Austrian Go box. Anyone got any recent experience of getting one of these ?

[Russ M]

We are driving our Motorhome to Austria ( via Germany ) for a holiday in December.
Just found out we need a gobox rather than a vignette as we are over 3.5 tonnes.

Our drive across the border from Germany to our campsite Nenzing is only 34 miles. So we will only travel a total of 70 miles in Austria during the one week we are there.

Haven’t been able to find out the cost of “buying “ one of these go boxes and whether we can get one in advance of our trip or if we have to get one on the road.
Would try and avoid A roads in Austria , but there is always the risk of being diverted on to one if it’s snowy etc , and that’s a huge fine if we don’t have a go box.
So I’m going to get one but not sure how.

I’ve emailed the company but still await a reply , so was hoping for some recent experience and advice from someone in this group.
Many thanks
Russ

 

[Phill D]

How do you prove the euro emissions status of your van if its not on your v5 and you did not get a CoC when you purchased the van?
Ours is euro 5 but I have no way of proving that as far as I can see.

 

[royandsharont]

Phill D I had to send my CofC which showed it and I got that with the van when purchased new. I have no idea how you would get one later but possibly contact the manufacturer of the van seems to ring a bell

 

[Phill D]

Phill D I had to send my CofC which showed it and I got that with the van when purchased new. I have no idea how you would get one later but possibly contact the manufacturer of the van seems to ring a bell

Thanks. We bought it new in 2012 but no CoC.
Maybe a bit late now or likely expensive

 

[TinaLes]

Good luck to all that feel they need for a GO Box in Austria, but it sounds like a very expensive Faff to me.
I can understand how the box is loaded with 100 eu credit and that it pings as you drive along and the toll is debited from your credit balance, but that doesn't explain to someone who hasn't incurred charges previously or driven through Austria what the toll fee is for each part. Is it signposted, or do you have to look up what your toll fees to expect are? Do you check some app to see how much credit you have left, or just rely on the pings to tell you to top it up, asap?

Can you not just set your sat nag to avoid Tolls?, yes it will take you through villages, and forests, many switchbacks up & down etc, but if you have the time, I bet its a much better experience, with some stunning views.

That's what I would steer for, take my time, enjoy the scenery, Austria is very beautiful.
LES

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[Phill D]

Austria is beautiful, and it is possible to travel without access to the motorway. However, I have heard of detours off some minor roads put in place that give you no choice but to travel on the motorway or some how turn back.

 

[Phill D]

I realise the vignette is for upto 3500kgs, but do you still need to prove euro emissions status of your van.

 

[GAVLAD]

load the box up
The issues tend to be that people don't put enough credit on them or if they have, they've not been able to pick up the gantry that acknowledges the go box and then find out later that they've missed a charge and receive a fine later on.
Go on the ASFINAG website and enter your route to get an idea of the cost. You can even do an online chat and get them to calculate it.
Then take a print out of the online chat and keep for evidence in case you're asked to pay fee's later.
if it's EUR90 for example for your journey, put EUR120 credit on it. You can always get a refund afterwards.
Alternatively, don't go on the motorway or avoid Austria.

 

[bladerunner]

I use a go box because I drive in winter to ski. The motorways are cleared quickly, the minor roads less so. There's enough stress sometimes driving to resorts without worrying too much about the route. Also can be tricky to avoid toll - example driving down from Garmisch to A6.

 

[jongood]

Austria is beautiful, and it is possible to travel without access to the motorway. However, I have heard of detours off some minor roads put in place that give you no choice but to travel on the motorway or some how turn back.

Yes, generally by people who have totally relied on the "avoid tolls" ability of their satnav. Its easily possible to navigate Austria avoiding motorways but it does require a bit of research, you can use google earth but generally easier on a map.

Thats why there are growing numbers of signs up saying things like "Sat Nav Error, foot ferry only"

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[jongood]

I realise the vignette is for upto 3500kgs, but do you still need to prove euro emissions status of your van.

