How to Buy the Deutschland-Ticket + Take Regional Rail in Germany
Last updated: October 14, 2024
Heard of the Deutschland-Ticket? This handy dandy ticket is just €49 per month and your gateway to traveling Germany efficiently and on a budget. Want to take a day trip from Berlin to Szczecin, Poland? How about traveling to the Baltic Sea for a long weekend? Maybe you’d like to extend your Bavarian trip past Munich and think Nuremberg and Bamberg might be fun? Since 2023, you can get to all these places (and so many more) with a single payment of €49.
This post lays out a comprehensive guide to the Deutschland-Ticket, including its history, how to purchase one, the types of transit included, itinerary tips, and advice on navigating Germany’s local and regional rail system like a pro.
What is the Deutschland-Ticket?
The Deutschland-Ticket is a €49 per month ticket that allows you to ride all local transit in Germany (think city trams, buses, boats, subways [U-Bahn], and trains [S-Bahn]), as well as multi-city Regional-Express (RE) and Regionalbahn (RB) trains in second-class compartments.
You cannot use the D-Ticket on other long-distance/high-speed trains (IC, EC, ICE, and RE of DB Fernverkehr AG), trains run by operators like Flixbus/Flixtrain, or trains used specifically for historic/tourist purposes.
This ticket is normally sold as a monthly cancellable subscription. Keep in mind that the ticket is non-transferable, meaning that only you can use it. You’ll occasionally be asked to show a photo ID with your ticket and the name on your ID and ticket will have to match to be accepted.
Hamburg Hbf
Brief History of the Deutschland-Ticket
The ticket was originally temporarily launched for three months in 2022 for a glorious price of €9 per month (everyone say Vielen Dank Bundestag) with the objective being to reduce energy during the 2021-2023 global energy crisis and to assist with the cost of living crisis. Since then, a new version of the ticket has been made more permanent, with a new price of €49 per month.
Starting in 2025, the ticket will be raised to €58 in price.
Arriving to Dresden Hbf
Is the Deutschland-Ticket worth it?
For Locals:
If you travel at least twice a week on local transit and/or take at least one day trip per month out of the city via a regional train, then it’s probably worth buying a ticket.
For instance, in Berlin, a two hour one way ticket within the AB zone will cost me €3.50, if I buy the ticket individually (I could also buy tickets in bulk for a slight discount). With a return trip, the total becomes €7.00. So traveling just seven days a month already adds up to the cost of a Deutschland-Ticket.
Not to mention, if I want to head to the airport, take a day trip, or visit a new city and use their local transit then the amount saved increases substantially. Plus, I really appreciate being able to just hop on transit without needing to think about buying or validating a ticket. Especially since certain ticket machines can be finicky and the process is generally less convenient.
If you opt for primarily walking, cycling, or driving, then it might not make as much sense for you.
For Visitors:
If you’re organizing a multi-city trip to Germany and are planning on primarily using trains and public transit to get around, then I would recommend buying a Deutschland-Ticket. Even if you’re staying mostly within a single city, but planning on using public transit frequently it could be worth it. For example, a 24-Hour-Ticket in Berlin is €9.50, and a 7-Day-Ticket is €41.50.
Now, not every journey is realistic or possible with the Deutschland-Ticket (unless you plan a trip specifically around it) so you might have to buy additional train tickets for certain routes, such as routes only covered by high-speed trains. However, if you’re really traveling on a budget, then sometimes you can opt to take multiple regional trains to get to your destination, rather than a high-speed train.
To give an example, if you plan to visit Berlin, Nuremberg, Augsburg, Munich, and Dachau, the €49-Ticket covers transit between all five cities and within all five cities. However, the regional train route from Berlin to Nuremberg involves at minimum two transfers and takes just under eight hours, so I would opt for just paying for the direct ICE Sprinter which takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. The ICE Sprinter route usually costs anywhere from €40 to €70 one way, but you’ll get to your destination much faster, can reserve a seat, don’t have to deal with multiple transfers, and are provided with a (hopefully) straightforward alternative if the train gets canceled or delayed. However, if you’re budget traveling, have the time, or want to explore Deutsche Bahn’s train network a little more, then the Deutschland-Ticket has got you covered again.
The D-Ticket also helps you avoid dynamic pricing and gives you the flexibility of hopping on whatever train suits your travel needs, rather than buying an individual ticket that only suits a specific journey.
