Major Renovation of the Tauern and Katschberg Tunnels
Major Renovation Starting Autumn 2027
Anyone driving through Austria by car towards Italy or Croatia will sooner or later pass along the Tauern Motorway A 10. The route between Salzburg and Villach is one of the most important north–south connections in the Alpine region and passes through, among others, the Tauern Tunnel and the Katschberg Tunnel. ASFINAG is planning a renovation project there from approximately autumn 2027 to 2033 that is unprecedented in its scope. Anyone planning the route during these years should therefore familiarise themselves early with what lies ahead: around six years characterised by single-lane traffic, speed limits and significantly longer waiting times, especially during the holidays.
What ASFINAG Is Planning and What It Means for Drivers
ASFINAG intends to carry out a major renovation of the Tauern Tunnel and Katschberg Tunnel from approximately autumn 2027 to 2033. The plan is for a complete overhaul with traffic kept flowing in several stages — not as a short construction phase with a full closure, but as a long-term construction site in the middle of travel traffic.
In concrete terms, this means: in the Tauern Tunnel, approximately 6.8 kilometres long between Flachau and Zederhaus, and in the Katschberg Tunnel, approximately 6 kilometres between St. Michael im Lungau and Rennweg, traffic will be managed as single-lane only during the construction period. One of the two tubes will be temporarily taken out of service at a time, while the other carries all traffic in both directions. Speed limits of 60 to 80 km/h are intended to ensure safety during the works. The last comprehensive renovation of both tunnels was already around 15 years ago, and the volume of use is high: on an annual average, approximately 24,000 vehicles use the routes daily; in the summer months, operators report figures of nearly 50,000. It is precisely for this reason that the upcoming renovation will be noticeably felt by many travellers.
Traffic Jam Risk During the Holidays: When It Gets Particularly Tight
Anyone who has ever driven the Tauern Motorway during the holidays knows how quickly traffic builds up there. During the planned renovation phase from autumn 2027 to 2033, this is likely to be felt even more acutely. Particularly during heavily frequented travel periods such as Easter, Ascension Day, Whitsun or Corpus Christi, ASFINAG expects tailbacks of up to 30 kilometres. Anyone travelling during these weeks should therefore not only plan for a longer journey time, but also build in extra buffer time from the outset.
There is some relief during the peak travel season: in July and August, a construction break is planned. During this time, the Tauern Tunnel and Katschberg Tunnel should once again be passable with two lanes per direction. Anyone who can schedule their summer holiday flexibly will at least have a period when the route is closer to its usual traffic flow. Regardless of the travel period, it is worth setting off early, keeping an eye on traffic reports and checking ASFINAG's current construction site information before departure.
Closures, Diversions and Alternative Routes
To prevent too much traffic from diverting onto narrow country roads, ASFINAG is planning similar measures to those used during the already completed renovation of the tunnel chain between Golling and Werfen in June 2025. Along the A 10, driving bans and exit closures are therefore also planned. Even during the preparation phase, night-time and full closures may be necessary, for example for alterations to the portals or technical tests. Anyone who uses the route regularly should keep an eye on such restrictions not only during the actual renovation.
At the St. Michael im Lungau toll station, an additional on-ramp lane is also to be created, at least one of which will be barrier-free for vehicles with a digital route toll. This is intended to ease traffic flow towards the Katschberg Tunnel when longer queues form in front of the tunnel.
Those wishing to avoid the Tauern Motorway have several alternatives. On a larger scale, options include the Felbertauern Road (B 108), the Pyhrn Motorway (A 9) and the Brenner Motorway (A 13), running through or around the Alps. Increased traffic is to be expected there during the holidays too, so there is virtually no "congestion-free" alternative route during the peak season. Those looking for a more local bypass can use the B 99 via the Radstädter Tauern and Katschberg. However, this route is only suitable for cars and lorries up to 7.5 t and requires appropriate winter equipment during the cold season.
For travellers heading to Carinthia, the Tauern Car-Shuttle Train may also be of interest — the car-loading service between Böckstein and Mallnitz. According to ADAC, it has been available again without restriction since July 2025. However, a five-month closure is planned for early 2027 for a second renovation phase, which should also be factored into route planning.
