Cities all throughout the world suffer from traffic congestion, and Europe is no exception. Many European cities—from thriving capitals to historic districts—struggle with traffic, which results in lost time, money, and environmental issues. The most crowded highways in Europe force drivers to spend hours behind the wheel, which causes tension and annoyance. According to estimates from the European University on Responsible Consumption and Production, traffic congestion costs Europe more than €100 billion a year, or 1% of its GDP. Furthermore, a study conducted by the transportation data company INRIX has shown that by 2025, drivers in Europe’s worst traffic hotspots may have to pay an astounding £183 billion in additional costs as a result of lost time in traffic.
This indicates the significant economic burden caused by traffic congestion. In addition to economic costs, increased congestion can lead to high levels of air pollution and carbonization. Air pollution accounts for 1% of global GDP and is estimated to cause 6 million to 9 million premature deaths per year by 2060, according to an OECD report. Traffic congestion is caused by a complex interplay of various factors. These include a lack of effective public transport and infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in developing countries. To address the multifaceted problem of traffic congestion, it is important to understand its causes.
Look at the 5 most congested cities in Europe.
5. Brussels
Average travel time per 10 km: 27 minutes
Brussels, a bustling city in the heart of Belgium, holds the title of the most densely populated urban center in the country. Despite its charm and vibrancy, Brussels ranks among the five most crowded cities in Europe. A commuter traveling through Brussels during the morning rush hour will experience a delay of 13 minutes for every 10 km traveled, while a commuter tackling the evening rush hour will experience a delay of 15 minutes on the same route. face This daily traffic jam added an additional 27 to 28 minutes to the 10km round trip each way. With almost 40% of roads congested at any given time, Brussels is a challenging environment for both locals and tourists.
4. Bucharest
Average travel time per 10 km: 27 minutes 40 seconds
Bucharest, the capital of southern Romania, suffers from some of the worst traffic congestion in the world. In 2023, urban congestion reached a new high of 55%, adding 20 seconds to the typical 10 km travel time. Part of this stagnation is due to an increase in car registrations, with a staggering 1.8 million cars currently in Bucharest and its surrounding areas.
3. Milan
Average travel time per 10 km: 28 minutes 50 seconds
Milan is located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. It ranks fourth in the world in terms of traffic density. The average travel time for commuters is 28 minutes and 50 seconds per 10 kilometers. Of the total 276 hours spent driving in Milan, the driver spends his 137 hours waiting in line on the road.
2. Dublin
Average travel time per 10 km: 29 minutes 30 seconds
Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland. In 2023, drivers are expected to spend an average of about 29 minutes and 30 seconds driving 10 kilometers around the city. This regular twice-daily commute costs the driver approximately 158 hours per year. During rush hour, traffic is significantly reduced, with average speeds dropping to just 18.9 km/h. Dublin’s worst traffic jams typically occur between 4pm and 5pm, known as rush hour, causing significant delays across the city.
1. London
Average travel time per 10km: 37 minutes 20 seconds
London tops the list of Europe’s most traffic-congested cities. London’s traffic problems far exceed those in other parts of the UK. Interestingly, the UK’s five busiest routes are all within London, with the worst violations being in the west London section, which requires drivers to work 47 hours a year.
