In order to reach your destination in a relaxed way, it is advisable to be a little flexible on arrival, if possible. In Bavaria the Pentecost holidays start on 11 June and end on 21 June. Due to heavy holiday traffic, this should lead to increased traffic on 7th June, 8th June and 21st/22nd June. In addition, there will be short holidays from Austria, as school holidays are officially announced from 8 June to 11 June. As expected, many families with children are taking advantage of this period for a short trip to the Adriatic, especially as sunny weather is forecast there.
The highest potential for congestion, both on entry into and exit from Croatia, is shown by Border crossings at the Slovenian-Croatian, as this is an external Schengen border where experience has shown that there are more controls. Sufficient time should be allowed, especially when leaving Croatia.
Also the vignette obligation for the use of the motorway proves to be treacherous, which one can hardly escape as a vacationer. The seven-day-vignette is just not enough for a stay from Saturday to Saturday, as the departure day is already the eighth day for which then again an expensive vignette is due. When driving through Slovenia, transit passengers should also take care to buy the correct vignette: If the vehicle is more than 1.30 metres high above the front axle (centre point), a category 2B vignette (e.g. some vans, SUVs etc.) instead of 2A is due. Motorhomes up to 3.5 tons hzG are not covered by this regulation. It is worthwhile to measure them again, as well as to buy a vignette if necessary, because the Slovenian police also know the pitfalls and are happy to collect the money.
“Traps” for motorists also lurk in Italy in the form of the “zona traffico limitato” (ZTL), which have now been set up in many large cities, including Trieste. The license plates of entering vehicles are photographed, compared with a database and anyone who has entered without a valid sticker is sent a fine of at least 80 euros as a “souvenir”. Such stickers can be purchased, but at least three weeks before entering the traffic restricted zone.
In general, you should also visit the websites of the ÖAMTC and the Croatian Automobile Club HAK to find out about short-term traffic jams during your journey, because sometimes even a small detour to another border crossing saves long waiting times.
