Toll Greece
Tolls in Greece
What is a toll (requirement)?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll requirement. But what does that mean? Toll fees are charged for using many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges. The money collected through tolls is invested, for example, in the road network. This helps ensure a smooth journey on your way to your vacation. The primary areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: new technologies such as intelligent traffic systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce exhaust emissions
How is the toll collected?
In Greece, unlike in other European countries (e.g. Austria or Switzerland), there is no vignette. However, a toll fee is charged on most motorways and for the use of bridges and tunnels. The amount of toll to be paid depends on your vehicle category and height.
Motor vehicles and vehicle classes
Regulations for motor vehicles
In Greece, specific regulations apply to motor vehicles and their classification into vehicle classes:
Cars: are classified differently according to the number of axles and overall height. An exception applies to the Athens ring road. There, vehicles are tolled according to the height at the front axle (up to/from 1.3 m).
Vehicle combinations: are classified differently according to the number of axles and overall height. An exception applies to the Athens ring road. There, the toll fee for combinations differs depending on the height at the front axle of the towing vehicle and the trailer height.
Motorhomes: are tolled at different rates depending on their overall height.
Vehicle classes
The different vehicle categories can usually be divided into the following vehicle classes. Please note that classification on the Athens ring road may differ, and inform yourself before your trip about the specific toll roads you plan to use:
Class 1: motorcycles and trikes.
Class 2: motor vehicles (with or without trailer) up to 3 axles and with a height up to 2.2 m.
Class 3: motor vehicles (with or without trailer) up to 3 axles and with a height up to 2.2 m.
Class 4: motor vehicles (with or without trailer) with 4 or more axles.
Where are tolls collected?
Motorways and the Athens ring road
If you want to use the motorways in Greece, you almost always have to pay a toll. The only toll-free exceptions are short sections between two toll stations or access roads to cities and villages. If you want to avoid tolls entirely, you must use smaller roads away from the motorways. However, avoiding toll roads also increases travel time.
In addition, the amount of the toll can vary depending on the motorway route. For orientation, motorway sections that are subject to tolls are listed here:
Thessaloniki - Lamia (A1)
Lamia - Athens (A1)
Igoumenitsa - Alexandroupoli (A2)
Trikala - Lamia (A3)
Patras - Ioannina (A5)
Athens ring road (A6): Please note the different vehicle classes for cars here, which are not determined by axles and overall height, but by the height of the front axle.
Corinth - Kalamata (A7)
Athens - Patras (A8)
Bridges & underwater tunnels
In addition to motorways, toll fees are often charged in European countries for bridges and tunnels. In Greece, a toll is charged for the Rio–Antirrio Bridge. You also have to pay a toll fee if you want to use the Preveza–Aktio underwater tunnel.
Payment of toll fees
Toll fees are paid either manually or electronically. Toll stations are mainly located within toll sections and at motorway exits as well as motorway entrances. Exceptions include the Preveza–Aktio underwater tunnel, the Rio–Antirrio Bridge near Patras, and the Athens ring road. On these sections, the toll is paid when entering the toll road.
What does manual payment mean?
You pay the fees when entering at the toll stations in cash or by credit card.
What does electronic payment mean?
At many toll stations there are additional lanes for electronic payment using a device (also called a transponder). The fees are usually lower then. However, for this cashless payment you need to have the transponder on site already. You can obtain the transponder free of charge at service stations of the motorway companies and then have to top it up with credit.
Each motorway company provides its own transponder, which can be used on all Greek motorways via the overarching GRITS system (Greek Interoperable Tolling Systems). Please note, however, that transponders are country-specific. You cannot use a transponder purchased in Greece for other neighbouring countries.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip
We wish you a safe journey and an unforgettable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ: Questions and answers for your trip
Is there a vignette requirement in Greece?
No. In Greece there is no vignette requirement (time-based fee). Instead, a toll fee is charged on many motorways as well as for certain bridges and tunnels.
How does the motorway toll work in Greece?
On most motorways, the toll is paid at toll stations. As a rule, payment is made manually (cash or card) or electronically via lanes with a transponder. The amount depends, among other things, on the vehicle class and vehicle height.
Where are tolls charged in Greece?
Tolls mainly apply on motorways. In addition, for example the Rio–Antirrio Bridge and the Preveza–Aktio underwater tunnel are subject to tolls. In some cases, the toll is collected along the route or at entrances/exits; on some sections, it is paid already when entering.
Which motorway sections in Greece are typically subject to tolls?
Many main routes are subject to tolls, including A1 (Thessaloniki–Lamia, Lamia–Athens), A2 (Igoumenitsa–Alexandroupoli), A3 (Trikala–Lamia), A5 (Patras–Ioannina), A6 (Athens ring road), A7 (Corinth–Kalamata) and A8 (Athens–Patras). Short sections between stations or access roads may be exceptions.
Can I pay tolls in Greece in cash or by card?
Yes. With manual payment, you usually pay at toll stations in cash or by credit card. The signage at the lanes shows which payment methods are accepted.
What does electronic toll payment mean in Greece?
At many toll stations there are lanes for electronic payment using a device/transponder. This allows you to pass more quickly; the fees are often lower. The transponder is usually issued by the motorway companies and must be topped up with credit.
What is the GRITS system in Greece?
GRITS stands for Greek Interoperable Tolling Systems. It enables transponders from different motorway companies to be used across many Greek motorways. Important: Transponders are generally country-specific and cannot automatically be used in other countries.
How are vehicles classified into classes in Greece?
Classification is based, among other things, on the number of axles and overall height (depending on vehicle type). On the Athens ring road (A6), different criteria may apply, e.g. the height at the front axle (up to/from 1.3 m) for cars and different criteria for vehicle combinations.
Which vehicle classes are common in Greece?
Classes often include Class 1 (motorcycles/trikes), Class 2 (vehicles up to 3 axles up to 2.2 m height), Class 3 (vehicles up to 3 axles over 2.2 m height) and Class 4 (vehicles with 4 or more axles). Please note that some routes (e.g. the Athens ring road) may differ.
Can I avoid tolls in Greece?
If you want to avoid tolls, you generally need to use smaller roads away from the motorways. However, this can lead to a significantly longer travel time. Short toll-free sections are possible, but are usually the exception.
When is the toll paid – when entering or along the route?
In most cases you pay at toll stations within the toll sections as well as at entrances and exits. Exceptions include, among others, the Preveza–Aktio underwater tunnel, the Rio–Antirrio Bridge and the Athens ring road: there, the toll is often paid already when entering the toll section.
