Summer Border Chaos in Serbia: Traffic Jams, Delays, and New Protocol at Preševo!
The holiday season is here, and with it comes the infamous summer chaos at Serbia’s borders! If you’re planning a trip to Greece or returning to Serbia, brace yourself for long lines, waiting times, and frustration that can last for hours.
Preševo and Horgoš 1 – the hotspots of congestion The Preševo border crossing, the main route to popular Greek resorts, is experiencing occasional delays this morning. Travelers entering Serbia generally face no long waits, but exiting the country can take up to half an hour. At Horgoš 1, the busiest crossing towards Hungary, average waiting times are about one hour, with heavy traffic from passenger vehicles coming from Turkey, Austria, Germany, North Macedonia, and other countries.
One traveler from Novi Sad said he waited an hour, while a Macedonian with a smile admitted spending two to three hours at the crossing as he was returning home from vacation. Despite the heavy traffic, the mood among travelers is mostly positive – everyone agrees that choosing the right route and being patient is key.
AMSS advises: Use alternative crossings and take breaks! Due to increased traffic intensity, the Serbian Automobile and Motorcycle Association (AMSS) urges drivers to use alternative border crossings to avoid long waits. Also, due to high temperatures, it is recommended to take frequent breaks and avoid traveling during the hottest parts of the day.
In some areas where roadworks are ongoing, vehicle passage is further slowed, adding to the border stress.
Revolution at Preševo: New protocol for faster border checks! A protocol has just been signed between Serbia and North Macedonia on an integrated border control system at the Preševo and Tabanovce crossings. This so-called “stop control” system is expected to simplify and speed up traffic, eliminating unnecessary passenger delays. Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dačić emphasized that this system will bring relief to thousands of travelers crossing the border daily.
Trucks still stuck in trouble While passenger vehicles mostly wait up to an hour, trucks at some crossings like Preševo and Batrovci face waits of up to an hour, with some places reporting even longer waits for trucks, up to five hours. This further complicates the situation for carriers and the economy.
Conclusion: Summer season brings chaos but also hope for a better tomorrow The summer months bring an increased number of travelers and, with them, the well-known border jams in Serbia. However, the new protocol at Preševo and AMSS advice offer hope that the situation will improve. Until then, patience is the only ticket for a faster border crossing.
So, what about you? Already stuck in a line or got a hilarious border story? Share it in the comments, let’s laugh or vent together!
Slug: summer-border-chaos-serbia-traffic-jams-delays-new-protocol-presevo
