Traffic in Bavaria, Germany, comes to a standstill at the onset of holiday season
With the summer holidays in full swing in Bavaria, travellers are facing challenges on popular routes across Germany.
Munich Airport, a hub for many holidaymakers, is experiencing unprecedented levels of activity. Approximately 450,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport this weekend, necessitating the deployment of additional staff for check-in and baggage services. However, the increased travel during the summer holidays has resulted in long lines at the airport.
On the roads, the A8 highway between Munich and Salzburg is a particular concern, with heavy traffic congestion causing significant delays. Delays of up to three hours are not uncommon, especially on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons, due to the holiday travel peak and extensive construction work on German autobahns. This route is a main corridor for travelers heading towards Austria and southeastern Europe, contributing to the bottlenecks.
Other major travel routes in Germany, including autobahns A2, A4, A6, A24, A31, and A45, are also experiencing congestion due to the summer holiday surge. To alleviate some of the traffic load, there is a truck driving ban on Saturdays from July 1 to August 31 (7 AM to 8 PM) on heavily used highways.
Travellers aiming for destinations beyond Salzburg, such as Vienna and Hungary, are advised to plan ahead. Routes from Germany via Salzburg continue toward Austria (A1) and then to Hungary, but border crossings may experience delays due to new controls. Extra time should be allocated when crossing into neighbouring countries.
The traffic congestion on the A8 motorway is still ongoing, causing delays for vacationers. Those travelling south towards Italy, Croatia, or Austria should expect heavy traffic. Traffic jams are also reported on the Austrian Tauern motorway.
To avoid delays and congestion, travellers are advised to plan their travel accordingly. Weekdays, when possible, are a better time to travel to avoid peak traffic periods. The high volume of returning traffic from other federal states is contributing to the full roads, so be prepared for long journeys.
Whether you're flying or driving, the summer holidays in Bavaria require preparation for delays. With some planning and patience, however, a successful holiday is still within reach.
Other travelers might consider alternative lifestyle choices, such as adopting more flexible work arrangements or working remotely, to avoid the weather-related headaches of heavy traffic and weather-forecasting issues during peak holiday periods.
Travelers heading to southeastern Europe could consider monitoring weather-forecasting updates, as unpredictable summer weather could potentially disrupt their journey, particularly if they plan to visit countries with mountainous terrains.
