Ruqayyah Snyder
Stretching over 817 kilometres, the border between Germany and Austria offers a plethora of attractions for visitors. The border follows the Danube, Inn, and Salzach rivers and passes through the Northern Limestone Alps, offering breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape. The border can be crossed via numerous highways and roads, with the most notable crossings at Kiefersfelden, Suben, and Walserberg. The town of Salzburg is a popular destination, known for its pastel-coloured houses, waterfront views, and cultural attractions such as the Salzburg Museum and Festung Hohensalzburg. For those seeking outdoor adventures, the border region offers skiing opportunities and national parks to explore, such as the Berchtesgaden National Park. History buffs can visit the town of Burghausen, home to the longest castle in Europe, and the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany, which lies on the border.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Border length | 817 kilometres (508 miles) |
| Straight-line distance between endpoints | 345 kilometres (214 miles) |
| Significant lakes | Lake Constance |
| Rivers | Danube, Inn, Salzach, Leiblach |
| Mountain ranges | Northern Limestone Alps, Wetterstein, Berchtesgaden Alps, Northern Calcareous Alps, Central Alps, Southern Calcareous Alps |
| Mountain peaks | Zugspitze (highest in Germany), Großglockner (highest in Austria) |
| Border crossings | Over 50, including Kiefersfelden, Walserberg, and Suben |
| Border controls | Random checks, but typically no controls within the EU Schengen Area |
| Notable towns and cities | Salzburg, Innsbruck, Kufstein, Zell am See, Graz, Vienna, Kuchl, Garmisch-Partenkirchen |
| Attractions | Festung Hohensalzburg, Salzburg Museum, Stift Melk Abbey, Schlossberg, Eggenberg Palace, Hofburg Palace, Schönbrunn, Belvedere Art Museum, St. Stephen's Cathedral |
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What You'll Learn
- The Zugspitze, the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains, is on the border
- The border follows the Danube, Inn and Salzach rivers
- Burghausen, north of Salzburg, has the longest castle in Europe
- The Austrian town of Suben is a highway crossing where the German A3 becomes the Austrian A8
- The town of Kuchl, near the border, was featured in the opening credits of The Sound of Music
The Zugspitze, the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains, is on the border
The mountain is accessible by cable car, cogwheel train, and the Gletscherbahn cable car, all of which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. At the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of four countries and 400 surrounding mountain peaks in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. The summit also features restaurants and the opportunity to capture your visit to the summit on camera at Photostop Zugspitze.
The Zugspitze is a popular destination for sports enthusiasts, explorers, and families all year round. In the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on Germany's highest and largest ski area, as well as tobogganing on the Zugspitze plateau. For a unique experience, visitors can spend the night in a village made of ice, the Iglu-Dorf Zugspitze, which includes an evening hike in the snow, a fondue dinner, and access to a spa area.
The mountain is also a challenging destination for mountaineers, with several routes to the summit for experienced amateurs and professional mountaineers. The first recorded climb of the Zugspitze was on 27 August 1820 by Josef Naus, his survey assistant Maier, and mountain guide Johann Georg Tauschl. Today, there are three normal routes to the summit: one from the Höllental valley to the northeast, another out of the Reintal valley to the southeast, and the third from the west via the Zugspitzplatt plateau.
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The border follows the Danube, Inn and Salzach rivers
The Austria–Germany border is 817 kilometres (508 mi) long, and along the eastern part, it follows the Danube, Inn, and Salzach rivers. The Inn and Salzach are both tributaries of the Danube. The border also passes through the western part of the Northern Limestone Alps.
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, rising in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany and flowing for some 1,770 miles (2,850 km) to its mouth on the Black Sea. Along its course, it passes through 10 countries, including Germany and Austria. The river played a vital role in the settlement and political evolution of central and southeastern Europe. Its banks, lined with castles and fortresses, formed the boundary between great empires, and its waters served as a vital commercial highway between nations.
The upper Danube springs from two small streams—the Breg and Brigach—from the eastern slopes of the Black Forest mountains. From Donaueschingen, where the headstreams unite, the Danube flows northeastward in a narrow, rocky bed. Between Ingolstadt and Regensburg, the river forms a scenic canyon-like valley. At Regensburg, the Danube reaches its northernmost point, from which it veers south and crosses wide, fertile, and level country. Shortly before reaching Passau on the Austrian border, the river narrows and its bottom abounds with reefs and shoals.
The Inn River is 317 miles (510 km) long and rises in Lake Lughino in Switzerland. It flows northeast across western Austria and southern Germany, joining the Danube at Passau. The Inn is the Danube's largest upstream tributary, carrying more water than the main river.
The Salzach is 227 kilometres (141 mi) in length and forms the border between Bavaria, Germany, and the Austrian states of Salzburg and Upper Austria for almost 70 kilometres (43 mi). The river's name is derived from the German word "Salz" meaning "salt". Until the 19th century, shipping salt down the Salzach was an important part of the local economy.
