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I have been caught by the Austrian Gestapo twice and both times i was fined. The first time we entered Austria via Slovenia and had never heard of a go box (it had only been introduced 1 week before), there was nothing we can remember telling us we should have one as we crossed the border but when we went through a toll booth at Salzburg the barrier did not lift and then the fun started, i was literally frog marched to an office and ordered to pay for the box, credit and fine for not having the box, after much protesting i paid up. I sold the van and therefore needed another box for the replacement so after visiting lake Lipnor in CZ we entered Austria near to Linz and then spent 8 hours trying to find somewhere to buy a box, eventually we found a vending machine that sold the boxes and after speaking to a sales rep via the machine we were told that the system was down and therefore travelling in Austria was free for the next 48 hours (DAY WASTED). on our return journey we bought a box and travelled on the motorways and got out of there as soon as possible. The next year we travelled through again and on our return we were pulled again by the Gestapo who informed us that our box had ran out of credit on our downward journey and as we had left the country without paying had broken the law even though we had every intention to pay when we left the country on our way home (we did not hear the tone change on the box when the credit ran out). So we got fined again. B*gger. Now the wife hates the country and everyone in it. If there was another way to get round without a major detour we would take it. So this year we have aroute that gets us to Slovenia without using the GO box (we still have it in case we stray) but my question is do we still need a vignette to travel on the local roads? if we get fined again i think she will kill me!!!!!!!
The van is a 4.6T so i do need a box (as i said before we have one in case) but do i need a vignette for dual carriageways and other non motorway roads?
I agree with Sandy, avoid toll roads and you don't need either I think.
We also found the GoBox a pain in the ass. Very difficult to find a place to get one as we entered on a minor road over a mountain. We didn't know our Euro emissions category and so paid top whack at a little over 30 cents per Km, Alan.
The old saying "Failure to prepare, is preparing to fail" is valid here. It is worth doing a little bit of research into each countries requirements especially if you vehicle exceeds 3.5t which in many countries changes things significantly.
The Go Box website contains all of the information including how and where to pick up a box, which can even be done prior to entering Austria.
My understanding is that a Go Box is in place of a vignette (valid for under 3.5t only, but double check) but tunnel tolls etc are still payable with the added benefit that many can be deducted from your Go Box account.
It's a shame that this experience has left your wife hating Austrian people (for what reason, I can't imagine) but good that you sound undeterred and want to return.
We didn't know our Euro emissions category and so paid top whack at a little over 30 cents per Km, Alan.
30 cents per KM!!
Blimey. I don't normally use motorways, but you have to get one just in case you make a navigational error or the alternative route is blocked. As the OP has shown.
We have avoided Austria precisely because of this go box thing. I don't mind making a contribution and wish that foreign lorries were made to do the same in this country.
But....................
We are not a great big lorry, are not able to pass the cost on to a customer and actually contribute to the economy by using campsites and shops/bars etc. So the huge cost is not acceptable to us. 1 or 2 euro a day is fine by me, but I won't be going whilst the go box is mandatory.
Addie, the GoBox web site makes it seem very easy to pick one up. Many, many out lets are listed. I entered the addresses of the nearest three into our Sat Nav and off we went to get one. In the event the first address was a private house up a narrow street, the second was a filling station where the chap assured me (in very good English) that he had never sold them, the third was another filling station with a vending machine where we finally got one.
It was not made clear that I would need to have Euro emissions data. If that requirement was mentioned it was not easily found or prominent. Given it's importance I would have expected it to be very prominent, unless of course they hope you won't know and will have to pay top whack.
No failure to prepare, just crap information to base our preparations on. It's almost as though it's deliberate to catch us out. No matter what view you take it is not designed to make it easy and encourage tourism, Alan.
Last edited by erneboy on Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:58 am; edited 1 time in total
Travelled around Austria last year with no problems. Beautiful country and people.
I was concerned about the vignette situation but had it all explained to me by the campsite owner with the aid of a map. Basically they are only required on the motorways. Having said that you have to pay tolls for some tunnels and scenic routes but these are payable at booths at those locations.
Don't use the motorways and enjoy the beauty of the country for free.
Jed
______________________________________________________________ "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didnīt do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain
Thanks for all the responses, i think i have it clear in my mind.
1, Stay off the motorways (but i have GO box in case we stray)
2, No vignette required unless you go on motorways and are under 3.5T.
3, Pay tolls on bridges and tunnels when neccessary.
4, Take the scenic route and expect to take a more leisurely journey through Austria.
Thanks for all the responses, i think i have it clear in my mind.
1, Stay off the motorways (but i have GO box in case we stray)
2, No vignette required unless you go on motorways and are under 3.5T.
3, Pay tolls on bridges and tunnels when neccessary.
4, Take the scenic route and expect to take a more leisurely journey through Austria.
Croatia hee i come again!!
..just be aware that a GoBox is also required on some Expressways as well as Autobahns....
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