This year's winter school holidays are extended by one week, running through January 11th, 2026. Many people will have time off starting December 22nd, creating opportunities for travel, skiing, or family visits.
Expected Traffic Patterns:
Increased urban traffic is anticipated in the days before Christmas due to holiday shopping. On intercity roads, the main traffic surge is expected from Friday, December 19th, particularly toward coastal regions and major cities.
Tourists heading to the coast for Christmas should expect congestion in Istria, along the Adriatic Highway (DC8), and at passenger ferry ports. Potential delays may occur at borders with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The return from holidays is not expected to cause significant traffic issues from volume alone. Weather conditions—wind, cold, possible precipitation, and icy roads—pose greater risks.
For the weekend before New Year's, skiing season begins December 27th, bringing increased departures toward Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The final day, January 11th, will see substantial return traffic from ski areas.
Heavy Vehicle Traffic Bans (Over 7.5 Tons):
🇭🇷 Croatia:
- December 24: 15:00-23:00
- December 25: 14:00-23:00
- December 26: 14:00-23:00
- December 31: 15:00-23:00
- January 1: 14:00-23:00
- January 5: 15:00-23:00
- January 6: 14:00-23:00
🇸🇮 Slovenia:
- Sunday, December 21: 08:00-22:00
- December 25 (Christmas): 08:00-22:00
- December 26: 08:00-22:00
- Sunday, December 28: 08:00-22:00
- January 1: 08:00-22:00
- January 2: 08:00-22:00
- Sunday, January 4: 08:00-22:00
- Sunday, January 11: 08:00-22:00
🇦🇹 Austria:
- Sunday, December 21: 00:00-24:00
- December 22-23: 00:00-05:00 and 22:00-24:00
- December 24: 00:00-05:00 and 22:00-24:00
- December 25: 00:00-22:00
🇭🇺 Hungary:
- Sunday, December 21: 00:00-22:00
- December 24: 22:00-24:00
- December 25: 00:00-24:00
- December 26: 00:00-22:00
- December 27-28, December 31 - January 1, January 3: additional restrictions
🇮🇹 Italy:
- Sunday, December 21: 09:00-22:00
- December 25: 09:00-22:00
- December 26: 09:00-22:00
- Sunday, December 28: 09:00-22:00
- January 1: 09:00-22:00
- Sunday, January 4: 09:00-22:00
- January 6: 09:00-22:00
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia: No heavy vehicle restrictions.