Most winter holidaymakers still choose to travel to their ski resort by car. However, there are often uncertainties regarding toll costs when crossing the Alps: Do I have to pay toll fees on my way to my ski holiday in 2026? And if so, can I arrange everything in advance to avoid stress during the journey? SnowTrex knows all about toll systems and explains where winter sports enthusiasts have to pay when travelling to their ski resort on motorways, mountain passes or before Alpine tunnels.
How much motorway toll do drivers have to pay in Europe?
| Country | Motorway toll | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | €12.80 or £10.96 (10-day vignette for cars) |
| Italy | Yes | €0.09 or £0.08 (per kilometre by car) |
| France | In some cases | €0.10 or £0.09 (per kilometre by car) |
| Switzerland | Yes | €44.50 or £38.11 (annual vignette) |
| Germany | No | €0.15 and €0.52 or £0.13 to £0.45 (per kilometre for trucks over 3.5 t) |
| Czech Republic | Yes | €12.16 or £10.41 (electronic 10-day vignette for cars) |
| Slovenia | Yes | €16 or £13.70 (electronic 7-day vignette for cars) |
What are toll fees?
- Toll fees are charges for using roads, motorways, bridges, and tunnels and are particularly relevant when travelling abroad by car.
- A distinction is made between time-based toll systems using a vignette and distance-based toll systems, where charges depend on the duration of use or the kilometres driven.
- Toll systems are used to finance and expand transport infrastructure, reduce traffic volumes and generate government revenue.
Toll fees, also known as road usage charges, are location-based charges for using transport infrastructure such as roads, bridges, country roads, motorways, and tunnels. In Germany, toll fees are only rarely applicable. However, when travelling abroad, holidaymakers should check which fees apply in each country.
Basically, there are two types of toll systems: time-based access tolls and usage-based distance tolls. With the first type of toll, drivers receive permission to use certain transport facilities for a specific period of time, regardless of the actual distance travelled. Access to these roads or structures is usually limited in time and is generally regulated through a motorway vignette, as in Austria. With usage-based tolls, payment is mostly made at toll stations, depending on the actual use. This type of toll is mainly defined geographically, for example according to the distance travelled or specific road sections used. Many holidaymakers are familiar with this system from French motorways.
Countries pursue different objectives when introducing toll fees. These include financing existing or future road infrastructure, reducing environmental impact by encouraging lower levels of motorised traffic, and generating additional income for public budgets.
Toll fees in Austria
- A vignette is mandatory when travelling on Austrian motorways. It is available either as a traditional sticker on the windscreen or as a digital vignette with a validity period of 10 days, 2 months or 1 year.
- The digital vignette must be purchased at least 18 days before the start of the journey. In 2026, prices range from £10.96 to £91.47, depending on the validity period.
- In addition to the vignette requirement, separate toll fees apply on certain special routes, such as the Arlberg Tunnel or the Brenner Motorway.
Austria is one of the most popular winter sports destinations in Europe. However, anyone travelling to the Alpine country by car or rental vehicle should be aware of the motorway vignette requirement. There are different validity periods: ten days, two months and one year. Austrians refer to the vignette as the “Pickerl”. It can be purchased in two different ways. The traditional option is a sticker that is attached to the inside of the vehicle’s windscreen and must be clearly visible. The newer option is the electronic vignette. Just like the traditional vignette, the digital version must also be purchased in advance. However, drivers should note that the digital vignette does not become valid until at least 18 days after purchase. This is due to Austrian legislation. Therefore, both the vignette and the ski holiday in Austria should ideally be booked well in advance.
Both types of vignette have the same prices. In 2026, the annual vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes costs €106.80 (£91.47). Those opting for the 10-day vignette pay €12.80 (£10.96), while the two-month vignette costs €32 (£27.41). According to Austrian regulations, vignette prices are adjusted annually in line with the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which results in a regular price increase of around 2%.
When travelling to Austria by car, it is also important to know that, in addition to the motorway sections requiring a vignette, which start directly after crossing the border, there are also special toll routes. These include the Arlberg Tunnel (€13 or £11.13) for a single journey by car and the Brenner Motorway (€12.50 or £10.71) for the full route by car. On the way to the ski resort, these tolls must be paid separately, or drivers must choose a toll-free alternative route.
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Toll fees in Italy
- Italy uses a distance-based toll system, meaning motorway charges are calculated according to the actual kilometres driven and paid at toll stations.
- In 2026, motorway tolls amount to a maximum of around £0.08 per kilometre and can be paid in cash, by card or electronically via the Telepass system.
- Additional toll fees apply on certain Alpine transit routes, such as the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road or the Fréjus Road Tunnel.
