Rental Cars In Austria: Are Vignettes Included?

If you're planning a trip to Austria and thinking of renting a car, it's important to know about the country's toll system. Austria requires drivers to have a vignette – a toll sticker or digital permit – to use its motorways and expressways. This applies to both private and rental cars. The vignette can be purchased at gas stations, post offices, newsagents, and tobacconists in Austria, as well as at gas stations near the border if you're driving in from another country. It's important to get this sorted before you enter Austria, as failing to buy a vignette can result in a hefty fine of at least €120.

Now, do rental cars picked up in Austria come with a vignette? Well, it seems that most Austrian rental cars do include a vignette, but this isn't always the case. If you're renting a car from a neighbouring country, such as Germany, Italy, or Switzerland, you'll likely need to purchase one separately. So, if you're planning to rent a car in Austria and drive on the highways, be sure to check with the rental company about the vignette to avoid any unexpected fines.

Vignette stickers are required for rental cars in Austria

If you are renting a car in Austria, your vehicle will likely already have a vignette. However, if you are entering Austria from a neighbouring country, such as Germany, Italy, or Switzerland, you will need to purchase a vignette separately. You can buy a vignette at most petrol stations, post offices, newsagents, and tobacconists in Austria, as well as at gas stations near the border. The cost of an annual vignette is €96.40, but tourists can also purchase a 10-day or 2-month vignette for a lower price. From 2024, a one-day vignette will be available for €8.60.

It is important to note that driving on motorways and expressways in Austria without a valid vignette can result in high fines. Regular checks are carried out, and violations are punished consistently. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a vignette in advance and attach it correctly to your vehicle.

Vignettes are available as stickers or digital permits

The vignette can be purchased as a sticker or a digital pass. The sticker must be displayed clearly on the vehicle's windscreen, while the digital vignette is linked to the vehicle's number plate. The digital vignette can be purchased online, but it is not a suitable option for most tourists, especially those renting a car from outside Austria, as the license plate number is required, and the vignette is only valid 18 days after the online purchase. The digital vignette can also be purchased from physical outlets, and unlike the online version, it is valid immediately.

The annual vignette covers 14 months, from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year, and costs €96.40. Tourists can also purchase a 10-day or 2-month vignette for a fraction of the annual price. From 2024, a one-day vignette will be introduced at €8.60 per day. Vignettes can be purchased at most petrol stations, post offices, newsagents, and tobacconists in Austria, as well as at petrol stations near the border for those driving into Austria from another country.

Failure to purchase and display a valid vignette when driving on Austrian toll roads can result in a spot fine of at least €120.

Vignettes can be purchased at gas stations, post offices, newsagents, and tobacconists

Vignettes are toll stickers or digital permits that allow you to drive on Austrian motorways. They are required for both private and rental cars. You can purchase a vignette in the form of a window sticker or a digital vignette linked to your car's number plate. The digital vignette is a more convenient option if you are driving your own car, as it can be bought online before your trip. However, it is not a suitable option for most tourists, especially those renting a car from outside Austria, as you need to know your car's license plate number in advance.

If you are renting a car in Austria, your car will most likely come with a valid vignette. However, if you are renting a car in a neighbouring country, such as Germany, Italy, or Switzerland, you will need to purchase a vignette separately. It is important to obtain a vignette before entering Austria to avoid fines.

Failure to display a vignette can result in a fine of at least €120

Vignettes are required in Austria to use motorways and expressways. This applies to both private and rental cars. The vignette is a toll sticker or digital permit that allows you to drive on the motorways in Austria. It can be purchased in advance and must be clearly visible on the vehicle. The cost of the vignette is included in the full rental price.

It is important to note that rental car providers should inform their customers about the vignette requirement. However, it is ultimately the driver's responsibility to ensure compliance with all regulations. To avoid penalties, it is recommended to purchase vignettes in advance and attach them correctly to the vehicle.

Additionally, some roads in Austria have sectional tolls, which are individual toll stations where additional tolls must be paid. These roads are typically more expensive to maintain, such as the Brenner pass toll.

Some roads in Austria have additional sectional tolls

In addition to the vignette, some roads in Austria have additional sectional tolls. These are roads that are particularly costly to construct and maintain, such as tunnels and passes used to cross the Alps. Examples of these include the Karawanken Tunnel, the Tauern Tunnel, the Gleinalm Tunnel, and the Brenner Pass.

The sectional tolls can be paid for with cash or by card (credit, debit, or fuel) at the toll gate. You can also buy a digital pass, which allows you to use the fast lane where the toll gate opens automatically upon approaching.

It's important to note that the vignette is required for most highways and expressways in Austria. Tolls are compulsory on all motorways and expressways, and failure to purchase a vignette can result in a spot fine of at least €120. The vignette can be purchased at most petrol stations, post offices, newsagents, and tobacconists in Austria, as well as at gas stations near the border if you're entering from another country.

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