Travel has become extremely easy in Germany, a country with one of the world's widest public transport systems.
This is thanks to German tickets, or German tickets, a new type (almost) all inclusive travel passes. For just 58 euros or around $63 on a month's trip, you can cross the country using Germany's vast network of regional trains. You don't even need to organize your tickets for your trip. You can see it at the station and the board. (Faster, longer-distance trains, such as urban and intercity highways, are not included in the path).
Once you arrive at your destination, German tickets can be used to bypass the local Byzantine German transport ticket system that can hinder even locals. Instead, wherever you are, you can jump on all sorts of local public transport, from buses to trams to underground systems, to 19th-century steam locomotives and ferries.
Since its introduction in 2023, German tickets have caused something like a post-HR Renaissance on local travel. German ticket-themed travel books and website raft have come in as cardholders take advantage of the opportunity to explore the corner of the country using climate-friendly transport at a fixed price.
“This ticket is innovation,” said Alistair Roder, professor of mobility policy at the Institute of Technology Munich. “We're changing the way public transport is used.”
German tickets, especially loved by retirees, families and students, are perfect for tourists too. You can use the app to book monthly passes from overseas. Please be sure to cancel before updating.
Here are some of the most scenic trips you can take with your German ticket:
From Stuttgart to Constance
Regine Heue, author of the “Deutschland – Roads with Ticket” guide, loved all the 40 early trips she took to write it. But if she had to choose it, it might travel from Stuttgart, home to the Mercedes-Benz Museum, to Constance, a beautiful medieval city on the shores of Lake Constance. After riding along the stunning clear blue lake, you can stop by Constance to admire the alpine views of the city, eating, drinking and shopping. Or you can continue: via bus to Meesburg in Winetown. At Friedrichshaffen, the home of Zeppelin. Or, on a garden island with an arboretum from 150 years ago.
From Cologne along the Line and Mosel routes
Starting in Cologne, featuring a spectacular Gothic cathedral and carnival spirit, you can board a train that turns along the banks of the Rhine towards Mainz. The German Stern Magazine is described as “probably the most beautiful and romantic railway route in the country,” and this trip will take you through the castles, forests, vineyards, the famous Raleigh cliffs and the top of the Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can swap out the Koblenz train where the Rhine meets Mosel and head to Trier, Germany's oldest city. This route follows Mosel and offers plenty of opportunities to tasting wines at one of the many vineyards in the area. (A good place to stop: the town of Bernkastelku).
From Hamburg, through silt, mud flatland
There may be no better way to see Hamburg at Handsmetic Port from the water. With German tickets you can ride the city's ferry system at no extra charge. Experience Hamburg from the water and then jump on a regional train to Germany's northernmost island of Schilt. The train passes through the spectacular natural landscapes of North Frisia, with its large UNESCO-protected intertidal and muddy flatlands known as the Wadden Sea. For a surreal and beautiful stretch, the train travels along the embankment that passes through the sea. Upon arriving at Sylt, travelers can rent bikes (not included in German tickets) using local buses or walk to the beach. Don't miss out on the area's famous fish brecchen or fish sandwiches.
From Berlin to Zittau and mountains
Klaus Skesedel, author of the guidebook “Together with German Tickets in Berlin,” traveled 32 routes from the German capital to write his eco-friendly travel guide. However, the German ticket discovery that most pleased the longtime Berliner was a trip to the charming and undiscovered historic city, three hours south, near the Czech-Polish border. The city is located at the foot of Zittau Mountains. This is prominent in their impressive sandstone rock formations, and is named after their similar shape. From Zittau you can travel to these mountains and travel to Oibin by small gauge steam trains from the 19th century. This train, which is part of public transport, requires an additional “historic extra charge” of 10 euros per person per day.
From Munich to Husen and Cinderella's Castle
From Munich, you can take a train from the Deutsche Museum, one of the world's largest museums for beer gardens and science and technology, to the historic city of Husen. This two-hour ride through the Alpine hills takes you to an area known for its mountains, lakes and castles, offering spectacular views of the Ammergau and the Algau Alps summits. Called “the tallest town in Bavaria,” Husen may want to stop eating local Aargau specialities such as the local Sisi Torte, which was created in honor of Austrian Empress's 19th century visit. From Husen, a short bus ride will take you to Neuschwanstein Castle, a Walt Disney inspiration for sleep and Sleeping Beauty Castle.
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