🇪🇸 Cross-border drive · Spain → Austria 🇦🇹
Driving from Madrid to Linz
Drive from Madrid to Linz via France and Germany. Navigate A-1, A63, and German Autobahns. Tolls, vignettes, fuel tips.
- Drive time
- 23h 1m
- Distance
- 2,229 km
- Same day?
- Split it
- 12 h+, plan a stop
- Fuel cost
- ≈ €318
- petrol · diesel ≈ €271
- Tolls
- ≈ €196
- mixed
- EV charging
- Unknown
- not yet surveyed
On this page
Route map
Route options
Other paths OSRM found between the two cities — handy when traffic, tolls, or scenery matter more than raw speed.
Avoids motorways
+9h 58m- Distance:
- 2,193 km (−36 km)
- Duration:
- 33h 0m
Via: B 16 · N 145 · N 10 · CL-101
How else can you make this trip?
Driving is the focus of this guide; here's how cycling, coach, and (soon) train and plane stack up for the same pair.
23h 1m
2.229 km · €318 fuel
See details ↓
Not realistic
2.229 km is far beyond a typical multi-day cycle tour. Try a shorter pair like a day or weekend stage.
No direct service
Our coach data (FlixBus + BlaBlaCar) doesn't list a direct service for this pair. National operators (e.g., National Express in the UK, Eurolines feeders) may still cover it — check their site directly.
3h 27m
from €40
See details ↓
24h 6m
RENFE OPERADORA · SNCF VOYAGEURS
See details ↓
What the drive is like
Drafted from the route's computed data on April 24, 2026 and reviewed against the route summary card. Read our methodology.
Your journey begins as you pick up the A-1 heading north from Madrid, soon transitioning to the AP-1. This Spanish toll road will guide you towards the French border. Keep an eye out for the AP-8 and then the A 63 in France, which will be your primary arteries. The route then shifts to the A 630, followed by the N 89, winding through varied French landscapes.
As you continue northeast, anticipate the transition into Germany. Here, the driving experience often changes: speed limits on the Autobahn are famously variable, with long stretches of unrestricted driving. However, remember that many German cities have Low Emission Zones (Umweltzonen) requiring specific stickers for your vehicle, so plan accordingly. Fuel prices can fluctuate significantly between Spain, France, and Germany, so it's wise to fill up strategically when prices are favourable, often found at supermarkets or independent stations away from the main motorways.
Crossing into Austria requires a vignette for using their motorways. These can be purchased at border crossings or petrol stations just before the border. Unlike France's toll booths for specific sections, Austria operates on a vignette system for continuous motorway use. Be aware of differing speed limits in Austria, which are generally enforced strictly, and always check for winter tyre requirements if travelling during colder months, as these are mandatory in many Alpine regions during specific periods.
Navigating from the Iberian Peninsula through the heart of Western Europe to the Austrian Alps presents a diverse driving experience. From the initial Spanish motorways to the French national roads and finally the German Autobahns and Austrian expressways, this route offers a true cross-section of European road travel. Factor in potential traffic, especially around major French and German cities, and allow for flexibility in your schedule to truly enjoy the changing scenery and the unique character of each region you traverse.
Route highlights
- French N 89 scenic sections
- Variable speed limits on German Autobahns
- Austrian vignette requirement
- Potential Low Emission Zones in France
- Fuel price variations across borders
Trip plan
How to think about the drive: one day, split, or overnight.
Overnight recommended
Too long for a single-driver day. Plan on 2 overnight stop(s) to do this trip right.
A natural overnight stop near the halfway point: Yzeure (fr).
- Distance:
- 2,229 km
- Duration:
- 23h 1m (free-flow, no traffic)
Where to stop
Places along the route that make natural breaks for coffee, lunch, or a night.
