Vignettes

I know I need a vignette for Austria but do I need one for Switzerland? Also can vignettes be bought online or do I have to stop at a garage close to the border?

This raises a question for hire cars - do they have them included, and what about hire cars from Germany?

Whats the cost of a Vignette?

Vignettes for Austria can be bought to cover a short period, 10 or 18 days being typical.

When I last bought a vignette in Switzerland, it was valid for a year, from the date of purchase.

Vignettes are only required for Autobahn driving. I often prefer to route via the old trunk roads, you quite often go through some pretty villages.

Thanks Dave, so you can but them for a short trip? I will be needing one to get from Munich to Mayrhofen as I intend to use the Autobahn: I wont have time to pootle about on the A class roads.
Do you know the regs regarding hire cars, whether they need a vignette also, and where you can buy one from?

As far as driving in Austria, in my experience, hire cars from Munich (yes I know it’s in German) or Saltzburg do not come with Vignettes as standard. You might be lucky and pick up a car that still has one that’s valid from the last user but the rental operators don’t provide them. That said a 10day vignette is about €7.60 at the mo, so hardly a big cost. Getting them on the motorway is easy and clearly signposted.

Don’t take the risk of driving without one though as a chat with the police can spoil a great holiday :roll:

Probably goes entirely without saying but if you don’t use the motorways you don’t need a Vignette ;)

Jan

Thanks Jan, much appreciated.
I assume I can buy one on the motorway on the German side before crossing into Austria?

Yep, just before Kufstein there is a motorway service station :

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Kufstein,+Tyrol,+Austria&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=Fby01QIdd4i4AA&ll=47.612094,12.204952&spn=0.020107,0.055618&t=h&z=15

Jan

Thanks Jan - that's a great help.