Asia's Most Congested Cities, 2024

Traffic congestion is a daily reality for millions across Asia, leading to longer commutes, wasted time, and increased stress. With rapid urbanization, growing populations, and an ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road, many cities are struggling to keep traffic moving.

The Worst Traffic Hotspots in Asia

According to 2024 data, the cities with the worst congestion—measured by average travel time and hours lost per year in traffic—span across India, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

India: The Congestion Capital

• Kolkata – 34 min 33 sec per trip | 110 hours lost per year
• Bengaluru – 34 min 10 sec per trip | 117 hours lost per year
• Pune – 33 min 22 sec per trip | 108 hours lost per year

India continues to dominate the list, with its fast-growing cities struggling to keep up with urban expansion. Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Pune rank among the worst due to a combination of narrow roads, high vehicle density, and outdated infrastructure.

Japan: Historical Cities Facing Modern Traffic Issues

• Kyoto – 33 min 16 sec per trip | 96 hours lost per year
• Kumamoto – 32 min 37 sec per trip | 149 hours lost per year

Despite Japan's efficient public transport, cities like Kyoto and Kumamoto still experience significant congestion. Kyoto’s traffic is partly due to its historic city layout, which wasn’t designed for modern traffic flow, while Kumamoto sees heavy congestion due to narrow roads and high car ownership rates.

The Philippines: A Daily Gridlock

• Davao City – 32 min 59 sec per trip | 136 hours lost per year
• Manila – 32 min 20 sec per trip | 127 hours lost per year

Traffic in Manila has long been infamous, but Davao City now ranks even higher in lost hours due to increasing urban sprawl and limited road expansion. Inadequate public transport and bottleneck-prone road networks contribute to the problem.

Indonesia: Growing Cities, Growing Traffic

• Bandung – 32 min 37 sec per trip | 108 hours lost per year
• Medan – 32 min 3 sec per trip | 111 hours lost per year

With more people moving to urban centers like Bandung and Medan, congestion continues to worsen. Public transportation improvements and traffic management solutions are in progress, but the rapid rise in vehicles on the road remains a challenge.

Taiwan: A Surprise Entry

• Tainan – 32 min 29 sec per trip | 76 hours lost per year

Although Taiwan has a well-developed transportation network, Tainan faces unique congestion issues, particularly due to high scooter and motorcycle use, which often leads to chaotic traffic flow.

Can These Cities Escape the Gridlock?

Governments across Asia are working on solutions such as metro expansions, smart traffic systems, carpool incentives, and improved public transport. However, with urban populations still growing, managing congestion will require long-term investment and innovative policies.

For now, residents of these cities continue to lose hours of their lives in traffic—a daily reminder that the battle against congestion is far from over.