Road trip inspiration
European road trips — every vignette, already worked out
12 classic European road trip routes with every vignette you need, total costs calculated, and tips for each corridor. Verified June 2026.
Featured routes
The strongest cross-border drives first, with vignette needs, toll context and route notes already laid out.
01
Alpine Classic — Germany to Italy via Austria
Route: Germany → Austria → Italy
Vignettes needed: Austria only (Italy uses toll barriers)
Total vignette cost: ~€13 (plus Brenner section toll €12.50 if using the A13)
Tip: The 10-day Austrian vignette covers both the outbound and return journey if your trip is under 10 days. The Brenner section toll is separate — pay it at the booth or buy a digital ticket in advance.
02
Dalmatian Coast — Austria to Croatia via Slovenia
Route: Austria → Slovenia → Croatia
Vignettes needed: Austria + Slovenia (Croatia charges per-section tolls at barriers)
Total vignette cost: ~€29
Tip: Slovenia has no 1-day option — the 7-day vignette is the minimum. If you’re spending more than a week in Croatia and returning via Slovenia, buy a 1-month Slovenian vignette (€32) to cover both crossings.
03
Castles and Capitals — Germany to Hungary via Austria
Route: Germany → Austria → Hungary
Vignettes needed: Austria + Hungary
Total vignette cost: ~€41
Tip: Hungary’s 1-day vignette expires at midnight, not 24 hours from purchase. If you’re arriving in the afternoon, buy the 10-day option to avoid the trap.
04
Grand Tour of Switzerland
Route: Germany → Switzerland → Germany (or France/Italy)
Vignettes needed: Switzerland only
Total vignette cost: ~€44
Tip: Switzerland has no short-term vignette — the annual is the only product, even for a single day. It’s valid for 14 months (1 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2027), so if you plan to return within that period, you’re already covered.
05
Black Forest to Black Sea — Germany to Romania
Route: Germany → Austria → Hungary → Romania
Vignettes needed: Austria + Hungary + Romania
Total vignette cost: ~€47
Tip: Romania’s rovinieta covers the entire national road network, not just motorways. You need it for any DN (national road) or E-road, which means almost every intercity route.
06
Balkans Run — Austria to Greece
Route: Austria → Slovenia → Croatia → Serbia → North Macedonia → Greece
Vignettes needed: Austria + Slovenia (others use toll barriers)
Total vignette cost: ~€29 (plus toll barriers in Croatia, Serbia, N. Macedonia, Greece)
Tip: From Slovenia southward, all countries use toll barriers — no more vignettes needed. Budget for barrier tolls in Croatia (~€25 Zagreb to Split) and Greece (~€15–30 depending on route).
What this guide works out for you
Route chain first
Each route card shows the border sequence first, so you can see where vignette rules change.
Costs already surfaced
Each route includes the vignette cost and makes barrier-toll countries explicit before you drive.
Planning traps highlighted
Short planning notes call out traps like annual-only products, separate tunnel tolls or return-trip timing.
More routes
Additional long-distance drives, scenic loops and cheaper no-vignette options for the same planning workflow.
UK to the Alps — Channel to Switzerland
Route: UK → France → Switzerland
Vignettes needed: Switzerland only (France uses toll barriers)
Total vignette cost: ~€44 (plus French péage tolls ~€50–80 depending on route)
Tip: France has no vignette — you pay per section at toll barriers (péage). Budget €50–80 for the drive from Calais to the Swiss border depending on your route.
Transylvania and the Carpathians — Hungary to Romania
Route: Hungary → Romania
Vignettes needed: Hungary + Romania
Total vignette cost: ~€38
Tip: If you’re exploring Transylvania for more than 10 days, the 30-day Romanian rovinieta (€9.50) is better value than two 10-day purchases (€12). Romania’s rovinieta covers all national roads, not just motorways.
Baltic Coast Loop — Poland to Estonia
Route: Poland → Lithuania → Latvia → Estonia
Vignettes needed: None — all countries have free motorways for cars
Total vignette cost: €0
Tip: The entire Baltic corridor from Poland through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia has no vignette requirement and no toll barriers for cars. The only cost is fuel.
Belgium to Croatia — Complete Vignette Guide
Route: Belgium → Germany → Austria → Slovenia → Croatia
Vignettes needed: Austria + Slovenia
Total vignette cost: ~€29
Tip: Germany and Belgium have free motorways. The vignette cost starts at the Austrian border. If you’re driving the full route in one day, the Austrian 1-day vignette (€9.60) is sufficient for the transit — but the 10-day gives you flexibility for the return.
Iberian Peninsula — France to Portugal
Route: France → Spain → Portugal
Vignettes needed: None — all three use toll barriers or electronic tolls
Total vignette cost: €0 (but budget for toll barriers: France ~€60–100, Spain ~€20–40, Portugal Via Verde)
Tip: No vignettes on this route. France and Spain use barrier tolls (pay per section). Portugal uses the Via Verde electronic system — register online before travel or rent a transponder at the border.
Norwegian Fjords — Germany to Norway
Route: Germany → Denmark → Norway
Vignettes needed: None — all three have free motorways for cars
Total vignette cost: €0 (but Norway has AutoPASS electronic tolls on many roads and tunnels)
Tip: No vignettes needed. Norway uses the AutoPASS system — electronic tolls on roads and tunnels, charged automatically to your plate. Register at autopass.no before travel to get the correct rate.
Pricing summary — all routes
| Route | Countries needing vignettes | Total vignette cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Classic | Austria | ~€13 |
| Dalmatian Coast | Austria + Slovenia | ~€29 |
| Castles & Capitals | Austria + Hungary | ~€41 |
| Grand Tour of Switzerland | Switzerland | ~€44 |
| Black Forest to Black Sea | Austria + Hungary + Romania | ~€47 |
| Balkans Run | Austria + Slovenia | ~€29 |
| UK to the Alps | Switzerland | ~€44 |
| Transylvania | Hungary + Romania | ~€38 |
| Baltic Coast Loop | None | €0 |
| Belgium to Croatia | Austria + Slovenia | ~€29 |
| Iberian Peninsula | None | €0 |
| Norwegian Fjords | None | €0 |