Tolls in Italy – guide
Most sections of the highways in Italy are toll roads. In contrast to the neighboring countries of Austria and Switzerland, the toll costs in Italy are not paid with a vignette. But you can get one Telepass which simplifies the payment of tolls (more on this in the section below). The fee to be paid can primarily be determined by the Category of your car or truck to calculate. A separate fee is due for some tunnels, bridges and mountain passes. The cities Bologna, Palermo and Milan (Milano) also raise a City toll.
The vehicles are classified as follows:
| category | vehicle |
|---|---|
| Category A | Motor vehicle with two axles and a maximum height of 1.30 m |
| Category B. | Motor vehicle with two axles and a total height of over 1.30 m |
| Category 3 | Cars and trailers with two axles and a total height of over 3 m |
| Category 4 | Cars and trailers with three or more axles and a total height of over 3 m |
| Category 5 | Cars and trailers with five axles and a total height of over 3 m |
How much does the car toll cost in Italy?
The cost of the toll for your car can only be calculated using the respective vehicle class calculate and can therefore not be determined uniformly. The Costs for driving the tunnels and bridges also vary – usually also by vehicle category. The heavily frequented one is an exception Brenner tunnel, in which all vehicle classes pay a fee of 9.50 euros have to. You can purchase a day ticket or a multi-day or monthly ticket for the city toll in the cities of Bologna, Palermo and Milan (Milano).
Find out more about the toll in Italy for vehicles up to 3.5 tons here.
How can I pay tolls in Italy? Telepass, ticket, free flow
There are various ways in which you can pay the costs incurred for the toll – the main distinction must be made between the payment methods via ticket or the so-called Telepass.
When driving on the autobahn, cross the toll station and take a ticket there, which is best kept carefully in the car and then returned to the machine when you exit at the next toll station. At the stations you can find out the cost of driving on the motorway cash or mostly with common credit or bank cards numbers. With the Viacard you can also have the fees debited directly at the toll station, like with a credit card. To do this, you can load credit onto the card. The Prepaid card can be ordered online from various providers – so you or your passenger do not always have to have change to hand in the car. The Viacard cannot be used at four toll stations on the A18 between Messina and Catania: Roccalumera, Taormina, Giardini di Naxos and Fiumefreddo.
Even more convenient is it with that Telepass: If your car has a On-board unit – i.e. an electrical device that automatically records the toll – you also have the option of paying by Telepass. The The toll fee is deducted directly from your account or credit card with the Telepass. If you want to take the Villa San Giovanni ferry to Messina from the mainland to Sicily by car, then you can also use the Telepass here, all you have to do is drive into the corresponding lane for the Telepass. You can also use the Telepass for the Pay for many parking garages use in Italy. In the past, only drivers with a bank account in Italy could purchase such a Telepass – it is now possible without it. Relevant dealers are now making the Telepass available in Italy without a bank account. All you have to do is register online and the Telepass toll box will be delivered on the desired date.
Free flow: Billing via the closed Free Flow system on sections of the Autostrada is new A36, A59 and A60 – No tickets are drawn here, but license plates are automatically recorded. Payment is made via Online registration, the APL Free Flow app or via Telepass, so available.
With the caravan through Italy – what should be considered?
The costs incurred for a caravan depend on the number of axes. The higher the number of axles, the higher the costs. Double axes are counted as two axes in the classification. In the Alpine tunnels can, however Exceptions apply and therefore higher fees apply.
Find out more about the toll in Italy for vehicles over 3.5 tons here.
By car to Italy: tips for driving to Sicily
If you are planning a trip by car from Germany via Italy to Sicily, you can use the motorways as well the ferry from Genoa to Palermo use, which is particularly practical and convenient (accordingly the costs are slightly higher). The journey time from Italy to Sicily by ferry is around 20 hours and 30 minutes. The ferry from Italy to Sicily is offered all year round and there are 6 departure times per week (daily, except on Sundays from 11 p.m.). In the period between July and August, the offer will even be expanded and you can also set sail from Italy on Sundays. The Prices for this route vary however strong. With a normal car and two people you pay between 180 euros and 280 euros per person. And remember: If you would like to pay the fees via Telepass, please pay the fees for the when using the ferry Telepass designated lane to take.
By car to Italy: tips for traveling to Lake Garda
In addition to its beauty, Lake Garda is so popular with Germans because it is easy to get to by car. Travelers who start their car journey from Germany usually use the Motorways in Switzerland, through the Brenner tunnel or one of the beautiful ones Mountain pass roads. If you are traveling on the motorways in Austria or Switzerland, make sure to get the right vignette for your car or mobile home in advance. Here you can find more information about the toll in Austria or Switzerland.
For a comfortable and stress-free trip on the highways, we recommend that Start driving at night or very early in the morning, because many drivers are on their way to Italy on this route at noon during vacation time. If you opt for the option early in the morning, not only are the motorways free, you can even extend your vacation by half a day, as you will arrive in Italy at lunchtime. By the way: gasoline and diesel prices are much cheaper in Austria than in Germany and Italy. If you plan ahead, you can save fuel costs here. For example, you can leave the autobahn near Innsbruck, because next to the autobahn you pay significantly less for your fuel.
By the way, toll fees can also be saved when driving to southern Lake Garda: If you leave the A22 or E45 at Affi, you can drive on the “Super Strada SS 450” expressway – unlike toll motorways, this route is free of charge. So that you do not immediately get rid of the saved costs in the form of fines, you should know that on the Burner is flashed more often. This can be quite expensive, so pay attention to the speed limits on the motorways and expressways. You can read more about this in the following section.
What else you should know before your trip
Speed limit in Italy
- Speed limit motorway: 130 km / h
- For new drivers: 100 km / h
- Fine at <20 km / h: from 175 €
- Fine at> 50 km / h: from 545 €
Emergency numbers in Italy
- Area code: +39
- Fire department: 115
- Police: 112 or 113
Fines in Italy
- Illegal parking: from € 40
- Mobile phone at the wheel: from € 165
Light duty during the day in Italy
- Light duty during the day: Yes
- Penalty for violation: from 42 €
As a motorist, also keep in mind that summer and winter tires are compulsory in Italy. If you use all-weather tires, find out beforehand where they are allowed and where not, as this regulation is regulated differently in Italy.
Status: March 2021, information without guarantee
