15 Cities Where Tourists Will Experience The Most Frustrating Traffic In The World

When you plan your vacation, you may think about beaches, restaurants, and hotels. But have you ever thought about the traffic? There are notorious cities with terrible traffic and constant congestion. Even if you don’t drive on these roads, you still have to deal with the traffic as a passenger. See if your next travel destination made the list, and consider if this is what you want. This article was inspired by CBS News.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is by far the largest city in Europe. Not by chance, it spans two continents, with its east side in Asia and its west side in Europe. Due to long distances and traffic, going from one side to the other may take several hours. While the city has a good subway, prepare to see thousands of cars daily if you’re heading here. This is not ideal for those preferring a quiet vacation.

Moscow, Russia

While nobody now would dare visit Russia, its capital, Moscow, has been a popular tourist attraction for decades. This means that several people will probably travel to this stunning city once the conflict finally ends. Yet, while the Red Square and Saint Basil’s Cathedral are undeniably stunning, the city has a massive problem with traffic as it was built way before the arrival of vehicles.

Bogota, Colombia

Is it enough to say that in 2021, the average Bogota commuter lost roughly 126 hours while cueing in traffic? This sounds terrifying to most people living in traffic-free areas and tourists who just bought their ticket to Colombia’s capital. But the bad news doesn’t end here. This city doesn’t have a subway, even though the government is now starting to build one, so hopefully, the situation will soon improve.

Mumbai, India

If you’ve ever visited India, you surely remember the crazy traffic typical of its metropolises. The truth is that even if you didn’t visit this country, you’ve probably seen videos of crazy drivers skillfully avoiding cows on the road, driving among pedestrians, thousands of scooters, and other cars. Mumbai is surely not for the faint-hearted. A little tip: don’t rent a car.

Saint Petersburg, Russia

Here is another Russian city. Like Moscow, Saint Petersburg experiences plenty of traffic, which affects the many citizens living in this metropolis. For those of you wondering, this city is located in the country’s northwestern area, close to the border with Finland. Luckily, unlike other cities on this list, Saint Petersburg has a great subway that can transport tourists to all the main attractions in the city.

Bucharest, Romania

Romania’s capital, Bucharest, is another city with traffic issues. Just stroll down Calea Victoriei Avenue around 6 p.m., and you will understand why so many Romanians look frustrated. The line of cars will probably extend all the way to the horizon! If you really want to see Romania, we suggest smaller cities such as the beautiful Sibiu, which is known for its spying houses.

New Delhi, India

Another city in India is New Delhi. This massive metropolis has high congestion levels that seem to keep increasing. It is not uncommon to see cows strolling on busy roads, leading drivers to suddenly push the footbrake! Tourists heading here simply have to accept the fact that a 20-minute drive on Google Maps may turn into a several-hour journey.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Similarly to the Russian cities on our list, while nobody would ever think of visiting Tel Aviv today, before the beginning of the recent conflict, this city was among the most visited places in Israel. Despite this, however, traffic here is wild! In 2021, travel times were 43% longer than during non-congested conditions. Long story short, having a car in this metropolis may not be the best choice.

Tokyo, Japan

We often think of the Japanese population as incredibly organized and efficient. Despite this, Tokyo remains one of the worst cities in the world when it comes to traffic. In 2021, commuters lost 98 hours heading from one part of the city to the other—not exactly what we picture in our minds when we think about Japan. If you prefer quiet holidays, opt for the little villages in the countryside.

Manila, Philippines

While Manila may not be the most popular tourist destination in the Philippines, you will probably have to land at its main airport if you are heading to this country. This means you will have to budget plenty of time to either exit the city to reach your final destination or reach your accommodation for the night. On the positive side, however, traffic in 2022 drastically improved from the previous year, giving people heading here some hope.

Lima, Peru

Thanks to sites such as Machu Pichu, Colca Canyon, and the Huaca Pucllana Site Museum, Peru is one of the most popular tourist countries in the world. Despite this, however, its capital still has massive traffic problems. Most people here commute using privately owned minibusses, even though an electric mass transit system is now also available.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, yet traffic may ruin your experience if you decide to visit this gorgeous city. Why? In 2021, the average commuter lost 96 hours in traffic queueing in traffic. This can be highly frustrating, especially for those spending only a few days here and wanting to see several sites without wasting time in traffic.

Bengaluru, India

Bengaluru’s traffic is no joke. Tourists, brace yourselves because you’ll definitely spend a fair amount of time waiting around on the city’s crowded roads. Whether you’re heading to the stunning Lalbagh Botanical Gardens or checking out the techy vibes of Electronic City, you can expect delays, especially during rush hour. The traffic here can turn even short distances into hour-long journeys, so plan ahead and pack your patience.

Mexico City, Mexico

It is not rare for Mexico City to have 900 reported traffic jams at once. It happens way more often than you may believe! That is why navigating this major city can be a true nightmare, especially during rush hour. Tourists in Mexico City should be ready to spend some serious time sitting in traffic, especially during peak hours when the city is buzzing with life. Using public transport like the metro or an Ecobici bike-sharing system, can help you dodge some of that infamous Mexico City traffic.

Rio De Janiero, Brazil

The traffic in Rio de Janeiro is notoriously terrible, often leaving commuters stuck for hours in gridlock. With narrow streets, overcrowded buses, and an overwhelming number of cars, getting from point A to point B can be a real challenge. It’s common to see long lines of traffic, especially during rush hours, and even the most scenic routes can come to a standstill. If you’re visiting this beautiful city, be prepared to see a lot of it out the window of your car as you sit in traffic.

This article was inspired by CBS News.