Whether you’re travelling by plane, train or automobile, it's going to be busier than usual out there during the Easter getaway. But with careful preparation you can try and avoid getting stuck in a traffic jam or being late for a flight.
Travelling by plane
Passengers flying from German airports during the busy Easter period have been urged to get to the airport in plenty of time for security checks.
What might throw a spanner in the works is strike action in other countries, such as Spain. Our sister site The Local Spain has information on flights affected by the strikes.
Berlin and Brandenburg
In Berlin a record number of passengers are expected at both city airports. People flying from Tegel in the north or Schönefeld in the south have been warned to prepare for long waiting times.
Daniel Tolksdorf, airport spokesman, told the Berliner Morgenpost that the airports will handle approximately 1.3 million passengers during the holidays. This is an increase of about 20 percent from last year when around 1.1 million passengers took off and landed at the two airports.
In view of the upcoming travel rush, Tolksdorf said it was the "first major stress test for the infrastructure" this year.
On the first holiday weekend (April 13th and 14th), around 2,200 flights and about 240,000 passengers were expected in Tegel and Schönefeld. Although it was busy, there were no delays and the schedules ran according to plan.
But this weekend a lot more people are expected to pass through the capital's airports.
"The highlight will be the Easter weekend with about 400,000 passengers," Tolksdorf said.
Due to the significantly increased volume of traffic during the Easter holidays, all necessary maintenance and repair work that could impact flight operations will be carried out at night or during the low-operation period, the airport operator said.
At Munich Airport, passengers are advised that there may be longer waiting times at security control. Photo: DPA
"The ultimate goal is smooth flight operations," said Tolksdorf. In addition, the operator says it will deploy more staff at both airports during the holidays.
Since March, Schönefeld Airport has significantly increased its check-in capacities with self-service kiosks and baggage handling machines. "In Tegel, we will soon be starting self-service," said Tolksdorf. "The construction work has already been completed."
During Easter, passengers are advised to check if there are delays before the flight - and to use the online check-in service for their flight to save time queuing at the airport.
They should also arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure.
Hamburg
Anyone who’s flying from Hamburg can breathe a sigh of relief after strike action that was planned to take place over Easter by ground staff, including baggage handlers, aircraft cleaners and bus drivers, was averted.
According to the airport operators, an agreement was reached during the collective bargaining negotiations between the company that employs ground handling staff and the Verdi trade union, reported German media Wednesday.
Verdi confirmed the deal, saying employees are now satisfied. Strikes are off the table for the time being, but further talks will take place to flesh out the agreement.
It's good news for passengers since two strikes, both held over a pay dispute, had resulted in hundreds of flights being cancelled in early February and March.
Those strikes affected tens of thousands of passengers.
Nevertheless, travellers should arrive at the airport with plenty of time to get through security and check-in if they need to.
Frankfurt
According to predictions, at Frankfurt Airport, Thursday is set to be the busiest day of the holiday season. Around 209,500 passengers are expected then, reported T Online.
However, this is below last Friday’s figure when 225,000 passengers departed or arrived in Germany’s largest air hub.
SEE ALSO: Frankfurt airport offering new routes, flight frequencies
On Good Friday and Saturday, the authority, which organizes passenger and hand luggage checks with the help of private security service providers, expects 202,500 and 206,000 passengers respectively and has prepared itself accordingly. "We do not expect any major problems," said the spokesman.
On Easter Sunday, around 197,000 passengers are expected, signalling it might be a good day to travel.
Munich and Bavaria
Munich Airport expected more than 150,000 passengers on the last school day before the holidays (Friday, April 12th) and 130,000 that weekend, reported local media.
During the two-week Easter holiday period, operators expect more than two million passengers. More than 175,000 passengers are expected at Nuremberg Airport in the next two weeks.
Düsseldorf
Cologne/Bonn
Among the top destinations for Easter holidaymakers this year are the classic sun destinations, including Turkey, Spain and Italy. Apart from Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, city and business travellers will be jetting off to London, Vienna and Milan during Easter.
Kötter Aviation Security, the company responsible for passenger and baggage controls, said it had prepared for the task of getting everyone through security quickly and safely.
On the road
The German Automotive Club (ADAC) says that increased traffic is possible on the roads throughout the holiday, especially on routes to the south, where many people could be travelling to go skiing, reported German media.
The roads to coastal areas may also be busier than usual as sun-seekers bid to make the most of the spring-like temperatures with a trip to the beach.
A traffic jam in Stuttgart. Photo: DPA
Some of the most congested routes are listed below:
- Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich metropolitan areas
- A1 Hamburg - Bremen - Dortmund - Cologne
- A1/A3/A4 Cologne Ring
- A2 Oberhausen - Dortmund - Hanover - Berlin
- A3 Oberhausen - Frankfurt - Würzburg - Nuremberg - Passau
- A4 Kirchheimer Triangle - Erfurt - Dresden
- A5 Hattenbacher Triangle - Frankfurt - Karlsruhe - Basel
- A6 Kaiserslautern - Mannheim - Heilbronn - Nuremberg
- A7 Hamburg - Hannover - Würzburg - Ulm - Füssen/Reutte
- A8 Karlsruhe - Stuttgart - Munich - Salzburg
- A9 Berlin - Nuremberg - Munich
- A10 Berlin Ring
- A61 Mönchengladbach - Koblenz - Ludwigshafen
- A81 Stuttgart - Singing
- A93 Inntal triangle - Kufstein
- A95/B2 Munich - Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- A99 Munich bypass
Below you can also find the ADAC’s congestion prediction map for Easter 2019, which shows popular routes where extra traffic is possible, as well as construction work.
Map: ADAC/DPA
The ADAC advises those travelling to leave early on Thursday or Friday to try and avoid traffic jams. Similarly, for people travelling back on Easter Monday, they should try and get on the roads before the afternoon rush.
Our advice? If you're travelling with kids - and even if you aren't - make sure you have access to any Easter treats you may have received in case you get stuck in traffic and need a little pick-me-up.
Travelling by train
Lots of holidaymakers are preparing to hop on a train during the Easter getaway. Deutsche Bahn has put on extra trains on Thursday to help people reach their destinations in time for the weekend.
SEE ALSO: How tickets for long distance trains in Germany could become much cheaper
According to the rail operator, popular destinations are the picturesque south, for example Lake Constance, as well as the Baltic Sea coast. Take note that you can try and reserve a seat before you travel on long-distance trains, otherwise you could be standing.
Although trains might be busier than usual, the rush is not as bad as during the Christmas holidays.
Remember to check for any ongoing building work or disruption before heading out to catch your train. Construction work is taking place on the Hohenzollern Bridge over the Easter holidays at Cologne Central Station, reports broadcaster WDR.
Passengers have been warned to expect disruption and diversions due to two tracks being closed. Six regional lines and long-distance trans are affected.
The disruption is expected until April 29th. For up to date train information visit the DB website.
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