Karawanks Tunnel (Special Toll)

What is the Karawanken Tunnel?

The Karawanken Tunnel connects the two European countries of Austria in the south and Slovenia in the northwest. The tunnel was built between 1986 and 1991. With a total length of 7,864 meters (around 7.9 kilometers), it comprises 4,402 meters on the Austrian side and 3,546 meters on the Slovenian side, and takes its name from the fact that it connects Austria with the Slovenian Karawanks. Via the A11, it provides a direct connection through the Slovenian Karawanks to the Slovenian E61.

To further increase the capacity of the Karawanken Tunnel, ASFINAG began the full expansion of the route on the A11 in September 2018. The first step involved building the second tunnel tube (east tube). After a construction period of almost seven and a half years, it was completed and put into operation in mid-March 2026.

Immediately afterwards, the general renovation of the existing tube (west tube) will begin. During these works, traffic will initially be routed in two-way traffic through the new tube. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by mid-2029. After that, both tubes can be used for regular one-way traffic in each direction, and two-way traffic will no longer be necessary.

How long does it take to drive through the Karawanken Tunnel?

Thanks to the Karawanken Tunnel, the travel time from Villach (the nearest larger city northwest of the Karawanken Tunnel on the Austrian side) to Ljubljana (the nearest larger city southeast near the Karawanken Tunnel on the Slovenian side) has been reduced by around one hour for approximately 2,000 vehicles per hour (capacity).

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a safe journey to Austria and are happy to help with any questions about toll regulations. You can find detailed information on tolls in Austria in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to perfectly plan your trip and see suitable toll products displayed. If you have any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette, please feel free to contact us via email.

FAQ about the Karawanken Tunnel

Is the Karawanken Tunnel subject to a route toll?

Yes, the Karawanken Tunnel is subject to a route toll. Therefore, additional fees apply for its use, regardless of whether you have a vignette.

Can you pay by debit card at the Karawanken Tunnel?

Yes, payment by debit card is possible at the Karawanken Tunnel.

Can you bypass the Karawanken Tunnel?

The Karawanken Tunnel can be bypassed by taking route 109 southwest of Villach and crossing the Slovenian border via the so-called Wurzen Pass. On the Slovenian side, the route then continues via route 201 towards Podkoren.

Is the Wurzen Pass also suitable for motorhomes?

Since the Wurzen Pass is very steep in places (gradients of up to 18%), it is not recommended for longer vehicles such as motorhomes (especially in icy and/or snowy conditions).