I will be driving a rental car from Bolzano, Italy, across Austria to southern Germany in September. Do I need a vignette(pass) for this trip? If so, can I purchase one in Italy when I rent my car, or do I get one at the Austria border? How long is it good for, or do I need another for my return trip to Italy 10 days later?
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1922 posts
The Italian motorway has tolls up to Brenner pass, paid in cash. The Austrian motorway from Brenner to Innsbruck-Süd has its own toll but the vignette is not needed as you have to pay in cash anyway. If you do not leave the motorway at Innsbruck-Süd you need a vignette (frequent checks and stinging fines) - so you likely need one. You can purchase vignettes at the last few motorway stations in Italy or at Brenner pass. Vignettes come in three durations: ten days, two months, one year. The starting date has to be punched on the vignette and the vignette has to be glued on the car screen. Unpunched and unglued vignettes are not valid.
The ten day vignette is valid for the punched day and nine following days. For example, a vignette punched on Aug. 10th is valid till Aug. 19th included. From Aug. 20th you would need another vignette (or consider the two months one).
Posted by
OP
20 posts
Thanks for your very detailed response! That answers my question completely!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
11069 posts
Are you renting a car in Italy and returning it in Germany? If so, I'd like to caution you about the very hefty fee you will be charged for returning the car in another country. If you need a car in Italy and Germany, but are just quickly driving through Austria, you might consider taking the train from Italy to Germany instead.