Holiday travel snarl-ups: Seeking workarounds for pre-vacation congestion
Summer Travel in Bavaria: A Guide to Smooth Journeys
As the summer holidays approach, Bavaria is gearing up for a surge in travelers. Nuremberg Airport expects a ten percent increase, with Antalya in Turkey being the most popular destination, followed by Mallorca. Meanwhile, Munich Airport is anticipating over 6.4 million travelers during the summer holidays from August 1st to September 15th [1][3][4].
The busiest travel routes typically involve connections between Munich and scenic or cultural destinations such as Salzburg, the Bavarian Alps including spots like Eibsee and Zugspitze, Füssen near the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, and surrounding lake regions like Chiemsee and Wolfgangsee [1][3][4]. Rail and road trip routes starting from Munich are popular, including Munich to Salzburg by bus and train, and scenic drives to castles and alpine lakes [1][4].
To ensure a smooth journey, experts offer several tips:
By Car: - Starting early and planning stops carefully helps avoid peak traffic, especially on popular scenic routes such as from Munich to Füssen or through alpine lakes [4]. Booking accommodations near popular sights like Neuschwanstein in advance eases the experience.
By Rail: - Buying and understanding tickets before the journey is important; for instance, knowing German words like "Fahrkarten" and differentiating between reservation papers and the actual ticket is recommended [2]. Also, choosing accommodations near train stations and using included local transport passes in cities improve convenience [2].
By Air: - Although not detailed in the sources, expert advice usually includes arriving early at the airport and checking in online to avoid delays, especially during peak holiday travel.
Additional tips include using guided tours when visiting major attractions (e.g., Neuschwanstein Castle requires guided tours booked online) [4] and allowing extra time for exploring popular cities such as Salzburg and Munich, making use of climate-controlled buses and combined rail-bus tours for comfort and efficiency [1].
Memmingen Airport in Swabia also expects a significant increase in travelers during the summer holidays, with the biggest rush at the beginning of the holidays, especially on the first weekend [5]. The railway line between Regensburg and Schwandorf will be closed until August 22nd, with replacement buses running between the two cities, adding about 30 minutes to the journey [2].
Travelers heading south should be aware of potential traffic jams, particularly on the A99 near Munich, A8 between Munich and Salzburg, A93 at Kiefersfelden border crossing, and before the border tunnel Füssen/Reutte [6]. The ADAC advises vacationers to plan more time and bring patience, and suggests avoiding peak times, especially on Saturdays [6].
With many people leaving their cars at the airport during the holidays, it's worth booking a parking spot in advance [7]. Long-distance traffic in and out of Vienna will be largely rerouted via Passau due to construction work [7]. Some sections of the trains to and from Klagenfurt will be canceled [5]. Many people will be heading to Austria, Croatia, Italy, and Switzerland for their holidays [5].
In summary, the busiest routes are Munich-centric journeys towards Salzburg, Bavarian lakes, and alpine castles, with expert tips emphasizing advance ticket and accommodation booking, travel timing to avoid peaks, and usage of local transport passes and guided tours to ensure smooth journeys across car, train, and bus travel modes during the Bavarian summer holidays [1][2][4].
[1] https://www.bayerische-zugspitze.de/en/travel-information/ [2] https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml [3] https://www.munich-airport.de/en/passengers/travel-information/ [4] https://www.allgau-tourismus.de/en/travel-information/ [5] https://www.memmingen-airport.com/en/ [6] https://www.adac.de/reisen/autofahrer/autobahnen/ [7] https://www.munich-airport.de/en/passengers/parking/
- To enjoy a smooth journey while traveling to Bavaria, consider booking accommodations near popular attractions such as Neuschwanstein Castle, areas around the Bavarian Alps, Lake Chiemsee, and Lake Wolfgangsee.
- As you plan your transportation during the summer holidays, be mindful of peak travel times and potential traffic congestion on roads such as A99 near Munich, A8 between Munich and Salzburg, A93 at Kiefersfelden border crossing, and before the border tunnel Fussen/Reutte.
- To ensure convenience during your travel in Bavaria, consider utilizing local transport passes when using trains, as well as guided tours for major attractions, like the Neuschwanstein Castle, which require online bookings in advance.
