Ruqayyah Snyder
Germany and Austria share an 817-kilometre-long border, with the Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria and the German state of Bavaria running along the international border. The closest German city to Austria is, therefore, Munich, which is near the Austrian city of Salzburg. Salzburg is known for its beautiful old town and prominent castle floating high above.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| German city closest to Austria | Salzburg |
| Distance between Salzburg and the German border | 19 km |
| Border length | 817 km (508 mi) |
| Straight-line distance between endpoints | 345 km (214 mi) |
| Border crossings | Jungholz, Kleinwalsertal |
| Border crossings by road | Jungholz, Kleinwalsertal |
| Rivers crossed by the border | Danube, Inn, Salzach, Leiblach |
| Mountain ranges along the border | Northern Limestone Alps |
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What You'll Learn
The German cities closest to Salzburg, Austria
The German state of Bavaria shares an 817-kilometre-long border with Austria. The Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria run along the international border. The closest German cities to Salzburg, Austria, are therefore likely to be found in Bavaria.
One source suggests that the village of Groedig, 10 kilometres south of Salzburg, is a great place to stay. It is located at the base of the Untersberg mountain. Another source recommends staying in St. Gilgen, which is likely to be St. Gilgen in the German state of Bavaria, as it is close to Salzburg.
The town of Berchtesgaden is also mentioned as a place to collect a rental car, so it is likely close to Salzburg. The same source mentions Bad Reichenhall, which is also probably a German town close to Salzburg.
The German city of Fussen is also mentioned in relation to trips to Salzburg, although it is unclear how close it is.
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The German-Austrian border
The border between Germany and Austria is 815.9 km (507.0 mi) or 817.0 km (507.7 mi) long, and it is the longest international border of Austria. It is also the tied longest border of Germany with another country, the other being the border with the Czech Republic, which is of the same length. The border runs roughly from east to west in its western part, but from a point south of Salzburg to its eastern end at the tripoint of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, it runs in a mainly northeastward direction. The western end is located at the border tripoint of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, within the Obersee part of Lake Constance (or Bodensee in German). The exact course of the international borders within Lake Constance has never been defined.
The Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria run along the international border, as does the German state of Bavaria. The border does not pass through any significant lakes besides Lake Constance, but it follows the Danube, Inn, and Salzach rivers along the eastern part and the Leiblach in its western part. The Inn Valley near Kufstein is one of the few valleys that cross the border. Jungholz and Kleinwalsertal are two Austrian pene-exclaves that can only be reached by road through German territory.
The border was confirmed in a treaty between the countries in 1972, after having been defined by a number of agreements and conflicts between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria in the 19th century. In 1938, the countries merged through the Anschluss, but this was reverted in 1955 by the Austrian State Treaty, which re-established Austria as a sovereign state. Border controls at the border were removed in 1997 with the Schengen Area, but temporary controls were reinstalled in 2015 in response to the European migrant crisis.
Salzburg, a city in Austria, is close to the German border. It offers beautiful views of the Eastern Alps and has a sense of medieval and baroque history, with a beautiful old town and a prominent castle floating high above.
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Transport between Austria and Germany
The Austria-Germany border is 817 kilometres (508 mi) long, and the two countries are separated by the Danube, Inn, and Salzach rivers, as well as the Northern Limestone Alps. There are several transport options for travelling between Austria and Germany, including by plane, train, bus, car, or night train.
By Plane
Flights between Germany and Austria are available, with prices ranging from $140 to $410 and a total travel time of 3 hours and 42 minutes. Innsbruck Airport (INN), also known as Krannebitten Airport, is Austria's main hub for skiers, with flights available from several European airlines. Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart is another airport close to the German border, offering additional flights during the peak ski season.
By Train
There is no direct train from Germany to Austria. However, there are services departing from S+U Alexanderplatz Bhf and arriving at Marxergasse via Berlin Hbf, Praha Hlavni Nadrazi, and Hauptbahnhof S+U. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11 hours and 25 minutes and costs between $45 and $120. Tickets for trains between Germany and Austria can be purchased for as little as EUR 23.99 with the saver fare Europe option.
By Bus
The bus is the most affordable way to get from Germany to Austria, with tickets costing between $55 and $80. The journey takes about 9 hours and 44 minutes.
By Car
The road distance between Germany and Austria is 419 miles. Carpooling services, such as Blablacar, are available for ridesharing options between the two countries.
By Night Train
The night train is another option for travelling between Germany and Austria, with a total journey time of 3 hours and 37 minutes.
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The landscape of the border
The German-Austrian border is characterized by a diverse and often dramatic landscape, with mountains, rivers, and lakes shaping the frontier between the two countries. The border stretches for over 600 miles (800 kilometers), from the Swiss border in the west to the Czech Republic in the east. One of the most distinctive features of this border is its mountainous terrain, with the Bavarian Alps and the Karwendel range dominating the southern frontier. These mountains form a natural barrier, with peaks rising to over 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). The highest point along the border is the Zugspitze, which, at 2,962 meters (9,718 feet), is Germany's highest peak. These alpine regions are known for their dramatic scenery, with steep cliffs, glaciers, and picturesque valleys. The mountains offer a range of outdoor activities, from skiing and mountaineering to hiking and mountain biking.
Moving away from the alpine regions, the border landscape changes to include rolling hills, lush valleys, and picturesque lakes. One of the most famous lakes straddling the border is Lake Constance (Bodensee), which is shared between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This large lake is known for its clear waters, beautiful islands, and charming lakeside towns, such as Lindau and Bregenz. The border region is also home to numerous other lakes, including Chiemsee in Germany and Mondsee in Austria, which offer opportunities for swimming, boating, and watersports.
The border is crossed by several major rivers, including the Danube, Inn, and Salzach. These rivers have played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of the region, providing trade routes and natural boundaries. The Danube, in particular, has been an important waterway for centuries, connecting Vienna and the heart of Austria to the German cities of Passau and Regensburg. Today, river cruises along the Danube are a popular way to explore the border region, taking in the scenic landscapes and historic towns and castles along the way.
The German-Austrian border also encompasses areas of cultural and historical significance. One notable example is the town of Passau, located at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This picturesque town, with its medieval old town and stunning baroque architecture, has been an important cultural center for centuries. Another notable site is the medieval fortress of Kufstein, located on the Austrian side of the border, which has guarded the strategic route through the Inn Valley since the 13th century.
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The history of the border
The border between Germany and Austria was established in 1871, and it is the longest border for both countries, stretching 817 kilometres (508 miles) long. The border mainly consists of Alpine mountain ranges, including the Northern Limestone Alps, and follows the Danube, Inn and Salzach rivers in its eastern part, and the Leiblach river in the west. The German state of Bavaria and the Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria run along the international border. The western tripoint is shared between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and the eastern tripoint is shared by Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
During the Cold War, the border became part of the "Iron Curtain", separating Western and Eastern Europe. The Schengen Area agreement in 1997 removed border controls, facilitating cross-border cooperation. However, in 2015, temporary border controls were reinstated in response to the European migrant crisis.
The border between Germany and Austria has a rich history shaped by the complex dynamics of the region. The two countries share cultural and linguistic ties, which have facilitated cooperation and contributed to the stability of their shared border.
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Frequently asked questions
The German city closest to Austria is Munich.
The distance between Munich and the Austrian border is approximately 145 km (90 miles).
Yes, other large German cities within a few hours' drive of Austria include Dresden, Ingolstadt, and Frankfurt.
