Bavaria's holiday commencement causes a complete gridlock in German traffic
The summer vacation season in Bavaria is set to bring the busiest weekend of travel yet, according to the ADAC. This surge in traffic is expected to cause significant delays on the A8 motorway and the Austrian Tauern motorway, affecting not only vacationers but also returning travelers from other federal states.
Munich Airport, a major hub for travelers heading south towards Italy, Croatia, or Austria, is bracing for the influx. The airport is anticipating around 450,000 passengers this weekend, and additional staff has been deployed at check-in and baggage services to manage the increased traffic.
The congestion on the A8 between Munich and Salzburg is ongoing, with up to three hours of delays reported. Travelers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for travel.
The heavy traffic is primarily due to the start of summer holidays in several German states, leading to increased travel volumes, combined with extensive construction sites on the autobahn network. About 1,200 construction sites are causing additional slowdowns, and weekends are particularly impacted by this congestion.
Moreover, long queues and slow inch-by-inch traffic have been reported near the Austria-Germany border crossing at Salzburg, with waiting times of 30-45 minutes for just a few kilometers of travel.
Key factors contributing to these traffic delays include the summer holiday travel peak starting mid-July, increasing traffic demand significantly on major highways such as the A8. Numerous construction works across the autobahn system limit traffic flow and lane availability. Border crossing delays at Salzburg due to high volumes of travelers moving between Germany and Austria also play a significant role.
Traffic peaks occur mostly on Friday afternoons, Saturdays, and Sundays, which are typical peak travel times. Restrictions on trucks over 7.5 tons on Saturdays during July and August aim to reduce congestion, though passenger vehicle volumes remain very high.
Travelers are advised to plan their routes carefully, consider traveling on weekdays if possible, and expect prolonged journey times on the A8 between Munich and Salzburg during this peak summer travel period.
- Due to the summer holiday travel peak, many people from various federal states are adopting an 'other lifestyle' of extended travel, leading to a surge in traffic at Munich Airport and on highways like the A8.
- Despite the long delays on the A8 motorway and the congestion at Austria-Germany border crossing at Salzburg, some travelers choose to pursue their 'lifestyle of travel' amidst the weather challenges, potentially experiencing unpredictable travel times during the summer vacation season in Bavaria.
