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Local Transport
Urban
Public Transport |
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This page
last updated
January
11, 2012 |
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.
On this
page:
Types
of service
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Bus
Bus/Omnibus |
| Nearly
every town and many rural areas have scheduled local bus
service. In larger towns and cities, lines
crisscross the city. Where local rail service is
offered, buses 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 location and time. Many large
cities also offer night bus service. In some places,
especially smaller towns, bus service is operated by
GermanRail (Bahnbus).
Bus
stops throughout Germany are marked with this sign:
Double-decker bus in Berlin
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Streetcar/tram
Straßenbahn/Trambahn |
| Most
medium and large cities have a streetcar (tram) system,
sometimes fairly extensive. In some areas, streetcar
lines run underground in the central city area.
Trams are especially prevalent in many eastern German
cities. Most systems have been modernized with sleek
new rolling stock and many systems now carry the Trambahn
moniker. Service is fairly frequent, usually 20-30
minutes during off-peak periods.
Streetcar
stops throughout Germany are marked with this sign:
Heidelberg streetcar
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Light rail
Stadtbahn |
| Some
cities, most notably Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Hannover,
Cologne, and cities in the Ruhr region, have relatively
new light rail systems known as a Stadtbahn.
Generally, these systems function very much like a regular
U-Bahn system (subway, see below) with wide-gauge tracks,
longer trains, and high platforms. 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
overground, the Stadtbahn runs almost entirely in
exclusive rights-of-way, making them faster than
streetcars. These systems generally serve the
central city and the immediate vicinity. Service is
frequent, usually 10-20 minutes during off-peak
periods. Stadtbahn lines are typically numbered with
a "U" followed by a number (e.g. U2).
Most
Stadtbahn systems mark their stations with the standard
"U" U-Bahn sign with the word "Stadtbahn" added below or
across the "U".
Stuttgart Stadtbahn
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Subway/Underground
U-Bahn (Untergrundbahn) |
| A few
of Germany's largest cities have a full-fledged subway
system, or U-Bahn. 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 the immediate
vicinity. Service is frequent, usually 5-15 minutes
during off-peak periods. U-bahn lines are typically
numbered with a "U" followed by a number (e.g. U2).
U-Bahn
stations in all German cities are marked with the
standard "U" sign shown at the left above.
Berlin U-Bahn
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Suburban commuter rail
S-Bahn (Schnellbahn) |
| 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 suburban train system called
the S-Bahn. These are express trains running
from the central city deep into the suburbs. S-Bahn
routes primarily run above ground except in the central
city where they frequently are underground. In
Berlin, most S-Bahn lines are elevated through the
city. 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. As a result, you can use GermanRail
tickets on them (see special note under Tickets
below.) S-Bahn lines are typically numbered with an
"S" followed by a number (e.g. S2).
S-Bahn
stations in all cities in Germany are marked with the
standard "S" sign shown to the left above.
Stuttgart S-Bahn
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Other local public transport options
Other modes of urban public transport you may come across
include:
-
Zahnradbahn: Cog railway/funicular
-
Seilbahn: Cable railway or cable-car
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Schwebebahn: Suspension railway; ride the famous one in
Wuppertal if you get a chance-- it's over 100 years old!
- H-Bahn/Hochbahn:
Elevated train
- R-Bahn:
Regional train; typically a longer-distance commuter rail
service to outlying areas around major cities
Some foreign
visitors confuse or interchange S-Bahn and U-Bahn.
However, there are significant differences between the two (see
each service's description above.) Here's an easy way for
English speakers to keep two these straight:
- U =
Underground
- S =
Suburban
Also, many
foreigners confuse or interchange S-Bahn with Straßenbahn
or Stadtbahn. Again, all of 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 and are available online (see the links section at the
bottom of this page.)
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're usually 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 can
also download a copy from the respective transit agency's
websites (see links section at the bottom of this page.)
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.
Munich rail system map
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. A single 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 most systems allow you 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, including any transfers and interruptions.
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 bus stop,
you will have to purchase your ticket from the machine rather
than the driver (see below). In some places, there are
ticket machines on-board buses and trams; you'll need to
purchase your ticket from one of these machines immediately
after boarding.
 
Typical old-style 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. On older-style machines, like the
one pictured above, you typically find your destination (Fahrziel)
either on a map or chart, note its zone, then 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. Most cities, though, now have new
touch-screen machines which step you through the process in a
number of different languages.
Depending on
the city, once you purchase your ticket, you may then be
required to validate it 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). You'll
typically find these located at the entrances to subway and rail
stations and aboard 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 total 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 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)
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. Also note that bicycles
may be restricted to certain cars and/or may not be allowed
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. However, to keep honest people honest, undercover
ticket inspectors (Fahrkartenkontrolleur) will
periodically walk-through the trains checking tickets.
When they approach (asking "Fahrkarten/ Fahrausweise, bitte"),
hand them your ticket. Those without tickets are publicly
humiliated, a torture which only ends by coughing-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 it's in your best interest to just pay up and get 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
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
and/or validate this ticket when you reach Point B.
Remember, Eurail/GermanRail passes are only valid on the S-Bahn,
NOT on the U-Bahn, Stadtbahn, or trams. Here's an
additional tip: if you have a flexipass and 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. The main threat is
pickpocketing, especially during peak periods and in the busier
stations. Therefore, take extra precautions to safeguard
any valuables that you may be carrying. 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 at stations or
on-board trains where you may arrange for taxi service to get to
your final destination if necessary.
Other sites of interest
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Driving & parking
