Berlin's summer vacation commences amidst music festivals, transportation issues, and some minor rail maintenance work
Heavy Traffic Expected during Berlin and Brandenburg School Holidays
During the summer holidays, road congestion in Berlin and Brandenburg is expected to be heavy, especially on major routes heading out of Berlin and towards popular holiday regions. The Automobile Club of Germany (ADAC) has warned of significant traffic delays on highways such as the A2 (Berlin to Hanover), A9, Berliner Ring, A11, and routes towards the North and Baltic Seas [1].
The school holidays in Berlin and Brandenburg began on July 25. During this period, the Berlin airport is expected to reach its peak capacity. Around 3.7 million passengers are anticipated over the summer break, with the airport experiencing high demand [2]. The first day of the school holidays is expected to cause traffic congestion in Berlin.
The Berlin S-Bahn is using the school holidays for sweeping construction work. Urgent repairs on the S-Bahn in Berlin are scheduled for the same week as the school holidays, which may contribute to additional issues [3]. However, specific information on S-Bahn system-wide issues during this period was not found in the current sources.
In the city centre, major events can cause localized road closures and subway station shutdowns, impacting transit temporarily. For instance, the "Rave the Planet" techno parade may cause street closures and potentially subway station closures due to crowding [3].
To minimize stress while leaving Berlin during the school holidays, an early departure (before 6:00) or a late-night dash after 20:00 is advised. Deutsche Bahn is adding extra RE3 services between Berlin-Gesundbrunnen and Pasewalk to accommodate the rush to the Baltic during the school holidays [4].
Hotspots for traffic congestion on the Berlin Ring include the Barnim and Havelland junctions and the A10 near the Tesla gigafactory. The Berlin Ring remains the most reliable traffic jam spot in Brandenburg during the school holidays [5].
The rail network in Berlin is expected to be under strain during the school holidays. Deutsche Bahn is adding extra services to accommodate the increased demand, making it a viable alternative for those hoping to avoid road congestion [6]. The Berlin airport is expected to experience high demand during the school holidays.
In summary, the school holidays in Berlin and Brandenburg mark an unofficial start to traffic chaos. Road congestion in Berlin and Brandenburg is heavy during summer holidays, especially on major routes heading out of Berlin and towards popular holiday regions. The rail network in Berlin is expected to be under strain during the school holidays, with Deutsche Bahn adding extra services to accommodate the increased demand. The Berlin airport is expected to reach its peak capacity during the school holidays, with around 3.7 million passengers over the summer break.
During the school holidays, travellers may wish to consider altering their lifestyle to avoid heavy traffic, especially when leaving Berlin. The school holidays in Berlin and Brandenburg can lead to an increase in weather-related issues at the airport, potentially causing delays for passengers.
