The Italy-to-Austria crossing is dominated by one of history's most important mountain passes: the Brenner. For over two thousand years, the Brenner Pass has connected the Mediterranean world with northern Europe, and today it remains the busiest Alpine crossing. The modern motorway tunnel and viaducts have tamed the mountains, but the scenery remains as dramatic as ever.
At 1,370 meters, the Brenner is the lowest of the major Alpine passes, which is why it has been the preferred crossing since Roman times. Today, the A22 (Italian side) and A13 (Austrian side) form a continuous motorway through the mountains. The approach from the Italian side climbs through the bilingual South Tyrol region — road signs are in both Italian and German, the architecture shifts from Mediterranean to Alpine, and the cuisine blends pasta with dumplings. The actual border is marked by a small sign and the transition from Italy's autostrada to Austria's Autobahn.
The Brenner crossing involves a layered toll system. On the Italian side, you pay distance-based tolls via the autostrada system (Telepass or cash). On the Austrian side, you need both the standard motorway vignette (€9.90 for 10 days) AND a separate Brenner Pass toll (€11 per car), which is charged at a toll plaza near Schönberg, south of Innsbruck. This double-charging frustrates many drivers, but there's no alternative route on the motorway. The vignette alone doesn't cover the Brenner section.
The stretch between Verona and the Brenner Pass passes through South Tyrol (Alto Adige), an Italian region with a strong Austrian identity. The majority of the population speaks German, the towns look Alpine rather than Mediterranean, and the food is a delicious fusion — try canederli (bread dumplings), speck (smoked ham), and strudel alongside Italian espresso. Bolzano, the regional capital, has an excellent Christmas market and the Ötzi the Iceman museum.
The Brenner Pass is open year-round, but winter conditions can be challenging. Both Italy and Austria require winter tires in cold conditions, and Austria extends this requirement from November 1 to April 15. Snow chains should be carried when driving in Alpine areas. The Austrian side of the Brenner, descending into the Wipp Valley, can be icy and fog-prone in winter mornings. The Inntal Autobahn (A12/A13) from Innsbruck toward the Brenner has a night-time driving ban for heavy vehicles but remains open for cars 24/7.
For drivers heading from Venice or northeast Italy to Vienna, the Tarvisio crossing on the A23/A2 avoids the Brenner entirely. This route passes through the Julian Alps near the Italian-Austrian-Slovenian triple border, climbing to the Tarvisio plateau before descending to Villach. It's less crowded than the Brenner and equally scenic, with the bonus of avoiding the separate Brenner toll. From Villach, the A2 leads to Graz and Vienna, or you can detour south into Slovenia.
Not all rental companies allow you to drive from Italy to Austria. Here's what the major companies say:
| Company | Allowed? | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | ✅ Yes | Free | Austria is a standard destination from all northern Italian locations. No restrictions. |
| Europcar | ✅ Yes | Free | Cross-border to Austria permitted on all vehicle categories. Green card provided automatically. |
| Sixt | ✅ Yes | Free | Austria included in Italian rental agreements. Vignette may be pre-installed on vehicle — check at pickup. |
| Enterprise | ✅ Yes | Free for round trips, €40 one-way | One-way returns available at Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. |
Always notify your rental company before crossing into Austria — unauthorized cross-border driving can void your insurance and result in hefty fines.
Make sure to select a rental that allows cross-border driving to Austria.
Brenner Pass (1,370m) — the historic Alpine gateway. Vipiteno/Sterzing, Brennero border, Wipp Valley, Innsbruck's Golden Roof.
Udine, Tarvisio (mountain border), Villach, Graz, Semmering Pass (UNESCO railway), Vienna.
Trento, Brenner Pass, Innsbruck, through the Inn Valley, Kufstein, Salzburg's baroque old town.
Things that change when you cross the border from Italy to Austria:
| Topic | Italy | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Speed limit (motorway) | 130 km/h | 130 km/h (same, but Austria enforces with more cameras) |
| Tolls | Distance-based electronic tolling (Telepass) | Vignette (10-day: €9.90) plus separate tolls on Brenner Pass (€11), Arlberg Tunnel, and Tauern Tunnel. |
| Alcohol limit | 0.5 g/L | 0.5 g/L (0.1 g/L for drivers under 20 or with less than 2 years experience) |
| Winter tires | Mandatory Nov 15 - Apr 15 in winter conditions (varies by region) | Mandatory Nov 1 - Apr 15 in winter conditions. Snow chains must be carried in Alpine areas. |
| Brenner toll | Italian A22 toll included in Telepass | Brenner Pass toll €11 per car (separate from vignette). Paid at toll plaza near Schönberg. |
Rental companies in Italy charge $15-30/day for excess reduction at the desk. Standalone policies cover the same thing for a fraction of the cost — and you can buy before you go.
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These policies reimburse you if the rental company charges your card for damage. They do not replace the rental company's basic insurance (CDW/TP) which is always included.
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