• 1 month: approx. 15 Euro
• 1 year: approx. 140 Euro