Transport in Germany

Transport in Germany is one of the most developed in Europe and is very diverse: from low-cost airlines and bus routes to high-speed trains and first-class autobahns. Today, you can comfortably travel through the country, and the love of the Germans for railway transport is manifested in the incredible richness of routes even in the most peripheral regions of the country. Comfort and speed are not cheap, so the article contains tips on how to save money even if you are planning to travel across the country.

Which transport is cheaper in Germany?

According to the official German statistics, every year in Germany more than 190 million people use air travel, about 130 million people use trains, and only 20 million people use intercity buses. This is due to the different levels of comfort, speed and, of course, the availability of these types of transport. Buses and low-cost airlines seriously competed with Deutsche Bahn in the last 10 years, forcing from time to time to reduce the prices for railway tickets.

The most comfortable transport in Germany

Almost all transport in Germany is characterized by high standards of comfort and cleanliness. All long-distance routes have air conditioning, and the passenger seats are always equipped with armrests and tables. Also, on trains and buses, there is always a place for luggage, the cost of which, unlike when traveling by air, is always included in the ticket price. There are more and more personal power plugs for comfortable work or relaxation along the way.

Due to the massive proliferation of high-speed trains, in Germany, night trains with sleeping cars were recently canceled, with the exception of transit night trains EN — from France, Hungary, Poland and other countries.

The cars of regional, interregional and international trains are usually divided into two classes: second and first. However, it should be kept in mind that the differences can be small, and sometimes even be in favor of the second class. For example, many EC and ICE trains have insulated compartments in first class, where passengers sit opposite each other. This is an ideal option for traveling with a company — when traveling alone, you will have to look at a stranger for the entire journey. However, in first class the passenger will have more legroom and the ability to book a specific seat in the carriage on the Internet. On interregional routes, food is provided for an additional fee: it can be provided either in a separate dining car, or delivered by a staff member.

Buses offer the minimum level of comfort, but today all intercity routes have lavatories with holding tanks, separate places for hand luggage and, sometimes, Wi-Fi, but power plugs near the seats are extremely rare.

Trains in Germany: how not to get confused?

Rail transport in Germany is comfortable and popular, but it is easy for a newcomer to Germany to get confused by its varieties.

How to save money on transport in Germany?

• Use a daily ticket that allows you to make an unlimited number of trips throughout the day. Such a ticket is valid for all transport, including the metro, city trains and trams. For example, in Bavaria, the daily ticket is called Bayern Ticket. It allows you to travel all over the land, plus stop by the Austrian Salzburg and adjacent to Bavaria Ulm.
  • The cost of such a ticket is 23 USD in the evening and at night, and 25 USD in the morning and afternoon.
  • Sometimes the price of such a ticket can be even lower than the cost of a single trip from point A to point B.
  • Up to 5 people can be attached to the ticket, increasing the ticket price only by 6 USD, so it is cheaper to travel in companies.
• On weekends, use the Wochenend-Ticket — it is similar to daily tickets, but applies to the entire weekend.
• If the traveler is not a citizen of Russia, Turkey or the European Union, then he can use the Rail Pass — an unlimited ticket for the entire rail network of Germany. A 3 day ticket will cost 190 USD, 7 day ticket — 270 USD.
• It makes sense to buy tickets in advance when traveling by bus or long-distance trains. On suburban and regional routes, all prices are fixed, and the number of tickets is not limited.
• You should not buy tickets at a regular ticket office — it will be more expensive because a service fee will be included in the price.
• When buying a ticket for a long-distance train, you should pay attention to two categories of tickets. The difference in price between them can reach tenfold:
  • Sparangebote — a ticket for a fixed date without the right to sell;
  • Flexpreis — a ticket with the option to change the date and cancellation.
• It can be more advantageous to buy tickets through mobile apps. DB and Flixbus have such an opportunity.
• Don't use German railway companies exclusively. Austrian and Czech carriers sometimes offer cheaper fares.
• If the word "Sparpreis" is written in front of the cost when searching for a ticket on the website, then at the moment a discounted ticket is available and it is unlikely to find a ticket cheaper than that. These tickets are sold out quickly, so don't hesitate when buying one.
• Use alternative methods of traveling around the country: hitchhiking and searching for fellow travelers online is a good bet, since the level of security allows you to travel safely with strangers.