No.

 

[jongood]

load the box up
The issues tend to be that people don't put enough credit on them or if they have, they've not been able to pick up the gantry that acknowledges the go box and then find out later that they've missed a charge and receive a fine later on.
Go on the ASFINAG website and enter your route to get an idea of the cost. You can even do an online chat and get them to calculate it.
Then take a print out of the online chat and keep for evidence in case you're asked to pay fee's later.
if it's EUR90 for example for your journey, put EUR120 credit on it. You can always get a refund afterwards.
Alternatively, don't go on the motorway or avoid Austria.

The main issue I've heard (some firsthand) is that people don't adequately prove their vehicles Euro status. You would think that Asfinag would simply apply the higher rate but no the Austrians like punishing people. The others are not setting the box up properly or the box failing. There have been a lot of reports on here and other forums of people trying to do the right thing and still having problems.

My default is to avoid Austria. Switzerland is our favoured route to Italy/Croatia etc. If I really want to go somewhere in Austria then I do the research. Its a shame really because we're not freeloaders and Austria is scenic but its a pita in a larger Mh.

 

[GAVLAD]

The main issue I've heard (some firsthand) is that people don't adequately prove their vehicles Euro status. You would think that Asfinag would simply apply the higher rate but no the Austrians like punishing people. The others are not setting the box up properly or the box failing. There have been a lot of reports on here and other forums of people trying to do the right thing and still having problems.

My default is to avoid Austria. Switzerland is our favoured route to Italy/Croatia etc. If I really want to go somewhere in Austria then I do the research. Its a shame really because we're not freeloaders and Austria is scenic but its a pita in a larger Mh.

To be fair, I have heard about the Euro status.
However, when purchasing the go box, you have to show your vehicle documents including the log book which states what Euro model the engine is. I purchased mine at the last service station before the Brenner Pass service station and even though the guy spoke limited English, it was gestured for me to state what Euro diesel engine I had? I just showed him my log book.
I suppose the system is only as good as those who administer it and if the person entering the details doesn't do it correctly, then the jobs knackered.
Re. Switzerland, I received an on the spot fine of £250 for being 6kmp over the speed limit.
Gutting as that wiped out our chocolate and muesli spending money, so didn't buy anything whilst in the country, other than Officer Moritz's evening dinner through his bonus. So I get where you are coming from to avoid the place.
However, as stated on here, it was my fault for speeding 6kph over.

 

[Phill D]

To be fair, I have heard about the Euro status.
However, when purchasing the go box, you have to show your vehicle documents including the log book which states what Euro model the engine is.

You are lucky, not all V5 docs show the euro status or even the engine number.
Mine unfortunately has neither.

And I don't have a CoC. Which makes this sort of thing doubly difficult or even impossible.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes, generally by people who have totally relied on the "avoid tolls" ability of their satnav. Its easily possible to navigate Austria avoiding motorways but it does require a bit of research, you can use google earth but generally easier on a map.

Thats why there are growing numbers of signs up saying things like "Sat Nav Error, foot ferry only"

Our Satnav has the options of "Pay per use Tolls" Tolls & "Period pay Tolls"
Unchecking just the "Period Pay Tolls" works a treat getting us through Austria without using the Autobhanns.
One year I unchecked both options, I couldn't work out why it wanted me to do 175 miles to a place 25 miles away, a bit of investigation found a toll tunnel.

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[GAVLAD]

You are lucky, not all V5 docs show the euro status or even the engine number.
Mine unfortunately has neither.

And I don't have a CoC. Which makes this sort of thing doubly difficult or even impossible.

I feel your pain my friend

 

[JockandRita]

Like jongood, I too avoid Austria and prefer to travel through Switzerland, paying CHF32.50 (at the last count), at the border by presenting my V5, and completing their form for a Whonmobil. This gives you 10 x day pass, valid for up to 12 x months, which is so much more civilised and fairer.

