Austria is once again facing a busy travel weekend, with numerous traffic jams and delays expected on the country's main transport routes. The upcoming Assumption of Mary holiday on Thursday, August 15, 2024, gives many travelers the opportunity to take advantage of a long weekend.
At the same time, the summer holiday season is ending in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, which is generating additional return traffic. In addition, events such as the Moto GP in Spielberg and the Frequency Festival in St. Pölten are causing traffic congestion.
Traffic forecasts and hotspots
According to traffic experts from ÖAMTC and ARBÖ, there will be significant traffic disruptions on Austrian motorways and federal highways this weekend. Transit routes, which are traditionally heavily used, will be particularly affected by the increased traffic volume. The most problematic routes include:
- Fernpass (B179/B189): Block handling is expected here, especially between the Inn Valley and Füssen.
- Border crossings: There will be long waiting times, especially at border crossings such as Spielfeld (A9) and the Karawanks Tunnel (A11).
- Tauern motorway (A10): Traffic jams are to be expected here, especially in the tunnel areas.
- West Autobahn (A1): Delays in the Walserberg area and in the greater Linz, Salzburg and Vienna areas.
- Pyhrn motorway (A9): Construction sites and tourist traffic are causing bottlenecks, particularly in the sections between Inzersdorf and Klaus and in front of the Gleinalm tunnel.
Influence of major events
In addition to general travel, a number of major events will also place additional strain on the traffic situation:
- Moto GP in Spielberg (August 16-18, 2024): Around 170.000 motorsport fans will make the pilgrimage to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, which will lead to significant delays on the access roads. The Murtal expressway (S36) and the Gaberl road (B77) will be particularly affected. Arrivals will start in full swing from 8:00 a.m., while departures on Sunday will cause traffic jams.
- Frequency Festival in St. Pölten (14-17 August 2024): The music festival attracts over 100.000 visitors, which causes traffic jams, especially on the access roads to St. Pölten, such as the Mariazeller Straße (B20) and the Westautobahn (A1). Arrival is spread over several days, while departure mainly takes place on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Safety measures and recommendations
The traffic experts strongly advise avoiding travel during busy rush hours. If you have the opportunity, you should choose alternative routes or use public transport to avoid the traffic junctions. Early arrival is particularly recommended when travelling to and from major events to avoid long traffic jams.
For travelers who cannot do without a car, the following measures are recommended:
- Food and drinks: Make sure you have enough food and non-alcoholic drinks with you.
- Patience: Be prepared for longer waiting times and allow enough time.
- Alternative routes: Think in advance about possible alternative routes to avoid traffic jams.
The coming weekend promises to be a test of patience for many travelers in Austria. The combination of return traffic, events and the long weekend due to the Assumption of Mary will put a lot of strain on the traffic situation on Austrian roads. Anyone who can should adjust their travel plans accordingly in order to avoid the worst traffic bottlenecks. For those who rely on their car, thorough preparation is essential in order to deal with the traffic chaos as calmly as possible.
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