Don't get caught out by tolls!
If you’re taking the car to France or another fabulous destination, your holiday will probably start when you hit the road. A playlist for the drive, something to keep the kids entertained and plenty of snacks... When you've thought of everything else, the last thing you want to see is a surprise toll plaza on your journey. But which countries charge tolls and what’s the easiest way to pay them? Check out our guide to navigating tolls while avoiding headaches.
France isn’t the only country with tolls
Lots of European countries require you to pay tolls:
- On numerous motorways
- At certain bridges and tunnels
- In certain zones with an environmental sticker
The amount you pay depends not only on your route, but also on the type of vehicle you’re driving. The smaller and the more eco-friendly your car, the less you’ll have to spend.
What’s the easiest way to pay?
The easiest way to pay is with a toll payment badge, which lets you cruise through toll gates and pay the tolls afterwards.
If you don’t have a badge, you can also pay by credit card. You probably already have one given that it’s the best way to pay on holiday. However, you should be aware that you can’t pay tolls in France using a prepaid credit card.
Order your toll payment badge the easy way with the additional ‘Stickers’ service in KBC Mobile.
How do different countries require you to pay?
France
You’re likely familiar with the toll plazas on French motorways where you pay the toll at the gate before leaving the motorway. If you’d like to work out the total cost of your journey, head to autoroutes.fr, where you can estimate what you’ll pay for tolls as well as your fuel costs.
Payment can be made in three ways:
1. Cash
At manned gates and gates with a green ‘X’ or an image of coins
This option usually takes a little longer
2. Credit card
At gates with a credit card or ‘CB’ sign
Payment is quick as you don’t have to enter a PIN so you’re quickly on your way again
Please note that you can only pay with a standard credit card, not a prepaid credit card.
3. Badge (télépéage)
At the gates with an orange ‘t’
You can simply drive straight through – the system registers you and you pay by direct debit afterwards (additional administrative fees apply)
You also have to pay a toll at certain bridges and tunnels, such as the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Germany
Currently, only lorries are required to pay tolls on German motorways, though you often need to display an environmental sticker (Umweltplakette) when in cities. If your vehicle produces too many emissions, you will not be eligible for a sticker and you will not be allowed to enter the city centre. You can check which sticker is required where on the website of the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt).
Before entering the environmental zone, buy a sticker:
- Online
- At a TÜV office
- In certain filling stations
If you have a European Disability Card or you drive a classic car, motorbike or moped, you don't need a sticker.
Austria
Driving an ordinary vehicle
You are required to display a motorway permit sticker (Autobahnvignette) when travelling on Austrian motorways. This can be purchased in advance in Belgium, at the border, at filling stations or at the post office.
In addition to this sticker, you must also pay a toll on certain roads (Sondermaut):
- In cash or with your credit card
- Some routes use a rather complex prepayment system (Videomaut)
Driving a vehicle heavier than 3 500 kg
If you would like to drive a heavy motorhome or caravan into the country, you’ll need a GO box.
Switzerland
As in Austria, you should stick an Autobahnvignette to your windscreen before joining the motorway. This can be purchased in advance in Belgium, at the Swiss border or at a Swiss filling station or post office.
Please note that when buying your sticker at the border, it’s recommended to pay by credit card. If you pay in euros, any change from the transaction will be given in Swiss francs at an unfavourable rate of exchange.
Lastly, you’ll also have to pay slightly more if you want to go through the Great St Bernard Tunnel or the Munt la Schera Tunnel.
Spain
Spain charges tolls on most motorways, though certain roads such as those around Madrid and Barcelona cost less outside of peak hours.
Methods of payment:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Some routes accept Maestro, though you should keep a credit card or cash handy to be safe
- A device in your vehicle is scanned automatically – you can acquire this at Spanish banks (learn more at www.viat.es)
Italy
Tolls are charged on almost all Italian motorways. You can work out the exact amount you’ll pay here.
Methods of payment:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Some routes accept Maestro, though you should keep a credit card or cash handy to be safe
- The Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda (A36, A60 and A59, near Milan and Como) requires electronic payment – you are recorded by a camera and you pay afterwards at apl.pedemontana.com.
You should also be prepared to pay if you want to use the Mont Blanc Tunnel, the Fréjus Road Tunnel or the Great St Bernard Tunnel.
Lastly, an environmental sticker is required in certain cities such as Milan, and on some islands.
