Local and regional public transportation systems in Germany are, arguably, some of the best in the world. They are known for their efficiency, punctuality, safety, and cleanliness. Networks are carefully laid out and documented but figuring out which ticket to buy can be confusing. Prices depend on how far you are going, how long you want to travel and how many people are travelling.

Public transportion networks

Each major city in Germany has a very well-organized system of buses, trams/streetcars, subways/underground and light rail systems*. Maps are available online and are very useful to have in your pocket to get around the city easily. Navigating the system takes a little getting used to but in the end, is quite simple. You determine how to get to your stop/station by choosing the end station on the line. That means if an S-bahn* runs from Wiesbaden to Hanau (by going through Frankfurt), you should look for the signs in the subway station that indicate the subway line number (i.e. S9) and the end station name that will take you in the direction you want to go (i.e. Hanau). I know that to get to the station called Offenbach Ost*, I need to take the S9 in the direction of Hanau. This system is quite different for those of us who are used to streets and buses that run north/south and east/west.

Smaller cities such as Konstanz, with around 80,000 people, will have commuter rail connections than serve nearby towns (using Deutsche Bahn railway tracks) in addition to bus networks. Other cities such as Dessau, also with about 80,000 people, have several tram lines in addition to its bus service.

How to buy a ticket

Tickets* are usually available from an automated ticket-selling machine*. Most stops on the line will have such a machine. It is possible to change the language to English or a few other options, which is great for visitors. Simply touch the symbol of the British flag on the screen or press the appropriate button on the front of the machine. Tickets are also available from bus and tram drivers, at special transportation system kiosks in the city center or main train station, and at some corner shops selling magazines and cigarettes.

Which ticket to buy

This is the 64,000 dollar question. Networks are often subdivided into what looks like, pictorially, a hive of conjoined cells. The further you want to travel within the system, the more expensive your ticket is. In general, a one-way ticket for an adult* that covers two regional cells will generally take you anywhere you need to go within a city. Day-tickets are also available and are good value for money if you are planning to take public transportation at least 3 times during the day, although you should do the math as prices in each city vary. In many cities, groups of up to 5 adults can travel together for the day on a specially-priced ticket. In some cities such as Karlsruhe, you can buy a multiple trip ticket. The Karlsruhe ticket has four sections for validation: One for each time you use the ticket. Monthly passes are also available.

My best advice: Ask for help when you are faced with the often confusing decision of which ticket to buy. But do not be disappointed if the locals cannot even give you advice on buying anything more than a ticket for one adult, one way!

Sample ticket prices**

Travelling within Heidelberg will cost you 2.10 euros one-way unless you buy 5 at a time, in which case the cost decreases to 1.80 per ticket. A day-ticket for Heidelberg (Ticket 24) will cost you 5.00 euros and a day-ticket for 5 people (Ticket 24 PLUS) will cost 8.50 euros which I think is quite a bargain. Prices in Munich are similar (2.20, 5.00 and 9.00 respectively). In Berlin, the single fare of 2.10 can be reduced if you buy a 4-trip ticket for 8.00 euro. Travelling into Frankfurt from outside the city limits (Offenbach Ost) will cost you over 3 euros one-way (3.60 euros).

*Translations:
tickets - Fahrkarten
single or one-way ticket - Einzelfahrkarte
automated ticket-selling machine - Fahrkartenautomat
trams/streetcars - Strassenbahn
subways/underground - U-bahn
light rail systems - S-bahn***
*** S-bahn: fast train or city train - schnell bahn or stadtbahn.

** as of June 2008