German cities
have remarkable public transportation systems, especially when compared
with American cities of equal size, and they operate with all the
efficiency you'd expect from our Teutonic friends. Just about every town of
substantial size has at minimum a bus system. Transport mode
options increase considerably as the place you're in gets bigger.
Public transportation is so good, you should never need or want a car to
get around most cities. Overall, Germany probably has more urban public
transportation systems, especially rail systems, than just about any
other country in the world.
Types of service
Bus
Nearly every town and many rural areas have scheduled local bus
service. In some cases, this service is operated by GermanRail (Bahnbus).
In larger places, lines crisscross the city. Where local rail
service is offered, buses supplement or compliment those services.
In the biggest cities, there may be several different bus systems in
operation. In Berlin, you'll even find double-decker buses.
Service intervals vary widely depending on the size of the location.
Many large cities also offer night bus service.
Articulated bus in Münster
(Photo by Rüdiger Wölk)
Straßenbahn/Trambahn (streetcar/tram)
Most medium and large
cities have a streetcar system, sometimes fairly extensive. In
some areas, streetcar lines run underground in the central city area.
Trams are prevalent in many eastern German cities. Most systems
have been modernized with sleek new rolling stock, and many newer
systems carry the Trambahn moniker. Service is fairly
frequent, usually 20-30 minutes during off-peak periods.
Leipzig streetcar
Stadtbahn
(light rail)
Some cities, most notably Stuttgart, Hanover, Cologne, and
cities in the Ruhr region, have relatively new light rail systems.
Generally, these systems function very much like a U-Bahn system
(subway, see below) with wide-gauge tracks, longer trains, and high
platforms. In fact, most Stadtbahn systems are marked with the
standard "U" sign like subways. However, while
the Stadtbahn usually runs in extensive tunnel networks within the
central city areas, it runs mostly overground outside of the central
city. When running above ground, the Stadtbahn runs almost entirely in
exclusive rights-of-way making them faster than streetcars.
Service is frequent, usually 10-20 minutes during off-peak periods.
Stuttgart
Stadtbahn
U-Bahn
(Untergrundbahn, subway/underground)
A few of Germany's
largest cities have a full-fledged subway system. For the most part, these
systems are located underground, but may run on elevated tracks or at
ground level, especially in outlying areas. These systems
generally serve the central city and immediately adjacent suburbs.
Service is frequent, usually 5-15 minutes during off-peak periods.
Berlin U-Bahn
S-Bahn
(Schnellbahn, suburban commuter rail)
The largest
metropolitan areas (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt-Mainz-Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, Cologne-Düsseldorf-Ruhr
District, Nuremburg, Dresden, Leipzig-Halle,
Mannheim-Heidelberg-Karlsruhe, Magdeburg, and Rostock) have a brilliant commuter train system called the S-Bahn.
These are express trains connecting the central city to the
farthest-flung suburbs. These routes primarily run above ground
except in the central city, where they often run underground.
Service is fairly frequent, usually 20-30 minutes during off-peak
periods. Besides providing suburban service, the S-Bahn also makes
several stops in the central city area as well. These stops are
generally further apart than those on the U-Bahn or Stadtbahn and therefore makes
the S-Bahn a good option for longer central city journeys. Unlike
the other systems above, which are operated by local governments or
franchises, S-Bahn systems are all operated by GermanRail.
Frankfurt S-Bahn
Other modes of
urban public transport you may come across include:
-
Zahnradbahn (cog railway/funicular)
-
Seilbahn (cable railway)
-
Schwebebahn (suspended railway): Ride the famous one in
Wuppertal if you get a chance- it's over 100 years old!
- H-Bahn/Hochbahn
(elevated train)
Some foreign
visitors confuse the S-Bahn and U-Bahn. It's easy for English
speakers to separate these: U = Underground, S = Suburban.
Also, don't
confuse S-Bahn with Straßenbahn or Stadtbahn-- these are
quite different!
Note that the
service times indicated above are for weekdays. Service on
weekends may be substantially reduced, especially on Sundays and
holidays. Schedules are always posted at stops and stations.
Most transit
systems use the central rail station (Hauptbahnhof) as a major
hub.
This makes it easy to get from the station to your hotel and vice versa.
Maps
The transit maps for the largest cities are quite complex,
oftentimes resembling some kind of electrical wiring diagram. But once you
study them for a few minutes, they are pretty easy to understand. Most
cities use color-coded schematic plans to make the system easier to
decipher. They can be obtained for free from tourist offices and
are usually included in guidebooks. You'll find them posted at
most bus and streetcar stops and subway stations often sport life-sized
versions along the platforms. Street maps of the surrounding neighborhood are also usually posted in
rail stations, making it easy to find your way from the station to your
destination.
Stuttgart rail
system map
Signs
In the name of German Ordnung, stops and stations throughout Germany are marked by
standard signs, so no matter where you go, you'll know what to look for:
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Bus or
streetcar stop |
Stadtbahn
station |
U-Bahn
station |
S-Bahn
station |
| |
|
|
|
Tickets & fares
In each city or
metropolitan area, all of the transit networks operate under a single regional transport cooperative (Verkehrsverbund) with coordinated fares and
tickets. One ticket (Fahrkarte, Fahrschein, or
Fahrausweis) is good for all modes of transport and is valid for
transfers to other trains or buses needed to complete your journey.
