Public Transportation in Germany: A Practical and Accessible Guide

Published on January 17, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Traveling by public transportation in Germany is often simple, reliable, and rather well-designed. But as soon as you add nuances like the different types of tickets, the question of accessibility, or the apps to use, things get complicated quickly, especially for a stay of a few days or a first-time move. This practical guide gathers, in clear French, the essential things to know to get around efficiently – and as inclusively as possible – on the German network.

Understanding the Public Transportation System Architecture

The landscape of public transportation in Germany is based on a combination of interlocking national, regional, and urban networks.

First, there is Deutsche Bahn (DB), the major national railway company. It operates long-distance trains (ICE, IC, EC), a large part of the regional trains (RE, RB), and much of the S‑Bahn around major metropolitan areas. Alongside it, dozens of private or mixed regional operators manage local lines and complementary S‑Bahn networks.

Even though the infrastructure is dense and efficient, accessibility is not uniform. There are officially 3,825 stations accessible with ramps, elevators, or raised platforms, but depending on the region and operator, the reality can vary station by station. This explains the importance of assistance services like Deutsche Bahn’s Mobility Service Centre, which we’ll come back to later.

Tickets, Passes, and Basic Rules

In Germany, there are generally no gates or turnstiles: everything relies on a trust-based system, with random checks. This does not mean you can take liberties: traveling without a valid ticket (“Schwarzfahren” or “Beförderungserschleichung”) remains an offense, with fines around €60 in many cities and can lead, in case of repeat offenses, to criminal prosecution and consequences for a residence permit.

Tickets come in several main families: single trips, “Kurzstrecke” (short distances), day tickets, weekly, monthly, and of course broader subscriptions like the BahnCard or the Deutschland‑Ticket. In urban networks, fares are almost always zoned: the more zones you cross, the higher the price.

The Deutschland‑Ticket: The Backbone of Daily Travel

One of the major recent revolutions is the Deutschland‑Ticket, a monthly subscription that succeeded the famous “9‑Euro‑Ticket”. This pass allows, for a flat fee, unlimited travel on all local and regional public transportation in the country: buses, trams, U‑Bahn, S‑Bahn, regional RE/RB trains, even some ferry lines included in local networks. It is, however, not valid on long-distance ICE, IC, EC trains or private long-distance coaches.

The price has been a major talking point because it is closely linked to political negotiations and public subsidies. The planned progression is as follows:

Year / period	Monthly price of the Deutschland‑Ticket	Main remarks
Launch in 2023	€49	Strong increase in ridership, decrease in other local revenues
2025	€58	Increase linked to costs (energy, wages, operations)
From 2026	€63	Subscribers must accept this new price to continue
After 2027 (announced principle)	Automatic indexation	Price indexed to the evolution of costs (wages, energy…)

Some key points:

Several variants exist:

Deutschland‑Ticket Variant	Target Audience	Monthly Price (examples given)
Standard DeutschlandTicket	General public	€63 from 2026
DeutschlandTicket Job	Employees via employer	Max. €44.10 (after employer subsidy)
DeutschlandTicket Schule	Students at partner institutions	Approx. €43
Deutschlandsemesterticket	Students at signatory universities	€34.80/month (e.g., winter semester 25/26)
DeutschlandTicket Sozial	Recipients of certain social benefits	Approx. €53

The exact details depend on the state (Land) and the operator, but in all cases, the subscription is considered a foundation for daily mobility, and a large part of local fare policies will now have to recalibrate around this product.

Other National Products: BahnCard, Day Tickets, and Regional Offers

For frequent train travel, especially on long-distance routes operated by DB, the BahnCard remains a central tool. It is a discount subscription, valid for one year, purchased in advance to obtain systematic discounts on long-distance tickets. The three main variants are the BahnCard 25, BahnCard 50, and BahnCard 100.

