Paying for French Autoroutes

Have a card and cash with you that all times and you will be just fine. Remember the tolls in France are pretty expensive so be prepared for it. Some of the tunnel tolls could take your breath away. We cancelled a driving trip when I added up the tolls and took the trains. Have a great time.

To get an exact amount of how much tolls on your route(s) will cost, put your itinerary in ViaMichelin (website or app), in "Route Planner."

I have had Libert-t for many years, and it works very well for me but I wouldn't necessarily suggest it for a few tolls over 10 days.

In addition to getting the device, you will need to attach it to speckled part of the windscreen behind the mirror, you will have to pay a deposit for it, you will have to pay a monthly usage fee, unless your usage goes from one month to the next in which case you will pay 2 months fee, plus all the tolls. Then you have to find a way to return the device.

For the few trips you will make I suggest sticking with credit card or cash.

KateN,
Last May/June we used our credit card at all toll locations on the autoroute and it was a snap to just tap the card and get going. We did keep cash on hand just in case. We were in Provence, the Bordeaux region and the Dordogne region. We had no issue anywhere, so I guess we were lucky, but during past trips, we never had a problem either. Bponne chance!

the reason I rely on the Liber-t is that my wife is disabled so she can't see and understand the booths, and we have a right hand drive English car so I need a co-pilot in the left seat. Since she can't help me I use the Liber-t lanes and zip through and just pay the extra costs as needed.

Maybe you might need it for that reason.

If time permits, get off the autoroute and use the yellow roads, you’ll see much more of the France beautiful countryside. You can always jump back on the Autoroute later.

We traveled throughout France last April and always carried a significant amount of euros for tolls. We were also successful using our credit cards as well. That said, there were times when we need to try three cards before one worked. Pack your patience and ignore those honking behind you. Take your time.

We paid $10-$15 in tolls each time we took the autoroute which is why we prefer the yellow roads. The Waze app worked great.

Remember to fill up on Saturdays, many gas stations are closed on Sundays. You will always be able to gas up on the autoroute.

Have a great trip!

Just tap in/ out with your credit card. It was so easy. Have some euro on hand as back up.

Now that US cards tap, tolls are so easy! To make it even less stressful, we always chose the manual lane that was staffed with an attendant. Handed her our card, she tapped it, and we were on our way in about 15 seconds each time.

This was in French Basque Country last month.

We found having Google Pay on a phone was great. Better range than a CC. Handy if you did not pull close enough to tap. I'm also told if you lose your CC and report it the phone app will still work, could be handy.

KateN,
Just fyi, whenever you can, try to take the smaller D roads. They are slower, but generally more scenic. Viamichelin.com is a good resource to see alternate routes from point to point. Just know that their times do not allow for bathroom, gas or food stops, so travel times will be a little longer.
Happy trip!

I always keep 10-20 euro in 1 euro coins in the car. I drive in France every couple weeks and if there's a toll I just use the cash lane and it's fast.

Currently in France half way through a 20 day trip. Credit cards except Amex work no problem. Also Apple Pay ok but I don’t use since my phone cable is connected for “car play” so it’s a hassle to disconnect. As far as a toll booth attendant, I’ve yet to see one (but haven’t needed one).

We arrived today in Nice, drove to Aix. As all have reported, tap and go with your credit card - couldn't be easier. I did log in to my credit card account to see how much the tolls were - they aren't cheap lol. Be prepared. I probably didn't budget enough for gas/tolls on this trip - we have a car for 6 days, then head to Villefranche for 7 nights, dropping it off at Nice airport on the way.

Glenn

KateN,
As I mentioned above, try to take the D roads if possible. No expensive tolls as Glenn found.

Glenn, as you get away from the Nice area, the tolls become both further apart and (somewhat) less expensive per km..

Thanks Nigel!

Glenn