Travelers to Germany Can Save Big With This Monthly Transport Pass

When it comes to public transportation, the Germans are well ahead of the game. Instead of making people purchase different tickets or travel cards for each transport company and each mode of travel in every city and town you visit, they created the Deutschland-Ticket (or D-Ticket for short), a transport card that works throughout the country.

For the meagre price of $55 (€49) per month, the Deutschland-Ticket offers unlimited travel on all means of local public transport throughout Germany. That means that you can ride regional trains and buses, trams, subways, etc. in the entire country with just one card.

In comparison, a seven-day ticket to use public transportation in all of Berlin costs the same price: $55 (€49). In the northern city of Hamburg, an all-day ticket that covers all zones costs around $30 (€26.70).

The Deutschland-Ticket is a monthly subscription that is well suited to those who reside in Germany but that works also great for anyone planning to travel around the country for an extended period of time. Tourists only have to remember to cancel the subscription when they’re done so it does not get renewed for another month. Canceling your D-Ticket is easily done via the DB Navigator app.

Note that tourist-specific buses and trains are not covered by the D-Ticket. Neither are high-speed trains (ICE), long-distance trains (IC), and EuroCity trains (EC). Those who wish to ride the ICE, IC, and EC trains frequently while in Germany would do well to check out the Eurail’s offerings for unlimited train travel.

A few exceptions apply to the all-encompassing usage of the D-Ticket and they are listed in a PDF (in German but easily understood) by regions and transport companies.

The D-Ticket can be purchased online and displayed on your smart phone via the DB Navigator app. You cannot get a printed ticket, which the Deutsch Bahn says creates “less waste and CO2 thanks to elimination of production and shipping.”

I recently traveled around Northern Germany using only public transport and can attest to the efficiency and punctuality of the trains, buses, and metros. Even in rural areas like the lesser-known island of Rügen, there’s no need to use the car as buses run throughout the island at very frequent interval. Of course, using public transportion is also a much more sustainable way to travel than driving or flying.

Starting January 1, 2025, the price of the Deutschland-Ticket is set to increase by $10 (€9). The subscription will then be $65 (€58) per month.

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