According to a new study, Dublin has been named the most expensive capital city in Europe for traffic congestion, with drivers losing an estimated €6,351 worth of time each year sitting in rush hour jams.
The research, conducted by European car parts marketplace Ovoko, analysed 2023 traffic data from TomTom and compared it with labour costs from Eurostat. The study calculated the financial cost of time lost in traffic based on each country's hourly labour rate.
Dublin tops the list
Of 25 European capital cities, Dublin ranks the highest for both time and money wasted in traffic. Drivers in the Irish capital spend an average of 158 hours a year stuck in rush hour, equating to nearly 36 minutes each workday. With an estimated hourly labour cost of €40.20 in Ireland, this adds up to €6,351 annually - the most significant loss across the cities studied.
Paris comes second on the list, with drivers spending 120 hours annually in traffic, costing them €5,064. Brussels takes third place, where 104 hours lost in traffic amount to €4,898 per year.
How Dublin compares to other capitals
Dublin's high ranking is particularly notable given its smaller population compared to other European capitals. In contrast, cities such as Madrid, Ljubljana, and Bratislava report the most manageable rush hours, with drivers losing an average of just 51 hours per year.
Meanwhile, Bucharest sees drivers spend 150 hours in traffic annually, the second-highest total. However, due to Romania's lower labour costs, the financial impact is less severe at €1,650 per year.
At the bottom of the ranking is Sofia in Bulgaria, where drivers lose 90 hours annually in traffic, amounting to €837 in financial terms - the lowest of all capitals analysed.
The bigger picture
Traffic congestion isn't just a Dublin problem. Across Europe, drivers lose significant time and money in rush hour traffic. While higher labour costs in countries such as Ireland, France and Belgium amplify the fiscal impact, the common factor remains: congested roads take a toll on both wallets and quality of life.
The study highlights the challenges cities face in managing urban infrastructure. "It is quite shocking, really, that Dublin ranked so highly, since it is one of the least populated capital cities in the EU," said Vytas Palovis, VP of Growth for Ovoko. "With about 36 minutes stuck in traffic every single workday, it is clear that Dublin's entire urban infrastructure seems unfit for its residents, and something needs to change."
For drivers in Dublin, the findings underline the need for improvements to the city's transport systems. Whether it's through better public transport, alternative commuting options, or rethinking road infrastructure, reducing time wasted in traffic could save significant sums - not to mention improve daily life for thousands of commuters.