Attention holidaymakers! How to outsmart the toll traps in France!

Attention holidaymakers! How to outsmart the toll traps in France!

Families from Saarland are heading off on their summer vacation in the coming days and weeks, with a clear focus on the popular destination regions on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The majority of travel takes place on the motorways in France, some of which are known to be chargeable. Holiday travelers should pay particular attention to the toll fees, which are often charged at machines near the toll stations, reports Saarbrücken newspaper.

Particularly relevant for drivers are the toll stations, where fees can be paid in cash or by credit card. At some toll stations, fees are collected in a special way: drivers put the counted money into a funnel, the amount of which is displayed directly. The receipt can be printed out at the push of a button. In the event of technical problems, passengers must pay attention to the fact that not all German credit cards are accepted ADAC informed.

Electronic payment options

There is also a system that allows electronic payment, especially on toll routes in France, such as the Boulay slip road (A4) in Lorraine. This method, called the “free flow system,” records the license plates of the vehicles and automatically calculates the toll without having to take a ticket. Travelers must pay the toll within 72 hours of use either online or on site.

Tickets are no longer drawn on the A41; Here too, the collection is carried out through automatic license plate recognition. Payment can be made at certain payment terminals on the A4 behind the toll booth or in approved tobacco shops on the A13/A14 routes. For frequent visitors, you can register for automatic debiting, which makes the process even easier.

Toll box and transponder

For a simplified payment experience, travelers can also consider the ADAC toll box, which is an option for vehicles under 3 m in height in various countries. However, it should be noted that from October 2024 this toll box can no longer be used in Croatia. In addition, a fee-based transponder is required to pay the toll at the stations set up for “t” lanes.

This shows that it is essential for holidaymakers to be well informed in advance and to know the different payment methods. A comprehensive overview of the current payment arrangements on French motorways could help avoid unexpected costs and thus annoying “rip-offs” like this Saarbrücken newspaper emphasized.