A Guide to Public Transport in Germany

Germany, a centrally located country in Europe, is home to the renowned Volkswagen and a number of other high-end car companies. A fleet of students travel to Germany to learn more about cars and their engines. You can check how to get a work visa as a student here. Apart from being the land of top-notch universities like the University of Hamburg, the country also offers amazing tourist spots giving a glimpse of its culture and history. Germany is one of the most visited countries in the world and is also a dream destination for pursuing higher education. Even though you may observe that the streets in this country are seen with some jaw-dropping models of cars, people usually prefer using public transport in Germany. The routes offer high coverage via public transport in Germany. One can travel from one city to another without a hassle. 

Modes of transport

The German public transport offers various modes of transport which cover almost all routes providing easy access to the whole country.  One can also rent cycles and take a tour of majestic cities in Germany. The rent for one hour is €0.50, and the charge increases for every additional hour. Let's take a look at all the modes of transport offered by German public transport.

1. Trams 

Trams or more popularly known as Straßenbahn in Germany, are a mode of transport that works on a rail alongside the roads; which was used on a large scale since the 1860s and were then replaced by buses in the early 1960s. Still, even today, Trams run regularly in 20 major cities in Germany. Trams are comparatively slower than S-Bahn and U-Bahn and may not be the most efficient form of transport. However, the tram lines extend to areas which are not covered by other modes of transport in Germany. You can purchase the tickets online or on the Tram as well. Trams usually run every 10 minutes having a high frequency and Tram stops are usually marked with a red sign that has a tram on it. Ticket fare for a single trip via Tram is usually €1- €2.

2. Buses

Many routes in the urban areas in Germany are covered by buses. A bus stop in Germany is usually denoted by ''H''. The buses in Germany operate at night as well, ensuring that passengers can travel at any hour. The passengers can purchase the tickets online or while they are on the bus. The fare for the bus ticket depends on the distance you are travelling.

3. S-Bahn and U-Bahn

S-bans are rapid urban commuters that run on the ground, while U-bans are commuters that run underground. These high-speed rails offer quick and efficient transport from one place to another. Like metros and buses, these commuters also have stops. For S-bahn, the stop is generally denoted with a capital S on a green background, whereas for U-bahn, it is generally denoted with a capital white U on a blue background. In some instances, it may be difficult to find a difference between the two because U-bans run through tunnels in cities and above the ground in the suburbs. One can buy the ticket from machines at the stops or purchase them online. You can also book your tickets via Bahn. This is one of the most preferred modes of rapid transit in Germany. 

4. City Rails (Die Stadtbahn)

City Rails cater to some cities where rapid public transit is not available. City rails are a mixture of S-bahn and U-bahn, which runs on light rails through underground tunnels avoiding vehicle traffic. City Rails provide faster service than trams and operate in cities like Frankfurt Am Main and Düsseldorf, where U-bans do not operate.

5. Trains

The country offers well-connected rail routes with average train frequencies. The trains travel up to 80 kilometres covering rural areas as well. A train ticket usually costs around €19.90-€29.90 in Germany. The German Rail system is categorised into: 

Regionalbahn(RB): A standard regional train that has regular stops across the country.

Regional Express(RE): The Regional Express is comparatively faster and stops only in major stations in the country. 

Interregio-Express (IRE): The Interregio-express runs from a city to another in the states of Saxony, Berlin, baden-wurttemberg and Bavaria. IRE offers fast Regional connections and is the highest train classification in the German Rail System.

Intercity(IC): Intercity is basically top-speed express train services over long distances with a high frequency, especially on major routes. The IC routes are spread across the entire country. The IC provides first-class carriages, including catering offering high comfort. IC is the second-highest classification after IRE.

6. Ferry

A ferry is a boat service that transports passengers from one place to their desired destination. More than 500 ferries run every week across 12 different routes. The Puttgarden and Kiel are some of the major ports located on the north coast of Germany. A ferry crossing can be as quick as 1 hour, or in certain cases, it can take 30 hours, depending upon the distance. 

Public Transport Travel zones (Waben)

Waben is an important aspect of German public transport as the price of your ticket depends on the number of Waben or travel zones you will pass by to complete your journey. Any Ticket you purchase will be valid as long as you are in the zone mentioned on your ticket. 

The travel zones in Germany are divided into three zones

Zone A: City centre

Zone B: Immediate surrounding area of Zone A

Zone C: Outer Suburbs

Ticket Guide 

In Germany, it is mandatory to travel with a ticket, irrespective of the public transit you're using. Unlike in the US, it is not mandatory to pass your ticket through a machine so you can enter public transit. But the officers can be around you, and you wouldn't even recognise them, and if you are found without a ticket, heavy fines of up to €60 can be imposed. German public transport offers tickets on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. These tickets are valid only in certain transport zones, so be careful while purchasing them. The tickets are usually categorised into the following types:

1. Short trip (Kurzstrecke): The Kurzstrecke ticket is permitted only for a single form of transport which is valid only for a few stops. For example, if you are taking the train, the ticket will be applicable only on one train; you may not switch trains.

2. Single ticket (Einzelfahrt): Einzelfahrt tickets are valid for a single trip; that is, you cannot return back on the same ticket; you will have to purchase a new ticket to return. However, these tickets are valid for a fixed period of time (mostly 90 minutes), and you can change as many modes of public transport in Germany to reach your destination. 

3. Day ticket (Tageskarte): With these tickets, you have access to unlimited travelling with specified travel zones for a full day or for 24-hours, depending on when you have purchased the ticket. The ticket generally mentions the expiry time of the ticket.

4. Week ticket (Wochenkarte): The Week ticket is similar to the Day ticket; however, its validity is for a week instead of a day. Similarly, you can also purchase tickets which are valid for a month, from an official at the ticket office.

5. Group day ticket (Gruppentageskarte): If you're travelling in a group of 3-5 people, this is the best bet you've got. You can purchase the Gruppentageskarte, and the entire group can travel free of cost for 24-hours. The tickets in Germany are slightly expensive, so this is where you can save a little money!

Public transport in Germany is one of the main parts of the German lifestyle. You will come across many locals who do not own private vehicles and commute via public transit on a regular basis. The public transport in Germany is quite affordable making trams and trains the most affordable modes of transport. The U-bahn and S-bahn are considered as the fastest modes of transport in Germany. It is extremely important to familiarise oneself with all the transport routes and modes in Germany as it becomes easier to travel. Amber offers plenty of student accommodation in Germany that are well-linked to the rest of the country by public transport. Happy travelling!