Austrian Motorway Vignette Coverage Area
The Austrian vignette covers all motorways (Autobahnen, designated with "A") and expressways (Schnellstraßen, designated with "S") managed by ASFINAG. This page provides a regional breakdown of the network and local considerations for each Austrian state.
Coverage by Region
| State (Bundesland) | Key Motorways | Special Toll Sections | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna (Wien) | A1, A2, A4, A21, A22, A23 | None | Urban motorway ring; heavy traffic during rush hours |
| Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) | A1, A2, A3, A4, A6, A21, A22, S1, S2, S3 | None | Gateway from Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic |
| Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) | A1, A7, A8, A9, A25, S10 | Bosruck Tunnel (A9) | Transit route between Germany and southern Austria |
| Salzburg | A1, A10, A8 | None on A1/A8; check A10 conditions | Major transit corridor; high traffic in ski season |
| Tyrol (Tirol) | A12, A13 | Brenner Motorway (A13), Arlberg Tunnel (A14) | Critical transit route between Germany and Italy |
| Vorarlberg | A14 | Pfänder Tunnel, Arlberg Tunnel | Western gateway from Switzerland and Germany |
| Styria (Steiermark) | A2, A9, S6, S35, S36 | Gleinalm Tunnel (A9) | Route to Slovenia and Croatia |
| Carinthia (Kärnten) | A2, A10, A11 | Karawanken Tunnel (A11) | Border with Slovenia and Italy |
| Burgenland | A2, A3 | None | Border with Hungary; relatively low traffic |
Local Nuances and Considerations
- Vienna Ring Road (A23 Südosttangente): One of the busiest motorway sections in Austria. Vignette required. Expect heavy congestion during morning and evening rush hours (7–9am, 4–7pm).
- Brenner Corridor (A13): Requires both the standard vignette AND a separate Brenner toll. This is one of the most heavily used transit routes in Europe. Queues at the Italian border can be significant in summer.
- Arlberg Tunnel: The tunnel toll applies in both directions. An alternative free route exists via the Arlberg Pass (Arlbergpass), but it is closed in winter and adds significant travel time.
- Tauern Motorway (A10): Covered by standard vignette. High-altitude sections may be subject to weather-related closures. Check conditions in winter and early spring.
- Karawanken Tunnel: Cross-border tunnel between Austria and Slovenia. Toll applies on both sides. The Slovenian toll is separate from the Austrian vignette system.
- Pyhrn Motorway (A9): Connects Upper Austria to Styria via the Bosruck and Gleinalm tunnels, both of which require additional tolls.
- Seasonal Mountain Pass Closures: Several mountain roads adjacent to motorways (e.g., Grossglockner, Timmelsjoch) are closed from November to May. Plan alternative routes accordingly.
- Border Crossing Points: Vignettes can be purchased at many petrol stations just before the Austrian border in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, and Slovenia. Prices are the same as in Austria.
Roads NOT Covered by the Vignette
The following road types do not require a vignette and are free to use:
- Federal roads (Bundesstraßen) — designated with "B"
- State roads (Landesstraßen) — designated with "L"
- Municipal roads and city streets
- Private roads
- The Felbertauern Road (private toll road)
Using non-motorway routes to avoid the vignette requirement is legal but may significantly increase travel time. Always plan your route in advance.