Traffic jam chaos at the Elbtunnel: This is how you can get through quickly!

Traffic jam chaos at the Elbtunnel: This is how you can get through quickly!

On December 29, 2025, the Elbe Tunnel in Hamburg will once again be the focus of the traffic situation. This junction is one of the busiest in Germany and has a long list of frequent traffic jams, delays and long waiting times. This is reported by several sources, among others Travel Reporter. With over 120,000 vehicles moving every day, the Elbe Tunnel represents an important connection between northern and southern Germany.

There are currently no reported hazard types, but the winter months can also bring surprising conditions. Slippery layers of ice could become a slippery hazard, and in the past the mobile speed cameras in the tunnel had attracted additional attention. Obstacles on the road can also pose a real challenge to other road users who are careless Traffic situation notes.

Traffic jams and detours

Traffic jams are to be expected in the Elbe Tunnel, especially in the morning between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. in the north direction and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. in the south direction. The tunnel is also very busy on weekends, especially on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Here it is worth having a good knack for alternatives, such as the Elbe ferries between Blankenese and Cranz or the B404/A21 towards Lübeck. The alternative options for national traffic are quite creative, considering the high traffic load.

A particularly critical period is in the past: from December 5th to December 8th, the Elbe Tunnel was completely closed for a full 55 hours. The diversions via the A1, A21 and B205 were unavoidable in order to mitigate the impact on traffic flow.

Construction sites and infrastructure

The frequent delays and halting journeys are often due to construction sites. They are working on improving and expanding the important A7, which at over 950 kilometers is the longest motorway in Germany. This highway is not only important for Hamburg residents, but also for commuters and transit traffic.

These developments and statistics on traffic and mobility are not only of interest to drivers, but also for the planning of sustainable infrastructure in Germany. The standard work “Traffic in Numbers” ( BMV ), which has been published for over 50 years and provides insights into investments, accident statistics and transport infrastructure.

Overall, the Elbe Tunnel remains a central topic for all Hamburg residents and their visitors. Anyone who travels there regularly knows that good planning and patience are the best companions in this thicket of traffic.