European Road Tolls: What Drivers Need to Know in 2015
Motorists travelling across Europe in 2015 face a patchwork of toll systems, with prices and rules varying widely between countries such as France, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.
Motorists planning to cross Europe by road in 2015 will find a mix of toll systems and prices, with some countries charging per kilometre and others relying on annual passes. France, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, in particular, operate extensive toll networks, while Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands keep their main highways free for private vehicles.
France: Péage system and typical costs
France’s motorway network is dominated by toll roads, signposted as “péage”. The majority of autoroutes require payment, with only a few exceptions in regions such as Brittany. In 2015, the average cost for a car was about €1 per 10 miles, so a journey from Calais to Marseille (1,060 km) would total €79.80. Payment is accepted by cash, credit card or cheque, and most major cards are supported. Drivers should also be aware of special charges for tunnels such as the Mont Blanc, where a single journey for a car cost around €35.
Spain and Portugal: Per-kilometre tolls and summer surcharges
Spain’s toll roads, marked as AP-XX, typically charge by distance. On the AP6, for example, a car pays €9.55 for a single trip. Tolls often rise in summer, sometimes doubling on popular coastal routes. Payment is usually made at automated booths, with tickets collected at entry and paid at exit. Portugal uses a similar per-kilometre system, with rates regulated by the government and adjusted for vehicle class. Brisa, the country’s largest motorway operator, manages much of the network. Notably, the 25 de Abril Bridge into Lisbon charges €1.40 for cars, but only in one direction and is free in August.
- France: Most autoroutes tolled, average €1 per 10 miles for cars.
- Spain: AP-XX roads tolled, summer rates can double.
- Portugal: Fixed per-kilometre tolls, with some bridges and tunnels priced separately.
- Switzerland: Annual vignette required, CHF 40 (€27) for 2015.
- Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden: No tolls on main highways for private vehicles.
Switzerland: Annual vignette and tunnel fees
Switzerland requires all vehicles to display a motorway vignette, priced at CHF 40 (about €27 in 2015), valid for 14 months from December of the previous year. This pass covers all Swiss motorways but excludes major tunnels such as the Grand St. Bernard, which costs €22.10 one way or €35 for a return within 30 days. The vignette is available at border crossings and tourism offices.
UK, Belgium and Ireland: Limited tolls or free motorways
In the UK, the main tolled motorway is the M6 Toll near Birmingham, which in 2015 cost £5 for cars and £10 for HGVs on weekdays. Belgium’s highways are free for private vehicles, with the exception of the Liefenhoeks Tunnel in Antwerp, where the toll for cars under 2.75 metres was €5.50. Ireland operates several toll roads, with charges varying by route and payment method.
What drivers should check before travelling
Toll systems can change with little notice, and charges often vary by vehicle type, time of year and even direction of travel. Drivers should check official websites for up-to-date rates and payment options. Some countries, such as Switzerland, require passes to be purchased in advance, while others rely on pay-as-you-go booths or electronic systems.
