We are renting a car in France, then driving through Germany and Austria to Italy. Where/how does one pay the fees on toll roads in Europe? In the U.S., there is generally a toll plaza every so many miles where you stop and pay a toll collector (or throw coins into a receptacle). Is it the same in France? Germany? Austria? Italy? Someone mentioned that vehicles need toll stickers in some countries - anyone know which countries, how much they cost, where to obtain them?
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I can only comment on France as I have not driven through the other mentioned countries. Toll booths are the same as found in the US. Payment may be made in either euros or credit card. Toll roads will usually cost more than a few coins so I have never seen a booth with a coin receptacle. The toll amount is clearly displayed on a screen near the attendant so a command of French is not required to make toll payments.
Recently, the option of paying in advance, using a card (toll pass) placed in the windshield, has become available. I am not sure that for a casual user (tourist) this system is really advantageous.
Special toll stickers are not required in France.
You may save a lot of money on fuel if you ask for a disel automobile. Disel fuel (at least in France) is cheaper and just as available as gasoline.
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Depends on what toll road you are on in France. Mostly you pull a ticket when you get on and pay when you get off. There are fast lanes that you can use if you are paying with a credit card. Look for a large %26quot;CB%26quot; above those lanes. Booths with attendants tend to be slow. I havent had any problems with a US Visa or Mastercard but only some of the booths accept Amex. In addition there are some toll roads where you pay when you get on by tossing change into the basket. These are less common but I do recall them on the way to Normandy from Paris.
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First of all, not all highways are toll roads, just portions thereof. If you want to estimate the cost of toll roads (and see the locations of toll booths), go to viamichelin.com or mappy.com. You can also find where roadside services are located.
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Hi
Switzerland is the country where you need to buy a vignette for the motorways and it lasts for the year. So expensive if only using one road.
Mainly the other posters have been correct.
In France - The motorways near towns tend to be toll free or else after a while you have to toss some coins into a basket but do not worry there is always a booth with somebody there to give you change if you have a note or a problem. The coin booths also give change. For example the toll is 1.50 and you toss in 2 you will get 0.50 back. The other poster was sort of correct but you do not prepay with a card. It is called a telepeage. You fix a zapper to your windscreen and this registers every entry and exit you make for the month. You are then billed and the money taken directly from your French bank account or I believe now from a credit card. That will not apply to you. All motorways ie the A roads are toll roads. Confusingly they are also referred to as E roads in Europe speak.
In Germany the motorways used to be free. I don%26#39;t remember paying in Austria either but that was long ago. In Italy I have paid tolls but I have not driven extensively there. I%26#39;m sure you could google Italian, German and austian motorways for more info or use Viamichelin as suggested.
Hope that helps.
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Thanks!
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