# Summer holiday return travel and traffic in Germany and AT

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/summer-holiday-travel-and-traffic-in-germany
> Updated: 2026-09-09T03:31:52.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 3.

As summer holidays conclude in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and parts of Austria, a major wave of return travel is expected between September 11 and 13. The ADAC predicts heavy traffic, particularly on routes heading north from the south and from coastal areas, with peak congestion anticipated on Friday afternoons and evenings, Saturday mornings, and throughout much of Sunday.

In Germany, significant delays are expected on the A1, A2, A3, A5, A7, A8, and A9 motorways. Specific concerns include the A96 near Lindau toward Munich and the B31 in the Lake Constance region. Traffic flow is further complicated by approximately 1,000 construction sites and planned closures, such as the A7 between Hamburg-Stellingen and Hamburg-Heimfeld. Some Bavarian districts have implemented transit bans on local roads to mitigate highway congestion.

In the Allgäu region, traffic is expected to be heavily impacted by the start of the Viehscheid (cattle drive) season. Major bottlenecks are anticipated around Bad Hindelang, Oberstaufen, Balderschwang, and Schöllang due to thousands of visitors. Additionally, construction on the B19 and the B19/A980 junction near Waltenhofen may cause further delays, affecting both motorists and rail or bus commuters. Experts from ADAC and ACE warn of a major return wave on routes connecting Italy and Austria to Germany via the Brenner Pass, Fernpass, and the Grenztunnel.

In the Alpine region, the A13 Brenner motorway in Tyrol is experiencing major bottlenecks at the Luegbrücke due to renovations of the 50-year-old structure. To manage this, authorities have implemented temporary two-lane traffic flow on weekends and holidays, alongside occasional truck driving bans. Additionally, nighttime closures at the Pfändertunnel—where only the western tube is available for both directions between 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM—are expected to cause delays. High-risk routes in Austria also include the A1, A10, A11, and A12.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Allgäu traffic expected to surge due to holidays and Viehscheid

Heavy traffic and congestion are expected in the Allgäu region due to the end of summer holidays and the start of the Viehscheid cattle drive season.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sbr-pieschen-discusses-urban-development-and-preservation

### 2026-09-07: Germany and Austria face heavy holiday return traffic

Heavy traffic and significant highway congestion are expected from September 11–13 as summer holidays end in southern Germany and Austria, affecting major motorways and transit routes.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-germany-expects-heavy-traffic-as-summer-holidays-end

### 2026-08-13: Germany faces holiday-related traffic surges and regional closures

Assumption Day holiday regulations cause regional differences in Germany, while summer vacation endings and holidays trigger heavy return traffic and a trend toward budget-friendly neighboring travel.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-republic-leads-as-top-value-destination-for-german-travelers

---
Cite as: Summer holiday return travel and traffic in Germany and AT. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/summer-holiday-travel-and-traffic-in-germany