In summary:

BahnCard Type	Main Benefit	Indicative Annual Price (2nd class)
BahnCard 25	–25 % on Flexpreis, Sparpreis, and Super Sparpreis fares	~€62.90
BahnCard 50	–50 % on Flexpreis, –25 % on Sparpreis	~€244
BahnCard 100	Unlimited travel on almost the entire DB network + many urban networks	~€4,899

BahnCard 25 and 50 are especially interesting for those who take ICE or IC trains several times a year on expensive routes; the BahnCard 100 is clearly aimed at very frequent travelers (professionals, for example), as it includes de facto a form of “annual pass” on many urban networks, in addition to unlimited access to DB trains (with some supplements for night trains, certain international connections, etc.).

Buying and Validating Tickets: Machines, Apps, and Inspections

The offer is wide, but the key actions to know remain simple.

In stations and major stops, multilingual machines (often in DB or local network colors) sell single tickets, day tickets, weekly passes, subscriptions, BahnCards, etc. You can pay with cash, bank card, sometimes via services like Apple Pay or Google Pay depending on the location. The machines always bear the logo of the responsible operator: this is the operator to contact in case of machine failure or refund requests.

Inspections occur without gates, by uniformed or plainclothes agents, who may announce themselves with the phrase “Fahrscheinkontrolle” or “Die Fahrscheine bitte” (tickets please). In case of no ticket or an invalid ticket (including a paper ticket forgotten at the validator), the agent records identity and address to issue a fine notice. Attempting to flee only adds a problem with the police.

Essential Apps: DB Navigator, Local Apps, and Comparators

For daily use, the most useful digital reflex remains the DB Navigator app, provided free by Deutsche Bahn. It covers most of the German rail network, but also many integrated urban transport systems, and serves as both a route planner, ticket vendor, ticket wallet, and travel companion.

What DB Navigator Allows

The app notably allows:

To use DB Navigator to its fullest, you need to create a customer account (address, contact details, password). The app then stores BahnCards and other discounts, and automatically applies relevant discounts at the time of booking.

Accessibility: Assistance Services and Tools for Step-Free Travel

On paper, Germany displays a clear intent to make transport accessible, with a national website dedicated to “Barrier Free Travel” and thousands of stations equipped with elevators or ramps. In practice, the experience of wheelchair users or people with sensory disabilities remains mixed: elevator breakdowns, steps on Intercity trains, out-of-service restrooms… Therefore, accessibility requires preparation.

Deutsche Bahn’s Mobility Service Centre

The most important entry point for rail travel is the Mobility Service Centre (MSC) of DB Station & Service, which coordinates assistance for all rail operators, not just DB.

Its missions cover:

– Assistance with boarding, disembarking, and connections (including with mobile wheelchair lifts).

– Planning journeys by minimizing the number of changes and extending connection times if necessary.

– Verifying accessible stations and platforms on a given route.

– Purchasing tickets and reserving seats.

– Sending travel documents (by email or making them available at a DB kiosk).

– Organizing assistance personnel at nearly 300 stations, or sending personnel to other stations if necessary.

Contacts and operation:

Channel	Contact Details	Hours (German time)
Main MSC Phone	+49 30 6521 2888	Mon–Fri 6 AM–10 PM, Sat–Sun & holidays 8 AM–8 PM
DB Mobility Hotline (general)	+49 1806 512512	Every day 6 AM–10 PM (fixed cost from Germany)
Email	msz@deutschebahn.com / msz@bahn.de	Processing deferred
Fax	+49 30 65 21 28 99
Website	www.msz-bahn.de	Online requests, service information

Booking deadlines are essential: For domestic journeys, it is requested to book assistance no later than the day before departure, before 8 PM. For international travel, a minimum notice of 24 hours is recommended, sometimes more depending on the partner country.

The MSC can also inform you about non-accessible stations and possible alternative solutions. For example, some operators like eurobahn, in North Rhine-Westphalia, offer, as an exception, coverage of a taxi to the nearest accessible station if the planned station lacks step-free access – provided you call them before calling the taxi, via a free hotline.

