Toll roads in France
When traveling by car in France, it’s important to remember that nearly all major highways in the country (designated by the letter A and a number) are toll roads. On average, you can expect to pay about €10 per 100 km of toll roads in France. For long-distance trips, this can add up significantly, and often traveling by train might be faster and cheaper. Learn more about how to travel cheaply in France.
Toll roads are indicated by the sign “péage.”
When approaching the payment terminals, pay attention to the traffic lights above each lane: green arrows or simply green lights indicate open lanes, while red lights mean the lane is closed. The signs also indicate the type of payment accepted (coins, credit cards) and the type of vehicle (trucks may have separate lanes).
All Toll Roads in France on a Map
Data as of 2015
Paying for Toll Roads in France
Payment is made for individual sections at special points. There are no vignettes for toll roads in France. There are two payment options:
- When entering a toll section
- When exiting a toll section
In the first case, you simply pay a fixed amount for a specific section of the road.
In the second case, you receive a ticket from an automatic dispenser when entering the toll section. As you travel, the system calculates the distance you’ve driven. When exiting, you insert the ticket into the terminal, which calculates the amount to be paid based on the length of the toll section. You pay, the barrier lifts, and you continue your journey.
Insert the ticket into the slot marked “ticket” as indicated by the arrow (labeled as 1 on the machine):
Payment can be made in cash (marked as Billets/Pieces on the machine, with a coin symbol) or by credit card (marked as Carte on the machine, with a card symbol above). Credit cards accepted include Carte Bleue, Visa, Eurocard, and Mastercard. The transaction is processed in the currency linked to the card. No PIN is required: you simply insert the card into the machine, the amount is debited, and the card is returned.
There is also an automated toll payment system called télépéage: you register online in advance and affix a special identifier to your windshield. This allows you to pass through toll gates quickly, as the required amount will be automatically deducted from your account after the identifier is read. Use lanes marked with a large orange “t.” If the terminal displays only a “t” without any symbols for coins or credit cards, the toll can only be paid with the télépéage system.
Cost of Toll Roads in France
The final cost depends on the proportion of toll and free roads on your route and the sections you travel. Be prepared to pay around €10 for every 100 km (though it might be a bit less).
Toll roads usually have free alternatives. Which is better? Considering fuel costs and the increased fuel consumption due to frequent stops and starts, free roads might not always be significantly cheaper. Also, free roads often have lower speed limits as they pass through populated areas, increasing travel time. If you’re not limited by time, don’t mind the fatigue and fuel costs, then free roads can be a good alternative.
In some regions, free roads can be more scenic, especially in Provence, Dordogne, Languedoc, Alsace, or the Alps. But in flat areas without interesting villages, they might just waste your time. Endless roundabouts through small settlements can become tiresome if you travel free roads for a day in France!
Special Toll Road Prices in France
In addition to standard tolls, there are sections (usually tunnels) where the price is much higher and doesn’t depend on mileage. These tolls are substantially higher, and there are often no real alternatives other than a very long detour. These are usually mountain tunnels. For example, the Mont Blanc tunnel in the French Alps has a toll exceeding €50 for passenger cars.
Special Toll Sections:
- A63 (Atlandes — Salles/St Geours-de-Maremne)
- A14 (Orgeval-la Défense)
- CCI du Havre (Pont de Normandie, pont de Tancarville)
- Viaduc de Millau
- Tunnel duplex A86
- Tunnel Prado Carénage /Tunnel Prado Sud
- Tunnel du Fréjus
- Tunnel du Mont Blanc
- Tunnel du Puymorens
- Tunnel Maurice Lemaire
- A150 (Ecalles-Alix / Barentin)
Toll Rates in France
For passenger cars (class 1). Motorcycle tolls are about 40% less, buses about twice as much, and trucks about three times more.
Since most tourists travel in France by car, here are the toll rates for passenger cars:
All rates available in PDF format.
Related links
- France by car
- Traffic Rules in France
- Toll roads in France
- Fines for traffic violations in France
- Parking in France
- How to Travel Cheaper in France