Motorway tolls in the Czech Republic

This is the first tariff increase since tolls were raised by just under 15 percent around two years ago. The 2010 motorway toll increase was proposed by the Czech Ministry of Transport, and the cabinet in Prague approved the proposal. Prime Minister Jan Fischer defended the measure, saying: “Motorway tolls have not been increased for two years. Now they have to go up so that the expansion and ongoing costs of our motorways can be better financed.” Only by increasing tolls can the Czech Republic expand its long-distance road network and continue to develop it.

In the Czech Republic, tolls are charged not only on motorways but also on some expressways. In addition to an annual vignette, you can also buy vignettes for shorter periods. The cheapest option, the so-called weekly vignette, currently costs 220 crowns. However, this weekly vignette will be discontinued in January 2010 and replaced by a ten-day vignette; its exact price has not yet been made public. Vignettes are available at the border, at post offices or at local petrol stations. You must write your vehicle registration number on the toll vignette and its matching control slip, and show both the vignette and the control slip during a traffic check. If you are planning a longer holiday and will be staying in the Czech Republic for more than four weeks, it may be worth considering a longer-validity vignette—checking the prices and comparing the options can save you money.