Toll in Ireland
Why do you have to pay toll fees?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll requirement. But what does that mean? For using many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges, so-called toll fees are charged. The money collected through tolls is invested, for example, in the road network. This enables a smooth journey on your way to your holiday. The primary areas for 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 transport systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How are tolls collected?
In general, tolls can be collected in different ways. These include the vignette requirement, distance-based tolling, and special tolls.
In Ireland, there is no nationwide toll system. However, toll fees are charged for certain motorway sections as well as bridges and tunnels. This means you pay a fee for using these routes. Since the toll is not calculated based on the distance travelled, but as a flat fee per vehicle category, this type of toll is also referred to as a special toll. Accordingly, you only pay a (special) toll fee for using certain routes. The majority of regional and national roads are toll-free and therefore free to use.
The amount of toll fees varies depending on the motorway section. Vehicles are only differentiated into two categories: motorcycles over 50 cc and passenger cars. Below you will find a list of all tolled motorway sections.
M3 Clonee - Kells (Navan - Kells):
M3 Clonee - Kells (Clonee - Dunshaughlin)
M4 Kilcock - Enfield - Kinnegad Motorway
M7/M8 Portlaoise - Castletown/Portlaouise - Cullahill
M50 Dublin Road: the most important ring motorway around Dublin, where there are no barriers or options to pay with cash. Instead, your vehicle is recorded electronically by license plate as you pass through (also called “eFlow”). The toll can then be paid online, by phone, or at “Payzone” shops. For rental cars, payment is often handled via an installed transponder.
N6/M6 Galway - Ballinasloe
N8/M8 Rathcormac - Fermoy Bypass
N25 Waterford City Bypass
In addition, there are certain tunnels and bridges that are subject to tolls. Here too, the toll amount varies depending on the tunnel or bridge. Vehicles are only differentiated into two categories (motorcycles over 50 cc and passenger cars). The exception is the Dublin Port Tunnel, where vehicles are not divided into two categories. For the Dublin Port Tunnel, the toll amount is based on the day of the week. Below you will find a list of all tolled tunnels and bridges:
Dublin Port Tunnel
East Link Toll Bridge
Limerick Tunnel
Regulations for motor vehicles
The following regulations apply to motor vehicles:
Vehicle combinations: are tolled like passenger cars.
Motorhomes: are tolled like passenger cars regardless of their technically permissible maximum mass (short: GVW).
Accordingly, for vehicle combinations and motorhomes when using tolled motorway sections, tunnels and bridges, the toll fee for passenger cars applies. Therefore, the vehicle categories only differentiate between motorcycles up to 50 cc and passenger cars.
Paying the toll
You can pay toll fees for the various routes at toll stations, electronically using an on-board device, or afterwards.
If you want to pay directly at the toll stations, payment by cash or, in some cases, by credit card is possible. For electronic toll payment, you need a transponder (on-board device). Many rental cars therefore have transponders installed, which collect toll fees and enable automatic billing at the end of the rental period.
Payment after the fact is especially important for the M50 ring motorway. For this tolled route, you can settle the toll fees afterwards online, at “Payzone” stations, or by phone.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a safe trip and a memorable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can reach us anytime by email.
FAQ about tolls in Ireland
Is there a toll requirement in Ireland?
Yes, in Ireland there is a toll requirement for certain motorway sections as well as individual bridges and tunnels. However, there is no nationwide toll system. The majority of regional and national roads are toll-free.
Do you need a vignette in Ireland?
No, there is no vignette requirement in Ireland. Instead, a so-called special toll is charged. This means you pay a fixed fee per vehicle category for using certain routes.
Which roads are subject to tolls in Ireland?
Tolls apply, among other places, on sections of the M3, M4, M7/M8, M50 (Dublin ring motorway), N6/M6, N8/M8, and the N25. In addition, certain tunnels and bridges such as the Dublin Port Tunnel, the East Link Toll Bridge, and the Limerick Tunnel are subject to tolls.
How does the toll on the M50 in Dublin work?
On the M50 ring motorway, there are no barriers or cash payment options. Vehicles are registered electronically via license plate recognition (“eFlow”). The toll must then be paid online, by phone, or at so-called “Payzone” stations. For rental cars, billing is often handled automatically via an installed transponder.
How can you pay the toll in Ireland?
Depending on the route, payment is either made directly at toll stations (cash or in some cases by credit card), electronically via transponder, or afterwards online or by phone. Timely post-payment is especially important for the M50.
Which vehicle categories are there?
In Ireland, there are basically two vehicle categories: motorcycles over 50 cc and passenger cars. The toll amount depends on the respective route and/or vehicle category.
Are motorhomes and vehicle combinations tolled differently?
No. Vehicle combinations and motorhomes are tolled like passenger cars regardless of their technically permissible maximum mass. The same fees therefore apply as for standard passenger cars.