-
Briviesca 🇪🇸 es
≈279 km≈ 3.4 km detour from the main route
-
Saint-Paul-lès-Dax 🇫🇷 fr
≈557 km≈ 18.8 km detour from the main route
-
Trélissac 🇫🇷 fr
≈836 km≈ 25 km detour from the main route
-
Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule 🇫🇷 fr
≈1,115 km≈ 27 km detour from the main route
-
Besançon 🇫🇷 fr
≈1,393 km≈ 15.1 km detour from the main route
-
Bühl 🇩🇪 de
≈1,672 km≈ 5 km detour from the main route
-
Altomünster 🇩🇪 de
≈1,950 km≈ 11.2 km detour from the main route
Key moves
Things to know before you set off — borders, sides of the road, tolls.
Multi-country chain · ES → FR → CH → DE → AT
You'll cross 5 countries on this drive — each with its own toll system, fuel pricing, and motorway rules. Skim the must-know section below before you set off, and have your registration plus insurance card in the door pocket for any roadside check.
Tolls on motorways in ES / FR
Budget for motorway tolls — France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal charge per-km, Croatia and Greece by section. Contactless cards work almost everywhere; have one loaded.
Vignette required in CH / AT
Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Romania require a sticker or e-vignette for motorway use. Buy at the border — missing one is a heavy on-the-spot fine.
Long rural stretch on N 70
Plan for about 43 km of two-lane country roads. Slower than motorway, but often the pretty part — fewer overtakes after dark.
Long rural stretch on N 80
Plan for about 26 km of two-lane country roads. Slower than motorway, but often the pretty part — fewer overtakes after dark.
Must-know before you go
The things a driver from another country wouldn't think to ask about — fines, stickers, payment cards, opening hours.
City access & emission zones
Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart need a green Umweltplakette
Must knowGermany's low-emission zones (Umweltzone) are simpler than the French system but stricter on entry. You need a colour-coded sticker physically on your windscreen before entering. The vast majority of zones today require a green sticker (Euro 4+ petrol, Euro 6+ diesel). Order via TÜV / DEKRA / certified workshops — about €6–13, ships in days. Driving without one costs €100 even if your car would qualify.
Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla now run ZBE low-emission zones
Must knowSpain's Zonas de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE) cover central Madrid (24/7), Barcelona inside the Rondes (weekdays 7:00–20:00), Sevilla, Valencia and a growing list. Foreign plates need to register at the city portal in advance — your Euro emission class determines whether you get in. Without registration, cameras log entry and the fine reaches your home address.
Order your Crit'Air sticker before the trip
Must knowParis, Lyon, Strasbourg, Marseille, Toulouse and a growing list of cities require a Crit'Air air-quality sticker visible on your windscreen — even for a single drive-through. It's €4.51 from the official site and ships by post (allow 2–6 weeks abroad). Without it, expect on-the-spot fines from €68. Your registration document tells the issuer your emission class.
Foreign plates must be pre-registered to enter the centre
Must knowMadrid
Cameras read your plate but don't know your emission class. Without registration on Madrid's portal (madrid.es/zbe), the system flags you regardless of the car's actual rating, and the fine reaches your home address weeks later via cross-border collection. Register before you set off.
Madrid 360 / ZBEDEP — pre-2000 cars banned outright
Must knowMadrid
Madrid Central (now ZBEDEP) is one of the strictest emission zones in Europe. Within the 4.7 km² central perimeter (formerly Distrito Centro), vehicles registered before 2000 are banned outright; the rest need to match Spain's "Etiqueta Ambiental" rating. Operates 24/7. Fine is €200 per entry.
Borders & documents
You're leaving the EU customs zone
Must knowSwitzerland is in Schengen but NOT in the EU customs union. Random customs stops happen at every border. Personal allowance: €300 in goods (CHF cash equivalent), 5L wine, 1L spirits. Above that you declare and pay duty. If you've loaded the boot with cured meat or cheese in Italy, declare it — confiscation is routine.
Tolls, vignettes & road payment
Digital vignette before crossing the border
Must knowAustrian motorways need a vignette — €10.10 for 10 days, €30.40 for 2 months, or €103.80 annual. The digital version (linked to your plate) is bought online at asfinag.at and activates from a chosen date — if you buy on the Austrian side of the border, it's only valid 18 days later under consumer-protection rules. Buy ahead.
