How tolls affect the transport price
Tolls are one of the main costs of road freight. They are charged per kilometre on tolled roads, and the amount depends on the country, road type, number of axles and emission class of the vehicle. On international routes they make up a significant share of the price, so routes of the same length can cost differently depending on the way the truck goes. Tolls are always included in our quotes.
Toll systems at a glance
| Country | System | Who pays | Vans up to 3.5 t |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | satellite toll (CzechToll) | vehicles over 3.5 t on motorways and selected first-class roads | electronic vignette |
| Germany | LKW-Maut (Toll Collect) | vehicles over 3.5 t on motorways and federal roads | no toll, no vignette |
| Austria | GO-Maut, GO-Box on-board unit | vehicles over 3.5 t on motorways and expressways | vignette |
| Slovakia | electronic toll | vehicles over 3.5 t on motorways and selected roads | electronic vignette |
| Poland | e-TOLL | vehicles over 3.5 t on tolled sections | free on most sections |
| Hungary | HU-GO | vehicles over 3.5 t by distance | e-vignette |
Tolls in the Czech Republic
The electronic toll is satellite-based – the vehicle carries an on-board unit that records the kilometres driven on tolled motorways and selected first-class roads. The rate varies with the number of axles and the emission class. Vans up to 3.5 t pay no toll but need the electronic vignette.
Tolls in Germany
LKW-Maut is collected by Toll Collect on all motorways and federal roads. Since December 2023 the rate also depends on CO₂ emissions, and since July 2024 the toll applies to vehicles over 3.5 t, not only over 7.5 t. Cars and vans up to 3.5 t need no vignette in Germany.
Tolls in Austria
On motorways and expressways, vehicles over 3.5 t pay the distance-based GO-Maut via the GO-Box. Several Alpine sections carry a special toll – for example the Brenner (A13), the Tauern motorway (A10), Pyhrn (A9), Karawanken (A11) and Arlberg (S16). Vans up to 3.5 t need the Austrian vignette.
Slovakia, Poland and Hungary
In Slovakia vehicles over 3.5 t pay an electronic toll on motorways and selected roads, and vans need an electronic vignette. Poland collects tolls through e-TOLL and Hungary through HU-GO, both by distance driven.
Where to find current rates
Rates usually change once a year and have risen in recent years with the introduction of CO₂ charging. Current figures are published by the toll operators in each country. We deliberately do not quote specific rates here – an outdated figure would be misleading.
How we include tolls in the price
Tolls for the whole route are always part of our quote, including the special Alpine sections – nothing is added to the invoice. If a shorter route with higher tolls competes with a longer one with lower tolls, we choose the one that is cheaper overall. More on routes to each country under international transport.
Related services: Domestic transport