Road Vignettes In Austria, Czechia, Hungary & Slovakia
This summer I had an old dream – to reach the Seychelles. However, due to increased tension in the Middle East, rocket launches from Iran to Qatar, and soaring flight prices, I had to postpone my dream.
I decided to set out on a road trip through Central Europe instead. We packed the essentials and set off for the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia.
When traveling such long routes, motorway vignettes become absolutely necessary. Without them, unfortunately, the journey can turn out to be much more expensive than planned.
Before the trip, I searched for information to find out in which countries vignettes are required, how much they cost, and what is the most convenient way to purchase them. With all preparations done, it was finally time to hit the road.
Road Vignettes In Austria, Czechia, Hungary & Slovakia
Why Is It Important To Choose Official Websites
From my own experience, the biggest headache was usually figuring out where to buy a vignette. The internet is full of websites that look official but actually belong to intermediaries charging almost twice the real price.
For example, in Austria the official price of a vignette is €12.40, but on intermediary websites it can reach €17–20. These sites often look convincing – the design is neat, the colors resemble state symbols, but the difference becomes clear only when you see the price.
Why Should You Avoid Such Website
- You will overpay – sometimes double the official price for the same road vignette.
- No added benefit – intermediaries provide no extra guarantee or convenience.
- If the website is unofficial, correcting mistakes, for example entering the wrong license plate number, can be much harder.
This brings us to Austria, one of the countries where such intermediaries are especially active.
Vignettes In Austria
Austria is one of those countries where intermediaries are especially active. Every time you search for a vignette online, you will definitely come across several very official-looking websites at the top of the search results, but their prices are almost double the official ones.
Official website: asfinag.at
- 10-day vignette for passenger cars – €12.40
- You can also buy two-month or one-day vignettes, depending on your travel plans.
Websites to avoid:
- austriavignette.com
- vignetteosesterreich.eu
Tips for travelers in Austria:
- If you drive on mountain roads or tunnels (e.g., Tauern or Brenner), check whether additional tolls are required – they are not included in the vignette price. You can find more details here.
- Vignettes can also be purchased through the mobile app ASFINAG – convenient if you don’t want to browse through a website.
- Don’t forget that a vignette is mandatory even if you’re only passing through Austria, for example, when driving from Germany to Italy.
Vignettes In Czechia
When traveling through the Czech Republic, the most important thing to know is that this country has completely abandoned windshield stickers – now all vignettes are electronic. This means that when purchasing online, you simply enter your number plate and the system automatically registers your vignette.
Official website: edalnice.cz
- 10-day vignette for passenger cars – from €0*
- You can also buy monthly or daily vignettes, depending on your travel plans.
Websites to avoid:
- digitale-vignette-online.cz
- e-vignette.cz
- czechvignette.cz
Good to know:
- When buying a vignette (the same rule applies in all countries), always double-check that you have entered your number plate correctly – a mistake may result in a fine because the system will not recognize your vehicle.
- In the Czech Republic, vignette control is fully automated with cameras, so there are no workarounds.
- If you buy a vignette at the border or at gas stations, you’ll often end up paying more due to additional service fees.
* As you can see, in the Czech Republic a vignette can be free of charge. This applies to eco-friendly cars such as electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered cars, or plug-in hybrids (when CO₂ emissions do not exceed 50 g/km). These vehicles are exempt from road tolls. For cars with conventional engines, however, a 10-day vignette costs €12 (290 CZK).
Vignettes In Hungary
In Hungary, motorway vignettes are also electronic, so no windshield stickers are needed. The purchasing process is simple – you enter your number plate, select the validity period, and immediately receive confirmation.
Official website: ematrica.nemzetiutdij.hu
- 10-day vignette for passenger cars – around €17
- You can also buy monthly or daily vignettes, depending on your travel plans.
Websites to avoid:
- digitale-vignette-online.hu
- hu-mobility.com
- autovignet.hu
Good to know:
- In Hungary, control is carried out by cameras – the system automatically scans number plates. If you don’t have a valid vignette, you will receive a fine very quickly.
- Always save the confirmation email or PDF of your vignette. I once read in a forum that there are sometimes issues with Hungarian vignettes.
