Border crossing by car

I've crossed Germany-Switzerland both ways (at Basel). It is almost nothing. No passport checks as both are in Schengen, but there is a customs check as Switzerland is not in the EU.

Germany-Austria, Austria-Chechia, and Czechia-Germany are nothing more than a sign you pass by. All are in the EU and Schengen.

However, be aware of the need for vignettes for Switzerland and Austria.

Thank you so much for the positive review and help. I was concerned with what I have been reading about more extensive border checks recently with immigration concerned by new German leader. Have read there is 1 to 2 hour waiting times in some places and busy part of the day.

What you’ve been reading is correct. There are occasional border controls done by German border police. When in place, these border controls can indeed cause delays of 1 to 2 hours. These border control checks however are not structural because the Schengen Treaty doesn’t allow that, so it’s difficult to give a straight answer to your question. Google maps usually gives a pretty good estimation of the actual driving time and it will also indicate if there is a traffic jam at the border which means there are border controls in place.

So, none of this is true? Thats a relief.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/austria-joins-poland-italy-france-germany-and-other-major-european-countries-in-reinstating-border-controls-in-2025-what-are-the-latest-advisories-and-how-will-it-impact-travel-here-is-all-you-ne/

It really depends on the route you're taking. I cross into France and Luxembourg with regularity, and the A4/6 Autobahn is always manned. Other places, not so much, although they can be. I have been in line crossing at Switzerland and Austria (into Germany) also.

This is one of those things, where if you have not been on the roads in the last year, you need to realize things have changed.

And, on the ICE to Paris (and back) last week both ticket and passports were checked, both ways.

What might be a good time to plan border crossings.

In most cases it is likely a good idea to avoid rush-hour times. In Europe some people work or shop in close neighbor countries.

Edit: ensure that rental contract includes allowance to enter Czech Republic because some car firms such as Sixt have this country classified as zone which limits offered car brands and models (example Sixt conditions in Germany).

Crossing between Germany and Austria is like going from NY to NJ here. Only a sign. We did this this past December multiple times.

I would read that link above. The border situation being discussed changed quite a bit since what it was 9 months ago in 2024.

About six weeks ago on a Saturday morning in July I crossed from Czech Republic to Germany (traveling Prague to Leipzig) on a FlixBus. The border check took only a few minutes: the German officer came aboard and asked to see our IDs. No Customs, only ID check.

I drove between Strasbourg and Germany numerous times about a month ago because of some automobile issues. There were no delays.