On Wednesday at three in the afternoon, the second phase of the Easter Week Traffic Operation began, with the DGT predicting 9.6 million road trips until Easter Monday, which is a holiday in seven regions of Spain. The heaviest traffic is expected this evening and tomorrow morning, with a slight increase in road travel compared to previous years. The railways and air traffic are also experiencing a higher volume of travelers. Increased train services are expected, with 1,198 trains scheduled for this Holy Wednesday, a 4% increase from the previous year. Adif anticipates a total of 6,300 trains operating during this period.
As is customary, the highest traffic is expected on routes from urban areas to coastal tourist destinations, second homes, towns with traditional religious events, and mountain resorts. Traffic will be heavier in all regions except Catalonia and Valencia, where Holy Thursday is not a holiday. The morning of Holy Thursday will be particularly busy, especially between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Delays are expected in the afternoon on the roads to coastal areas and tourist destinations between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Renfe has offered over 2.5 million seats on all its trains for the Easter holidays. An additional 40,000 seats have been added to high-speed trains and other popular routes. A total of 6,300 high-speed, medium and long-distance trains will be in operation during the Easter period. Iberia group airlines will operate 5,471 flights during Easter, an increase of 7.7% from last year, with over a million seats available. Air Europa has added 11,000 seats for Easter, mainly connecting the mainland with the Balearic and Canary Islands. Vueling is offering 13 new connections for Easter, with additional services to popular destinations.
The Spanish Bus Transport Confederation (Confebús) has announced a 40% increase in bus services for Easter to accommodate over six million travelers. This represents a 1% increase from 2023 and more than 550,000 additional passengers compared to 2019. The weather forecast for Thursday predicts stormy weather across the Peninsula and the Balearic islands, with heavy rainfall in some regions and potential snowfall in the northern mountains.
Overall, temperatures are expected to rise, reducing the likelihood of frost in northern regions. The second phase of the Easter traffic operation is expected to continue smoothly, despite some delays on key routes. Authorities are advising travelers to stay informed and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid any disruptions. With increased train and air services, as well as additional bus services, efforts are being made to ensure a safe and efficient holiday travel experience for all.
