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Through Austria to Slovenia, Croatia or Hungary: vignette, section tolls and motorway exit bans

Almost every car trip to Slovenia, Croatia or Hungary leads through Austria. Often you are only half a day there, and yet something likes to go wrong there: a vignette that does not apply yet, a tunnel where you suddenly have to pay again, or an exit that you are not allowed to take in the summer. Here everything is at a glance, with source to every point.

Germany: no toll

With the car you pay no toll on German motorways. There are a few exceptions, such as a tunnel in Lübeck and Rostock, but they are not on the way to the south. Source: ANWB: toll in Germany (NL)

The Vignette for Austria

On almost all Austrian motorways (A) and expressways (S), vehicles up to 3.5 tons need a vignette. Source: ASFINAG: Vignette and Tariffs 2026 You do not need a second vignette for a caravan or trailer. Source: ANWB: Austrian vignette (caravan/trailer, NL)

These prices belong to the vignette year 2026, which runs until 30 November 2026. From 1 December the 2027 rates apply, and they may be different. Source: ASFINAG-MUST: questions and answers Also new for 2027: the sticker vignette is being abolished, leaving only the digital vignette, which is linked to your number plate. Source: ASFINAG: Vignette and Tariffs 2026

Watch out when buying online

If you as a private person buy a digital 2-month or annual vignette in the toll shop or in the ASFINAG app, it is only valid from the 18th day after purchase. This is related to the right of withdrawal. For the 1-day and 10-day vignette this period does not apply. Also at a sales point (including ÖAMTC, ADAC, filling stations, machines and toll points) the digital vignette applies immediately. Source: ASFINAG: Digital vignette and 18-day period A 1-day vignette is valid for a calendar day, until 23:59. Source: ASFINAG-Mautshop: 1-day vignette

Worked example: two weeks in Croatia

If you leave for two weeks, you drive twice through Austria. A 10-day vignette then covers only one direction. With the prices of 2026 you have roughly three options:

• two 10-day vignettes: 2 × €12.80 = €25.60;
• a 2-month vignette for €32.00 (online valid only from day 18, so buy on time);
• two 1-day vignettes: 2 × €9.60 = €19.20. That only works if you cross Austria within a single calendar day each way. If you stay overnight in Austria, a 10-day vignette is more practical for this trip.

If you drive without a valid vignette, you pay a substitute toll of €200 (since 1 January 2026). Source: ANWB: higher toll fine Austria (January 2026, NL)

Section tolls: Tauern, Karawanks and Pyhrn

On a few expensive Alpine routes you pay a separate section toll. You don’t need a vignette there, but the vignette doesn’t cover that toll either. Source: ASFINAG: Route toll 2026

Prices are per trip in one direction, since 1 January 2026. You can buy a digital ticket in advance at the ASFINAG toll shop. It applies immediately, and you have a year to drive. At the toll station, your plate is recognized and the barrier opens itself; you can use any open lane except the specially marked GO lane. Source: ASFINAG: Route toll 2026

If you come back from Slovenia through the Karawanken Tunnel, you pay on the Slovenian side. How that works is explained on the Page about Slovenia.

From autumn 2027, the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels will be renovated. Source: ASFINAG: Measures A 10 Tauern Autobahn If you drive during this time, look for the current situation shortly before the departure.

What toll is coming your way?

It depends on your route. Three common examples; Always check your own route in the route planner:

• Bled, Ljubljana or Istria: often via Salzburg, the Tauern motorway and the Karawanken Tunnel. On the way there you then pay €15 + €9 in route tolls, plus the Austrian and the Slovenian vignette.
• To Zagreb or Dalmatia: This also passes Graz via the Pyhrn motorway and continues via Maribor. At the Bosruck and Gleinalm tunnels you pay €19. In Slovenia you also need a vignette, and in Croatia you pay Tolls per route.
• To Hungary: often over Linz and Vienna. There is no road toll on these motorways, so you only need the vignette, and in Hungary the E-Vignette.

Exit bans in summer

When there's traffic, the navigator will quickly send you through a village. In parts of Austria this is not allowed if you are only passing through.

• Tyrol: Since 1 May 2026, through traffic in the districts of Innsbruck and Innsbruck-Land, Kufstein, Imst and Reutte may not use minor roads as a detour on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 07:00 to 19:00. This also applies to cars. If your destination is there, such as your hotel or campsite, you may drive in. Source: Tyrol: driving bans for through traffic avoiding the motorway
• Salzburg, A 10 Tauern Autobahn: From 10 July to 13 September 2026, you could only leave the motorway at twelve junctions between Puch-Urstein and Zederhaus (towards Villach) if your destination was in Austria. In the direction of Salzburg, this applied to ten junctions. Source: ASFINAG: Measures A 10 Tauern Autobahn

What does that mean for you? Plan toilet stops, lunch and refuelling at the motorway service areas. If you are staying overnight in Austria, keep your booking confirmation handy (our tip). The details above apply to 2026; for 2027, check the Tyrol and ASFINAG websites shortly before you leave.

Children in the car

In Austria, children up to 14 who are shorter than 135 centimetres must sit in a suitable child seat or on a booster seat. From 135 centimetres a seat belt is enough, although the Austrian government recommends a child seat up to 150 centimetres. Every child needs their own seat. Source: oesterreich.gv.at: Child safety At 7 to 9 years old, many children are just below or above this limit, so measure them just before departure.

Autumn, Christmas and spring: winter tyres

From 1 November to 15 April, winter tyres are mandatory in Austria as soon as snow, slush or ice are on the road. Winter tyres must then be fitted on all four wheels. Snow chains on at least two drive wheels are also allowed, but only if the roadway is largely covered with snow or ice. All-season tyres count if they carry the M+S or snowflake symbol. Source: oesterreich.gv.at: winter tyre requirement The tread must then be at least 4 mm deep (in the case of radial tyres, of the usual construction). Source: BMIMI: winter tyres and snow chains

If you drive south during the autumn, Christmas or Easter holidays, check your tyres beforehand. The rules per country for Eastern Europe can be found at Traffic rules and compulsory equipment.

Practical on the road

• Traffic rules and mandatory equipment per country
• Packing list Camping with children
• Holiday homes and hotels, Also for a hotel as a stopover
• Balkan road trip in 2 to 3 weeks

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• ASFINAG: Vignette and Tariffs 2026
• ASFINAG: Digital vignette and 18-day period
• ASFINAG-MUST: questions and answers
• ASFINAG-Mautshop: 1-day vignette
• ASFINAG: Route toll 2026
• ASFINAG: Measures A 10 Tauern Autobahn
• Tyrol: driving bans for through traffic avoiding the motorway
• oesterreich.gv.at: Child safety
• oesterreich.gv.at: winter tyre requirement
• BMIMI: winter tyres and snow chains
• ANWB: higher toll fine Austria (January 2026, NL)
• ANWB: toll in Germany (NL)
• ANWB: Austrian vignette (caravan/trailer, NL)

All sources checked on 20 October 2026. Prices and rules change; look at the source shortly before departure.