Record tolls, here are the most expensive motorways, bridges and tunnels in Europe. It's a France-Italy derby

Traveling across Europe by car is not always a cheap affair. It is not only fuel and vehicle maintenance that have an impact, but also the costs associated with the use of some infrastructures that are fundamental to continental traffic: motorways, bridges and tunnels , often managed by concessionary companies, which apply high rates especially on the longest, most complex or strategic stretches for circulation. A new analysis carried out by the Tollwayr platform documents in detail the most expensive toll routes in Europe, which has lined up, with figures in hand, the road routes where a simple journey can end up weighing tens of euros on the driver's wallet.

Eurotunnel, then French (and Italian) motorways

The overall ranking of the most expensive infrastructure starts with a giant of modern engineering: the Eurotunnel that connects Calais, France, with Folkestone, UK. The cost of driving through it by car is 72 euros each way, making it by far the most expensive in Europe. Although it is not technically a road, but rather a rail tunnel under the Channel that hosts vehicle shuttles, it is included in the ranking because it is one of the main modes of road travel between the two countries. It is a vital connection but the price is far from affordable for an occasional trip.

Just below, the long French motorway routes dominate. Among these, the Paris–Marseille route, which runs along the A6 and A7 motorways, has a total toll of 68.90 euros. It is one of the most popular routes in the Hexagon, used a lot by both residents and tourists in transit towards the South.

In third place is the only Italian presence in the top 5 road routes: the Milan-Bari route, which crosses a large part of the peninsula along the A1 and A14 motorways, reaches a toll of 68.30 euros, confirming the high cost of long journeys from north to south of the country. Fourth, again in France, is the route from Strasbourg to Montpellier, along an axis composed of the A6, A7 and A36 motorways, with a toll of 67.90 euros. Closing the quintet is the Paris-Bordeaux route, again on the French network, where driving on the A10 costs 60.50 euros. Italy then returns in ninth place with the Milan-Rome route of the A1 (44.40 euros).

The most expensive bridge between Denmark and Sweden

Alongside these motorways, bridges are another category of infrastructure where tolls can reach significant figures. The most expensive of all is the Øresundsforbindelsen, the fascinating bridge that connects Denmark and Sweden across the Øresund Strait: driving across it costs 54 euros. It is an iconic work of art in Northern Europe, approximately 8 kilometres long, which also connects to an underwater tunnel before reaching the Swedish coast. In second place among bridges is another Danish structure, the Storebæltsbroen, which connects the islands of Funen and Zealand: here the toll stands at 21.81 euros. Going south, the Millau Viaduct, in France, comes in third, with a cost of 12.50 euros per crossing. This extraordinary work of engineering, which overlooks the Tarn Valley, is not only functional but also one of the most famous architectural attractions in the region. Next up is the Europabrücke, located on the A13 Brennero in the Austrian section before the border with Italy, with a toll of 12 euros. Closing out the top five is the Calafat–Vidin bridge, between Bulgaria and Romania, with a cost of 6 euros. The others have negligible costs.

Beyond the Eurotunnel, Mont Blanc and Fréjus

Finally, the tunnels. In addition to the Eurotunnel, which also dominates the general ranking, other important cross-border tunnels stand out for their high costs. Among these, two Alpine tunnels stand out, connecting Italy and France: the Mont Blanc tunnel and the Fréjus tunnel, both with a fee of 55.80 euros per car crossing. The two structures, vital for traffic between Italy and Western Europe in general, have identical costs, confirming the shared pricing policy. Two tunnels follow, connecting Italy with Switzerland: the Munt La Schera tunnel, in the Forno pass area in Alta Engadina, with a cost of 31.32 euros, and the Gran San Bernardo tunnel, the oldest among those under the Alps, which costs 31 euros. In this case too, these are essential works for local and tourist mobility, but which impose considerable outlays on those who travel through them.

More affordable rates in Eastern Europe

In short, the picture that emerges from the Tollwayr ranking shows a clear concentration of the highest tolls in a few countries: France is the absolute protagonist in the road sector, with extensive and highly tolled infrastructures. Italy comes right behind, present both among the roads and among the tunnels, while Denmark and Sweden stand out for their spectacular but expensive bridges.

"Our research highlights the wide disparity in toll costs across Europe," saysMattijs Wijnmalen , author of the study and an expert in the field. " France frequently tops our index with exceptionally high tolls, particularly along major motorways and in cross-border tunnels, while many Eastern European countries offer significantly more accessible road infrastructure. It is particularly interesting to note how toll structures reflect both the level of infrastructure investment and the strategic importance of certain routes. The Eurotunnel's position as the most expensive route in Europe demonstrates the value placed on this crucial link between the continent and the UK." The UK, where, incidentally, tolls are among the lowest in the Old Continent.

The vignette case (Switzerland)

The ranking does not take into account other systems, which in some cases would rightfully appear at the top of the ranking. In Switzerland, for example, the use of motorways is subject to the mandatory purchase of an annual vignette, currently costing 40 Swiss francs (about 42 euros), regardless of the type of vehicle (car, motorbike, etc.) for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and above all the length of stay or the number of days of transit. The vignette is valid for 14 months, from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year. This system, although simple and without toll booths, is not very convenient for those who only need to cross the country briefly, for example during a trip to Italy or Germany.

Unlike Switzerland, other European countries, especially in Eastern Europe, are adopting more flexible formulas, such as weekly or monthly vignettes specifically designed for tourists or occasional transits, making the toll less penalizing for short trips.