Cesky Krumlov to Füssen Road Trip Guide: Scenic Drive

The drive from Cesky Krumlov to Füssen stretches roughly 415 kilometers, traversing three countries: Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany. The most direct route follows the E55 north from Cesky Krumlov to Linz, then continues west on the A1 through Salzburg, before turning onto the B178/B179 toward Füssen. Expect around 4.5 to 5 hours of driving without stops.

A little-known quirk: near the border crossing at Wegscheid, the road briefly enters a 1.5 km stretch of no-man’s land where GPS often loses signal. This historic corridor was once a smuggling route for salt and timber. Today, it offers a rare glimpse of pre-EU border infrastructure, dotted with abandoned guard posts.

The route slices through four distinct landscapes: the rolling hills of South Bohemia, the Danube valley around Linz, the northern limestone Alps of the Salzkammergut, and the Bavarian Alpine foothills. The most dramatic viewpoint is at the Teufelstisch (Devil’s Table) near Hintersee, a 20-minute detour off the B178.

Local commerce thrives in small village markets. In Oberammergau, known for its woodcarving, you can buy hand-carved nativity scenes. The weekly farmer’s market in Reutte (Wednesdays) sells local cheeses and alpine honey. For a curated list of stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

• UNESCO sites: Historic Centre of Cesky Krumlov, Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut (near detour).
• Hidden gem: The abandoned monastery of Kartause Gaming (off B178).
• Best photo stop: Aussichtspunkt Plansee, overlooking turquoise lake.

Fuel efficiency matters: diesel stations in Austria are generally cheaper than in Germany, with prices averaging €1.35/L vs €1.45/L. The most cost-effective refueling strategy is to fill up at the OMV station just before the German border near Salzburg. Tolls on Austrian motorways require a vignette (€9.90 for 10 days), purchased at gas stations or online.

• Key highways: E55 (Czech), A1 (Austrian), B178 (scenic route to Füssen).
• Avoid the A8 east of Munich; the B178 via Reutte is more scenic.
• Rest zones: Raststätte Leonding (km 180), Raststätte Thalgau (km 290), and the Aussichtspunkt Plansee (km 370).

Road quality is excellent throughout: Czech D3 is newly paved, Austrian A1 is smooth, and German B178 is well-maintained but winding. Single-lane sections in the Alps require caution; reduced speed limits of 70 km/h are common. Winter tires are mandatory from November to March.

Families should plan stops at the Raststätte Leonding, which has a playground and clean restrooms. For pet owners, the Tierpark Hellabrunn in Munich (1 hour detour) is a major attraction. However, more convenient is the dog-friendly rest area at Rastplatz Aurach with fenced dog runs.

Fatigue management: the most dangerous stretch is the 45-minute monotonous section between Linz and Salzburg. Use the rest stop at Enns (km 160) for a 20-minute walk. Avoid driving between 2-4 PM when drowsiness peaks.

• Emergency numbers: 112 (EU wide), 122 (fire in Czech), 144 (ambulance in Austria).
• Pet-friendly hotels: Gasthof Post in Leutasch (near Seefeld).
• Child-friendly stop: Minimundus mini theme park in Klagenfurt (south detour).