The Czech and Austrian vignette systems are completely separate. You need a Czech vignette for Czech motorways and an Austrian vignette for Austrian motorways and expressways.
If your journey includes toll roads in both countries, you will usually need both. A Czech vignette is not valid in Austria, and an Austrian vignette does not cover Czech motorways.
Before you travel, buy your Czech motorway vignette and, if your route continues into Austria, arrange your Austria e-vignette before entering the motorway network.
Czech vs Austria vignette: what's the difference?
The biggest difference is how the two systems work. Czechia uses electronic vignettes only, while Austria offers both digital and traditional sticker vignettes.
| Feature | Czechia | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic vignette | Yes | Yes |
| Sticker vignette | No | Yes |
| Shortest validity | 1 day | 1 day |
| Medium-term option | 30 days | 2 months |
| Annual vignette | Yes | Yes |
| Additional route tolls | No | Some Alpine routes |
Do you need one vignette or both?
You need a vignette for every country where you drive on charged motorways.
| Your journey | What you need |
|---|---|
| Prague → Vienna | Czech + Austria |
| Brno → Vienna | Usually both |
| Vienna → Prague | Austria + Czech |
| Driving only in Czechia | Czech vignette |
| Driving only in Austria | Austria vignette |
If you avoid motorways in one country, you may not need that country's vignette. Always check your planned route before travelling.
Which vignette is better for your trip?
The answer depends on your route—not on which country has the cheaper product.
If your trip stays entirely in Czechia, only the Czech vignette is needed. If you only drive in Austria, buy the Austrian vignette. For cross-border motorway journeys, you normally need both.
How do Czech and Austrian validity periods compare?
| Your trip | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| One-day trip | 1-day vignette |
| Weekend journey | 10-day vignette |
| 2–4 week holiday | Czech 30-day + Austrian 2-month (if required) |
| Frequent motorway travel | Annual vignette |
Czechia offers a dedicated 30-day vignette, while Austria's next step after 10 days is a 2-month vignette. For trips lasting between 11 and 30 days, the Czech system is usually more flexible.
If you want to compare current tariffs, see the latest Czech vignette prices.
Driving between Czechia and Austria
Most journeys between Prague, Brno and Vienna use motorways on both sides of the border.
Buying both vignettes before departure is usually the easiest option and avoids last-minute purchases during the trip.
Special rules in Austria
Unlike Czechia, Austria has additional tolls on some Alpine tunnels and motorway sections.
If your route continues towards the Alps, Italy or Slovenia, check whether any special route tolls apply in addition to the Austrian vignette.
How do you check if you need both?
Before travelling:
- Open your navigation app.
- Check whether your route uses Czech motorways.
- Check whether it continues onto Austrian motorways or expressways.
- Buy the required vignette for each country before entering the first charged road.
If you're travelling through Czechia, compare your route with the Czech motorway map.
Common cross-border journeys
| Route | Recommended setup |
|---|---|
| Prague → Vienna → Prague | Czech 10-day + Austria 10-day |
| Brno → Vienna | Usually both vignettes |
| Vienna → Prague | Austria + Czech |
| Czechia only | Czech vignette only |
| Austria only | Austria vignette only |
Planning a trip between Czechia and Austria
If your route includes charged roads in both countries, buy both vignettes before you start your journey.
If your motorway travel is limited to one country, you only need that country's vignette. Before buying, confirm your route, travel dates and the required motorway coverage.
If you're purchasing for the first time, follow the guide to buying a Czech vignette. Driving on a charged Czech motorway without a valid vignette may result in a penalty, explained in the guide to Czech motorway vignette fines.