Transportation

Germany is known for its efficient and diverse transportation system, which plays a crucial role in its well-connected infrastructure. Whether you're commuting within a city, traveling between regions, or exploring the countryside, Germany offers a variety of transportation options to suit different needs.

Cycling.

Cycling is a popular and eco-friendly mode of transport in Germany. The country has an impressive network of well-maintained bike lanes and cycling routes, especially in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, as well as very strict laws designed to protect cyclists on their commutes. 

If what you are looking for is the cheapest form of transportation within your city, cycling is definitely the way to go. 

You can find affordable second hand bicycles on Kleinanzeigen, or if you so wish, you can easily go to your local cycling store.

DB Navigator (App).

The DB Navigator app is a mobile application provided by Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German railway company, and is a MUST DOWNLOAD when you first land in Germany. It serves as a comprehensive tool for travellers using Germany's extensive train system and other public transport services.

Here are the main features of the DB Navigator app:

  • Real-time Timetable Information:

    • The app provides up-to-date schedules for trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation. You can check real-time departures and arrivals for trains, with details such as platform numbers, delays, and cancellations.

  • Route Planning:

    • You can plan your journeys from one station to another. The app offers route options using trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation. It will suggest the fastest or most convenient routes, factoring in connections and any delays.

  • Ticket Booking:

    • The app allows you to purchase tickets directly through your smartphone. It supports various ticket types, including single journeys, return tickets, and season passes. Tickets are stored in the app, eliminating the need for paper tickets.

    • You can pay for your tickets by using any credit card information, as well as Apple- and Google Pay. This eliminates the need for a German bank account.

  • Ticket Validation:

    • The app enables digital ticket validation, which means you can simply show your phone during ticket inspection instead of having a paper ticket.

Deutschland-Ticket (D-Ticket).

The Deutschland-ticket is a nationwide public transportation pass introduced in Germany to offer affordable and unlimited travel on local and regional transport. It was introduced as a part of the government's efforts to make public transport more accessible and encourage more sustainable travel.

Here is what you should know:

  • Valid Nationwide:

    • t’s not limited to a specific city or region. The Deutschlandticket can be used on public transportation networks throughout Germany.

  • Unlimited Travel:

    • The Deutschlandticket allows for unlimited travel on all local and regional public transportation across Germany, including trains, trams, buses, and metro systems (within the regions covered by the ticket). This means you can use it for unlimited journeys on the local transportation networks of major cities as well as on regional trains (such as RE, RB, and S-Bahn).

    • NOTE - You cannot use the Deutschland-ticket for Fernverkehr, meaning you need to buy a separate ticket if you want to use ICE or IC trains.

  • Cost:

    • The ticket is priced at €58 per month. (As of January 2025)

    • NOTE - The Deutschland-ticket is only available as a subscription service.

  • Exclusions:

    • Due to the Deutschland-ticket being offered on subscription, only those who have completed their Anmeldung may subscribe to the ticket.

Deutschland Ticket For Students:

Students are entitled to a discounted price on the Deutschland-ticket.

Where non-students will pay the full €58, students pay €38.

  • NOTE - Some universities include the discounted price on the Deutschland-ticket, as part of their Semester fee.

    • This means that if your university does this, you will have a valid Deutschland-ticket for as long as you are registered at your university.

Buses.

Buses are an essential part of Germany’s public transportation system, complementing both trains and bicycles. In cities, buses are frequent and can take you anywhere within urban areas, often at lower fares than trains or trams.

In smaller towns or rural areas, buses offer a convenient way to travel to places that are less accessible by train.

Using the buses in Germany varies across the different states, e.g.:

  • In Bavaria it is common to enter the bus from the front, and either show the bus driver your ticket or buy a ticket.

  • Whereas in Hessen, if you do not wish to buy a ticket directly from the driver, you can enter the bus from either the front or the back.

Buying Bus Tickets:

  • You can buy tickets online through various apps or websites. (This will more than likely be day-tickets, allowing you to travel locally or regionally for one day. As it typically is not possible to buy one trip tickets online.

  • Buying directly from the bus driver, is ideal if you rarely commute with the bus. Some things to keep in mind:

    • You can only pay cash for your tickets.

    • There are different tickets you can buy, such as the typical one trip ticket or even, day, or month tickets to name a few. You should make the driver aware which one you want.

Bus Stops:

Every bus stop in Germany should have a timetable nearby. Here you can find out:

  • Which buses make their stops there.

  • At what intervals the buses arrive.

Usually on the opposite side of the street, you will find another bus stop. Buses traveling in the opposite direction will stop here.

  • If you need to return to your original start destination, it’s easier to just cross the street and take a bus from there.

Bus Lines:

There are multiple bus lines in cities, meaning that for each line, different routes and stops will be made.

  • Buses should have their specific line clearly displayed at the top panel, looking from the front.

  • You can find out the stops a specific line will make at the bus stop.

Using the Buses:

Before stepping into the bus, allow passengers who are making their stop to step out of the bus first, before you step in. This is a common practice in Germany.

You may sit anywhere on the bus. However, there are special seats dedicated to those with disabilities and the elderly, they are clearly marked out. If you happen to be sitting on one of these, always give up your seat so that a person who is entitled to it may sit.  

Most buses should have screens showing the next stop, as well as the following stops thereafter. It is also common for callouts to be made for every stop

  • NOTE - Some of the screens in the buses might not be operational, so always make sure to know your stops and don’t solely rely on the screens and callouts.

