The Traveler's Essential Guide to Australian Toll Roads
Everything international and interstate visitors need to know about navigating toll roads without stress or penalties
⚡ Quick Start for Travelers
Don't have time to read everything? Here's what you MUST know:
- 1. No cash tolls exist - All electronic only
- 2. Don't use rental car toll programs - They cost 2-3x more
- 3. Set up payment BEFORE you drive - Avoid $10-20 penalty fees
- 4. One account works everywhere - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- 5. Budget $15-40/day if using toll roads frequently
If you're visiting Australia or traveling interstate, toll roads can be one of the most confusing aspects of driving here. Unlike many countries, Australia has completely eliminated cash toll booths—everything is electronic. This catches thousands of visitors off guard every year, resulting in unexpected penalty fees and stress.
The good news? Once you understand the system, it's actually quite simple. This guide will walk you through exactly what you need to do as a traveler, from setting up payment before arrival to navigating the most popular tourist routes without overpaying.
Who This Guide Is For
International Tourists
First time in Australia? We'll help you avoid expensive mistakes
Interstate Travelers
Driving from another state? Learn about cross-state toll systems
Business Travelers
Need quick setup and expense tracking? We've got you covered
Before You Arrive in Australia
The key to stress-free toll road navigation is preparation. Here's your pre-arrival checklist:
1 Research Your Route
- ✓ Check if your destinations require toll roads (Sydney and Brisbane have the most)
- ✓ Use Google Maps to identify toll roads on your planned routes (shown in orange)
- ✓ Estimate your total toll costs using online calculators (linkt.com.au/toll-calculator)
- ✓ Consider toll-free alternatives for budget travel (may add 15-30 minutes)
2 Understand Your Rental Car Options
What Rental Companies Offer
Rental Company Toll Programs (AVOID)
- • Daily fee: $3.30-8.80 per day (even if you don't use tolls)
- • Admin fee: $3-5 per toll transaction
- • Total markup: 200-300% above standard costs
- • Example: A $5 toll becomes $11-16
Better Option: Set Up Your Own Account
- • Pay standard toll rates only
- • No daily fees or admin charges
- • Can be set up online before arrival
- • Save $50-200 on a week-long rental
3 Choose Your Payment Method
Option A: Visitor Toll Pass (Best for 1-7 days)
Unlimited travel on toll roads for a fixed period
Pricing:
- • Sydney 24-hour pass: $35
- • Sydney 3-day pass: $60
- • Melbourne 24-hour: $22
- • Melbourne 3-day: $40
Option B: Temporary Toll Account (Best for 1+ weeks)
Pay-as-you-go using rental car license plate
How it works:
- • Register online at linkt.com.au (5 minutes)
- • Enter rental car license plate
- • Add credit card for automatic billing
- • Pay standard toll rates only
4 Download Essential Apps
- • Linkt app - Manage toll account, check balance, add funds
- • Google Maps - Enable toll cost estimates in settings
- • Your rental company app - Document the car condition and license plate
Pro Tip: Set Up Before Pickup
Once you receive your rental car booking confirmation, most companies provide the license plate number 24-48 hours before pickup. Use this to set up your toll account in advance, so you're ready to drive immediately after collecting your car.
