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Elbe tunnel closure: traffic chaos for cruise guests at the weekend!
Due to the Elbe Tunnel closure on December 3rd, 2025, drivers in Hamburg Heimfeld should allow more time for the journey. Traffic jam expected!
Elbe tunnel closure: traffic chaos for cruise guests at the weekend!
It's going to be crowded again in Hamburg this weekend, as two cruise ships are heading for the North Sea. The AIDAnova sets sail on Saturday, while the MSC Poesia sets off on Sunday. But drivers and cruise guests have to prepare for a challenging journey because the Elbe Tunnel remains closed this weekend.
How North24 reported, the tunnel between Hamburg-Stellingen and Hamburg-Heimfeld will be closed in both directions from Friday evening at 10 p.m. to Monday morning at 5 a.m. The traffic authority therefore recommends avoiding the area as far as possible. All other connections to the cruise terminal are also affected. Drivers starting their journey at the port should allow enough time to be on board on time.
Traffic chaos due to construction sites and football games
In addition to the closure of the Elbe Tunnel, there is another traffic obstacle this weekend. A Bundesliga game between Hamburger SV and Werder Bremen could further aggravate the situation as many fans will also be out and about on the streets. Bottlenecks are therefore inevitable. Authorities expect traffic jams early on Saturday caused by cruise guests trying to meet their check-in times and football fans.
Diversions have been put in place to improve traffic flow. The routes listed take the A1, A21 and B205 to avoid the area affected by the closure. These measures affect not only cruise departures, but also general traffic, which is expected to increase in the next few days.
Long-term infrastructure changes
But this closure is just one of several that are currently taking place in connection with the expansion of the A7 motorway. How NDR reports, the A7 will be expanded from six to eight lanes, which will also lead to these traffic restrictions. The closure of the A7 from December 5th to 8th is only part of the comprehensive measures to improve traffic flow in the region. From Friday, December 5th, driveways will also be gradually closed from 9 p.m.
Significant traffic restrictions are also expected on the A1 and other important roads around Hamburg. The Altona noise protection tunnel, which is scheduled to be completed by 2028, is also part of these long-term plans, which aim to improve the quality of life of residents.
A smooth arrival therefore requires good planning and foresight: cruise guests should definitely find out about the current traffic situation and allow for generous time buffers. How Cruise Ahoy notes, an early departure could help with stress on the day of arrival, while at the same time the cruise terminals remind people to stick to check-in times.
If you think this is an unfortunate situation, despite the circumstances you can still look forward to the upcoming cruise with a good hand. Plan ahead of time so that you can enjoy the anticipation uninterrupted!