Mont Blanc, Grand St Bernard, San Bernardino tunnels charge extra
Must knowThe vignette covers most motorways but NOT the major Alpine road tunnels. Mont Blanc tunnel (FR-IT) is roughly €54 one-way for a passenger car, Grand St Bernard about €33, San Bernardino is included in the vignette but Gotthard road tunnel is a vignette-only route in summer (the queue can be 2 hours; the rail-shuttle alternative through the Lötschberg is faster).
Vignette is annual only — CHF 40
Must knowSwitzerland sells one vignette: an annual sticker (or e-vignette) for CHF 40 / about €42. There's no 10-day option. Buy at any border post or online before you leave. The sticker must be physically affixed to the windscreen — keeping it loose in the glovebox earns the same CHF 200 fine as not having one.
You'll hit three different toll systems on this trip
Must knowThis route crosses countries with mismatched toll mechanics — France's ticket-and-pay, vignette stickers, electronic-only stretches. There's no single transponder that works everywhere, but a Telepass EU device covers FR/IT/ES/PT and a Bip&Go covers the same plus a few more. For a one-off trip, contactless cards plus a Swiss vignette and Austrian e-vignette is the simplest mix.
Brenner, Tauern and Karawanken tunnels are extra
UsefulEight Austrian routes charge separate tolls on top of the vignette: Brenner (A13, ~€11.50), Pyhrn (A9, ~€6.50), Tauern (A10, ~€14), Karawanken (A11, ~€8.50) and others. Pay at the booth — no vignette discount. If you're heading south to Italy via the A13, budget for it.
Contactless works at every autoroute booth
UsefulFrench autoroutes use a ticket system: take a card on entry, pay on exit. Every barrier accepts contactless tap-to-pay — pull into the "CB / bank card" lane (orange "t" logo means Liber-T transponder only, avoid those). For frequent EU travellers a Bip&Go transponder pays itself off in two trips by skipping the queue.
What your car must carry
Triangle, first-aid kit, hi-vis vest — all three
Must knowGermany requires a warning triangle, a first-aid kit (compliant with DIN 13164, with a "use by" date — €10 at any pharmacy), and a reflective vest in every passenger car. Roadside checks do happen at borders. The first-aid kit is the one foreign drivers most commonly miss.
Hi-vis vest in the cabin, triangle in the boot
Must knowA reflective vest must be reachable without leaving the vehicle (in the door pocket or under your seat — boot is too late). One warning triangle is also mandatory. The 2012 breathalyzer rule was scrapped in 2020 but is still nice to keep. No spare-bulb requirement.
Rules, fees, and thresholds change. Always verify against the official source the day before you drive — this page is a checklist, not a legal reference.
Main roads
The highways this route spends the most kilometres on.
-
A 89 La Transeuropéenne328 km
-
A-1 Autovía del Norte258 km
-
A 8 —258 km
-
A 36 La Comtoise237 km
-
A 63 Autoroute de la Côte Basque205 km
-
A 5 —160 km
-
AP-1 Autopista del Norte126 km
-
A 79 La Bourbonnaise91 km
-
A 94 —87 km
-
AP-1; AP-8 Kantauriko autobidea65 km
-
A8 Innkreis Autobahn50 km
-
A 71 L'Arverne46 km
Route character
How much of the drive is motorway vs. secondary vs. rural.
Motorway drive — fast, predictable, uneventful.
- Motorway
- 92%
- Secondary
- 7%
- Other / rural
- 1%
Drive difficulty
At-a-glance feel: how demanding is this drive for one driver?
Overall
Demanding
Tough drive — multiple complicating factors compound fatigue. Strongly recommend splitting across days.
- Long drive: 23h 1m behind the wheel at free-flow speeds.
- Cross-border: ES → AT. Keep documents accessible and check border rules.
- About 140 km on non-motorway roads where speeds and conditions vary.
Fuel & tolls
Rough cost expectation for a typical EU passenger car. Treat as an estimate — pump prices change weekly.
Petrol (RON 95)
≈ €318
167.2 L × €1.91 / L · 7.5 L/100 km
Diesel
≈ €271
133.7 L × €2.02 / L · 6 L/100 km
Electric (DC fast)
≈ €232
390 kWh × €0.60 / kWh · 17.5 kWh/100 km
Public DC fast charging — slower AC charging at home or hotels typically costs about half.