Best Way to Purchase a Deutschland-Ticket
For Locals:
Deutsche Bahn: Several local transit apps allow for the purchase of a Deutschland-Ticket, but I prefer buying my ticket via Germany’s national railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) because I can store the ticket on their app and any other long-distance tickets I purchase are neatly organized by date, with easy-to-access information about each journey. The DB app is great for train trip planning (both regional and long-distance) so it’s nice to have everything in one handy app.
The app is available globally and in English, but requires a German bank account and IBAN to buy the D-Ticket. Card and PayPal are accepted for other types of tickets. You can buy a ticket for the current month at any point, but it is not prorated. You have until the 10th of the month to cancel your ticket for the upcoming month.
BVG: This is Berlin’s local transit app. It also requires a German bank account (but again only for the Deutschland-Ticket specifically) and you have until the 22nd of the month to cancel your ticket for the following month. The app is available globally, in English and you can store your ticket on the BVG App or Apple Wallet. However, you cannot buy a ticket for the current month, only for upcoming months.
Tip: Check out what deals your university, employer, or local transit company offers. You might be able to obtain a discounted or even free ticket!
For Visitors:
HVV Switch: This is Hamburg’s local transit app, which I think is the best app for tourists. When purchasing a ticket your first month is prorated based on your chosen activation date, making it perfect if you’re arriving towards the end of the month and your trip extends into the following month. This app does not require a German bank account; you have the option to also pay with an international card or PayPal. The app is available globally and in English. You can store the ticket in Apple Pay and Google Wallet. You must cancel by the 10th of the current month in order, if you wish to cancel your ticket for the following month.
Deutschland-Ticket Store: Keep it simple with a purchase directly from the Deutschland-Ticket store. The website offers an English version, and accepts SEPA, international cards, and Google Pay. You can purchase a ticket for the current month or following month at any point. To my understanding, you do not have to cancel this ticket as this version is not subscription based, making it handy for short visits. I recommend double checking that it cancels automatically as I’ve never purchased using this method before. You’ll get an email with a QR code you can save to your phone or print.
U Eberswalder Straße, Berlin
How to Know Which Transit is Included With Your Ticket
As previously mentioned, city and regional transit in Germany is included with your ticket. So city trams, buses, boats, subways (U-Bahn), and trains (S-Bahn), as well as multi-city Regional-Express (RE) and Regionalbahn (RB) trains are included. On regional trains, you’ll need to sit in second class. You cannot use the Deutschland-Ticket on other long-distance or high-speed trains (IC, EC, ICE, and RE of DB Fernverkehr AG), trains run by operators like Flixbus/Flixtrain, or trains used specifically for historic/tourist purposes. Find more information here.
If you’re still unsure, I recommend checking Deutsche Bahn’s route planner. Input your preferences (ex: Munich to Augsburg on August 28th, 2024 at 13:45), and under ‘mode of transport’ select ‘local transport only.’ DB will then show you available routes covered only by regional transit, therefore compatible with the D-Ticket. It’ll also give you a price for the ticket, but that’s for people buying an individual ticket, who are not traveling with D-Ticket.
The top route is via an ICE train so it is not Deutschland-Ticket compatible, but the bottom route is via regional rail so you're good to go!
Germany’s Best Transit Apps
Deutsche Bahn
Again, I’ve found the Deutsche Bahn App really comes into clutch. You can select ‘local transport only’ underneath ‘mode of transit’ to see trains compatible with your Deutschland-Ticket.
Although you won’t be buying these tickets, you’ll be able to take a look at and save the routes to see if there are any delays, cancellations, or changes to the schedule. You’ll also be able to identify what platforms the trains are arriving at and departing from, making transfers less intimidating.
It might also inform you of other details like if there’s AC (there usually is), a restaurant or snack point (usually a vending machine or coffee/snack cart), outlets, or WiFi (even if WiFi is offered there’s a 50/50 chance it works properly) on the train.
You can also take a peek at the stops along the way to your destination — if a stop seems interesting you can hop on out and do a little exploring! Just be sure to make sure you’re not on the last train of the day. Generally you should avoid taking the last train of the day, just trust me on this one.
DB Bahnhof Live (App)
Although this app is German language only, it’s easy enough to navigate. The app allows you to see maps and amenities available at many of Germany’s train stations. Not every train station is represented, but most mid-sized and bigger stations are.
After selecting a station you can click ‘Bahnhofskarte’ to see a map of the station. You can click ‘Ausstattung’ to see a list of available amenities which could include having WiFi, bathrooms, elevators, locker storage, an ATM point, and a taxi stand at the station. If you click ‘Shoppen & Schlemmen’ you can see a list of shops located at that station, ranging from gastronomy to pharmacies.
