Berlin's summer vacation commences with concerts, disruptions, and minor train maintenance
Heavy Traffic and Rail Congestion Expected During Berlin and Brandenburg School Holidays
Travelers in Berlin and Brandenburg should brace themselves for heavy traffic and rail congestion during the summer school holidays, which began on July 25. The first weekend of the vacation period (July 25-27) is expected to be the busiest, with significant delays expected on key highways and rail routes.
The first weekend of the summer holidays is traditionally the peak period for traffic jams due to many travelers heading out and others returning from vacations in nearby states like Saxony and Thuringia. Additionally, Fridays tend to be busy at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, with notable passenger peaks observed on Fridays such as June 6, 2025.
Potential hotspots and major congested routes include highways leading toward the North and Baltic Sea coasts, the A2 motorway between Berlin and Hanover, the A9 motorway (Berlin to southern Germany), the Berliner Ring (circumferential highway around Berlin), the A11 connecting Berlin to Dreieck Uckermark, and the A24 highway.
Travelers are advised to anticipate significant delays on these highways and plan accordingly, particularly on weekends marking the beginning and middle of the vacation season. The Berlin Ring, in particular, is expected to be a major congestion point, with hotspots at the Barnim and Havelland junctions and the A10 near the Tesla gigafactory.
The rail network in Berlin is also expected to be bursting at the seams during the school holidays. The S-Bahn, which is part of the rail network, is using the school holidays for sweeping construction work. Urgent rail repairs are scheduled on the S-Bahn during the same week as the school holidays. Deutsche Bahn is adding extra RE3 services between Berlin-Gesundbrunnen and Pasewalk to accommodate the rush to the Baltic.
The number of passengers at BER airport is expected to reach 85,000 on Friday, the highest daily total this year. While air travel at Berlin Brandenburg Airport is experiencing moderate growth overall in 2025, summer schedule reductions by some airlines like Ryanair have slightly dampened summer traffic. However, airport Fridays remain busy.
To avoid the worst of the traffic and rail congestion, travelers are advised to consider an early departure (before 6:00) or a late-night dash after 20:00. The school holidays mark the unofficial start of traffic issues in Berlin and Brandenburg, so planning ahead is crucial for a stress-free journey.
Due to increased travel activity during the summer school holidays in Berlin and Brandenburg, travelers may find their lifestyle disrupted by heavy traffic and rail congestion, with the first weekend (July 25-27) being especially busy. Moreover, the weather could potentially exacerbate the traffic situation, as unusually hot or wet conditions might lead to unexpected road blockages or delays.
