The border between Slovenia and Austria stretches over a length of 330 kilometers. The largest section of the border is formed by the Karawanken, the Bachergebirge, and the Lavanttaler Alps. Other border sections are formed by the rivers Kutschenitza, Mur, and Drava.
These unique geographical conditions mean that there are only a few border crossings for drivers. The most important highway crossings for tourists are the Karawanken Tunnel and Spielfeld (AT) - Šentilj (SVN).
Within the EU Schengen area, border controls are generally not required, except on certain occasions for the protection of public order and internal security. International sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and large political events are among these occasions. Due to increased illegal immigration, border control on the Austrian side has been strengthened as of 2023.
As an EU citizen, you can easily pass through border control with a passport or ID card and bring goods for personal use. The only disadvantage of border controls is the longer waiting times at the border crossings. However, if you have already registered a digital vignette in advance, you won’t have to wait twice at both the border control and toll station, and you can pass the toll station without stopping.
The main border crossings from Slovenia to Austria for tourists are the Karawanken Tunnel and the highway crossing Šentilj (SVN) - Spielfeld (AT).
The nearly 8-kilometer-long Karawanken Tunnel was built between 1986 and 1991 and connects the Slovenian A2 motorway, which runs directly through Ljubljana, with the Austrian A11 motorway. The construction of the tunnel shortened the travel time between Ljubljana and Villach by more than an hour.
During the travel season in the summer months, over 30,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily, which can lead to increased waiting times. In case of high traffic and risk of traffic jams, the maximum speed in the tunnel is reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h, which also extends the travel time. Outside the travel season, around 10,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily.
It is expected that a second tunnel tube will be built by 2028, which will allow the maximum speed to be increased to 100 km/h.
At the border between Šentilj and Spielfeld, there are two border crossings. One is the motorway crossing between the Austrian A9 and the Slovenian A1, while the other is a border crossing between the Austrian B67 federal road and the Slovenian main road 437.
The crossing between the B67 and 437 is an option to avoid tolls. However, traveling without motorways and expressways results in a significantly longer travel time. Traveling via the motorways is much more stress-free for travelers, especially if digital vignettes are registered in advance. For transit travelers heading to Croatia, the motorway crossing Spielfeld - Šentilj is the most sensible, as it leads via the A1 near Maribor to the A4, which takes you directly to the Croatian border.
The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette in Slovenia and if there are any toll sections you should be aware of.
If you want to use Slovenian motorways and expressways during your trip, you will need an electronic vignette, known as the E-Vinjeta. The E-Vinjeta is required for vehicles under 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight (GVW). For vehicles over this weight, the vignette requirement is waived, and a toll is charged based on the specific route. Additionally, there are special toll routes where additional charges apply, such as when using the Karawanken Tunnel.
For your trip, you can choose from different vignette durations:
If your vehicle exceeds 3.5 tons GVW, instead of the vignette, you will need a DarsGo device for collecting the route-based tolls. This toll is based on the distance traveled, the number of axles, and the Euro emissions class (level of pollution). The Euro emissions class is divided into pollution classes 1-6. Pollution class 1 indicates high pollution levels, while class 6 indicates low pollution levels.
The following section gives you an overview of whether you also need a vignette in Austria and if there are any toll sections you should be aware of.
For the use of Austria's motorway and expressway networks, fees are charged in the form of a vignette requirement. Therefore, vehicles up to 3.5 tons require a (digital) vignette. Depending on your vehicle class, you can choose from different durations for your trip. More information can be found here.
However, there are also toll-free motorways. Ways to avoid the vignette fee can be found here.
Note that for vehicles over 3.5 tons GVW, the vignette requirement is waived, and instead, a route-based toll is charged. This toll, which is based on distance, is billed using a GO-Box that must be installed in your vehicle for data collection.
In addition to the vignette requirement and the route-based toll, there are certain special toll routes in Austria that you should be aware of during your trip. Additional charges apply for using these special toll routes.
Further information on various tunnels and specific mountain pass roads can be found here.
Order your vignette easily and conveniently with us. Choose between the various durations and travel worry-free on the motorways in Slovenia and Austria. Information on tourist attractions in Slovenia can be found in our guide! We wish you a great trip!
