Where drivers in Germany can expect the worst traffic around Ascension Day
Ascension Day (
Christi Himmelfahrt
) commemorates Christ's ascension to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. The holiday, which is also known as
Vatertag,
or Father's Day, in Germany, always falls on a Thursday -- this year on May 29th.
The following Friday is officially school-free in Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – and in numerous individual schools in other states.
With many workers also taking the Friday off as a
Brückentag
, or bridge day, the German roads and highways will be extra busy.
Here's where traffic is expected to be the most intense over the holiday weekend.
Germany's largest motoring club,
the ADAC,
has warned of heavy traffic jams due to the increased volume of drivers, as well as around 1,200 road works across the
Autobahn
network.
'There is a particular risk of traffic jams on the motorways near urban centres, the travel routes towards the Alps and the coast and on the access routes to local recreation areas,' the ADAC announced.
Traffic jams are expected to begin as early as Wednesday, ramping up in the afternoon between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
But as of 11a.m. Wednesday morning, traffic jams were reported in the Hamburg area, with vehicles at a standstill on the A7 between Fleestedt and the Elbe tunnel in the direction of Flensburg.
The most congested day of the year
Days around the Ascension Day holiday are known to be among the busiest days of the year on German roads.
In 2024, the day before Ascension Day was one of the most congested days of the year.
The wave of returning travellers is expected to reach its peak on Sunday afternoon and continue into the evening.
In comparison, it should be relatively quiet on the
Autobahn
network on Friday and Saturday, making these days more ideal if you're planning a daytrip.
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International travellers should also bear in mind that Ascension Day is also public holiday in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Longer than usual travel times are expected on the Tauern, Fernpass, Brenner, Rhine Valley, and Gotthard routes.
Many vacationers from southern Germany are heading to Italy. Despite major construction on the Brenner Pass, the route is expected remain open with two lanes in both directions.
Germany's busiest roads
Experts say the following routes are particularly prone to traffic jams over the long weekend:
A1 Köln – Hamburg
Kölner Ring (A1/A3/A4)
A2 Berlin – Dortmund
A3 Köln – Nürnberg
A4 Görlitz – Chemnitz
A5 Heidelberg – Karlsruhe
A6 Heilbronn – Nürnberg
A7 Hamburg – Flensburg und Würzburg – Füssen/Reutte
A8 Stuttgart – Salzburg
A9 München – Berlin
A10 Berliner Ring
A24 Hamburg – Berliner Ring
A81 Heilbronn – Singen
A93 Inntaldreieck – Kufstein
A95/B2 München – Garmisch-Partenkirchen
A96 München – Lindau
A99 Autobahnring München
Tighter controls on the borders
If you are travelling across international borders this weekend, don't forget to plan for longer than usual waiting times on your return journey as a result of increased border controls.
Under current rules, all travellers, including children, are required to carry identification documents.
READ ALSO:
How long can Germany keep its tighter border controls in place?
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