MSC (Customer Service for People with Disabilities)

Checking Station Accessibility: bahnhof.de and Local Tools

The bahnhof.de portal lists station by station the available facilities, including:

– Presence of a DB Travel Center (DB Reisezentrum) and opening hours.

– Real-time status of elevators.

– Detailed information on “barrierefreiheit” (accessibility) equipment: ramps, elevators, platform height, guidance systems for the visually impaired, induction loops.

– The “Service” section then “Mobilitätsservice” indicating possible assistance hours at the station.

Coupled with in-station displays (screens, audio announcements, train composition plans), this allows for precise planning of where to board to be in front of the right car, with the right platform height.

In some regions, operators detail the situation even further: eurobahn, for example, publishes a map of its stations, classified as “barrier‑free”, “non barrier‑free” or “partially accessible”, with a specific PDF for the Münster region (ZVM) summarizing 62 stations and their characteristics. S‑Bahn Berlin, on its side, displays detailed statistics on the number of stations equipped with tactile guidance, Braille handrails, ramps, elevators, etc.

Getting Around Berlin: BVG, VBB, and S‑Bahn Berlin

The Berlin‑Brandenburg region is one of the most advanced areas regarding accessibility. A few figures to illustrate this:

Berlin / regional network	Accessibility indicators (recent data)
S‑Bahn Berlin & Brandenburg	161 out of 168 stations accessible (elevator, ramp, or ground-level)
Tactile guidance on platforms (S‑Bahn)	145 stations equipped
Braille handrails in Berlin	106 stations
Elevators (S‑Bahn)	238 facilities
Escalators (S‑Bahn)	262 facilities
U‑Bahn (BVG)	Approx. 85% of stations step-free, 73% with guidance for the visually impaired
Trams (BVG)	73% of 827 stops accessible

On the ground, this translates into a multitude of markers and tools:

BVG has also implemented complementary services: a specialized number for accessibility questions (030‑256 34567, from 8 AM to 7 PM), training for operating an electric scooter, clear rules for scooters (maximum length, total weight, requirement for four wheels, orientation in the direction of travel, etc.), and a database like Mobidat which lists accessibility information beyond just transport (shops, administrations, etc.).

Special Case: Wheelchairs and Electric Scooters

The rules for wheelchairs and scooters vary by operator, but the following common core frequently applies:

For people with a German severe disability card (Schwerbehindertenausweis) with the marks G or aG, and the “Beiblatt” with stickers, significant benefits exist: free local travel, including for an accompanying person and an assistance dog in most networks, and sometimes free parking on affiliated DB BahnPark parking lots (under certain conditions and with display of the European blue/orange disabled parking badge).

Between Promises and Reality: Criticisms and Recourse

Despite the density of offers and assistance devices, people with disabilities regularly denounce a gap between official commitments and daily experience. Testimonies from wheelchair users describe Intercity trains mostly equipped with steps at the entrance, making boarding impossible without assistance, series of elevator breakdowns, and out-of-service accessible restrooms that turn journeys of several hours into an ordeal.

Spectacular incidents have shown the limits of the system: a train evacuated because the only accessible restroom was out of order, or a traveler forced to urinate on the train for lack of an alternative. A petition launched in 2019 inviting the CEO of DB to travel for a day in a wheelchair gathered over 130,000 signatures, without him accepting the invitation.

Facing this situation, new actors are appearing, like the developer of the HaSe app, which simplifies assistance requests by centralizing traveler data, or legaltech companies like refundrebel, which offer help to claim compensation in case of barriers (out-of-order restrooms, elevator out of service, etc.), with amounts that can go up to €500.

Airports, Long-Distance Coaches, and Other Links in the Chain

Public transportation in Germany is not limited to rail and urban buses. Airports and long-distance coaches play an important role, with their own accessibility challenges.

