Traffic jam hell Elbtunnel: Tips for stress-free driving in Hamburg!

Traffic jam hell Elbtunnel: Tips for stress-free driving in Hamburg!

In Hamburg, the Elbe Tunnel is still one of the busiest intersections in Germany. This is particularly evident in the frequent traffic jams and long waiting times that are typical there. How Travel reporter According to reports, over 120,000 vehicles travel through the almost 3,400 meter long tunnel every day, which represents a central connection between northern and southern Germany. The traffic situation is continuously provided via an automatically updated overview so that drivers are always informed.

In recent weeks, the traffic situation at the Elbe Tunnel has become more complex due to construction sites and high traffic volumes. Final full closures must also be planned: From Friday, December 5th, 2025, 10 p.m. to Monday, December 8th, 2025, 5 a.m., Autobahn 7 will be completely closed in this area. From 9 p.m. on Friday, the driveways will also be affected. Alternatives offer diversions via the A1, A21 and B205, but these are also jerky, especially at peak times.

Know and experience traffic jams

When is the best time to use the Elbe Tunnel? In the morning between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. the northbound direction is heavily congested, while in the afternoon from around 3 p.m. traffic to the south comes to a standstill. It gets particularly frustrating on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings - when everything is often backed up. Even on Sundays from late afternoon onwards, the metal columns can stretch well into the night.

A practical option to avoid traffic jams is to use the Elbe ferries between Blankenese and Cranz or Glückstadt and Wischhafen - although you should also note the limited capacity here. For national traffic, the A1 over the Elbe bridges or the B404/A21 towards Lübeck are ideal. Anyone who is familiar with Hamburg's inner routes can also use internal bypasses.

Current border crossing information

It is important for travelers from Denmark to Germany to find out in advance about possible waiting times at the border crossings. Loud Denmark.guide Real-time data is available that shows the traffic situation using a traffic light system: green means free travel, yellow means moderate delays, and red means longer waiting times. This information helps drivers plan better before setting off.

A look at the years of traffic development in Germany shows that a continuous increase in traffic volume can be observed, as in the report by BMV is held. This also includes numerous investments in transport infrastructure, which are intended to improve supply and accessibility in our country in the long term. However, the situation at the Elbe Tunnel remains a challenge that needs to be overcome.