From Germany or Poland most families drive via Austria (buy the vignette, plus the separate Brenner toll) or Switzerland (vignette). In Italy the motorways are tolled — pay by card, cash or Telepass — and limits are 130 km/h on motorways, 110 on main roads, 90 elsewhere and 50 in towns; dipped headlights outside towns, a warning triangle and reflective vest in the car, 0.5 g/l alcohol limit, and don’t drive into ZTL historic centres. For families the northern Adriatic — Lignano, Bibione, Caorle, Cavallino, Jesolo — is the closest: shallow sandy beaches, campsites with pools and animation, apartments cheaper than beachfront hotels.
Checked 2026-09-24 · Italy · Trip types
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Transit | Austria vignette + Brenner toll · or Swiss vignette |
| Italian tolls | Card, cash or Telepass |
| Speed | 130 motorway · 110 main roads · 90 · 50 towns |
| In the car | Warning triangle · reflective vest · child seats |
| Alcohol | 0.5 g/l · 0 for new drivers |
| Family coast | Lignano · Bibione · Caorle · Cavallino · Jesolo |
On the road
Italian rules
Tolls
Italia.it · driving in Italy ↗ · Autostrade · paying by card ↗
ZTL in historic centres
Through Austria
Long drive south?
Driving style
Adriatic with children
Northern Adriatic towns
Campsites with pools
Keep costs down
Beach basics
Quick answers
Do I need a vignette to drive to Italy?
Not for Italy — it uses toll booths — but you need one for Austria or Switzerland on the way.
What is the speed limit on Italian motorways?
130 km/h (110 on main extra-urban roads, 50 in towns).
Which Adriatic beach is best for families?
The northern Adriatic — Lignano, Bibione, Caorle, Cavallino, Jesolo — for shallow sandy beaches and campsites.
Go deeper in our guides
Related answers
Sources: Italia.it · driving in Italy ↗ · Autostrade · paying by card ↗ · ASFINAG · Austrian vignette & tolls ↗