While Austria and Switzerland use time-based vignette systems, Italy operates a distance-based toll system. This means that the amount paid depends on the route winter holidaymakers decide to drive. Italian motorway tolls are calculated according to the kilometres actually travelled. Drivers therefore do not need to purchase a vignette or similar permit in advance. Instead, Italian motorways are equipped with toll stations. At these stations, drivers take a ticket when entering the motorway and pay when leaving it. The toll stations are impossible to miss, as there is no way to bypass them.
Regarding costs, drivers should expect to pay up to €0.09 (£0.08) per kilometre in 2026. To calculate the exact toll costs for a ski trip through Italy, travellers can use an online toll calculator. At toll stations, payment can be made in cash, by card or via Telepass. The latter is an electronic toll device installed in the vehicle. It is not only useful for frequent travellers in Italy, but is also available as a short-term option. Telepass users can also avoid queues at manual payment lanes, as dedicated lanes are available for electronic toll customers.
Additional toll fees apply on other important Alpine transit routes in Italy. For example, travelling along the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road between the Passeier Valley in Italy and the Ötztal Valley in Austria costs €20.00 (£17.13) for a single car journey or €28.00 (£23.98) for a round trip. The same applies to the Fréjus Road Tunnel between Bardonecchia (Italy) and Modane (France). A return journey through one of the longest Alpine tunnels from the Italian side costs €70.40 (£60.30) by car.
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Tolls in France
- In France, motorway tolls are charged based on the distance travelled and are paid at toll stations. On average, drivers pay around £0.09 per motorway kilometre.
- Payment can be made in cash, by card or via an electronic toll device such as Liber-t or TIS-PL. The latter allows for faster passage through toll stations.
- Using toll-free alternative routes can help reduce costs, while additional and sometimes high toll fees apply for Alpine tunnels such as the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
Similar to Italy, France has a distance-based toll system with toll stations on motorways. Unlike a vignette system, there is therefore no fixed price known in advance. However, drivers can use online toll calculators to determine the exact costs for their journey. On average, motorway tolls amount to around €0.10 per kilometre driven. Payment options are the same as in Italy: cash, card or Télépéage (electronic toll devices for cars). In France, these toll boxes are called Liber-t and TIS-PL. They can save drivers time because the barriers open automatically.
Unlike in Switzerland, it can be worthwhile in France to look for toll-free alternative routes. The additional travel time is often not excessive and can offset the savings in toll costs. However, anyone who chooses to travel through one of the major Alpine tunnels must expect significantly higher fees. A return journey through the famous Mont Blanc Tunnel from France between Chamonix (France) and Courmayeur (Italy) costs around €69.20 (£59.27) by car.
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Toll fees in Switzerland
- An annual vignette is generally required for driving on Swiss motorways, which costs £38.11 for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and is available as both a summer and winter vignette.
- Additional toll fees apply on certain special routes, such as the Great St Bernard Tunnel.
Like many other European Alpine countries, Switzerland offers spectacular mountain scenery and excellent ski resorts. However, the vignette requirement also applies here. Unlike Austria or France, drivers travelling longer distances in Switzerland can hardly avoid purchasing a vignette unless they have plenty of time for free but considerably longer alternative routes.
Switzerland only offers an annual vignette, which is valid for a total of 14 months. A distinction is made between summer and winter validity periods. The summer vignette is valid from May to November, while the winter vignette covers the period from December to April. The annual vignette for vehicles with a permitted total weight of up to 3.5 tonnes, including cars, has cost 40 Swiss francs (CHF) since 2015. Depending on the exchange rate, this corresponds to around €44.50 (£38.11).
Only a few routes, such as the Great St Bernard Tunnel, are not included in the annual vignette and require additional payment. A single car journey from Bourg-Saint-Pierre (Switzerland) to St-Rhémy-en-Bosses (Italy) costs €33.50 (£28.69), while a return trip costs €53.50 (£45.82).
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Toll fees in Germany
In Germany, toll roads are only found on a few short sections. One example is one of the few toll roads that are privately operated. Since 1 January 2005, a truck toll has also applied to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on German motorways and some federal roads. Depending on the length and weight of the truck, costs range between €0.15 and €0.52 (13 to 45 pence) per kilometre driven. Trucks are registered electronically.
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Toll fees in the Czech Republic
There are numerous ski resorts in the Czech Republic, not far from the German border. The journey involves using toll roads, for which a vignette is required. For cars, vignettes are available for ten days (€12.16 or £10.41), one month (€19.45 or £16.66) or one year (€104.13 or £89.19). The Czech sticker vignettes were abolished at the end of 2020 and replaced in 2021 by an electronic vignette system. The digital vignettes (Elektronická dálniční známka) are available online, at sales outlets and from vending machines on site. They are linked to the relevant number plate and can be purchased no earlier than three months in advance.
There are only a few toll-free sections of the motorway. These are marked by a crossed-out vignette or the words “BEZ POPLATKU” (“no fee”).