Motorway tolls & vignettes
≈ €196
- ES — €0.09/km on the motorway network (≈ 536 km in-country ≈ €48) Toll-free on the A-network; charged only on AP roads.
- FR — €0.10/km on the motorway network (≈ 959 km in-country ≈ €96)
- CH — Vignette (motorway sticker / e-vignette) — €42.00 for 365 days
- AT — Vignette (motorway sticker / e-vignette) — €10.10 for 10 days Annual vignette is €103.80 if you drive often
Prices last refreshed 2026-05-04.
Weather by month
Average daytime high / overnight low and typical monthly rainfall, over the past five years.
🇪🇸 Madrid
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11°
3°
|
14°
3°
|
16°
5°
|
21°
9°
|
24°
11°
|
30°
18°
|
35°
20°
|
35°
21°
|
27°
15°
|
22°
12°
|
15°
7°
|
11°
3°
|
| 50mm | 17mm | 120mm | 44mm | 62mm | 43mm | 1mm | 6mm | 64mm | 87mm | 39mm | 30mm |
hot mild cold
🇦🇹 Linz
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5°
-2°
|
8°
1°
|
13°
3°
|
16°
6°
|
20°
10°
|
26°
15°
|
27°
17°
|
27°
16°
|
23°
13°
|
16°
8°
|
8°
2°
|
5°
-0°
|
| 46mm | 43mm | 62mm | 77mm | 92mm | 58mm | 83mm | 80mm | 105mm | 52mm | 75mm | 67mm |
hot mild cold
Next 5 days at Linz
Live forecast — refreshes every few hours.
-
Tue 12
☀️
7° / 5°
—
-
Wed 13
⛅
15° / 3°
0.8mm
-
Thu 14
🌧️
10° / 7°
75.6mm
-
Fri 15
⛅
14° / 7°
5.5mm
-
Sat 16
🌧️
14° / 8°
8.7mm
Forecast: MET Norway
Directions
Turn-by-turn summary of the main manoeuvres, generated by OSRM.
Show all 82 manoeuvres
- Calle de la Cruz 0.1 km
- Plaza de las Cortes 0.2 km
- Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo
- Calle de Felipe IV 0.1 km
- Calle de Alcalá
- Calle de Alcalá 2 km
- Calzada lateral M-30 (M-30) 0.7 km
- Avenida de la Paz (M-30) 4 km
- Autovía del Norte (A-1) 108 km
- Autovía Madrid - Burgos (A-1) 6 km
- Autovía del Norte (A-1) 113 km
- Autovía del Norte (A-1) 8 km
- Autopista del Norte (AP-1) 83 km
- (A-1) 14 km
- (A-1) 9 km
- — 0.3 km
- — 0.4 km
- — 0.3 km
- (N-622) 0.9 km
- — 1 km
- — 0.4 km
- (AP-1) 43 km
- Iparraldeko autobidea (AP-1) 1.0 km
- Kantauriko autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 42 km
- Kantauriko autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 8 km
- AP-1 / AP-8 (AP-1; AP-8) 2 km
- Bizkaiko Golkoko Autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 3 km
- Bizkaiko Golkoko Autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 3 km
- Bizkaiko Golkoko Autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 0.2 km
- AP-1 / AP-8 (AP-1; AP-8) 7 km
- Autoroute de la Côte Basque (A 63) 31 km
- Autoroute des Landes (A 63) 174 km
- — 0.7 km
- Rocade Extérieure (A 630) 17 km
- —
- (N 89) 18 km
- La Transeuropéenne (A 89) 167 km
- La Transeuropéenne 0.3 km
- L'Occitane (A 20) 16 km
- (A 89) 160 km
- (A 71) 1.0 km
- L'Arverne (A 71) 46 km
- — 0.6 km
- La Bourbonnaise (A 79) 91 km
- Route Centre-Europe Atlantique (N 79) 10 km
- (N 70) 43 km
- (N 80)
- (N 80) 26 km
- (N 80)
- — 0.3 km
- Autoroute du Soleil (A 6) 30 km
- Autoroute de Lorraine-Bourgogne (A 31) 5 km
- (A 36) 163 km
- La Comtoise (A 36) 74 km
- — 1 km
- (A 5) 160 km
- (A 8) 67 km
- (A 8) 0.3 km
- (A 8) 0.8 km
- (A 8) 40 km
- (A 8) 150 km
- (A 99) 32 km
- — 0.4 km
- — 0.5 km
- — 0.5 km
- (A 94) 87 km
- (B 12) 14 km
- (B148)
- (B148)
- (B148) 13 km
- Altheimer Straße (B148)
- Altheimer Straße (B148) 4 km
- (B148)
- (B148)
- (B148) 15 km
- Innkreis Autobahn (A8) 50 km
- Welser Autobahn (A25) 19 km
- Welser Autobahn (A25) 2 km
- West Autobahn (A1) 5 km
- Mühlkreis Autobahn (A7) 5 km
- — 0.2 km
- Hauptplatz
By plane from Madrid to Linz
Indicative travel time on a non-stop flight, based on great-circle distance, average commercial cruise speed (850 km/h), and a 90-minute allowance for taxi, security, and boarding.