On the days you are still in Switzerland, but even not driving, you still have to complete the form each day.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[jongood]

Our Satnav has the options of "Pay per use Tolls" Tolls & "Period pay Tolls"
Unchecking just the "Period Pay Tolls" works a treat getting us through Austria without using the Autobhanns.
One year I unchecked both options, I couldn't work out why it wanted me to do 175 miles to a place 25 miles away, a bit of investigation found a toll tunnel.

Thats the difference Lenny, You don't blindly follow it.

 

[The Dudess]

The main issue I've heard (some firsthand) is that people don't adequately prove their vehicles Euro status. You would think that Asfinag would simply apply the higher rate but no the Austrians like punishing people. The others are not setting the box up properly or the box failing. There have been a lot of reports on here and other forums of people trying to do the right thing and still having problems.

My default is to avoid Austria. Switzerland is our favoured route to Italy/Croatia etc. If I really want to go somewhere in Austria then I do the research. Its a shame really because we're not freeloaders and Austria is scenic but its a pita in a larger Mh.

Our thoughts exactly. We had a nightmare journey a couple of years ago with the GoBox bleeping constantly and despite (eventually) finding 2 different service stations who sell the GoBox neither could tell us what the problem was. We decided we would detour to avoid the motorway. When we got back home I sent the box back and got a refund for the money that was still left on it. We vowed we would never go to Austria again.

 

[clanjones]

Yep if the Austrians don't want 'heavy' motorhomes and again we tend to stay on sites and put money in the economy, that's fine. We are 4250kg and avoid the country.

It's a real shame as there is some good cycling but we will be going via Switzerland to get to Slovenia etc hopefully!.

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[sherman]

We crossed thr Austria in summer 2020 going to lake bled
easy to obtain but expensive
it cost me €200 for my 5700kg burstner tag ( she just kept repeating 6 wheels you are lorry )
I just had to show my certificate of conformity
and my mate €10 for his 3500kg coach built
i crossed back via Italy
beautiful drive

 

[SIFTA SAM]

I realise the vignette is for upto 3500kgs, but do you still need to prove euro emissions status of your van.

I had to contact Fiat UK who provided me with a hologramed letter stating my vehicles Euro Rating
(for a fee).
Prior to that the Austrian Go Box 'stations' would automatically class me as Euro3.

 

[DangerMousy]

I had to contact Fiat UK who provided me with a letter stating my vehicles Euro Rating
(for a fee).
Prior to that the Austrian Go Box 'stations' would automatically class me as Euro3.

Did the Go Box people accept the letter from Fiat?

I'd love to go back to Austria again, but now we are more than 3.5T I was a little apprehensive about the Go Box because our V5 doesn't show our emissions status and we don't have a CoC either. I do have the letter from Fiat confirming our Euro6 status though. It was accepted by Germany and France for their emissions stickers, but I've heard Austria can be a bit awkward about things so I wasn't sure whether they'd accept it.

Another Go Box question: can you keep it or do you have to return it at the end of each trip?

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Did the Go Box people accept the letter from Fiat?

I'd love to go back to Austria again, but now we are more than 3.5T I was a little apprehensive about the Go Box because our V5 doesn't show our emissions status and we don't have a CoC either. I do have the letter from Fiat confirming our Euro6 status though. It was accepted by Germany and France for their emissions stickers, but I've heard Austria can be a bit awkward about things so I wasn't sure whether they'd accept it.

Another Go Box question: can you keep it or do you have to return it at the end of each trip?

The letter from Fiat was accepted by the German service station staff, but I never had to produce it to any Austrian official.
I've always found the Austrian and German Embassy staff to be helpful on travel documentation questions.
Although we were +3500Kg with GoBox, we did most of a weeks stay keeping off the Motorways. The normal roads were good and previous planning helped
Our first GoBox we kept for 2/3 years and replaced it for a newer version which we returned after one trip.