PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION in Germany [Explained] 🚍🚊

Public transportation in Germany is fantastic. There are, however, some things you should know before using it. We discuss how regional and national public transportation in Germany works and how to buy tickets and save money! Join us for the ride 🚍

🔥 Get tickets from Deutsche Bahn

🔥 Get your Bahn Card and start saving

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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:36 - Local vs. National Public Transportation in Germany
02:00 - Local Public Transportation in Germany
03:46 - Tickets for Local Public Transportation in Germany
08:40 - How To Purchase Tickets for Public Transportation in Germany
12:00 - How To Validate Public Transportation Ticket in Germany
14:01 - What happens if you don't purchase a ticket?
16:24 - National Public Transportation in Germany
20:25 - Tips For Purchasing Deutsche Bahn Tickets

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Simple Germany provides tips & information in English about living in Germany as an expat. We talk about services that are friendly and easy to use to beat German bureaucracy. We also cover the cultural aspects of living in Germany. All of this brought to you from the eyes of an expat and a German duo. We want to help you settle in Germany more smoothly.🍻

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[alanabelcon]

Literally this morning I was thinking that I need to find out how the public transportation works for when I move to Germany in January! Perfect timing for this video! ❤

[SakuraKuromi]

Just wanted to mention, that you sometimes have nice people looking for your ticket. (though it's not guaranteed!)
I once was riding the train, when a woman was asked about her ticket. She had bought a ticket, but it was the wrong one. The man talked to her for a bit and it was really obvious, that she had no clue how to get the right ticket. So the man sat down next to her and explained in detail how she could be sure the get the right ticket next time.
And one time a young man barely made it running into the Straßenbahn, but had obviously no time to buy a ticket (his bicycle went flat after riding over some glas shards). As the woman asking for his ticket wanted to fine him, another passenger stepped in and offered the young man to take him with his card as he was allowed to take 2 people with him.
Not to tell you you shouldn't buy tickets! Just wanted to mention, that if it is really obvious that it's like your first time ever using this transportation or such, people often will offer to help you and sometimes even overlook your mistake that one single time. Though keep in mind: not everyone will be nice and understanding!

For example: one time I couldn't find the validation machine. I thought it might be inside and entered while my ticket wasn't stamped (it was an added ticket for 2 stations, the other 28 stations were validated). I was unlucky and met a really grumpy person. He yelled at me and fined me. I went to the information center after I arrived and talked to them. They halved the price, as the man had a stamp on him and he could just had stamped it for me... He just didn't wanted to...

[leDespicable]

Just one thing one should keep in mind when getting tickets at a DB ticket office is that they don't always tell you the cheapest option. It's always good to look the options up beforehand. It's happened to quite a few people that they ended up paying more because the person at the counter gave them more expensive tickets to choose from. Depends on how honest the person currently working is when you get your ticket, I guess.

One should also mention that in cities where the U-Bahn is a completely seperate system and not just a tram that runs underground in certain sections, chances are that there aren't any validation machines on the trains itself. In Munich, when using the U-Bahn you have to validate your ticket using machines on the platforms and next to the ticket machines, there aren't any on the U-Bahn trains here.

Also worth mentioning: There are areas in Germany that aren't part of any transport association's tariff system, and your tickets for regional trains in those areas therefore only count for that specific route you bougt them for, nothing else.

[cappuccinogirl]

So overwhelmed about it, I am not even worried about not passing my Anerkennung exam, I just want to survive public transportation. Two weeks aren't long enough for me to get comfortable with Germany. 🤣😭

[Europeify]

Hey Jen & Yvonne! Great video, as usual. I also make videos about Germany and had done one about public transport. But when i saw your video, i realised there's so much information that i could have given or done better. Thanks for inspiring 🙂

[ftgsvrl]

Omg I’ve been waiting for this! You guys are the best mind readers. Dankeschön!

[m.farhana.rahman]

In Frankfurt, you don't need to validate the ticket. Makes it slight easier and you don't have to worry about validation. But there are still some types of tickets that are confusing like a day ticket with detour and without detour even though the price is the same. I still have no clue which one to choose. Lol. On the other hand, the DB app is really helpful; you can select the locations you wanna go and it will show all ticket options you can use for that journey. I usually use the app as reference and buy ticket from the machines.

There are also some ticket centers with customer service that can help people figure out which tickets to get for your journey.

Another thing I learned is that, in Frankfurt, all ticket machines can take international credit card which is great.

I believe in Berlin is different. You can pre buy tickets earlier in a bulk and use them later which is why they need validation over there.

[coffeeflush]

I love how the "smoothly" is perfectly smooth each time.

[SENIORBALLENON]

Love you! I've checked more videos about transportation in Germany and both of you just make it so easy for me, Thanks a lot!!

[Dahrenhorst]

You didn't mention one certain aspect of the train system: it is not only the Deutsche Bahn. Deutsche Bahn owns the rail system and operates the biggest train business in Germany. But there are many privately owned train businesses in Germany, which contracted with Deutsche Bahn to use their railway net, both for public transport and for freight traffic. The tickets Deutsche Bahn and those private train companies issue are mutually accepted, though, so you can use the private train with a Deutsche Bahn ticket and vice versa.

[adebolaotunaike]

The synergy & harmony btw you two is contagious keep giving us great content! would be moving to Germany next week with my family and your contents have been a great help to prepare myself danke.

[jhessicalmoreira]

Excellent explanation as always! You girls rock! 😁

[TMTMmmmy]

Also to mention for full trains and reserved seats: if a train is too full and therefore not allowed to continue travel, all passengers that has no (reserved) seat has to leave the train (and wait for the next).

[anchouse]

What can I say, I'm so so grateful I also live in D'dorf 😁 cause that system is extremely convoluted and hard to understand, thank you so much for explaining VRR vs Rheinbahn!

[naveedullahakhtar]

Thanks for the info buddies

Really appreciate your help
It's helps alot

[gautamdhiman]

It's truly fantastic! Thank you for providing such crucial information about trains. I'll soon be visiting Germany, and your insights will undoubtedly be invaluable. I appreciate it!

[piranhapachi]

This was extremely helpful. You're advice has helped me in 2024 and for that I'm extremely thankful!

[ivanhoe]

Amazing! Thank you very much for information, really helpful!

[debesray]

Thanks a lot for your videos which are extremely helpful. Please make a separate detailed video on Bahncard.

[amral-hammadi]

I really needed this since I'm coming soon to germany. thanks a lot 🙌