Accessing Airports

Most major German airports are directly connected to rail and urban networks, often with frequent connections:

The airports themselves must, under European regulation, organize assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Specific brochures on “accessible flying” are available, and airlines like Lufthansa have dedicated numbers for assistance requests. Advance booking is crucial here as well.

Long-Distance Coaches: Economical, But Not Always Inclusive

Since the liberalization of the sector in 2013, intercity coaches have established themselves as a low-cost complement to rail, with explosive growth until the pandemic. FlixBus now largely dominates the market, with an estimated share of 90–95 % of journeys, after absorbing or marginalizing many competitors.

– Very competitive prices, especially with advance online booking.

– Modern amenities: air conditioning, Wi‑Fi (sometimes spotty), power outlets, reclining seats, onboard restroom.

– Flexibility of routes, with numerous stops in medium and small cities, both in Germany and towards Central and Southern Europe.

But regarding accessibility, the limitations are real:

– Platforms and stops are not always step‑free.

– Spaces for wheelchairs are limited and must be booked very early, when they exist.

– Accessibility standards vary by company, and there is no “coach pass” equivalent to a rail subscription.

For some travelers, these services thus remain difficult to use without meticulous preparation.

Practical Recommendations for Different Traveler Profiles

Each traveler profile will have its priorities. Without deviating from the principle of a generalist guide, we can outline some guidelines drawn from all the previous information.

Tourists on a Short Stay

For a city trip to Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, buying day tickets (or a tourist card like the Berlin WelcomeCard) remains relevant if you don’t leave the region. As soon as an itinerary includes several cities or excursions to another state, the Deutschland‑Ticket quickly becomes more cost-effective, especially since it completely simplifies the question of zones and network limits: you board any bus, tram, U‑Bahn, or regional train simply by showing your pass.

Resident or Student

For those living in Germany, the duo Deutschland‑Ticket + BahnCard 25 or 50 offers a flexible combination: the subscription ensures daily travel everywhere in the country, the BahnCard reduces the costs of ICE trains for faster or longer trips.

Students often benefit from an “semester ticket” included in their tuition fees; more and more universities are now aligning it with the Deutschland‑Ticket, sometimes with a small surcharge to extend coverage to the whole country. The important thing will be to check carefully, with the university’s AStA (student union), how the two products combine.

People with Reduced Mobility or Sensory Disabilities

For long train journeys, rule number one is to rely on the Mobility Service Centre: book at least 24 hours in advance, specify the type of wheelchair (manual, electric, scooter), weight, possible need for a lift. Then, use bahnhof.de and, in Berlin for example, the BVG app to check:

In the city, the “accessible route” options in journey planners are valuable. In Berlin, the AME (VBB Guide Service) can be contacted for personalized accompaniment on certain lines, and the BVG Muva service now serves as a substitute taxi when a station elevator is out of order, at no extra cost within the AB tariff zone.

For electric wheelchairs and scooters, it is essential to inquire in advance about weight and size limits, and to have a plan B in case of denied access (bus full, wheelchair space occupied). Some cities also recommend a “mobility training” to learn how to safely handle your device on public transport.

In Conclusion: A Rich System, But One That Still Requires Anticipation

Public transportation in Germany constitutes a vast, relatively punctual, and technically advanced network, where the combination of the Deutschland‑Ticket, BahnCards, and digital tools (DB Navigator, local apps, bahnhof.de) allows for traveling far and often at a reasonable cost. However, the promise of universal accessibility remains uneven: on one side, impressive numbers of stations equipped with ramps, elevators, and tactile guidance; on the other, very concrete accounts of persistent barriers for people with disabilities, and industrial decisions (new ICE trains with steps) that question the coherence of policies.

This guide does not replace the real-time information provided by operators, but it gives the necessary benchmarks to navigate this complex landscape. With these keys, public transportation in Germany ceases to be a labyrinth of acronyms (ICE, RE, S‑Bahn, MSC, VBB…) and becomes what it aims to be: a dense, widely interconnected public mobility service, and increasingly attentive to the needs of all its users.