Rental Car Toll Options Compared
This is where most travelers lose money. Let's break down the real costs:
Real-World Cost Comparison
Scenario: 7-day Sydney trip with daily airport commute
Daily route: Hotel ↔ Airport via Eastern Distributor ($8.70 each way = $17.40/day)
Rental Company Toll Program
Most ExpensiveYour Own Toll Account
Best Value7-Day Visitor Pass Option
Fixed RateNote: Only worthwhile if making 4+ toll trips daily
You Save: $87.50
By setting up your own account instead of using the rental company program
Warning: Rental Company Tactics
- ⚠ They'll make it sound convenient: "Just opt-in and we'll handle everything!" - but you'll pay 2-3x more
- ⚠ Daily fees even if you don't use tolls: Charged every day of your rental, not just days you use toll roads
- ⚠ Hard to opt out later: Once activated, you're usually locked in for the entire rental period
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Toll Payment
Here's exactly how to set up toll payment the smart way:
Method 1: Temporary Linkt Account (Recommended)
Go to linkt.com.au
Click "Get started" then select "I don't have a tag"
Enter rental car details
- • License plate number (from rental confirmation)
- • State of registration
- • Vehicle make and model
Set up billing
- • Add credit/debit card
- • Set minimum balance (recommend $40)
- • Enable auto top-up
Activate account
Account is active immediately - you can drive through tolls right away
After your trip
Close account and receive refund of remaining balance within 10-14 days
Total time: 5-7 minutes | Cost: Free setup, pay only for tolls used
Method 2: Visitor Pass (Good for Heavy Use)
When to Choose a Pass
- ✓ Making 3+ toll trips per day
- ✓ Short visit (1-3 days) with heavy toll road use
- ✓ Want unlimited travel without tracking costs
How to Purchase
Sydney Passes:
Visit roam.com.au or linkt.com.au/passes
Melbourne CityLink:
Visit citylink.com.au - select "Buy a pass"
Method 3: Post-Trip Payment (Last Resort)
If you drove through tolls without setting up payment, you have 3 days to register:
- 1. Go to linkt.com.au or e-toll.com.au
- 2. Select "Pay a toll notice" or "Register trip"
- 3. Enter license plate and travel dates
- 4. Pay toll + admin fee ($1-3 per toll)
Note: After 3 days, penalties increase to $10-20 per toll
City-by-City Traveler Guides
Sydney - Most Toll-Heavy City
High AlertWhat You Need to Know
- • Sydney has the most toll roads in Australia - nearly impossible to avoid completely
- • Airport to city via Eastern Distributor: $8.70 one way
- • Harbour Bridge/Tunnel: $4.60 peak, $3.70 off-peak (southbound only)
- • Budget $15-30/day for typical tourist activities
Popular Tourist Routes
Airport → City Hotels
Via tolls: Eastern Distributor - $8.70, 15 mins
Toll-free: General Holmes Dr → Botany Rd - Free, 25 mins
Best option: Airport train - $18.70, 13 mins (no driving stress)
City → Bondi Beach
Via tolls: Cross City Tunnel + Eastern Distributor - $14.90, 20 mins
Toll-free: Oxford St → Bondi Rd - Free, 25 mins
Recommendation: Take toll-free route (only 5 min difference)
North Shore → City (crossing harbour)
Via tolls: Harbour Bridge/Tunnel - $4.60, 10 mins
Toll-free: Not really possible without major detour
Tip: Only charged southbound, so northbound is free!
Blue Mountains Day Trip
Via tolls: M4 Motorway - $7.75, 90 mins
Toll-free: Great Western Hwy - Free, 120 mins
Recommendation: Use M4 for faster, safer drive
Money-saving tip: Stay in toll-free zones like Bondi, Manly, or Inner West. Most tourist attractions are accessible without tolls from these areas.
Melbourne - Moderate Toll Usage
ModerateWhat You Need to Know
- • Only two toll roads: CityLink and EastLink
- • Airport to CBD: $10.36 via CityLink (most direct route)
- • Easy to avoid tolls if staying in central areas
- • Budget $10-20/day if using toll roads
Popular Tourist Routes
Airport → CBD
Via CityLink: $10.36, 20 mins
Toll-free: Melrose Dr → Racecourse Rd - Free, 35 mins
Best option: SkyBus - $19.75, 25 mins (runs every 10 min)
CBD → St Kilda Beach
All routes toll-free! Take Beach Rd or Kings Way - 15 mins
Great Ocean Road Trip
Via CityLink: $3.84 to exit city, then all toll-free
Toll-free: Possible via Geelong Rd, adds 15 mins
Recommendation: Small toll worth it for cleaner exit
Yarra Valley Wine Tour
Via EastLink: $8.95 full route (if coming from south/southeast)
Toll-free: Maroondah Hwy from CBD - Free!
Tip: Most visitors won't need EastLink at all
Money-saving tip: Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs are very accessible toll-free. Only set up toll payment if going to/from airport via CityLink or visiting eastern suburbs.
