Holiday Season Kickoff Brings Long Waits - Are Other Options Available? - Delays on roads prior to the vacation commencement - are there viable options for travel?
Bavarian summer holidays are fast approaching, and with the return of tourism, travelers can expect a surge in activity across various modes of transport. Here's a breakdown of the busiest travel times and routes for car, plane, and train travel during this period.
Car Travel
Peak traffic congestion in Bavaria typically occurs at the start of its six-week summer holiday, beginning early August in 2025. Popular road trip routes include scenic drives such as from Munich to Berchtesgaden (about 1.5 hours), often used for accessing Alpine destinations and nature sights. Roads leading into the Alpine region and towards South Tyrol or Tyrol are especially busy due to high domestic tourism demand. Major highways to popular destinations like Salzburg and across Bavaria see heavy flows.
Train Travel
Trains connecting Munich with Alpine tourist destinations like Berchtesgaden have high occupancy during summer holidays, with 2.5-hour journeys and good service frequency. The demand spikes at the start of Bavaria's holidays and weekends. The availability of regional tickets like the “Bayern-Ticket” facilitates day trips but also reflects crowded conditions during peak holiday periods.
Plane Travel
Air traffic to Alpine regional airports serving Tyrol and Bavaria shows growth reflecting increased tourism in the summer of 2025, with positive trends in arrivals and occupancy. Airlines and tourism officials anticipate higher demand in airports connected to Bavarian summer vacation hotspots, especially mid-summer.
Expert Tips for Smooth Travel
- For car trips, experts suggest starting journeys early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak traffic hours, and planning routes that avoid congested highways where possible. Renting a compact economy car like a Volkswagen Golf is recommended for easier maneuvering and fuel economy.
- Using regional public transport tickets such as the Bayern-Ticket can help simplify train and bus travel, offering unlimited transport across Bavaria on the chosen day and reducing hassle when visiting multiple locations independently.
- Booking accommodations and transport in advance is advised due to heavy demand. Joining guided tours for specific popular sites like the Eagle’s Nest can relieve logistical challenges and avoid waiting times.
- Travelers should be aware that staggered holiday schedules across Germany’s federal states help spread tourist flows temporally and geographically, which can be leveraged for less crowded travel if planning flexibility is possible.
As the summer holidays approach, travelers should prepare for potential traffic congestion on highways. Munich Airport expects over 45,000 take-offs and landings, slightly more than last year, with around 425,000 passengers over the first holiday weekend alone. Memmingen Airport in Swabia expects a record 540,000 travelers during the summer holidays.
The ADAC predicts particularly heavy traffic around Munich on the A99, and there will be heavy traffic before the Füssen/Reutte border tunnel. Some sections of the train route to Klagenfurt will not have trains from August 1 to 18, and many trains between Munich and Venice or Bologna will be canceled from August 11. There will also be heavy traffic along the A8 between Munich and Salzburg, and the line between Regensburg and Schwandorf will be closed until August 22, with replacement buses adding about 30 minutes to the journey.
Deutsche Bahn will provide replacement buses for local traffic and reroute most long-distance traffic to and from Vienna via Passau due to construction. Nuremberg Airport expects over 720,000 passengers during the summer holidays, a 10% increase from last year.
The ADAC warns of long traffic jams, stating that a jam-free journey to the south seems almost impossible. Airports could also be crowded during the holiday season, and the ADAC expects heavy traffic not only on the first two holiday weekends but also around the public holiday of Maria Himmelfahrt on August 15. There will be heavy traffic on the A93 at the Kiefersfelden border crossing.
It's essential to plan ahead and be prepared for potential congestion to ensure a smooth journey during Bavarian summer holidays. By following expert tips and being aware of the busiest travel times and routes, travelers can make the most of their holidays and enjoy their destinations without unnecessary stress.
- Following the increasing demand for vocational training programs due to the surge in travel activities during the Bavarian summer holidays, many institutions are providing specialized classes on car-maintenance to cater to the growing need for well-maintained vehicles among travelers.
- As travelers embark on their vacations during the Bavarian summer holidays, adopting a lifestyle that includes prioritizing early morning or late evening departures for car trips, or purchasing regional train tickets like the Bayern-Ticket for smoother train and bus travel, can contribute to a more sustainable and less stressful holiday experience.
