Toll: what to pay attention to when going on holiday?
The Netherlands does not have a vignette, toll box or toll for motorways for traveling with a camper. Germany doesn't either. But if you want to go further, you have to be careful. The rules differ from country to country, even within the EU.
Austria has an Autobahn vignette for campers up to 3.5 tons technical maximum mass (F1 registration certificate). For heavy campers there is a GO-Box. Also fill in the environmental class correctly. If it goes wrong: fine. There is no “but”.
Italy works with toll booths. Unmanned and barrier up? Inquire, because the bill with a fine will come anyway. You will pay.
To Hungary? On motorways (no toll booths) an e-vignette is required, for heavy campers a toll box. Slovakia arranges it digitally. It doesn't matter how heavy your camper is. In the Czech Republic a vignette is required and for heavier motorhomes a toll box. Is the trip to France, Spain or Portugal? In those EU countries you pay for motorways, but beware: sections without toll booths (“péage en flux libre”) must be paid within 72 hours with a toll badge or otherwise. For Switzerland, the toll can be arranged online. The bill from Norway comes automatically, but registering in advance is cheaper.
It's about preparing and researching:
- via the websites of the country
- www.anwb.nl/verkeer/buitenland/toloverzicht
- www.adac.de/reise-freizeit/maut-vignette/.
There are devices for sale to make it easier, but not for all countries and often not suitable for heavy campers.
Traveling through Europe without a toll or box is possible, but it costs more time, kilometers and fuel. In Switzerland, a heavy camper must pay for each day in the country.
It's still a bit of a struggle with those toll systems for now. Prepare well, just pay, don't get annoyed, be surprised now and then, and most importantly, travel well.
Arie de Ruijter
Tineke de Ruijter
