Video Toll Austria
Since most holidaymakers use a vignette for their trip, they are
not initially familiar with the concept of video tolls in Austria.
However, if they are going to certain regions of the country or
even neighbouring countries, they have no other choice and
must resort to a seemingly different system.
In this respect, the video toll is similar to the vignette in some
ways. Just like the vignette for Austria can be purchased
online, so can the video toll. The latter has the advantage that
the toll booths on these sections can be passed through without
any delays.
What used to be called the “video toll” is now known as the
digital route toll. It is relevant for drivers who travel on certain
motorway sections in the Austrian road network.
These special toll sections were introduced by ASFINAG
because they are particularly costly to maintain. In the
following article, we will clarify in more detail how the toll works
and which motorways it is used on.
How does the digital
video toll work?
The route toll in Austria can also be described as a kind of special toll since even drivers who already have a vignette must pay it. The tolls are charged independently of the cost of the vignette.
You could bypass the sections of the road where you must pay for the extra toll; however, buying a route toll ticket saves you a lot of time. Therefore, most drivers accept the fees.
Toll booths where tickets are checked or sold at vending machines can be found on sections prior to the special toll routes. If you have already paid the toll in advance, your license plate number is automatically scanned at the stations, and you can continue driving without waiting.
Since registration is carried out via the license plate, the information (license plate number and number of trips) must be correct. If you still need a route toll ticket for the trip, you can pay the costs for the use of the roads on the spot.
Like the vignette, different tickets are available for the digital route toll. Some are valid for single trips and others can be used as a yearly pass for 365 days.
Drivers can pay tolls at service stations, rest stops, or in the ASFINAG online shop before they travel. Travellers who pay the digital route toll via our portal can use the tickets immediately. Various credit cards (Visa, Diners Club, etc.) and other means of payment are accepted. The confirmation with a link will be sent to the e-mail address provided.
The Austrian infrastructure company ASFINAG also offers drivers the option to pay afterwards. This works by using the FLEX service. The trips through the toll booths on the motorways and expressways are automatically recorded via the vehicle’s license plate number and charged retrospectively.
The digital route toll applies to all vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons. With a few exceptions, almost every motorist must pay the route toll. Truck drivers are excluded from the toll on the motorway sections because they use a Go Box on the outward and return journey through Austria.
The introduction of the digital system is intended to guarantee that there is not too much traffic at the respective toll station and that drivers can pass the stations automatically. Of course, this is only possible if you pay the toll in advance, and make sure you are in the correct lane.
Sections with video tolls
The route toll is incurred on the sections on which you cross the Alps. Specifically,
these are the following motorways and expressways.
The A9 runs from Wels in Upper Austria to Graz in the south. There is not just one toll station on the motorway, but two. The special toll sections are located between Spital and Ardning (Bosruck) and between St. Michael and Übelbach (Gleinalm).
Due to its course, the Phyrnautobahn represents one of the most important routes in the country. It is particularly relevant for drivers travelling to Styria or using Austria as a transit country to get to Slovenia or Croatia.
The special toll section on the A10 is located at the Tauern/Katschbergtunnel. Strictly speaking, the route is located between the Flachau and the Rennweg junction. Along with the Brenner Autobahn, the A10 represents one of the most important connections for holidaymakers to Italy.
The Karawankentunnel connects the countries of Austria and Slovenia. It is also known as the longest road tunnel in Slovenia. The section on which the special toll is required is located between Rosental and the border crossing.
As far as traffic is concerned, the tunnel represents an important link to the Balkan countries. The special toll route on the A11 is popular with holidaymakers.
Most travellers decide to pay the Brenner toll to get from Innsbruck to the neighbouring country, Italy. Although no vignette is required for the special toll route, a route toll or Brenner toll is charged from the Schönberg junction.
A popular route for many holidaymakers travelling from or through Germany is the route to Lake Garda via the Brenner Autobahn. So, for the whole trip, you must consider both the vignette and the toll.
The S16 Arlberg is the only expressway in Austria on which drivers are confronted with digital tolls. There is one toll booth at the St. Anton junction and one in Langen am Arlberg.