Файл:DeutschesEck.pngOverview of the most important transport routes in the region (large map), "Kleines Deutsches Eck" (l.below), Rosenheimer Kurve (l. above)
The Deutsches Eck ("German Corner") is the name given to the shortest and most convenient road and railway link between the Austrian metropolitan region of Salzburg and the Tyrolean Unterland with the state capital Innsbruck.
Due to the mountainous landscape and the irregular course of the border, the main transport routes to the western Austrian states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg pass through the territory of the German state of Bavaria. While an alternative, albeit longer, all-Austrian Salzburg-Tyrol Railway exists, there is no continuous, intra-Austrian motorway route between the states of Salzburg and Tyrol.
A larger railway and autobahn (motorway) link runs from Salzburg westwards along the northern rim of the Chiemgau Alps to the Bavarian town of Rosenheim, then turns south through the Inn valley to reach the Tyrolean border at Kufstein.
A smaller highway connection leads from the southwestern outskirts of Salzburg at Wals-Siezenheim over the border on the German Bundesstraße 21 along the Saalach river via Bad Reichenhall to Unken and Lofer in the Austrian Pinzgau region. As in Austria, studded winter tyres are admitted (while prohibited in the rest of Germany) to avoid drivers having to change tyres.
Since Austria joined the Schengen Area in 1997, all border controls have been abolished, allowing travellers to move freely between both countries.
