Transport in Germany | Navigate Germany

🎫 Deutschlandticket — €49/month

The Deutschlandticket gives you unlimited travel on all local and regional public transport across Germany for a flat monthly fee.

What it covers

✅ All S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, bus (local)
✅ Regional trains (RE, RB, IRE)
✅ Valid across all 16 federal states
✅ No zone restrictions for local transport
❌ NOT valid on ICE, IC, EC trains
❌ NOT valid on long-distance buses
❌ No seat reservation included

How to get it

📱 DB App — bahn.de or DB Navigator app

📱 Local app — MVV, BVG, HVV, KVB etc.

💳 Monthly subscription — cancel anytime

🎓 Student version — often included in Semesterticket

👨‍👩‍👧 Children under 6 — free

🐕 Dogs — need separate ticket usually

DB Deutschlandticket

Buy directly from Deutsche Bahn — works immediately on DB Navigator app.

→ bahn.de

BVG (Berlin)

Berlin's BVG sells the Deutschlandticket with optional BVG add-ons.

→ bvg.de

MVV (Munich)

Munich region — buy via MVV app or website.

→ mvv-muenchen.de

HVV (Hamburg)

Hamburg regional transport — includes S-Bahn and bus.

→ hvv.de

💡 Tips for newcomers

Subscribe on day 1 in Germany — immediate coverage
Download the app before your first day
Screenshot your ticket in case of connectivity issues
Check if employer subsidises it (many do: Jobticket)
Cancel by 10th of month to avoid next month's charge

🚄 Deutsche Bahn — long-distance travel

ICE and IC trains require a separate ticket. Book early for best prices.

BahnCard — worth it?

BahnCard 25

25% discount on all DB tickets. €62.90/year (2nd class). Worth it if you travel ~4× per year.

BahnCard 50

50% discount. €255/year (2nd class). Worth it for frequent travellers (2+ trips/month).

Booking tips

Book 6 weeks early — Super Sparpreis from €17.90
Sparpreis — fixed train, flexible date ±1 day
Flexpreis — any train that day, most expensive
DB Navigator app — also shows regional trains
Seat reservation — optional but recommended for ICE (€4.90)
Delay compensation — claim online if >60 min delay

DB Navigator App

Official Deutsche Bahn app — buy tickets, check live departures, manage bookings.

→ bahn.de

Delay compensation

Claim online if your train was ≥60 minutes late. 25% refund for 60 min, 50% for 120 min.

→ Claim delay refund

FlixBus / FlixTrain

Budget alternative for many routes. Not covered by Deutschlandticket.

→ flixbus.de

🚇 Regional public transport

All regional transit (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, bus) is covered by your Deutschlandticket. No need to buy separate tickets.

BVG — Berlin

U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus. City of Berlin. App: BVG Fahrinfo.

→ bvg.de

MVV — Munich

U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus. Greater Munich region. App: MVV.

→ mvv-muenchen.de

HVV — Hamburg

S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus, AKN. Hamburg metro region.

→ hvv.de

KVB — Cologne

Cologne tram and bus network.

→ kvb.koeln

RMV — Frankfurt

Rhine-Main regional transport — covers Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt.

→ rmv.de

VVS — Stuttgart

Stuttgart city and region — S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus.

→ vvs.de

🗺 Useful apps

📱 DB Navigator — all trains and connections

📱 Google Maps — public transit directions

📱 Citymapper — Berlin, Hamburg, Munich

📱 Moovit — real-time transit info

📱 Local app — BVG, MVV, HVV etc.

📱 Komoot — cycling routes

🚗 Driving licence exchange

Non-EU licences must be exchanged or converted within 6 months of registering in Germany. EU licences are valid without exchange.

Exchange timeline

EU/EEA licence — valid indefinitely, no exchange needed
Some non-EU countries — direct exchange (no test): USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, and more
Other countries — must take German driving test (theory + practical)
Apply at — Führerscheinstelle (driver's licence office) in your city
Timeline — allow 3–6 months including test waiting times

Required documents

Valid passport or EU ID
Current driving licence (original)
Certified German translation of licence (if not in Latin script)
Biometric passport photo (35×45mm)
Anmeldebescheinigung (registration confirmation)
Sehtest (eye test — from any optician, ~€10)
First aid course certificate (Erste Hilfe, 8 hours)

KBA — licence exchange checker

Official checker to see if your country has a direct exchange agreement with Germany.

→ kba.de

ADAC — driving in Germany

Rules of the road, speed limits, motorway tips for newcomers.

→ adac.de

🚲 Bike sharing & e-scooters

Germany has excellent cycling infrastructure. Many immigrants use bikes as their primary transport, especially in flat cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne.

Nextbike

Germany-wide bike sharing. Docking stations in 100+ cities. From €1/30 min or monthly flat rate.

→ nextbike.de

Deutsche Bahn Call a Bike

DB's bike sharing service integrated into DB Navigator app. Available in major cities.

→ callabike.de

TIER e-scooters

E-scooters in most German cities. Unlock via app. Not usable on footpaths.

→ tier.app

Lime

E-scooters and e-bikes. Available in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne.

→ li.me

Buy a used bike

eBay Kleinanzeigen is the best place. Budget €80–200 for a reliable city bike. Always use a good lock (Kryptonite or ABUS).

→ kleinanzeigen.de

⚠ E-scooter rules

Must use cycle lanes or road — NOT footpaths
No passengers allowed
Helmets not mandatory but strongly recommended
Not allowed on motorways or in pedestrian zones
Must have insurance (usually included in rental price)

🚆 Transport in Germany