Another handy feature is seeing the upcoming departures. Once you’ve clicked on a station click on ‘Abfahrt’ where you’ll be able to see that station’s timetable including the time, direction, and platform of trains arriving/departing.
Google Maps
Google Maps is typically fine to navigate within cities, especially major ones like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich. It’s what I normally use day-to-day, just out of convenience. However it doesn’t know everything so when in doubt, check in with DB or the city’s local transit app.
Moovit
Although Moovit is not my go to navigation/transit app, I’ve found that it is great for accuracy, like noting scheduling changes and where stops are currently located. This kind of information is estimated to be wrong on Google and Apple Maps around 10% of the time, but Moovit’s heavy incorporation of community input keeps their app on top of changes and updates.
Bremen
Itinerary Ideas
There are so many options! You can use the €49-Ticket for local transit within a city, for day trips, or to go on a multi-city tour of Germany.
Take a Tour of Bavaria: Base yourself in Nuremberg for a week, a city with just as much to do as Munich, with significantly fewer crowds, as well as more affordable food and hotels. From here you can take direct regional trains to beautiful Munich, brewery paradise Bamberg, medieval Regensburg, and wine-filled Würzburg — just to name a few destinations.
Romp Around the Rhine: Pick a base (perhaps Mannheim) and enjoy direct local trains to Karlsruhe, Mainz, and Heidelberg. Go a little deeper and take a transfer from Karlsruhe to Black Forest spa town Bad Wildbald. When in wine-making Mainz you can also take another local train to the regal city of Wiesbaden and the picturesque town Rhudsheim am Rhein.
A Half-Timbered Heaven: Enjoy a long weekend in Magdeburg, but be sure to prioritize visiting Quedlinburg and Wernigerode, two medieval towns known for their half-timbered houses and medieval streets.
Go Beyond Berlin: Spending some time in Berlin and craving a little nature? Take a trip to green Spreewald, known for its canals, forest, and pickles! You can also head on over to Rostock and Warnemünde, Berlin’s gateway to the Baltic Sea. Incredibly, you can also use select regional trains to leave the country! Reach Szczecin, Poland in under two hours by regional rail and treat yourself to a generous plate of Pierogi to celebrate your ongoing savings.
Say “Moin, Moin!” to Hamburg’s Neighbors: The lovely port city of Hamburg also makes for a fantastic base for seeing other cities in northern Germany. From Schwerin to Lübeck to Wismar to Kiel to Bremen, there’s plenty to see and do along Germany’s coast.
Navigating German’s Transit Network With Special Circumstances
Traveling with Disabilities
DB Bahnhof Live: All major train stations should offer elevators. Many train stations will offer step-free barriers, but this unfortunately isn’t a requirement. You can use the DB Bahnhof Live app to see the disability features of many train stations. Although the app is in German, you can take screenshots and upload them to the Google Translate App to translate to your preferred language. When using this app, type in the name of the station, select the station, and then click ‘Aufzüge’ for a list of which platforms have elevators.
After searching for and selecting a station you can click ‘Bahnhofskarte’ to see a map of the station. You can also click ‘Ausstattung’ to find a list of general features at this station. From here, click the word ‘Barrierefreiheit,’ then select the platform you’ll be arriving/departing at to see a list of amenities available at that specific platform. These disability features can range from step-free access to tactile paving to accessible bathrooms.
Certain stations offer a free mobility service you can arrange in advance if you think you'll need assistance arriving or departing from a station on an upcoming trip. Select the station name, then click on the ‘i’ icon at the bottom of your screen. From here click ‘Rufnummern & Services.’ If available there will be a button that says ‘Mobilitätsservice.’ You need to fill out an online form with your information by 8 PM the day before your trip. Otherwise, you can try giving the listed number a call. The service is available every day from 8 AM to 10 PM. Berlin Hbf is a station that offers this service if you’d like to see what it looks like on the app.
Deutsche Bahn: When planning your route on the Deutsche Bahn App you can click ‘Transfer Time’ and select ‘10 minutes’ which will offer you routes with at least ten minutes in transfer time in case you need more time getting between platforms. This is also just smart to do in general in case of delays. You can select a larger transfer gap as well.
Most regional trains have bathrooms, usually with at least one wheelchair-accessible option. If purchasing tickets for trains individually, people over the age of 65 qualify for a reduced-priced ticket. People with disabilities can sometimes qualify for free or reduced train tickets, but I believe only residents qualify for this.
Traveling With Kids
Children under the age of 6 ride for free in Germany.
