Vignette Italy

Table of contents

• 1. Guide: Buying a vignette for Italy

• 2. Do I need to buy a vignette for Italy?

  • 2.1 Alternative to the vignette in Italy

    • 2.1.1 Toll payment methods in Italy - pros & cons

      • 2.1.1.1 Cash - pros & cons

      • 2.1.1.2 Credit card / debit card - pros & cons

      • 2.1.1.3 VIAcard - pros & cons

      • 2.1.1.4 Telepass - pros & cons

      • 2.1.1.5 ADAC toll box - pros & cons

      • 2.1.1.6 Telemaut Bip&Go - pros & cons

      • 2.1.1.7 Free Flow system - pros & cons

    • 2.1.2 Where to buy toll boxes

      • 2.1.2.1 Buy Telepass

      • 2.1.2.2 Buy ADAC toll box

      • 2.1.2.3 Buy Bip&Go

• 3. South Tyrol toll

  • 3.1 Special toll South Tyrol

• 4. Closed toll system / open toll system Italy

  • 4.1 Open toll system: motorways with flat-rate tolls

  • 4.2 Vehicle category matters: closed system

    • 4.2.1 Motorcycle toll Italy

    • 4.2.2 Motorhome toll in Italy

• 5. Toll prices in Italy

• 6. Conclusion

Image by Freepik |

Guide to "Buying a vignette for Italy" - What travellers need to know

This blog post gives you a comprehensive overview of the toll system in Italy. We explain whether you need to buy a vignette , which toll systems exist, what costs to expect, how to avoid traffic jams at the toll booths and how to pay toll fees quickly and easily.

Buying a vignette for Italy - is it necessary?

The Italy vignette is a frequently searched term, but unlike Switzerland or Austria, Italy does not have a classic vignette. Instead, the toll on motorways is calculated based on the distance driven. This means that drivers must toll booths take a ticket and pay the fee based on the distance travelled.

What is the alternative to a vignette in Italy?

Since there is no classic vignette , travellers must pay the toll in Italy directly at the toll booths on the motorways and receive a ticket for it.

Toll payment methods on Italian motorways - pros and cons

In Italy there are several payment methods to pay the toll at the motorway toll booths. Here are the options with their pros and cons at a glance:

1. Cash (Contanti)

✔ Accepted at all toll booths
✔ Payment in euros (€)
✔ Change is given
✖ Can lead to longer waiting times as manual processing is often required

2. Credit and debit cards

✔ Widely used and accepted at most toll booths
✔ Common cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, V-Pay
✔ Fast processing at automatic terminals
✖Not all foreign cards are accepted (e.g. some EC cards)

3. Viacard

✔ The VIAcard is a rechargeable prepaid card specifically for toll payments in Italy
✖ The VIAcard has been discontinued as a payment method at Italian toll booths discontinued, so you can no longer buy it. You must choose another toll payment method.
✖ If you already have a VIAcard, you can use your remaining balance until end of 2029. VIAcards will still be accepted for payment at all toll booths until then.

4. Telepass (electronic toll box)

✔ The fastest payment method for Italian motorways
✔ The most widely used toll box in Italy
✔ Drives through without stopping
✔ Automatic detection via radio technology at Telepass lanes
✔ Fees charged directly to the stored bank account or credit card debited
✔ Worth it mainly for frequent drivers in Italy
✖ Must be purchased in advance
✖ Requires prior registration and activation

Buy your Telepass for Italy here

5. ADAC toll box in cooperation with maut1.de

✔ Alternative to the Telepass toll box, which also works in other countries such as France, Spain and Portugal usable
✔ Works like Telepass with automatic billing
✔ Ideal for travellers who often drive through multiple countriesusable
✖ Must be purchased in advance

Order your toll box from Maut1.de here
Note: VanSite AnnualPass holders get a 5 EUR discount on the activation fee for your toll box.