There are “STOP” buttons for you to press. Pressing these will alert the driver that you would like to get off at the next stop.

Trains.

Trains in Germany are an efficient and way to travel long distances. The country’s national rail network, Deutsche Bahn (DB), offers both high-speed trains, such as the ICE (InterCity Express), and slower regional services.

In Germany, the rail system is divided into two main categories: Nahverkehr and Fernverkehr, both of which refer to different types of train services.

Nahverkehr (Regional Transport)

Nahverkehr refers to local and regional train services that connect smaller towns, suburban areas, and city neighbourhood within a specific region. These trains are designed for shorter trips, typically with frequent stops along the way. There are several types of Nahverkehr trains in Germany:

  • S-Bahn (Suburban Train)

    • S-Bahn trains are primarily used in and around major cities, such as Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. They typically operate within urban areas and extend into nearby towns and suburbs. These trains are frequent and often run every 10-20 minutes during peak hours.

  • RE (Regional Express)

    • These are regional trains that connect larger cities with surrounding towns and regions. While they are faster than local trains (due to fewer stops), they still serve shorter distances compared to long-distance trains.

  • RB (Regional Bahn)

    • These are slower regional trains that stop more frequently than the RE trains, connecting smaller towns or villages with larger cities.

Fernverkehr (Long-Distance Transport)

Fernverkehr, on the other hand, refers to long-distance train services that connect major cities within Germany and beyond its borders. These trains are faster, less frequent, and designed for travel over longer distances. There are a few key types of Fernverkehr trains:

  • ICE (InterCity Express)

    • The ICE is the most well-known long-distance train in Germany, capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. It connects major cities together while making short stops in-between.

    • ICE trains allow you to book your own seat onboard, for an additional fee. It must be said that ICE’s can get full at times so it is always recommended to pay the extra amount to book your seat. This eliminates the stress of having to make sure you aren’t sitting on someones booked seat already.

  • IC (InterCity)

    • The IC trains are slightly slower than the ICE trains. They provide fast connections between major cities across the country.

  • EC (EuroCity)

    • These trains serve international routes, connecting German cities with other European countries, such as Italy, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The EuroCity trains are similar in speed and comfort to the IC trains but are designed for cross-border travel.

Buying Train Tickets:

There are two main ways of buying train tickets, although one is far better than the other:

  • Buying tickets through Terminals:

    • Most train stations should have Terminals, allowing you to buy various tickets, either those specific to your route, return or season tickets.

    • The main issue is that these terminals are quite difficult to understand for first time users.

  • Using the DB-Navigator App:

    • If you do not own a Deutschland-ticket, then buying through the DB-Navigator app is the most simplistic, user friendly approach when buying your tickets

    • By putting in your route, the app will suggest various tickets and their ticket prices, specific to your route or region.

      • e.g. If you land in Munich Airport and need to travel somewhere else in Bavaria, you can buy the Bayern-ticket straight from the app.

      • The Bayern-ticket allows you to use all regional and local transportation in Bavaria for one whole day only. (Every German state has an equivalent to this ticket.)

Train Stations and Platforms:

Every train station in Germany is divided into platforms, or Gleis in German.

  • Every platform is assigned a unique number.

  • Each platform is divided into different sections. These sections are labelled using the Alphabet

    • Screens at each platform use these alphabetically categorised sections to display where each carriage of the train will stop.

    • e.g. If you travel via ICE (ICE trains are long and contain multiple carriages), the screens on the platforms will show where a specific carriage will be stopped at. (Carriage 22 will stop at section A).

Identifying your Train:

Every train is identifiable by the following, (think of this as the train’s “name”):

  • A prefix of letters, showing which type of train it is, be it Nah- or Fernverkehr.

  • Followed by a specific set of numbers, this mainly identifies the specific train/route.

    • For Nahverkehr trains these can be up to two digit numbers.

    • Fernverkehr can go up to four digit numbers.

e.g.

  • RE 50 - this shows that the following train is a Regional Express, with the number 50 or better put the specific route it is travelling in.

  • ICE 522 - this train is a InterCity Express with the number 522

You can find the trains “name” at:

  • Screens on each platform.

  • The front and back of the train.

  • The side of the carriages.

Using the Trains:

Just like using the bus, you should first let all the passengers stepping out of the train to do so first, before you step in.

Unlike buses, Trains do stop at every station, meaning there is no STOP button for you to press.

Trains in Germany are divided into 1. and 2. class. This applies to both Nah- and Fernverkehr, meaning you can only enter the first class section with a valid first class ticket. With any other ticket, you may enter the second class section.

How it works on Nahverkehr:

  • Typically there are no booked seats for passengers on Nahverkehr trains. Meaning that when you board, you can sit wherever you like.

    • NOTE - Keep in mind of the 1. and 2. class tickets.

    • NOTE - Although there are no booked seats for passengers on Nahverkehr, there are special seats designed for the disabled and the elderly, these are always clearly marked. So always try to keep these seats free, so that those entitled to them may utilise it.

How it works on Fernverkehr:

  • Since it is common to book a seat in addition to your ICE or IC ticket, you should first locate your seat.

    • All the seats are numbered.

    • You can find in which carriage your seat is located, on the DB Navigator app, or on the screen at the train platform.

  • Once you have found your seat, you should stow away your luggage, either on the overhead trays over the seats or in the luggage compartments.

Stepping out of the train is straightforward:

  • The conductor will mention over the intercom, on which side of the train you may exit.

  • Once the train has stopped, either the doors will open automatically or you can simply press the two opposing arrows to open them.