Transport and Driving in Germany

Getting around in Germany is a breeze thanks to the country’s modern and efficient transport system. Most people in Germany use public transport to commute, with trains being the fastest and most economical mode of transport.

If you are living in a major city like Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt, you won’t need a car to travel locally. And on occasions when you do decide to travel through the countryside, you can carpool or hire a car for a few days.

Public transport in Germany

Public transport in Germany consists of trains and buses and, in major cities, trams as well. With such a wide-ranging railway network, long-distance buses aren’t necessary but are a good alternative if you are on a budget.

Trains

Germany has an efficient and reasonably priced rail network that covers most of the country.

Trains are Germany’s most popular mode of transport, as they’re considerably faster than driving. For example, driving from Hamburg to Munich takes eight hours, while the equivalent train ride only takes six.

The Deutsche Bahn runs long-distance and regional trains in Germany, and various services are available for travelling around the country.

All major cities are linked by InterCity Express (ICE) trains. These trains are operated at high speeds of up to 205 miles per hour (330km/h), but tickets are pricey.

Regular InterCity (IC) trains are more affordable. They’re not as modern or fast as the ICE trains but are still reasonably comfortable.

Both ICE and IC trains run approximately every hour during the day on the most popular routes. While the network is fast and modern, delays are known to happen. It’s best to avoid booking connecting trains that are less than 20 minutes apart.

If you are organised and plan your trip in advance, you can make considerable savings. Reservations aren’t always necessary, but pre-booking seats for travel on weekends or public holidays is a good idea.

Ticket prices vary depending on the route and type of train. If you will be using trains regularly, we recommend investing in a Bahn Card. It is valid for one year and offers various discounts. Tickets for trains in Germany can be purchased at stations, on board the train, or at an authorised vendor. However, for the most affordable rates, you should purchase tickets online and as far in advance as possible.

Intercity buses

Apart from extensive bus services in all major cities and towns, there are a handful of intercity bus routes in Germany, most of which travel to or from the capital, Berlin. The bus services in Germany are provided by Deutsche Bahn, which partners with over 40 companies and affiliates to provide services. The major advantage of travelling by bus in Germany is the price.

For those booking in advance, the Neun-Euro Bus allows passengers to travel on any service connecting Hamburg, Hanover, Kassel, Frankfurt, Mannheim, and Heidelberg for a set price. You can see bus stops by their distinctive green capital H (for Haltestelle) in a yellow circle.

Useful links

• Deutsche Bahn

Taxis in Germany

Taxis are plentiful in Germany’s major cities and are cheaper than in many other large European capitals. Most drivers speak English and are generally helpful.

You can either flag one down in the street or find a Taxistand (taxi rank). While taxis are easy to find in city centres, it is best to book a vehicle ahead of time if you are travelling to or from the suburbs.

Travelling by taxi can be useful late at night, and it becomes a cost-effective method of transport if a single vehicle is shared by a group of people travelling in the same direction.

Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Free Now are also a super convenient way to get around. You can simply download the app, link your credit card and start riding.

Useful links

• Taxi.de
• Free Now
• Uber

Domestic flights in Germany

While using trains to get around Germany is often more straightforward, competition between budget airlines can make flight prices very competitive. Sometimes travelling by plane can even be cheaper (and is definitely faster) than the equivalent train journey.

However, you should be aware that budget airlines typically use smaller airports that aren’t always conveniently located, so you might end up spending extra time travelling by bus or train to your final destination.

Driving in Germany

Driving in Germany is easy, as the country boasts a network of excellent roads and motorways, including the Autobahn. There are no toll fees for cars, but taxes mean that petrol prices are high.

Germany’s national roads are in exceptional condition, and signage is easy to understand. But parking can be expensive and hard to find in major cities. While there are generally no speed cameras on motorways, there are many on smaller roads. Getting caught will result in costly fines. Drink-driving isn’t tolerated, and law enforcement is particularly strict and visible around holiday time.

Carpooling is also popular in Germany. It’s an environmentally friendly way to save money, and numerous websites allow people to contact others travelling to the same place. Some websites do charge a small fee for their services.

Driving licences

Foreigners are allowed to drive for six months on any foreign or international driving licence before they’re required to get a German licence. Around 20 countries have licence exchange agreements with Germany, which allows you to simply convert your driving licence to a German one.

If you are not from one of these countries, you must apply for a new German licence. This involves a practical and theoretical driving test. Obtaining a German driving licence typically takes three to five months, so be prepared for this.

If you plan on hiring a car in Germany, you should be aware that most cars are manual, and requesting an automatic car can be considerably pricier.

Useful links

• Federal Motor Transport Authority – Central Driving Licences Register

Cycling in Germany

Germany’s major cities all boast bike paths, dedicated bike lanes and combination foot/cycle paths, and many locals find that getting around cities by bicycle is a cheap, healthy and feasible way to travel.

Cycling in German cities is a pleasant experience, as most drivers are aware of the many cyclists on the roads and are cautious and courteous.

If you wish to cycle in cities, you will have many bike-hiring options to choose from. Alternatively, it is also possible to buy a second-hand bicycle quite cheaply.

Useful links

• Nextbike
• LimeBike

Walking in Germany

Often the best way to explore city centres is on foot, and walking is sometimes the simplest way to travel short distances.

While there are plenty of pavements available for pedestrians, you should be careful not to mistake them for the red-brick cycling paths, which are for cyclists only.

Jaywalking is illegal, and most pedestrians in Germany stick to the rules.