How to avoid extravagant motor way fees in Italy

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This was published 7 years ago

How to avoid extravagant motor way fees in Italy

By Michael Gebicki
Cars at Autostrade Toll in Italy.

Cars at Autostrade Toll in Italy.Credit: Tasfoto / Alamy Stock Photo

TRAVELLING TO ITALY AND HEARD STORIES ABOUT EXTRAVAGANT MOTORWAY FEES. CAN WE AVOID THESE FEES, IS THERE AN E-TAG FOR TRAVELLERS? J. FLOWER, FAIRLIGHT

Only European residents can obtain a Telepass (e-tag) for use in Italy but I've never had a problem going through the toll booths on the autostrada. When you join the autostrada you'll collect a ticket from an automated dispensing machine. When you leave the autostrada, or pass a collection point, you'll see an overhead sign identifying the "Telepass", "Carte" lanes for paying with a credit or debit card and cash lanes, which have coins on the sign. The Carte and cash lanes usually seem to be on the right and you'll be OK if you take either of these. I prefer the cash lanes because sometimes you have to insert a few cards before you'll get one that works. If you use the Telepass lane, your car hire operator will bung on an enormous administration fee for tracking you down and exacting the cash, which they do automatically since they have your credit card details. Exiting the toll booths on an Italian autostrada is like the start of a Formula One race, be prepared.

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