Also read: 24 Hours In Budapest – What To See & Do In One Day
Vignettes In Slovakia
Slovakia is quite a popular route, both as a transit country to Austria or Hungary and as a holiday destination in the mountains. Here, vignettes are also electronic only, so you won’t need any stickers. However, if you travel only around the Poprad and Košice regions, you can easily avoid buying a vignette by taking side roads. Timewise, you don’t really lose anything – I tried this myself.
Official website: eznamka.sk
- 10-day vignette for passenger cars – €10.80
- You can also buy monthly or daily vignettes, depending on your travel plans.
Websites to avoid:
- i-vignette.com
- vinitres.com
- vintrica.com
Fines & Controls
Road vignettes are not just a formality. They are strictly checked, and fines for driving without a valid vignette can ruin your entire trip.
How Vignettes Are Checked
Vignette control in all countries is carried out in three main ways.
- Automatic cameras – when entering toll roads or bridges, cameras scan number plates and automatically check the system to confirm whether the vignette is valid.
- Police and authority checks – occasional patrols or checkpoints may be carried out, especially near borders or larger cities, but most enforcement today relies on automated systems.
- Mobile patrols – unmarked vehicles equipped with special technology patrol the roads and check number plates in real time.
What Fines To Expect
If you travel without a valid vignette, you risk heavy fines in most countries. In Austria, authorities can charge anywhere from €120 to €3,000. In the Czech Republic, fines range between €200 and €800. In Hungary, drivers pay €40–€66 at first, but the amount increases sharply if they miss the deadline. In Slovakia, the fine for driving without a vignette runs from €100 to €300.
How to avoid problems
- Always keep proof of purchase of your vignette. Even if the system works automatically, you will have proof if any issues arise.
- Double-check the validity period – the vignette is valid from the indicated start date until 23:59 on the last day.
- If you are renting a car, make sure the vignette has already been paid for.
Also read: How To Get To Schönbrunn Palace In Vienna
FAQs About Vignettes In Central Europe
Can I drive without a vignette if I only enter the country for a short time?
No. In most countries, a vignette is required as soon as you enter a toll road. Even a short distance without a vignette will almost certainly result in a fine.
Do I need to print the vignette?
No. An electronic confirmation is enough. However, I recommend keeping a copy on your phone or on paper – just in case any issues arise.
Does the vignette become valid immediately after purchase?
No. You have to choose the exact date when your vignette becomes valid. Be careful – if you set the start date for tomorrow, you can’t use toll roads today.
What happens if I enter the wrong number plate?
A mistake can mean your car doesn’t show up in the system as having a valid vignette. Authorities treat this as a violation, so you might get fined even if you’ve already paid. Always double-check the details.
Is it cheaper to buy at the border or at gas stations?
Usually not. They often add extra fees there. The cheapest and most reliable way is to buy from official websites.
Book your flight
For the best flight deals, I always rely on Skyscanner. Features like Multi-city and Explore Everywhere help me uncover incredible travel opportunities.
Rent a car
Discovercars is my top choice for comparing car rental prices for any road trip around the world. The booking experience is always smooth and easy.
Travel insurance
SafetyWing provides affordable travel medical insurance with global coverage, perfect for digital nomads and long-term travelers.
Book Tours & Attractions
Experiencing a destination to the fullest is easier with a well-planned itinerary. I use GetYourGuide for guided tours and Tiqets for quick access to museum and amusement park tickets.
Protect yourself online by VPN
No matter where I go, I always use NordVPN for secure browsing and to ensure I can access websites that might be blocked in certain countries.
Disclosure: I only suggest companies that I personally rely on. If you use the affiliate links in my posts to book services, I’ll earn a small commission, with no extra cost to you.
Do you have any advice about road vignettes in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, or Slovakia? Share it in the comments!
Share on
Hi, I’m Evelina, a travel enthusiast who loves nature, peace, and authentic places. I cherish the freedom to explore and learn with each adventure, whether it’s hiking trails, stunning beaches, natural parks, unique architecture, or rich cultural heritage. I hope my experiences inspire you to embark on your own journeys!
