April brings a welcome break for millions of students across Germany—but it also means congested roads, packed destinations, and the need for strategic planning. Whether you’re traveling with children or aiming to avoid the holiday rush altogether, knowing the exact Easter holiday dates in each federal state can make all the difference.
When do the Easter holidays begin in each German state?
The first wave of Easter holidays kicks off on Monday, April 7, in Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, with school returning after Easter Monday on April 21.
Schleswig-Holstein starts a bit later, from April 11 to April 25.
The second major wave begins on Monday, April 14, in:
Baden-Württemberg (until April 26)
Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland (most ending April 25)
Saxony begins last, with holidays starting on Good Friday, April 18, and ending April 25.
Hamburg takes a different approach, skipping Easter holidays altogether. Instead, students there had spring holidays from March 10 to 21.
Peak travel days: When traffic will be at its worst
The overlapping school holidays across many states are expected to cause major traffic jams, especially on:
Friday, April 11, when schools close in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg, Germany’s most populous states.
Weekend of April 25–26, as students from 10 federal states return home.
Additionally, Maundy Thursday (April 17) is traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year. Easter Monday and the following Tuesday also tend to see heavy traffic, as families and workers extend their holidays.
Popular travel routes and key congestion points
The Easter break is a popular time for trips to the Alps, southern Europe, and sunny destinations. The ADAC expects heavy traffic toward Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy.
Cyclists heading to Lake Garda, beach-goers, and early sun-seekers are also advised to plan ahead.
Important travel warning: The Lueg Bridge on the Brenner autobahn is under renovation, and major traffic disruptions are expected.
On the Amalfi Coast, new driving restrictions are being implemented to manage tourist flows.
Best travel tips: How to avoid the worst traffic
To minimize delays during the Easter holidays:
Avoid Maundy Thursday and the Friday before school holidays start.
Travel midweek and outside rush hours if possible.
Always check real-time traffic updates before departure.
Use ADAC Maps for live traffic flow and short-term disruptions.
For drivers of electric vehicles, careful planning is essential. Ensure your route includes reliable charging points to travel with peace of mind.
Complete overview of Easter break dates by state
- Baden-Württemberg April 14 – April 26
- Bavaria April 14 – April 25
- Berlin April 14 – April 25
- Brandenburg April 14 – April 25
- Bremen April 7 – April 19
- Hamburg March 10 – March 21 (spring)
- Hesse April 7 – April 21
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern April 14 – April 23
- Lower Saxony April 7 – April 19
- North Rhine-Westphalia April 14 – April 26
- Rhineland-Palatinate April 14 – April 25
- Saarland April 14 – April 25
- Saxony April 18 – April 25
- Saxony-Anhalt April 7 – April 19
- Schleswig-Holstein April 11 – April 25
- Thuringia April 7 – April 19
