5 Stunning German Train Trips at a Bargain Price

In Germany, a country with one of the world’s most extensive public transportation systems, traveling has gotten a whole lot simpler.That’s thanks to the Deutschland-Ticket, or Germany-Ticket, a new type of (almost) all-inclusive travel pass.Priced at just 58 euros, or about $63, for a month of travel, it lets you crisscross the country using Germany’s vast network of regional trains.

You don’t even need to organize tickets for your journeys; you can just show up at the train station and board.(The faster, longer-distance trains, like the Intercity or InterCity Express, are not included in the pass).Once you’ve arrived at your destination, the Deutschland-Ticket lets you bypass the byzantine local German transportation ticketing systems that can stymie even locals.

Instead, no matter where you are, you can hop on any type of local public transportation, from buses to trams to underground systems, 19th-century steam locomotives and ferries.Since its introduction in 2023, the Deutschland-Ticket has sparked something of a post-pandemic renaissance in local travel.A raft of Deutschland-Ticket-themed travel books and websites have appeared, as cardholders use the opportunity to explore corners of the country using climate-friendly transportation, at a fixed price.“This ticket is an innovation,” said Allister Loder, professor of mobility policy at the Technical University Munich.

“It changes how we use public transportation.”Especially beloved by retirees, families and students, the Deutschland-Ticket is also great for tourists.You can book your monthly pass from abroad, using an app.

Just be sure to cancel it before it renews.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subs...