Brisbane - Selective Toll Usage
Low-ModerateWhat You Need to Know
- • Four main toll points: Gateway, Legacy Way, AirportLink, Go Between Bridge
- • Airport to city via AirportLink tunnel: $5.66
- • WARNING: Video tolling (no tag) costs 35% MORE in Brisbane
- • Budget $10-15/day if using toll roads
Popular Tourist Routes
Airport → CBD
Via AirportLink: $5.66 with tag ($7.64 without!), 10 mins
Toll-free: Sandgate Rd → Gympie Rd - Free, 25 mins
Best option: Airtrain - $19, 20 mins (every 15-30 min)
Gold Coast Day Trip
Via Gateway: $5.66 (saves 20 mins)
Toll-free: Pacific Motorway (M1) - Free after Gateway!
Note: M1 to Gold Coast itself is toll-free
North → South Brisbane
Via Gateway: $5.66, fastest route
Toll-free: Story Bridge + Captain Cook Bridge - Free, 15 min slower
Tip: Toll-free bridges work fine unless peak hour
Sunshine Coast Trip
Completely toll-free! Bruce Highway all the way - 90 mins
Critical for Brisbane: The 35% video toll surcharge makes it essential to have a tag or account. A $5.66 toll becomes $7.64 without proper payment setup!
Popular Tourist Routes & Toll Costs
New South Wales
Sydney → Blue Mountains
Sydney → Newcastle
Sydney → Wollongong
Sydney → Central Coast
Victoria
Melbourne → Great Ocean Road
Melbourne → Phillip Island
Melbourne → Yarra Valley
Melbourne → Mornington Peninsula
Queensland
Brisbane → Gold Coast
Brisbane → Sunshine Coast
Brisbane → Byron Bay (NSW)
Long Distance
Sydney → Melbourne
Sydney → Brisbane
Melbourne → Adelaide
Route Planning Tools
- • Google Maps: Enable "Show toll prices" in settings for accurate cost estimates
- • Linkt Trip Calculator: linkt.com.au/toll-calculator - Most comprehensive
- • Waze: Shows real-time toll costs and alternate routes
7 Costly Mistakes Travelers Make
1. Using Rental Car Toll Programs
The Mistake: Opting into the rental company's toll program for "convenience"
The Cost: $50-200 extra on a week-long rental
✓ Do Instead: Set up your own Linkt account using the rental car's license plate
2. Ignoring Toll Notices
The Mistake: Thinking "I'll deal with it later" or assuming it's handled
The Cost: $10-20 penalty per toll escalating to $180+ if ignored
✓ Do Instead: Register within 3 days of travel to avoid penalties
3. Not Checking License Plate Details
The Mistake: Setting up account with wrong license plate or forgetting to update after car swap
The Cost: Tolls not registered, penalty fees applied
✓ Do Instead: Photograph rental car license plate and double-check when entering details
4. Assuming GPS Routes Avoid Tolls
The Mistake: Following GPS without realizing it's taking you through toll roads
The Cost: Unexpected toll charges without preparation
✓ Do Instead: Check "avoid tolls" option in Google Maps settings or accept you'll need toll payment
5. Buying Passes for Wrong City
The Mistake: Buying Sydney pass but driving in Melbourne, or vice versa
The Cost: Wasted pass money + penalties for actual tolls
✓ Do Instead: Buy city-specific passes or use Linkt account that works everywhere
6. Letting Account Balance Run Out
The Mistake: Not monitoring balance or setting up auto top-up
The Cost: Failed toll transactions trigger penalty fees
✓ Do Instead: Enable auto top-up and set alerts for low balance
7. Video Tolling in Brisbane
The Mistake: Driving in Brisbane without a tag/account setup
The Cost: 35% surcharge on all tolls (e.g., $5.66 becomes $7.64)
✓ Do Instead: Brisbane penalties are steepest - ALWAYS set up payment before driving there
Real Travel Scenarios & Solutions
Here are real-world examples of how different travelers should handle toll roads:
Weekend Sydney Tourist
3 days, staying in CBD, airport arrival/departure
The Situation
- • Friday-Sunday visit
- • Rental car from airport
- • Planning: Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains day trip, return to airport
Best Solution
Option A: Use public transport + minimal driving
Take airport train (no tolls), use car only for Blue Mountains trip ($7.75 one way on M4). Set up Linkt account for that trip only. Total: ~$15
Option B: Sydney 3-day pass
If making multiple toll trips daily (e.g., airport + Bondi + Blue Mountains). Total: $60
