What are Sondermaut sections and why are they not covered by the vignette?
In 2026, Austria maintains a division between roads covered by the vignette system and those requiring a section-specific toll. This is due to the enormous costs of maintaining the Alpine infrastructure – tunnels bored through rock and gigantic bridges. Driving on these sections requires a toll payment each time you pass a toll point, regardless of whether you have an annual or a 1-day vignette.
List of Special Toll Sections and Price List 2026
Below is a detailed list of routes where additional payment is required. Prices apply to a single passage by passenger car up to 3.5 t:
| Section / Route | Key Object | Price 2026 (1 passage) |
|---|---|---|
| A13 Brenner Autobahn | Brenner Pass and Europabrücke Bridge | 12,00 € |
| A10 Tauern Autobahn | Tauern and Katschberg Tunnels | 14,50 € |
| S16 Arlberg Schnellstraße | Arlberg Road Tunnel | 12,50 € |
| A11 Karawanken Autobahn | Tunnel towards Slovenia | 8,80 € |
| A9 Pyhrn Autobahn | Gleinalm Tunnel | 11,50 € |
| A9 Pyhrn Autobahn | Bosruck Tunnel | 7,00 € |
Detailed analysis of the most important sections
A13 – Brenner Pass (Brennerautobahn)
This is the most important route to Italy. In 2026, the A13 section from the Innsbruck-Süd junction to the Italian border is completely excluded from the vignette system. This means that if you only use this section, you do not need a vignette, but only the Sondermaut toll.
A10 – Tauern Motorway
Crucial for those traveling to Croatia. The 14.50 € toll covers passage through two gigantic tunnels: Tauern and Katschberg. During peak season (Saturdays in July and August), waiting times at manual toll booths can be 60 to 120 minutes. Choosing an e-ticket (Videomaut) allows you to use separate, fast lanes.
⚠️ Attention: Videomaut Lanes (green markings)
At Austrian toll booths in 2026, you will see lanes marked with bright green and camera symbols. These are reserved exclusively for vehicles whose license plates have been paid for in advance through the online system. Entering this lane without a purchased e-ticket is monitored and may result in an administrative fine or the necessity to pay an additional fee on the spot.
How to buy tunnel tickets in 2026?
Winiety24.eu offers full integration with the Austrian Videomaut system. The entire process takes 3 minutes:
- Select section: You can buy a one-way ticket or a return ticket immediately.
- Enter license plate: Enter your license plate number without spaces.
- Pay with BLIK: Avoid currency exchange fees at toll booths and searching for small Euro change.
- Activation: The ticket is valid immediately after booking, which in 2026 happens almost in real-time.