- Total time
- 3h 27m
- Door-to-door from :from airport.
- In the air
- 118 min
- At ~850 km/h cruise speed.
- On the ground
- 90 min
- Taxi + security + boarding (typical short-haul).
- Route
- MAD → LNZ
- 1.672 km great-circle.
Indicative fare: from €40 — fares vary by season, day of week, and how far ahead you book. Always check the airline or a meta-search before planning around this number.
Show flight path on map
Estimate-only. We don't pull live schedules or fares for flights — see the methodology page for how this number is computed.
Air travel emits roughly 5–10× the CO₂ per passenger-km of rail for the same distance.
By train from Madrid to Linz
Fastest cross-border rail itinerary from the public Transitous planner. Times reflect a typical Monday-morning departure on the next available service-day.
- Fastest journey
- 24h 6m
- 8 changes
- Lead operator
- RENFE OPERADORA
- + 8 more
- Alternatives
- 5
- Itineraries returned by the planner.
Trains on the fastest itinerary
- AVE INT 09725
- 041G
- RE1 (19003)
- ICE 911
All operators across alternatives
- RENFE OPERADORA
- SNCF VOYAGEURS
- Arverio Baden-Württemberg GmbH
- DB Fernverkehr AG
- WESTbahn Management GmbH
- Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
- Schweizerische Bundesbahnen
- Renfe Cercanias
- Deutsche Bahn AG
Includes a high-speed rail leg (TGV, ICE, AVE, Frecciarossa-class).
Show route on map
Routing via the public Transitous OTP planner (community-run MOTIS instance). Cached 24 hours; verify on the operator's site before booking.
Frequently asked
What type of fuel is most common along the route?
Unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel are widely available across Spain, France, and Germany. LPG and CNG are also found, but less commonly than petrol and diesel. Check your car's fuel type before you go.
Are there specific stickers or environmental permits needed for major French cities?
Yes, several French cities have Low Emission Zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions - ZFE) requiring Crit'Air stickers. Research your planned route through France to see if any cities on your path require this.
Where can I buy an Austrian vignette?
You can purchase vignettes online in advance, at petrol stations near the border, or at border crossings themselves. It's recommended to buy it before entering Austrian motorways to avoid fines.
What are the general speed limits on French motorways (autoroutes)?
The general speed limit on French autoroutes is 130 km/h in dry conditions, 110 km/h in wet conditions, and 50 km/h in fog. These can vary, so always watch for signs.
Do I need specific equipment for driving in the Alps during winter?
Yes, in Austria, winter tyres are mandatory for cars between November 1st and April 15th if road conditions are wintry (snow, ice, slush). Snow chains may also be required on certain mountain passes.
How this page is built
Compiled by COD Solutions Oy from open European data — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for the route geometry, Open-Meteo for monthly climate normals, EU Weekly Oil Bulletin for cross-border fuel-price bands, and Google Gemini drafts the narrative and FAQ from the computed route data. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.