Recommended: Option A saves $45
East Coast Road Trip
2 weeks, Sydney → Brisbane via Melbourne
The Situation
- • 14-day coastal journey
- • Multiple cities with toll roads
- • Flexible itinerary
Best Solution
Set up Linkt account (works all cities)
- • Add $100 initial balance
- • Enable auto top-up
- • Use toll roads when they save significant time
- • Estimated total tolls: $80-120 for entire trip
Advantage: Flexibility + only pay for what you use
Business Traveler
5 days, frequent airport trips, expense reports needed
The Situation
- • Monday-Friday in Sydney
- • Daily commute: Hotel ↔ Office via tolls
- • Need itemized receipts for reimbursement
Best Solution
Linkt account with business features
- • Set up personal account with rental plate
- • Download detailed trip statements (shows date, time, route)
- • GST-compliant invoicing available
- • Export to Excel for expense software
Pro Tip:
Many corporate travel policies reimburse toll costs. Keep your Linkt login handy to generate reports on demand.
Budget Backpacker
4 weeks, minimal toll budget
The Situation
- • Long-term travel with tight budget
- • Camping/hostels in various cities
- • Want to minimize all costs
Best Solution
Toll-avoidance strategy
- • Use Google Maps "avoid tolls" setting
- • Accept 15-20 min longer trips
- • Still set up free Linkt account as backup
- • Only use tolls when time-critical or safety concern
Examples: Sydney Harbour crossing unavoidable ($4.60), but most other routes have free alternatives
Estimated savings: $150-300 over a month
Last-Minute Arrival (No Prep)
Already drove through tolls without payment
The Situation
- • Picked up rental car and drove without toll setup
- • Already used toll roads today
- • Worried about penalties
Immediate Action Required
You have 3 days to register!
- 1. Go to linkt.com.au immediately
- 2. Click "Pay a toll notice" or "Unpaid tolls"
- 3. Enter license plate + travel dates
- 4. Pay tolls + small admin fee ($1-3 each)
- 5. Set up ongoing account for rest of trip
If you act within 3 days, you'll avoid the $10-20 penalty per toll
Quick Reference Guide
Essential Links
Set up toll account:
linkt.com.au
Sydney visitor passes:
roam.com.au
Melbourne CityLink:
citylink.com.au
Register unpaid tolls:
linkt.com.au/unpaid
Calculate toll costs:
linkt.com.au/toll-calculator
Need Help?
Linkt Customer Service:
13 33 31 (24/7)
E-Toll Support:
13 18 65
CityLink:
13 26 29
Rental car issues:
Contact your rental company
Before You Drive Checklist
Final Advice for Travelers
Navigating Australian toll roads as a traveler doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. The key is preparation: take 10 minutes before your trip to set up a Linkt account using your rental car's license plate, and you'll save yourself both money and stress.
The Three Golden Rules
1. Never use rental car toll programs
They'll cost you 2-3x more than setting up your own account. This single tip can save you $50-200.
2. Set up payment before you drive
Even if you're not sure you'll use toll roads, having an account prevents expensive penalty fees. Setup takes 5 minutes.
3. One account works everywhere
A Linkt or E-Toll account works in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and all other toll roads. No need for multiple accounts.
Remember: toll roads in Australia are designed for convenience, not as tourist traps. The system works well once you understand it, and with proper preparation, you can drive anywhere in Australia confidently and economically.
Have a great trip, drive safely, and enjoy exploring Australia's incredible landscapes and cities!
About the Author
Sarah Mitchell is a travel consultant specializing in Australian tourism logistics. Having worked with thousands of international visitors over the past decade, she's helped travelers avoid costly mistakes and navigate Australia's unique transport systems with confidence.
Sarah runs a popular travel blog focused on practical, money-saving tips for visitors to Australia, and regularly contributes to international travel publications.
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