6. Telemaut Bip&Go toll box

✔ Alternative to the Telepass toll box (partner of Telepass)
✔ Enables automatic toll payment in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal
✔ Use of Telepass lanes for fast passage without stopping
✔ No long-term contract, flexible use possible
✖ Must be ordered online in advance.
✖ Requires registration and adding a payment method

Subscribe to Telemaut for Italy at Bip&Go now

7. Free flow system

✔ No barriers - toll is automatically recorded via cameras captured
✔ No stopping or ticket required
✔ Payment afterwards within 15 days online or via app
✖ Licence plate must be registered to avoid fines .
✖ Not available on all motorways

Pay Italy digital vignette - Where can I buy toll boxes?

The digital toll payment is becoming increasingly common in Italy. Systems like Telepass or the toll box from ADAC in cooperation with Maut1.de allow fast passage without stopping, thanks to the dedicated motorway lanes.

For vehicles that pass through the Telepass or a toll box from Maut1.de or from the ADAC the toll booth, the toll is automatically charged to the stored payment method digitally. This reduces waiting times on motorways considerably, especially during the peak travel season. But where can you buy an ADAC toll box or a Telepass?

1. Where to buy Telepass

The Telepass is available from various providers:

✔ Official Telepass website
✔ ADAC (in Germany, for German travellers)
✔ Petrol stations and motorway service areas in Italy
✔ Automobile clubs in Europe (e.g. OAMTC in Austria, TCS in Switzerland)
✔ Certain banks in Italy

Important notes:

• The Telepass can be ordered online and delivered to your home.

• In Italy it is available at certain service points , often near toll stations.

• In some cases you need an Italian bank account when booking directly with Telepass.

• Alternatively there is the Telepass EU, which can also be used in France, Spain and Portugal.

2. Where to buy the ADAC toll box

The ADAC toll box in cooperation with Maut1.de is an alternative to the Telepass and is specifically aimed at German travellers. It is available online or in person:

✔ ADAC online shop
✔ ADAC branch offices in Germany
✔ Order by phone via the ADAC customer service

Important notes:

• No Italian bank account required

• Works in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal

• Can easily be ordered in the ADAC Shop.

• Fees are automatically charged to the stored payment method

3. Where to buy the Telemaut Bip&Go toll box

The Telemaut-Badge Bip&Go is another alternative toll box, with which you can use all motorways in Italy in the Telepass lanes, park at equipped car parks in Italy, charge electric vehicles and use certain ferries in Italy.
You can buy Bip&Go here:

✔ Bip&Go online shop

Important notes:

• The Bip&Go toll box is not in physical stores available

• After online order, the Bip&Go toll box is dispatched within 48 hours dispatched

• The payment of the toll is automatic: Bip&Go debits the toll charges in Italy from your account and pays the Telepass partner invoice on your behalf.

Italy vignette South Tyrol - toll charges in this region

Many travellers are used to systems from countries like Austria or Switzerland and the 10-day vignette , which lets them drive on motorways for a set period. When travelling from Austria to South Tyrol, for example, you should be aware that Italy has no classic motorway vignette, but a distance-based toll system.

In South Tyrol the same toll charges apply as throughout Italy. A particularly popular route runs from the Austrian border over the Brenner to Bolzano or further to the Lake Garda.

If you use this route regularly on the Brenner motorway, it's worth looking into a digital toll box to avoid queues at the toll stations. In peak travel season, there are often traffic jams in South Tyrol with frequent traffic jams at the toll stations, especially southbound.

The motorways in South Tyrol are well managed through the toll system . The Brenner Pass is one of the main arteries from Austria to Italy. It leads directly to South Tyrol. The toll costs for this route vary depending on vehicle category.

Travellers visiting South Tyrol by motorhome or motorbike should check the relevant toll charges , which can differ between vehicle classes. While motorbikes usually pay less, larger vehicles like motorhomes are subject to higher charges. Comparing toll options before setting off can help avoid unnecessary costs.

Image by Oleksandr Ryzhkov on Freepik |

Special tolls in South Tyrol

In addition, there are some roads in South Tyrol with special tolls, for example mountain pass roads or tunnels. Those travelling over the Timmelsjoch, the Stilfser Joch Pass, or the Dolomite passesmust pay a separate fee. These charges are separate from the regular motorway toll and should be factored in before the trip.

Italy vignette - open vs. closed toll system

Italy has two types of toll systems. The distinction is between the open and the closed system.

