Carnival holidays in Bavaria are starting, with ADAC Südbayern anticipating heavy traffic on routes to ski areas. The weekend from Friday the 13th is expected to be particularly challenging due to overlapping holidays in other areas. Experts advise allowing extra time and taking precautions.
In Bavaria, the start of carnival holidays will see thousands of winter sports enthusiasts heading to the Alps, causing significant traffic jams on major routes. ADAC Südbayern forecasts packed roads and long delays, especially on key paths like the A8 toward Salzburg and the A93 Inntal motorway. The Fernpass near Füssen and Reutte will also face heavy loads.
The weekend from Friday the 13th is deemed especially hazardous. Besides Bavarian breaks, school holidays are ongoing in Saarland, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Thuringia, intensifying pressure on motorways. Alexander Kreipl of ADAC Südbayern stated: «This could further tighten the situation on Bavarian motorways. The spring holidays in the Netherlands will also be felt here.» Moreover, parts of Austria are school-free.
Construction sites exacerbate matters: In Bavaria, they impede flow, while across the border, such as on the A13 Brenner motorway, the Luegbrücke site has less impact than initially feared. Still, Kreipl cautioned: «A breakdown vehicle or accident in the construction area is enough to cause major time losses.» Similar threats exist in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.
To avoid issues, traffic experts suggest checking current conditions, planning buffer time, or traveling off-peak. For trips to ski resorts, full winter gear is vital, including chains if needed. Through-traffic bans apply on the A8, A93, and B2, and restrictions along the A7 in Ostallgäu have been imposed to protect villages.
