Austrian Go Box to pay the tolls, rules.
I have posted in 2015 about getting my Go Box but have just learnt of a ruling that I was not made aware of at the time. When getting the Go Box you have to credit it with 75 Euros, which gets deducted as you use the motorways.
What I did not know is that this credit only lasts for 24 months, any left over remains with Go Maut but your account expires. All is not lost fortunately as if you return after the 24 months you can get your unused credit back, but to do so you have to credit your old account with a further 75 Euros, in my case this will mean I have around 121 Euros in their bank just in case I travel on the toll motorways. If I decide to cancel the account when I leave Austria and return my Go Box I will get a refund for the full amount I have in credit so all is not lost, think of it like making the Austrian Government a loan
The other thing I discovered was that my access to their self care portal expires after 3 months if not visited. It is easy to get them to reactivate the access though via email.
If I return the Go Box when I leave and get my credit back if I return and buy a new Go Box then I don't have to produce the necessary vehicle documents again as they remain on their system providing the registration number remains the same.
Lastly I have had difficulties in trying to access their new App. Firstly the mobile user name I created online, which is where you have to do it, was longer than the number of characters allowed in the App. Now I have removed the one I created and created new one I cannot still log on in the App.
Hope this helps those who need a Go Box
Regards, Roy
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Thanks for the update Roy. We are travelling that way this year so will have to get a GO Box, we do have an AMEX card so was going to use that as PAYG instead of the deposit system like you.
I do have an account for the Dartford Crossing and do not mind topping that up as I use it 6 or 7 times a year but I think the Austrian GO Box will be a one-off for a few years.
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That's a better way MichaelT. Unfortunately you can only PAYG with an Austrian bank account to take DD or American Express credit card and one other, Diners Club, I think it may be but all visa & mastercards cannot do it. Also some fuel cards but otherwise it is as I had to do. We shall use ours this year and possibly next but then get the credit back & start again the next time we travel as I tend not to use any toll roads if I can help it. The current charge for us is around 25c every kilometer, which I think is extortionate really and especially so when compared to other private leisure vehicles.
Regards, Roy
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Hi Roy .It is a shame when they introduced the Go Box they didn't put recreational vehicles over 3,5 tonnes onto the Vignette System. . It is something that has been mentioned but do not know if they will ever do it. The only conciliation you do have is the excellent road system and services with excellent road surfaces you can use unlike the roads in the UK...
It is the same as the Swiss Vignette for Caravans we have to pay double which is annoying to us and then you can only buy one for a year. Keeps us out of Switzerland €77 on top of an expensive country to visit.
Dianne.
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Reading the OP reminded me why our MH friends were so determined to avoid using a GoBox!
We travelled together in 2015 to Italy and faced the same quandary, Switzerland and two vignettes for us or Austria and GoBox for them?
In the end, and after getting suggestions on CT, plumped for a totally toll free route through Austria using the Fern and Reisa passes. One other advantage, for us, was that going via the Brenner would mean long stretches of Italian motorways where caravans cannot overtake-well if you stick to the rules which many did not!
The drive was easy and enjoyable and our stopover in Prutz turned into a four day stay as we liked it so much.
The MH is a Autotrail Scout and we travelled from Hook of Holland to Peschiera del Garda with tolls only from Bolzano.
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Lots of folks with large MH's and using the GoBox have not had any trouble. All Countries have their rules and with Austria you will find it is a wonderful country the Roads are Excellent, the Scenery is Spectacular everywhere pristine clean and tidy and the Austrian people so Friendly and Helpful. We have been visiting there for over 35 years last 13 with the Caravan.
The Brenner Motorway can be easily approached from the Fern Pass without Vignette or GoBox and the Autobahn leading to the Autostrada and Lake Garda is a wonderful easy ride for a very mere €9
DianneT.
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MichaelT
If you go to this Website you can download the App for the Autobahns in Austria. 600 webcams can be seen and Traffic Information is Excellent.
Are you touring in Austria or passing through? If you are using the A10 I know two excllent Sites Camping Vierthaler just below Salzburg to stop for a night or few days.plus another on the Ossiachersee. named Kalkgruber. Photo's and reviews can be seen here
DianneT
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MichaelT. Vierthaler may be an idea for you Not far to Salzburg or Bertchesgaden. I have an App that is excellent for finding Transport with prices look here. Idle for folks with Motor Homes or Caravans.
Yes David that is true we never travel without our Vignette always buy the day before travelling. They check all the time it is not worth the gamble.
DianneT
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And that is the very reason we get one David
Regards, Roy
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