Mega congestion at the Scharnitz tunnel: vacationers are stuck!

Mega congestion at the Scharnitz tunnel: vacationers are stuck!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Deutschland - The Situation on the Austrian-German border is more than tense on Saturday, June 26, 2025. At the southern portal of the Scharnitz tunnel, the traffic light switched to red, which led to a traffic chaos that reached to Zirl. Trigger for these traffic jams are increased entry controls of the federal police, which are carried out on the instructions of Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). Scharnitz's mayor Christian Sieberger describes the situation as a "catastrophe" and is concerned about the fast escape routes during this holiday, which particularly affects return travel. The speed reduction to just ten kilometers per hour contributes to the fact that the upstream of Scharnitzer becomes a trap.

The federal police justify these intensive controls with the fight against smuggling. Dr. Rainer Scharf, spokesman for the Federal Police in Rosenheim, emphasizes that it is by no means the goal of creating traffic jams, but rather to ensure security. But reality looks different-numerous vacationers who want to return home at the end of the Bavarian Pentecost holidays are stuck in the mega traffic jam. To avoid this problem, many drivers are increasingly choosing alternative routes via the Leutascher valley.

support and concern on both sides of the border

The mayors of both affected communities show different perspectives on the situation. Georgios Chrysochoidis, Mayor of Leutasch, describes the effects as noticeable, but not dramatic. In contrast, Mayor Sieberger sees the traffic situation as a long -term problem, especially with regard to the accessibility of rescue workers in critical phases. The traffic problem is not only observed by the residents, but also by campsite operators and travel companies that are increasingly concerned about possible economic losses and effects on tourism.

The increased controls are expected to continue in the coming weeks, which makes planning for travelers traveling to travel. Both mayors therefore call for decisions at a higher level to sustainably improve the current situation and to solve the cause of the traffic jam on the border in the long term. It is to be hoped that a solution will be found in the near future, which takes into account both the security needs and the mobility of travelers.

For more information about the current situation at the border, it is worth taking a look at the reporting of and tz .