Berlin, January 21 – Berlin has been identified as the city with the most severe traffic congestion in Germany last year, according to a report by traffic data specialist TomTom. In the broader urban area of the German capital, traffic moved an average of 40% slower than it would under free-flow conditions. This places Berlin at the top of the 29 cities surveyed, indicating significant delays for commuters and drivers.
Essen and Hamburg Follow Closely in Congestion Rankings
Following Berlin, Essen and Hamburg share the second-highest congestion level among the surveyed cities, both reporting a 39% increase in travel times due to traffic. In contrast, Kassel and Karlsruhe experienced the lowest levels of congestion, with delays of only 23%. This data highlights a considerable disparity in traffic conditions across Germany’s urban centers.
Widespread Increase in Congestion Across German Cities
The TomTom report reveals a concerning trend: traffic congestion increased in most German cities last year. Berlin saw a notable rise of seven percentage points in its congestion level. Bremen experienced an even more significant jump of nine percentage points, propelling the Hanseatic city to the sixth position in the ranking. Dresden and Leipzig also witnessed a substantial worsening of their traffic situations, with increases of seven percentage points each.
Only two cities managed to buck this trend: Kiel, which saw a decrease of three percentage points, and Bochum, which improved by five percentage points. These exceptions suggest that local initiatives or unique circumstances may be mitigating the broader trend of increasing traffic.
The Growing Density of Traffic
TomTom attributes the increasing traffic density to several factors. In metropolitan regions and urban agglomerations, commuter traffic from surrounding areas, a high vehicle density, and limited road capacities contribute to persistent traffic pressure. However, the report also notes a growing traffic density in medium-sized cities, indicating that the problem is not confined to the largest urban centers.
Home Office Retreat and Urban Exodus as Key Drivers
A central driver for the worsening traffic situation, according to TomTom, is the slow retreat of home office arrangements. Many companies are increasingly emphasizing in-person work, leading to a surge in commuter traffic, particularly during peak hours. This shift reverses a trend that temporarily eased congestion during the pandemic.
Another significant factor identified by experts is the urban exodus. Due to high rents and a shortage of affordable housing in cities, many employees are moving to surrounding areas. This necessitates longer commutes, often requiring the use of private vehicles, thereby contributing to increased traffic volumes.
SUVs and Deteriorating Infrastructure Exacerbate the Problem
TomTom also points to the continued growth in the vehicle fleet, with an increasing proportion of larger vehicles such as SUVs. These vehicles simply require more road space, further contributing to congestion. Simultaneously, the report notes a growing number of roads in need of repair and ongoing construction sites. This effect is expected to intensify in the coming years, meaning drivers should anticipate prolonged traffic jams in 2026 as well.
Inner-City Congestion: A Different Perspective
While the overall urban area shows Berlin as the most congested, TomTom also measured traffic in the narrower areas around city centers, yielding a slightly different picture. Nuremberg leads this specific ranking with a 50% delay, followed by Hamburg with 49% and Leipzig with 48%. Berlin ranks seventh in this category. However, the clear trend of increasing congestion is evident here as well, underscoring the pervasive nature of the problem across various urban zones.
