The German government started an initiative this summer (2023), the “‘Deutschland-Ticket” whereby you can travel around the entire country, using all public transport methods, for a 49€ month subscription. We used this offer, and here are some insights into what we found.
Buying the ticket
Buying the ticket could not be easier. Go to this site: D-Ticket - EUR 49 ticket for buses and trains in local transport (bahn.com) and just click book now. The only slight challenge for non German users is you will need to access your IBAN (International bank account) number. This is a 32 digit code that includes your country code, sort code and account number. Some banking apps (like Natwest) will give you your IBAN in the account information section, whilst others (like Barclays) require you to enter your details into their web portal. Either way a quick Google search ‘how to find my IBAN [insert bank]’ should put you on the right track!
Once you’ve signed up the easiest way to use the ticket is if you download the DB Navigator app for your phone. This is available on both iPhones and Android devices. Click the links below to find the app for your device:
Signing up on the app is pretty straightforward. Once you have signed up and bought the Deutschland-Ticket, it will appear in your “My Tickets” section on the DB Navigator app.
We cannot recommend the DB navigator app highly enough (imagine someone took all the good bits of Google Maps, Citymapper and Thetrainline.com and put them into one helpful place). The app also allows you to filter your search by regional and local trains only which is vital for getting around on the Deutschland-Ticket (more information below). The app also provides live updates on train delays, public transport connections and even platform numbers, so it’s a great tool to navigate multiple transport services in one place.
What the ticket allows you to do
The ticket allows you to use all public transport and local and regional trains around the entire country. You can use all tram, metro and bus services in every town and city and even a few local ferry services in some regions.
Limitations of ticket
Whilst you can use some trains, the ticket is not valid on ICE, EC and IC high speed rail. The website states that it allows you to use regional trains only, but we found that wording a bit confusing. For clarity, you can use the Deutschland-Ticket to get you across the country from city to city, BUT you can only travel on certain trains, which will often mean a number of changes and a slower pace of travel. One of the easiest ways to know if you can travel on the train is by filtering your journey through the DB Navigator app and it’s also helpful to know that if the train number starts with R or RE you're good to go.
An example of this is as follows: from Cologne to Dresden your journey may be almost twice as long!
The first example here is of the REGIONAL trains that are allowed on the Deutschland-Ticket. The second example is showing the HIGH SPEED trains. Note the number of changes on the regional example, and the time difference. Between 4 to 6 changes on the regional, depending on the departure time, compared to 1 on the high speed options. The journey on the regional trains will take approximately 10 hours, compared to around 6 on the high speed trains.
Using the ticket
Germany (at least from our experience), does not have ticket barriers for the trains or trams. This makes using the ticket as simple as it can possibly be. You do not need to book in advance, you literally arrive at the station and walk on a train (be careful not to walk on an IC, ICE, EC or other high speed train!). Ticket inspectors occasionally will ask to see your ticket, where all you do is show them the QR code, under the “My Tickets” section of the DB Navigator app, and you are done. With trams and buses, you simply walk on. There is no need to book a ticket or speak to anyone at a ticket counter, or verify a ticket at all. Simple.
Is it worth it?
In short, yes. If you plan to visit more than one city or region, the ticket is almost instantly worth it, even if you are only in Germany for a few days (unless the places you are visiting are very close by). Trams are everywhere in Germany, as are metro rail services, including undergrounds and even the dangling monorail of Wuppertal The suspension monorail (schwebebahn.de). They all make travelling around cities effortless, and with this ticket you can simply walk on and off each service without a second thought. A single long distance journey (such as the Cologne-Dresden example), can cost you more than the Deutschland-Ticket. We highly recommend this initiative, and it should be a model that other countries aspire to. Kudos to Germany!!
CAUTION!!
Remember this ticket is a SUBSCRIPTION service. This means that it will automatically renew every month, and charge your bank account automatically. If you are visiting for a week, two weeks or a month, remember to cancel the subscription after you have used your final transport in Germany.
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