traffic - ADAC: Long wait times at the beginning of travel season
The beginning of holidays in Schleswig-Holstein caused significant traffic jams on the roads in the region. Drivers had to plan for additional 30 minutes to an hour waiting times, according to an ADAC spokesperson. Traffic congestion points were reportedly on Autobahn 1 and 7 towards Hamburg and back, on the A7 before and after the Elbtunnel, or at the Rader Hochbrucke.
Due to the construction site named "Kaiserbaustelle" on Federal Highway 76 and the resulting detours, there were reportedly up to 60-minute delays in Kiel. According to the ADAC spokesperson, travelers planning to go to Kiel, the beaches along the Förde, or to cruise ships and Scandinavian ferries should plan for significantly more time.
More traffic jams expected
Similar predictions apply for the upcoming weekend. According to ADAC, travelers should expect one of the worst traffic weekends of the season. In the travel season 2023, the last July weekend was the most congested out of twelve weekend travel periods.
Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are starting their holidays this coming weekend as the last federal states. Travelers from Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern form the second wave. Among the returnees are many motorists from Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and parts of Scandinavia, where school starts again at the end of July or beginning of August.
ADAC recommends traveling as early or late as possible at night to avoid traffic. Additionally, traveling during the week, such as Tuesday to Thursday, could help travelers avoid being stuck in traffic for extended periods.
Recommendations from the Bahn
The German Railways spokesperson stated that during the summer holidays, they experience particularly high traffic volumes at weekends, especially in the middle and at the end of the holidays. Flexible travelers are advised to travel outside of weekends or in off-peak hours. However, the Bahn does not have specific numbers on the train utilization and passenger numbers available.
- The highway bridge near Kiel, typically a smooth commuting route, has become a major spot for traffic jams due to the ongoing construction project known as "Kaiserbaustelle."
- To avoid the traffic on the highway, some drivers opt for alternative modes of transport, such as the local railway, to reach their vacation destinations in Schleswig-Holstein.
- Despite the joint effort to alleviate traffic congestion, the upcoming weekend is predicted to see a renewed surge in traffic, as several federal states, including Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, begin their holidays.
- The automobile industry in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein may experience a temporary slowdown during this period, as many workers in the sector choose to embark on their vacations.
- At the end of the vacation period, the return journey from Kiel, Hamburg, and other popular vacation spots in Schleswig-Holstein is anticipated to face heavy traffic, leading to significant waiting times for motorists.
- To minimize wait times and potential delays, travelers returning from their vacations are encouraged to make the most of their journey by planning their trips during off-peak hours or utilizing the extensive railway network, which can offer a stress-free and speedier alternative to the highway.