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Burghausen, north of Salzburg, has the longest castle in Europe
The Austria–Germany border stretches over 817 kilometres (508 miles) and is shared by the Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria, and the German state of Bavaria. The border follows several rivers, including the Danube, Inn, and Salzach, and there are over 50 border crossings.
One of the most notable attractions near the border is Burghausen, located 50 kilometres north of Salzburg. This medieval town is home to the longest castle in Europe, which also happens to be the longest castle in the world. The castle, which is over a thousand years old, served as a prime example of Gothic fortification and was once the residence of the Bavarian dukes' consorts and widows, as well as a stronghold for ducal treasures. The fortifications were extended under the dukes of Bavaria-Landshut between 1392 and 1503, and the castle became the strongest fortress in the region under Duke Georg of Bavaria.
The castle features fortified towers, walls up to five metres thick, great halls, moats, and drawbridges. One of its distinctive features is the Pulverturm ("Powder Tower"), constructed before 1533, which protected the castle in the western valley next to the Wöhrsee lake. The castle also offers a viewing platform that provides a panoramic view of the castle grounds and the surrounding landscape.
Burghausen, nicknamed the "Pearl of the Salzach", is known for its picturesque old town, leisure activities, sports, and cultural offerings. It is located only 100 kilometres east of Munich, making it a convenient destination for travellers looking to explore the region. The town has also been featured in promotional films, showcasing its unique character and extraordinary views of the city on the Salzach River.
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The Austrian town of Suben is a highway crossing where the German A3 becomes the Austrian A8
Suben is known for the Suben Workhouse Prison, which was built in the 11th century and served as a cloister until the late 18th century. During World War II, the prison was used to incarcerate political prisoners and forced labourers, with over 700 prisoners being liberated by US troops in 1945. The prison's history during the Nazi era is a contentious issue, with the official Austrian government website portraying the townspeople and prison personnel as victims, despite evidence of a largely pro-Nazi populace.
The border between Germany and Austria stretches for 817 kilometres (508 miles), with the western tripoint located between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at Upper Lake Constance. The border follows several rivers, including the Danube, Inn, and Salzach, and runs along the western part of the Northern Limestone Alps. Several valleys also cross the border, such as the Inn Valley near Kufstein.
Travellers crossing the border between Germany and Austria may encounter border controls, with reports of random ID checks on trains and cars. However, the specific likelihood of encountering these checks may vary depending on the region and mode of transportation.
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The town of Kuchl, near the border, was featured in the opening credits of The Sound of Music
The Austria–Germany border is 817 kilometres (508 mi) long, stretching from the Czech Republic to Lake Constance. The border does not pass through any significant lakes, but it does follow the Danube, Inn and Salzach rivers. The majority of the border lies in the state of Bavaria, and there are over 50 border crossings.
For vacationers, the most relevant highway crossings at the German-Austrian border are at Kiefersfelden, Walserberg, and Suben. At Kiefersfelden, the German A93 highway merges with the Austrian A12. Kiefersfelden is about 110 kilometres from the Austrian-Italian border and the Brenner Pass. The route from Kiefersfelden via the A12 and then onto the A13 Brenner Autobahn near Innsbruck is a classic vacation route from Germany to Italy. At Walserberg, the German A8 highway becomes the Austrian West Autobahn A1 toward Vienna. The highway interchange at Walserberg connects the A1 and A10, with the A10 leading almost directly to the Slovenian border. The third highway crossing is in the Austrian town of Suben, where the German A3 becomes the Austrian A8. From the A8, travellers can continue to the A9 Pyhrn Autobahn toward Slovenia or to the A1 toward Vienna.
There are strict border controls on all German borders, and travellers are advised to carry valid passports or ID cards. Random checks are conducted on trains, and IDs are usually checked.
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Frequently asked questions
The Germany-Austria border is home to several attractions, including:
- The Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany
- The Kehlstein Haus (Eagle's Nest)
- The town of Kuchl, which was featured in the opening credits of The Sound of Music
- The city of Salzburg, which is known for its pastel-colored houses and waterfront views
- Burghausen, a town on the German/Austrian border that is home to the longest castle in Europe
- Herrenchiemsee New Palace, one of King Ludwig II's castles located on an island in Lake Chiemsee
There are over 50 border crossings at the Germany-Austrian border. The most relevant highway crossings for vacationers are Kiefersfelden, Walserberg, and Suben. At these crossings, the German A93 highway merges with the Austrian A12, the German A8 highway becomes the Austrian A1, and the German A3 becomes the Austrian A8, respectively.
As part of the EU Schengen Area, there are typically no border controls between Germany and Austria. However, temporary border controls may be reintroduced on certain occasions to ensure public order and internal security, such as during international events or in relation to the Council Presidency of the EU. Random inspections for vehicles entering Germany from Austria may also result in varying waiting times.
