Navigating Congested Streets and Airports: Practice Patience for Bavaria's Holiday Kickoff
Starting holidays in Bavaria may initially require patience. - Necessity for Tolerance in the Initial Phase of Bavarian Vacation
Looking forward to the start of the holidays and the beginning of a lengthy Pentecost weekend, travelers in Bavaria, brace yourself for extended time spent on the road and at airports. The ADAC, Germany's largest automobile club, expects "severe traffic congestion," notably on Friday afternoon and Pentecost Monday. With pentacost approaching, both Bavaria's largest airports in Munich and Nuremberg anticipate hundreds of thousands of flight passengers during the initial holiday weekend.
Motorists, particularly those aiming for Austrian and Italian vacation spots, should tolerate extended waits on Bavarian motorways, as the ADAC advises. Key routes like the A9, A8 towards Salzburg, the A95, and the Fernpass in Tyrol are likely to experience congestion. To save time stuck in traffic, the automobile club suggests, if possible, setting off on Pentecost Sunday.
Bavarian airports anticipate millions of passengers
Passengers commencing their Pentecost holiday via air travel from Bavaria should remain flexible. Passengers in Munich and Nuremberg should factor in extra time for check-ins and security screenings, especially between Friday and Sunday. The Bavarian capital expects over 410,000 passengers alone during this period.
During the entire holiday season, both airports expect more travelers than in Pentecost 2026. Munich Airport forecasts a total of more than 2.3 million passengers, with approximately 17,000 flight operations. Nuremberg Airport expects roughly 294,000 passengers, with over 1,900 take-offs and landings. Approximately 170,000 flight passengers are expected at Allgäu Airport in Memmingen - about 11,000 more than in the Pentecost holidays of 2026.
Airport layout issues complicate Munich boarding process
Passengers keen on a stress-free boarding experience should allocate ample time at both airports. A spokesperson for Nuremberg Airport also encourages verifying the validity of your passport and ID. Munich Airport recommends packing only essential items in carry-on luggage to expedite security checks.
However, the journey to Munich Airport could pose another challenge during holiday periods: A new signal box is being installed at the Ostbahnhof which will cause line S8 on Munich's S-Bahn to run solely as replacement buses from Friday evening, June 6 to Friday morning, June 13. In this scenario, it might be worth considering setting aside extra time and traveling on line S1 from The Central Station instead.
In Nuremberg, delays in car transportation may occur: An Islamic sacrifice festival will be held in Marienbergpark on Friday, causing additional traffic due to the event on the Marienbergstraße, which leads to the airport road.
- Bavaria
- Airport
- Munich
- Holiday start
- Nuremberg
- ADAC
- Pentecost
- Patience
- Pentecost weekend
- Car
- Weekend
- Munich Airport
- Pentecost Monday
- Salzburg
- Tyrol
- Pentecost Sunday
Key insights:
- increased passenger traffic at Bavarian airports
- possible delays on major highways
- allow extra time and flexibility for travel during the Pentecost weekend.
- Given the upcoming holiday start and the beginning of a long Pentecost weekend, travelers in Bavaria should consider the severe traffic congestion anticipated at its airports and on major highways, such as the A9, A8 towards Salzburg, the A95, and the Fernpass in Tyrol.
- Motorists planning vacations in Austria or Italy should tolerate extended waits and prepare for delays on Bavarian motorways, with the ADAC advising setting off on Pentecost Sunday if possible. Passengers embarking on air travel should remain flexible and factor in extra time for check-ins and security screenings, especially between Friday and Sunday.
