Hello everyone and welcome to our blog – nice of you to drop by (again)! Today I’d like to give you a few personal tips for your journey, especially when it comes to toll stations in Europe. In the first few months of the #ContiEuropeanRoadshow, I’ve gained some experience that I’d like to share with you. These tips are primarily aimed at my fellow truck drivers, but car drivers can certainly pick up one or two pieces of advice too. So, let’s get straight to it!

1) Pay cashless:

In many European countries, toll stations prefer cashless payment methods. Make sure you have a working toll box or an electronic toll payment option to save time and avoid long queues.

2) Drive early in the morning or late in the evening:

Rush hours at toll booths can be stressful. Try to plan your trips so that you pass through the stations in the early morning or late evening hours to minimize delays. Nevertheless, always allow enough time!

3) Plan your route in advance:

Plan your routes in advance and find out about toll charges on the routes you want to take. Also check which are the best border crossings – believe me, there are big differences. Good planning not only helps to save time, but also avoids unexpected costs.

4) Online preparation:

Before your trip, check to see if the countries you’ll be traveling through offer online toll payments or pre-paid toll tickets. This can speed up the payment process considerably. As a general rule: do everything you can (online) beforehand!

5) Use toll apps:

There are numerous apps that provide real-time information on tolls, traffic conditions and alternative routes. Use these apps to react flexibly to current situations.

Toll station on the Romanian-Bulgarian border. Photo: Ronny Nittmann.

6) Observe country-specific rules:

Each country has its own rules and regulations regarding toll payments. Find out about this variety of regulations in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. Because knowledge is power!

7) Make reservations:

In some countries, you can reserve and pay your toll in advance. This not only saves you time at the stations, but also allows you to better control your costs.

8) Create an emergency plan:

Have a contingency plan in case of technical problems or breakdowns of your toll equipment. Know where alternative toll stations are located and how you can act in an emergency.

9) Financial security:

Make sure you have the respective national currencies with you for toll payments, especially if you are traveling through countries with different currencies. Never shirk costs, even for supposedly small amounts, because the penalties hurt immediately.

10) Information is everything:

Always stay up to date on current toll rates, road conditions and any roadworks. Being well informed not only makes your journey easier, but also minimizes potential stress factors.

The showtruck patiently waiting in Turkiye for the toll handling to be done. Photo: Ronny Nittmann.

If you take these tips to heart, you’ll have a clear advantage when traveling through Europe. I know that firsthand…

Have a good tour – see you on the road,
your Ronny

Do you have any other tips? Let me know in the comments to get me ready for the next destination countries!