With the open system, you pay a fixed toll charge, regardless of the actual distance driven. No matter how far you've travelled, you simply pay a flat rate.

The open system is often used in urban areas like Milan. If you're coming from Como to Milan, for example, it costs you three euros in tolls. The same principle, also known as the open system, also applies to the city toll in Italy. This applies in certain areas of Bologna, Palermo and Milan .

The open system is also common at bridges, tunnels or short motorway sections with special toll.

Image by freestockcenter on Freepik |

The closed system in Italy, by contrast, is based on the distance travelled. At the motorway entry you receive a ticket that is handed in at the exit toll booth. The toll charge depends on the vehicle category and the number of kilometres driven.

Open toll in Italy: which motorways charge flat-rate tolls?

In Italy there are some motorways with flat-rate tolls, where a fixed toll is charged regardless of the distance driven. These use the open toll system. The most important include:

• Naples-Salerno (A3)

• Salerno-Reggio Calabria (A3)

• Varese-Milan (A3)

• Morgex-Aosta (A5)

• Varese-Milan (A8)

• Como-Milan (A9)

• Rome-Civitavecchia (A12)

• Messina-Villafranca (A20)

• Turin-Bardonecchia (A32)

• Frejus Tunnel-Turin (A32)

• Pedemontana Lombarda (A36, A59, A60)

• Napoli-Pozzuoli (A56)

There are also some Italian urban motorways, such as the Tangenziale of Milan, Naples and other cities, which often charge a flat-rate toll for use.

Unsplash Image by Red John |

Closed toll in Italy depends on vehicle category

In most cases, the toll in Italy is calculated using the closed system, i.e. depending on the distance driven and the vehicle category.

The vehicle category is determined by the number of axles.

Category A:

Vehicles with 2 axles up to 1.3 m height at the front axle (e.g. motorcycles or cars)

Category B:

Vehicles with 2 axles over 1.30 m height at the front axle (e.g. motorhomes)

Category 3:

Vehicles with 3 axles / towing vehicle with 2 axles plus trailer with 1 axle (e.g. trucks)

Category 4:

Vehicles with 4 axles / towing vehicle with 2 axles plus trailer with 2 axles (e.g. truck plus trailer with 2 axles)

Category 5:

Vehicles with 5 axles / towing vehicle with 2 axles plus trailer with 3 axles (e.g. truck plus trailer with 3 axles)

Italy vignette for motorcycles - toll charges for two-wheelers

Motorcycles in Italy are also subject to the toll obligation, but at reduced rates. A motorcycle pays about 30% less in toll charges than a car.

Image by Freepik |

Toll in Italy for motorhomes

Toll costs for motorhomes vary in Italy depending on the weight of the motorhome.

Motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes are generally charged at the same rate as cars.

For larger motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes separate rates apply, which are often based on truck rates.

In addition, motorhomes are classified differently depending on their number of axles. Double axles count as two axles.

Unsplash Image by Anders Nielsen |

Italy vignette: prices at the various toll stations

The prices for the toll in Italy depend on several factors. It depends on the toll operators, the type of vehicle and its number of axles, the specific motorways, bridges, roads, Tunnel, or cities.

If you want to find out about the toll prices for the route, you can current information on the following pages find:

• The ADAC website

• The fine catalogue

Conclusion: Choosing the right toll solution for your trip

The choice of the right toll solution for your trip to Italy depends heavily on your individual travel habits .

If you only occasionally drive through Italy, you can easily use the toll booths and pay in cash or by card.

But for regular trips or long distances, it is worth using a toll box to avoid waiting times and conveniently pass through the toll stations.

The Free Flow System is being Italy increasingly expanded, which means the nature of toll payment will change in the long run. Travellers need to prepare for the fact that the toll in some places can no longer be paid directly at stations, but in advance or afterwards online. Anyone who forgets this risks heavy fines.

Especially for trips that go through more countries than just Italy, for example France, Spain or Portugal, a Europe-wide toll box is a good option. This way you can pay the in several countries the toll without cash and without delays.

Image by bearfotos on Freepik |

Whether you are travelling in Italy by car, motorhome or motorbike, it is worth finding out about the current toll regulations before the trip. A well-planned toll payment method saves not only time and stress, but often money too.