Prague to Vienna 2026: Two Vignettes, 330 km via Brno

This 330 km drive through Moravia needs two separate vignettes. The Czech dálniční známka covers the D1 to Brno and the D2 towards the frontier; the moment the road becomes the Austrian A5 it is worthless, and an Austrian vignette takes over. Both are digital and tied to the number plate, so both can be bought online before you set off — there are no booths and nothing to stop for. Allow about 3.5 hours, and expect a winter tyre obligation on both sides once snow is on the road.

Route Overview

The drive from Prague to Vienna covers approximately 330 km and takes around 3.5 hours under normal traffic conditions, via Brno.

Two vignettes, no booths

Neither country uses toll plazas for cars. Both charge by a plate-linked electronic vignette, checked by camera, and neither recognises the other.

A one-way run is covered by a Czech day vignette plus an Austrian day vignette. If you are coming back inside ten days, both 10-day tiers are the better buy — the Czech one costs CZK 70 more than a single day and the Austrian one EUR 3.20 more.

One timing trap on the Austrian side: a 2-month or annual vignette bought online is only valid from the 18th day after purchase. The 1-day and 10-day tiers are valid immediately.

Key Facts at a Glance

Border Crossing: Czechia to Austria

Both countries are in the Schengen Area, so there is normally no passport control. Carry your licence, registration and insurance documents; spot checks do happen.

What changes at the border

Zero tolerance behind you, 0.05 ahead. Czechia allows no alcohol at all. That is the stricter of the two, so the adjustment only matters on the return leg.

Estimated Fuel Cost

Based on average consumption of 7 litres per 100 km:

Use our Fuel Cost Calculator for a precise estimate based on your vehicle.

Required Equipment

Czechia:

• Required: Warning Triangle, Reflective Vest, First Aid Kit
• Recommended: Fire Extinguisher, Spare Bulbs

Austria:

• Required: Warning Triangle, Reflective Vest, First Aid Kit
• Recommended: Fire Extinguisher, Spare Bulbs

Use our Travel Checklist to make sure you have everything.

Winter: both countries, different triggers

An earlier version of this page said no winter tyre rule applied here. Both countries have one.

Czechia — the duty runs 1 November to 31 March and bites whenever the road carries a continuous layer of snow, ice or frost, or such conditions can be expected along your route. Winter tyres need at least 4 mm of tread; above 3,500 kg the figure rises to 6 mm on the permanently driven axles. Roadside penalties run to CZK 1,500, or CZK 2,000–5,000 administratively. Studded tyres are banned.

Austria — the duty runs 1 November to 15 April and applies whenever there is snow, slush or ice on the road. Winter tyres need at least 4 mm, or chains on the driven axle where the surface is snow-covered. Fines start at EUR 60.

The practical answer for this corridor is one set of unstudded winter tyres at 4 mm or better, which satisfies both. The Bohemian-Moravian Highlands section of the D1 is the part of the route that most often has snow when neither city does.

Summer

Heavy tourist traffic on Fridays and Sundays, particularly around Brno where the D1 and D2 meet. Long-running roadworks on the D1 are normal.

Rest Stops and Breaks

At 330 km a single mid-route break is enough — Brno is the obvious place. Service areas appear roughly every 50 km, and motorway fuel is dearer than off-ramp fuel on both sides of the border.

Driving Tips for This Route

• Buy both vignettes before you leave. There is no barrier to remind you at the frontier.
• Check live traffic; D1 construction zones move around.
• Austrian police can issue on-the-spot fines; carry a locally usable payment method.
• Indicate early when changing lanes — merging is assertive on the D1.

Plan This Route

Use our Route Planner for turn-by-turn directions, the Vignette Calculator to price both tiers, or the Fuel Cost Calculator.

Country guides: Czechia | Austria