The specific rules vary depending on the city, but you are usually
allowed one complete trip in one continuous direction along the most
direct route to your destination for a set length of time, usually two
hours or so.
Fares on German
transport networks are based on a zone system. The transport
regions are divided into tariff zones (Tarifzonen) and you pay
based on the number of zones you cross. Oftentimes, there is a
central cluster of zones (Innenraum) covering the inner city.
Typically, all tickets purchased in this cluster have the same price for
journeys ending anywhere else in the cluster, even if it crosses a
tariff zone. Fares generally range from €1-4; higher for longer
distances.
For buses, you
can purchase your ticket from the driver. Simply state your final
destination and he will tell you how much the fare is. Pay him and
he will give you your ticket. In most German cities, the driver
can make change, but it's probably a good idea to have enough change
on-hand to pay the exact fare. If there is a ticket machine at the
stop, you will have to purchase your ticket from the machine rather than
the bus driver (see below).
 
Typical ticket
machine (left) and Entwerter (right)
Ticket
machines
For rail
systems, you will need to purchase your ticket before you board.
Tickets are available from automated ticket machines (labeled Fahrkarten,
Fahrscheine, or Fahrausweise). The exact
operation of these machines varies from city to city, but they all
function basically the same, and many have instructions in English.
Usually, you find your destination (Fahrziel)
either on a map or chart and note its zone and push the corresponding button on the machine--
usually a combination of zone number and either adult (Erwachsene)
or child (Kind). Then pay the amount shown on the display and take your
ticket and any change. Depending on the city, you may then be required to validate
your ticket just before you use it-- look for the words "Entwerten"
or "Entwerter" and an arrow on the ticket (see example
below). If
your ticket requires validation, find a small box with a slot on the
front, usually marked Entwerter
(see photo above). These are located at the entrances to subway
and rail stations and on-board buses and trams. Insert your ticket
in the slot as indicated by the arrows. The
date, time, and location will be stamped on the face of the ticket.
Berlin subway
ticket
Most cities
also have special multi-tickets (Mehrfahrtenkarte or
Streifenkarte). You purchase one ticket that is valid for
several uses (usually 3-10), often at a slightly reduced price from the
corresponding number of
individual fares. The ticket has several numbered sections that
correspond to each use. To use the ticket, you need to validate it
before or as you begin each journey by inserting the next sequentially
numbered section into the validating machine. Once validated, it
basically works like an individual ticket with regards to use. On
most systems, you can use a single multi-ticket for several
people traveling together-- just validate one section of the ticket for each person (i.e.
if you want to use it for two people, validate two
sections of the ticket.) There are also
24-hour passes (Tageskarte). These are good for all modes
of transit for an entire day. Some systems also sell a group day
ticket which allows several people to use one 24-hour pass, or passes
that also include admission to museums and attractions. Finally, many
cities have special tickets for short-distance journeys (up to three or four
stops). These tickets (Kurzstreckekarte) cost considerably
less than a full zone ticket.
Note that most
systems will allow you take your dog or bike on board trains and buses,
but you may have to buy a ticket for them, most likely the
children's fare or equivalent, and you may not be allowed to do it
during rush hours.
Once you have
your ticket (and validated it if required), you may board the train or
bus. Keep your ticket with you for the duration of your journey.
German transit operates on the honor system. Periodically, though,
inspectors will walk-through the trains checking tickets. When
they approach (asking "Fahrkarten, bitte"), hand them both
your ticket and passport or other identification. Those without
tickets are publicly humiliated, a torture which only ends when you
cough-up the fine, usually €30-50 collected on the spot.
Keep in mind that they've heard all the excuses (and being a foreigner
is no excuse), so its in your best interest to just pay up and go on
with your life.
A special
note for the S-Bahn
Since GermanRail operates the S-Bahn systems,
Eurail or GermanRail passes are valid on all S-Bahn trains. Your
pass must be in effect for the day you want to use the S-Bahn (meaning
that you must be using a travel day on those flexipasses.) If
you have a valid pass and use the S-Bahn in conjunction with other modes
of public transportation for a journey, you will need to purchase a
separate ticket for the segment of your trip that is not via S-Bahn. For
instance, if your trip from Point A to Point C includes an S-Bahn from A
to B and a U-Bahn from B to C, then you will need to purchase a
ticket for the B to C segment, and you will need to purchase this ticket
when you reach Point B. Remember, the passes are only valid on the
S-Bahn, not the U-Bahn, Stadtbahn, or trams. If you
did not or will not be riding a long-distance
mainline train on a given day, don't waste a flexipass day on S-Bahn travel-- you can
get a 24 hour ticket or individual journey tickets much cheaper.
Safety
Public transit
in Germany is remarkably safe, even at night, but it's always wise to be
aware of your surroundings. Safeguard any valuables that you may be
carrying and beware of pickpockets. At night, you should ride in
the car nearest the operator. Emergency telephones (Notrufsäule)
are located in every station and on board most trains, and police make
frequent patrols, especially in areas where an increase in crime is
noted. Several cities also have special call boxes where you may
arrange for taxi service before leaving the station.
Additional information
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