Customarily, Deutsche Bahn allows for up to three children (regardless of if they’re your own) between the ages of 6 to 14 to travel for free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Children between the ages of 6 to 14 who are traveling alone on DB trains receive a 50% discount. Some regional and many long-distance trains offer family compartments, dedicated to children and their families. They might also offer space to store strollers. Learn more about family traveling here.
On other trains (such as city transit) children between the ages of 6 to 14 qualify for a reduced fare ticket (assuming they don’t already have their own €49-Ticket).
Traveling With Pets
On local, regional, and long-distance trains, pets that are domestic cat-sized or smaller, and can fit in a carrier can be transported for free and without a ticket. Dogs that aren’t in a carrier require a ticket and also need to be leashed and muzzled (although most dogs I see on trains are not muzzled). Dogs qualify for a reduced fare ticket on certain routes but otherwise need a standard adult ticket. You can write the German name for dog (Hund) as their passenger name. You cannot get your dog a €49-Ticket.
Assistance/guide dogs travel for free and only need to be leashed.
Traveling With Bikes
On DB you can check on a specific route to see what the rules are with bikes. I believe, you have five possible outcomes:
Bikes are not allowed on that particular train (probably because the train is expected to be high occupancy).
Bikes are not allowed at that particular stop because it’s too busy of a stop, but you’re able to hop on one stop before or afterwards. For example, you might not be able to bring your bike via the Berlin Hbf stop, but you can see if you can take it on at the Berlin Gesundbrunnen stop.
Bikes are allowed, but you need to purchase an additional ticket. I’ve never brought a bike on a train before, but cyclist friends of mine say the ticket checker typically either doesn’t ask to see a bike ticket or allows you to buy one on the spot, but take that with a grain of salt.
Bikes are allowed and you do not need to purchase an additional ticket.
There is no indication of whether or not bikes are allowed on the train, so you’ll have to do a little extra research or just wing it.
If you can fold your bike and store it in the luggage area or near you, then your bike counts as free luggage and it does not need a ticket. The train might also have a bike/stroller/excess luggage area. The DB app sometimes indicates the train car number so you can hop onto the appropriate compartment.
Sometimes the bike friendly compartment is clearly labeled on the train. This might be displayed with text or a visual, like with the train on the left.
General Tips for Navigating Germany’s Regional and Local Transit
As expansive and impressive as Germany’s rail network can be, it’s not a perfect system. Therefore I have a few more tips to leave you with.
Although rare sometimes platforms can change last minute. Be sure to pay attention to the departure board to ensure you’re on the correct platform. The board might also indicate what part of the platform the train will arrive at. Keep this in mind so you’re not left having to speed over to the opposite side of the tracks at the last minute.
City transit trains will customarily stop for less than 30 seconds. Regional transit trains can be at stations for as short as two minutes. With this in mind, if you are traveling with a group or carrying bulky items, be sure to give yourself enough time to get on/off the train.
When ticket checkers come around to check tickets have your QR code ready to scan. In certain states (namely Bavaria) it’s common to check photo identification (Ausweis) on regional trains.
Certain routes might be busy. On a sunny summer weekend morning, the trains leading to local lakes and the Baltic Sea will be very packed. You can deal with the crowds, travel on a different day, catch the first train of the day, pay for a high-speed ticket, or try to leave from a preceding station.
When you do book non-D-Ticket compliant trains (ICs, ICEs, etc.), I recommend reserving a seat. Buying a ticket only obligates you to a spot on the train, not a seat. Don’t pay all that money then try to save a few bucks, only to wind up needing to stand the whole time.
Most cities will have lockers at their main train stations. They’re typically pretty affordable and usually need to be paid with coins. They commonly offer varying sizes from backpack to checked luggage size.
Most regional trains (and some city S-Bahns) will have a free-to-use bathroom. Otherwise, major train stations will have bathrooms. This is normally free for children, and sometimes people with disabilities, but will cost €0.50 to €1.00 for everyone else. Some more modern train stations allow you to pay by card, but coins are most widely accepted.
If you’re traveling with a group, a group ticket might make more sense than a Deutschland-Ticket. You can buy group tickets for specific states or regions, or get a general Germany-Day-Ticket, called Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket, which currently costs €46 and allows for one day of unlimited travel on regional and local trains throughout Germany. The ticket is valid for up to five people, in addition to up to three children between the ages of 6 to 14.
See how some of the platform numbers also have letters? That tells you which part of the platform the train will arrive at. Platforms can be really long.
Etc.
This might be the most I’ve ever thought about trains! Anywho, read these posts next:
Special thanks to my partner Dan, who inspires me with his extensive knowledge of urban transit and deep love for German trains.