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Tolls in Slovenia
There are a number of smaller ski resorts in the foothills of the Alps and the low mountain ranges in northern Slovenia. Anyone wishing to spend a few relaxing days skiing there will also have to pay tolls on the way. After all, a vignette is compulsory on motorways and express ways. Motorists can purchase an electronic vignette valid for one week (€16 or £13.70), one month (€32 or £27.41) or one year (€117.50 or £100.64). Experts recommend buying the e-vignette from a sales point before entering Slovenia.
As Slovenian country roads tend to be rather narrow and poorly maintained, it is not worth skimping on the vignette. Furthermore, detours often add several hours to your journey time, and the signage is usually confusing, meaning satnavs are of little help.
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Penalties for ignoring toll requirements
- The enforcement of tolls and vignettes varies depending on the Alpine country, for example through the use of cameras, enforcement officers, the police, or toll stations.
- In Austria, a substitute toll of at least 200 euros is payable if a vignette is missing, whilst offences in Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia can in some cases result in even higher fines.
- In Italy, France, and Germany, toll stations on many routes prevent drivers from using toll sections without paying.
Toll controls differ between the individual Alpine countries, and penalties for toll violations also vary. Anyone caught driving on an Austrian motorway without a valid vignette does not receive a traditional fine, but has to pay a “substitute toll”. However, this fee is significantly pricier than the vignette itself: holidaymakers travelling by car must pay at least €200 (£171.30). Those who pay immediately in cash or by credit card can use all Austrian motorways without a vignette for the remainder of that day and the following day. Vignette checks are carried out both manually by the Service and Control Service (SKD) and by camera-based automatic vignette monitoring (AVK).
In Italy and France, avoiding toll payments is more difficult. This is because drivers must pass through a toll station both when entering and leaving a motorway. It is therefore practically impossible to use a toll motorway without passing a payment point. In addition, toll stations are equipped with cameras and, in some cases, staffed by control personnel.
In Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, road users should also avoid being caught without a valid vignette on motorways and main roads. Which means in all three countries, vignette controls are carried out very strictly. Anyone travelling to a ski resort in Switzerland without a valid vignette and being stopped by the police generally faces a penalty of around €214.50 (£183.72) plus the purchase of a new vignette for €44.50 (£38.11). In Slovenia and the Czech Republic, fines can even range between €300 and €800 (£256.95 to £685.19). Therefore, purchasing a vignette is always worthwhile, especially since enforcement in these countries is particularly strict.
Since Germany only has a few small toll sections, controls are similar to those in France. Usually, toll stations are located at the beginning and end of the route and must be passed to access the toll section. It is almost impossible to use these roads, such as some of the most famous Alpine passes, without paying the required fee. Anyone who does so must expect an individually determined penalty.
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FAQ about toll fees
Where do motorists pay the toll?
Where motorists pay the toll depends on the toll system in question. In the case of distance-based tolls in Italy and France, drivers pay directly at toll stations operated by companies such as Autostrade per l’Italia or APRR, either in cash, by card or using a toll box. Similarly, payment is made on the spot at private toll booths. Vignettes must be purchased in advance: in Austria, this can be done online or at ASFINAG sales points; in Switzerland, they can be purchased via the federal authorities (BAZG) or at borders and petrol stations. Digital vignettes for the Czech Republic or Slovenia are available online or from vending machines.
How do tolls work in Austria and what costs can be expected?
In Austria, a vignette is required to use the motorways. Vignettes are available for ten days (€12.80 or £10.96), two months (€32 or £27.41) and one year (€106.80 or £91.47). Vignettes are available as windscreen stickers or as electronic vignettes. However, the latter only become valid 18 days after booking. In addition to the vignettes, there are sections with special tolls, such as the Arlberg Tunnel (€13 or £11.13) and the Brenner Motorway (€12.50 or £10.71).
What special features should travellers know about toll fees in Italy?
Italy uses a distance-based toll system, meaning that costs depend on the route travelled. The average cost is up to £0.08 per kilometre. At toll stations located throughout the motorway network, drivers take a ticket when entering and pay when leaving the motorway. Payment can be made in cash, by card or via Telepass, an electronic toll device.
What should winter sports enthusiasts know about tolls in Switzerland?
Switzerland has an annual vignette costing 40 Swiss francs (€44.50 or £38.11), which is valid for a total of 14 months. This vignette is mandatory for using motorways and express ways. Additional charges apply for certain special toll routes, such as the Great St Bernard Tunnel.
How are toll fees charged in France and what costs should travellers expect?
France uses a distance-based toll system with toll stations on motorways. The average cost is around €0.10 (9 pence) per kilometre. Payment can be made in cash, by card or via Télépéage (electronic toll device). High toll fees apply to Alpine tunnels such as the Mont Blanc Tunnel: a return journey costs around €69.20 (£59.27) for a round trip. Winter sports enthusiasts can calculate the exact costs of their journey using online toll calculators.
