Brace Yourself: Roadways Packed Due to Corpus Christi Holiday!
Heavy vehicles and frequent vehicles are causing congestion around Fronleichnam.
Prepare for bumper-to-bumper traffic on Germany's highways during the upcoming Corpus Christi holiday weekend. Some stretches may witness long traffic jams, with the chaos intensifying due to the culmination of the Pfingst holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
In brief
- Extra traffic expected on German highways due to Corpus Christi.
- Long traffic jams likely, especially in southern regions.
- Returning vacationers from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg contribute to congestion.
- Sunday sees a surge of short holidaymakers hitting the roads.
- Congestion anticipated on tourist routes in Austria and Switzerland as well.
Scoop on the Story
The Corpus Christi holiday serves as a popular travel time for many, leading to heightened traffic across the country, as per the ADAC. A perennial hotspot for congestion, the Wednesday before Corpus Christi consistently ranks among the ten busiest days of the year, traffic experts state.
Furthermore, the conclusion of the two-week Pfingst holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg will stir up an additional rush of traffic over the weekend.
Adding fuel to the fire, on Sunday, numerous holidaymakers, embarking on a quick getaway, take to the roads, further escalating the congestion on the highways.
"Particularly affected will be the major roads in the south, as well as the highways surrounding major cities," the ADAC predicts.
Traffic Jams on the following German Highways Expected
In the coming days, expect these highways in Germany to be congested in both directions. Friday should remain relatively traffic-free.
- Highways leading toward the North and Baltic Seas
- A1 Cologne - Dortmund - Münster - Osnabrück - Bremen - Hamburg
- A2 Dortmund - Hannover - Braunschweig - Magdeburg
- A1/A3/A4 Cologne Ring
- A3 Passau - Nuremberg - Frankfurt - Oberhausen
- A4 Görlitz - Dresden - Chemnitz
- A5 Basel - Karlsruhe - Heidelberg
- A6 Nuremberg - Heilbronn - Mannheim
- A7 Flensburg - Hamburg/Füssen - Ulm - Würzburg
- A8 Salzburg - Munich - Stuttgart - Karlsruhe
- A9 Munich - Nuremberg - Leipzig
- A10 Berlin Ring
- A24 Hamburg - Berlin Ring
- A61 Mönchengladbach - Koblenz - Ludwigshafen
- A81 Singen - Stuttgart - Heilbronn
- A93 Kufstein - Inntaldreieck
- A95/B2 Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Munich
- A96 Lindau - Munich
- A99 Munich bypass
Since Corpus Christi is also a holiday in Austria and Switzerland, there's a risk of congestion on the famous tourist routes such as the Brenner, Inntal, and Tauern motorways, as well as the Swiss Gotthard route.
Navigate Your Way Through the Congestion
Strategies for Germany
- Off-Peak Travel: Travel during off-peak hours, such as early morning or late evening, to minimize congestion. Keep in mind that Corpus Christi (June 19) has a truck ban from 00:00 to 22:00, which may slightly alleviate traffic, but it will still be a busy time[2].
- Alternative Routes: If possible, use smaller roads or alternative routes to bypass major highways like A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A24, A61, A81, A93, A95, A96, and A99.
- Real-Time Traffic Updates: Utilize GPS or traffic apps like Google Maps or Waze to get real-time traffic updates and reroute accordingly.
- Plan Ahead: Research for any road closures or construction before leaving. Watch out for events such as the ADAC Zurich 24h Nürburgring, which might cause additional traffic around the Nürburgring area[4].
Strategies for Austria
- Off-Peak Times: Similar to Germany, avoid traveling during peak hours. Corpus Christi has a truck ban from 00:00 to 22:00[2].
- Tourist Routes: Evade popular tourist routes, especially during peak holiday seasons when more travelers are on the road.
- Public Transport: Employ public transportation in cities to avoid driving in heavy traffic.
Strategies for Switzerland
- Seasonal Traffic: Be mindful that Switzerland is a popular tourist destination, and traffic in major tourist areas can be heavy. Alter your route to bypass these areas when possible.
- Mountain Passes: Owing to weather or traffic, mountain passes might close. Stay informed about the status of mountain passes.
- Public Transportation: Switzerland has an exceptional public transportation system. Use trains or buses to steer clear of driving in heavy traffic.
General Tips
- Depart Early: Commence your journey early to steer clear of rush hour traffic.
- Adaptability: Stay prepared to adjust your route or schedule due to traffic conditions.
- Stay Informed: Keep tabs on local news and traffic updates for any sudden developments that may impact traffic.
By adopting these strategies, you can minimize your exposure to heavy traffic during your travels. Happy and safe travels!
Amidst the Corpus Christi holiday rush, consider altering your travel plans to align with a 'home-and-garden' lifestyle, taking a break at your own residence. Alternatively, while roadways in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland remain congested, explore the local 'lifestyle' and attractions in the regions you're visiting to truly immerse yourself in the travel experience.