The A 10 Has Already Been a Topic Several Times Recently
The announced mega-renovation does not stand in isolation, but joins a series of construction works on the Tauern Motorway. The tunnel chain between Golling and Werfen was only reopened in June 2025, after around two and a half years of renovation, free from construction-related restrictions. Shortly afterwards, in May 2026, a full closure in the Brentenberg Tunnel in the direction of Salzburg following a lorry fire also caused considerable diversions. Such individual incidents show how sensitive the route is overall and how quickly everyday travel on the A 10 can change.
Those wishing to find out about the toll regulations for the tunnels in advance will find detailed background information in our guides on the Tauern Tunnel and the Katschberg Tunnel.
Toll and Travel Planning: What You Should Bear in Mind
If you are using the Tauern Motorway, it is worth taking a quick look at the toll rules in Austria, as several systems come together here. On motorways and expressways, cars, motorcycles and motorhomes up to 3.5 t MAM (technically permissible maximum mass excluding persons, field F.1 in the vehicle registration document) require a valid vignette. You can conveniently purchase the digital vignette in our online shop, so you can start your holiday perfectly prepared. If the MAM exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette requirement does not apply; instead, larger motorhomes, lorries and buses require a GO-Box for the distance-based toll, which is charged per kilometre. We explain which rule applies to your vehicle in our guide on vehicle classes.
In addition, Austria has special toll routes, also known as route tolls. These are a separate flat-rate charge for a specific section, such as a tunnel or a mountain pass road. The Tauern Tunnel and Katschberg Tunnel on the A 10 are among the special toll routes. No vignette and no distance-based GO-Box toll is required for passing through these tunnels themselves, because the route toll (special toll) applies here.
However, an important point for your planning: the tunnels are generally not reachable in isolation. The approach and exit routes on the Tauern Motorway and its feeder roads are subject in most cases to the vignette requirement (up to 3.5 t MAM) or the distance-based toll (over 3.5 t MAM). Anyone driving on toll-liable sections without a valid vignette or GO-Box risks paying a substitute toll and/or fines, even if the route toll for the tunnel itself has been paid. An overview of all special toll routes is provided in our article on the route toll / special toll. Further details on all toll types in Austria can be found in the guide Toll in Austria.
The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey!
We wish you a good trip and relaxed travel planning, even if the Tauern Motorway will require more patience than usual in the coming years. Feel free to use our route calculator to see which toll products your route requires. For the vignette requirement on motorways in Austria, you can conveniently purchase the digital vignette online from us. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ on the Tunnel Renovation on the Tauern Motorway
When does the renovation of the Tauern Tunnel and Katschberg Tunnel begin – and when does it end?
The major renovation is expected to begin in autumn 2027 and be completed around 2033. Throughout this period, travellers on the A 10 must expect construction site conditions.
How long does the journey through the tunnels take during the construction period?
A fixed duration is difficult to predict, as waiting times depend heavily on the time of travel. As a general rule, expect single-lane traffic, speed limits and waiting times, especially during the holidays. A construction break is planned for July and August, during which both tunnels should once again be passable with two lanes per direction.
Do I need a vignette for the Tauern Tunnel and Katschberg Tunnel?
For the tunnel sections themselves, the route toll (special toll) applies, not the vignette. However, for most access routes on the A 10 and the connecting roads, you will additionally need a valid vignette (up to 3.5 t MAM) or a GO-Box (over 3.5 t MAM), as you generally cannot reach the tunnels without using toll-liable approach and exit routes.
How do I pay the route toll on the Tauern Motorway?
The route toll for special toll sections on the A 10 can be purchased, among other ways, digitally or at the toll stations. Current information on the process can be found from the operator, ideally before your departure.
What alternative routes are there to the Tauern Motorway?
On a larger scale, options include the Felbertauern Road (B 108), the Pyhrn Motorway (A 9) and the Brenner Motorway (A 13). The B 99 as a local bypass is only suitable for lighter vehicles and requires appropriate winter equipment during the cold season.
Where can I find current construction site information?
Before every journey on the A 10, you should check ASFINAG's traffic reports and common traffic jam apps, especially during the holiday weeks. This way you can avoid unnecessary surprises on the route.
