Kapıkule Border Crossing hits three-year vehicle exit record

The expatriate travel season in Turkey is nearing its end, with significant congestion reported at border crossings as citizens return to Europe. Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer announced that since the season began on June 22, approximately 3.7 million passengers and 1 million vehicles have passed through four border gates.

A record-breaking day occurred on August 27 at the Kapıkule Border Crossing, which connects Turkey to Bulgaria, with 5,587 vehicles exiting in a single day—the highest number in the last three years. While peak times on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays can see waiting periods reach up to two hours, Sezer noted that average wait times have decreased to 27 minutes compared to 39 minutes last year, thanks to improved coordination with Bulgarian authorities.

In addition to managing traffic, officials are addressing issues regarding highway and bridge toll collection and traffic fines. Approximately 1,471 customs and security personnel are currently deployed 24/7 to manage the flow. Political figures, including Edirne Deputy Mehmet Akalın, have also visited the border to meet with travelers and document the administrative and social challenges they face in Europe.