by Helga Meyer, mautwelt.de - 18 January 2024
The A9 Pyhrn motorway is a key north-south link in Austria. It runs over a distance of 230 kilometres as a continuation of the Innkreis motorway A8, starting at the Voralpenkreuz junction near Sattledt, to the Slovenian border near Spielfeld, where it is linked to the Slovenian motorway A1.
The last section of the A9 between Inzersdorf and Schön was successfully completed in December 2004, bringing the total length of the motorway to around eight kilometres. With this extension, it is one of the longest motorways in Austria and takes third place behind the A2 south motorway and the west motorway A1.
1. Great views along the route
Travellers are surrounded by some beautiful landscapes as they drive along the Pyhrn motorway. High peaks, lush valleys and picturesque villages characterise the route. The motorway winds its way through the mountain landscape and offers spectacular views that impress at any time of year.
2. Possible stops along the way
In addition to the natural splendour, there are great restaurants along the Pyhrn motorway, for example the St. Pankraz national park rest stop is known for its customer proximity and wide range of services. You can reach the St. Pankraz rest stop directly via the A9 Pyhrn motorway.
Other destinations you can reach via the Pyhrn motorway:
- Kremsmünster
- Admont and the Gesäuse Mountains
- Leoben
- Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing
- Rein Abbey
- Graz
- Leibnitz
- South Styrian Wine Route
3. Winter magic and ski resorts
In the winter months, the Pyhrn motorway is transformed into a fairytale route surrounded by snow-covered slopes. The region is also a great destination for winter sports enthusiasts, as it provides access to several ski resorts. Winter enthusiasts can enjoy good downhill runs and experience the snowy splendour of the Alps.
4. Toll system and vignettes
When using the Pyhrn motorway there are no tolls for the motorway, you pay the tolls (route toll) only for the Gleinalm tunnel and the Bosruck tunnel. You can pay both tolls conveniently via our online shopmautwelt.de. Select the Pyhrn motorway route toll and the desired toll (Gleinalm or Bosruck route) in the shopping basket.
5. Why it is worth paying the toll for the A9 Pyhrn motorway
If you decide to take the Pyhrn motorway, you will have the opportunity to drive Austria's third longest connecting route in its entirety. Starting from the A8 motorway in Innkreis, you can take the most direct route from the greater Linz area to Graz or vice versa. The motorway is equipped with four lanes and even six lanes in some sections.
If you start your journey in the north, you will first pass through the approximately 5.5-kilometre-long Bosruck Tunnel for a toll fee. This impressive subway has connected Spital am Pyhrn in Upper Austria with the town of Ardning in Styria since 1983. Driving around the pass roads is not only time-consuming, but the mountain routes can also be challenging or even dangerous in unfavourable weather conditions.
There is a similar situation a little further south. Between St. Michael and Übelbach, you swap the surface for the underworld for 8.3 kilometres. This route has been in existence since 1978 and the Gleinalm Tunnel toll saves you several kilometres through the nearby Mur Valley.
Under normal traffic conditions, this means a time saving of at least 30 minutes. Ongoing modernisation work along the entire A9 Pyhrn motorway at the Bosruck and Gleinalm tunnels should further reduce journey times in future.