From one end of the world to the other, the problem is the same – and the numbers confirm it: we lose hours of our lives in gridlocked streets. A recent analysis by navigation and mapping company TomTom sheds light on the severity of traffic congestion, revealing that Athens ranks among the top 10 most congested cities in Europe and 37th worldwide.
Athens’ Traffic Burden: 111 Lost Hours Annually
The TomTom index highlights that Athens residents lose an average of 111 hours per year to traffic during peak periods. This is equivalent to a 10-minute journey taken twice a day, reflecting the daily commute of an average worker. A 10-kilometer trip in Athens now takes approximately 29 minutes and 39 seconds, an increase of 30 seconds compared to 2023 figures.
Experts acknowledge that precisely measuring traffic congestion is complex. However, the consistent data from TomTom provides a clear picture of the global challenge. The issues stemming from traffic are universal: reduced productivity, increased transport costs, higher fuel consumption, and significant psychological burden on both drivers and non-drivers.
European Traffic Hotspots: London Leads, Athens in Top 10
In Europe, London holds the unenviable title of the worst city for traffic, with an average of 113 hours lost during peak periods. It is closely followed by Dublin, Barcelona, Bucharest, and Bordeaux in France. Brussels ranks sixth, and Rome seventh. Athens, with its 111 lost hours, secures the 10th position in Europe. The European top 10 is completed by Vienna and Wrocław in Poland.
For context, Thessaloniki ranks 131st globally and 68th in Europe, with 80 lost hours annually and nearly 23 minutes required for peak-time routes.
Global Congestion Leaders: Beyond Europe
Globally, TomTom’s top 10 most congested cities present a diverse geographical spread:
- Barranquilla, Colombia
- Kolkata, India
- Bengaluru, India
- Pune, India
- London, UK
- Kyoto, Japan
- Lima, Peru
- Davao, Philippines
- Trujillo, Peru
- Dublin, Ireland
Other rankings corroborate the widespread nature of traffic issues. Detrack’s ranking places Manila (Philippines) first, followed by Mumbai (India), São Paulo (Brazil), Istanbul (Turkey), Jakarta (Indonesia), Bangkok (Thailand), Mexico City (Mexico), Moscow (Russia), Los Angeles (USA), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Jackwin, another transport specialist, which measures vehicle density and lost hours, lists Mexico City, Bangkok, Davao, Kumamoto (Japan), and Bucharest in its top five. They are followed by Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Łódź (Poland), Bandung (Indonesia), Lima (Peru), and Dublin.
Common Denominators of Congestion
Cities like Dublin, Bucharest, Plovdiv, and Athens often share a common problem: numerous small, narrow central streets that become overwhelmed by a high volume of vehicles, often exacerbated by tourist traffic.
The INRIX global traffic ranking, which covers 36 countries but does not include Greece, also features several usual suspects. Istanbul leads this list with over 100 hours lost to traffic jams on average, followed by Chicago, Mexico City, New York, and Philadelphia. Cape Town, Dublin, London, Paris, and Los Angeles also appear in their top 10.
The increasing number of studies and rankings on traffic congestion underscores that this is a truly global issue, impacting urban life and economies worldwide.
Source: https://en.protothema.gr/2025/12/03/the-cities-with-the-worst-traffic-jams-in-the-world-where-does-athens-rank/
