Germany's transport network sees summer delays on rail and highways

A recent ADAC quality check of Deutsche Bahn found that while ICE trains score well on comfort, punctuality and reliability are poor. Of 118 scheduled long‑distance trips, only 104 ran and just 43 arrived on time, a 41 % punctuality rate. Only 44 % of connections were met. The main causes cited were signal failures, construction work and staff shortages, with information inconsistencies also reported.

Meanwhile, the German automobile clubs ACE and ADAC warn of a major summer travel wave on the highways from 3 to 5 July. Routes toward the Alps, the North and Baltic Sea coasts and the Mediterranean are expected to be heavily congested, intensified by roughly 1,000 ongoing road works. Travel is advised on weekdays, especially early mornings or at night, to avoid the worst traffic jams.