The German public transport system is extensive, reliable and very affordable. The Deutsche Bahn AG is the national railway company and is state-owned.
The DB offers long distance, regional and local travel options.
Here is a list of PDF Files with the route maps in German
Long distance trains
Long-distance trains offer fast and convenient connections between major cities. The following types of trains are available for long-distance travel:
- ICE – InterCity Express. These are high-speed trains with limited stops between cities, for example between Berlin and Munich
- ICE Sprinter – They are the same as the ICE but run directly between major cities with perhaps only one intermediate stop.
- IC – Intercity trains within Germany
- EC – EuroCity trains with connections to neighbouring European countries
1st class have more legroom and service from the Bordbistro. You can order your coffee or food from the personnel directly. Seat reservation is included in 1st class tickets.
Regional trains
The regional trains offers flexible travel without reservations. You can only buy a ticket for these trains but not make a reservation for a specific train or seat.
- IRE – Interregio-Express. These trains are good for direct connections between regions. It does not stop at all stations.
- RE – Regional-Express. Quick local connections to long distance and S-Bahn services
- RB – Regionalbahn. Regional routes. Links cities to their hinterlands
Local transport
The local transport options offer flexible travel without the possibility to reserve a seat.
The following local options can be available, depending on the city:
- S-bahn – Stadtschnellbahn. Ideal for travel within a city and the surrounding areas. Many cities offer 1st and 2nd class tickets.
- U-bahn – Untergrundbahn. Although the name indicates they run under the ground, they can run above ground as well.
- Trams (Straßenbahn), Busses and Ferries
Where to buy tickets
- Tickets for long-distance and regional trains can be bought on the Deutsche Bahn website or DB Navigator app (also available in English), at ticketing machines or at ticket counters at train stations.
- Tickets for local transport can be bought on the DB website or app, at ticketing machines, ticket counters or via the local websites/apps for example HVV for Hamburg, BVG for Berlin, VVS for Stuttgart or MVV for Munich. Most local transport tickets can also be bought via the DB Navigator app.
Things to keep in mind
- There are many special offers available for groups, weekends, regional travel and travel within Europe. They are listed on the offers page of the Deutsche Bahn website.
- For most DB special offers, a city-ticket is not included. The city-ticket allows you to use the local transport at your destination.
- Seat reservations are not included in 2nd class tickets
- If you travel often, consider investing in a BahnCard
- If you need to cancel your ticket after booking, you can do it for free for up to 12 hours after making the booking online or via the DB Navigator. Read more about cancellations on the DB Website to see what applies to your booking.
- You book a ticket on the DB site for a Night train (on ÖBB) for travel to Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
- Validating paper tickets – Before the journey starts, tickets must be validated by stamping them at the yellow or red boxes located on S-Bahn and subway platforms and inside buses or trams. In case of inspection, a ticket that is not stamped is not valid.
The new Deutschland Ticket is an affordable subscription ticket that you can use to travel unlimited on all regional and local public transport for only €49 per month, The price will increase in 2025 to €58.
Keep in mind that it is only available via subscription. You can cancel it monthly but must give a month’s notice. It is not transferrable to another person.
It is not valid on the ICE, IC or EC trains.
For FAQs in English about the Deutschland Ticket, please visit the Bahn Website
Some tips for visitors – If you have family or friends in Germany, they can help you apply for a Deutschland Ticket. To complete the process, you’ll need to visit the DB Reisebüro. Plan the timing carefully and cancel the subscription right after signing up.
Mobility options
Car Sharing
The classic model requires a vehicle to be picked up and returned to designated location, and are booked for a set period. Flexible car sharing allows the driver to pick up and return the vehicle at any location. An app shows nearby vehicles.
Ride hailing/Taxi's
Using an app to organise your transport is super easy and convenient. In most apps, you can book your trip in advance, pay directly for your trip, rate your trip and identify favourite drivers.
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Travel to Germany – Tips
“Traveling to Germany is like stepping into a storybook, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes weave a tale you’ll never forget.” If you’re planning a trip to Germany, we’ve got some travel tips that we think you’ll find incredibly helpful. If you’ve got your own tips to share, we’d love to hear them! Simply submit them to us and we’ll be happy to include them on the page. Direct Fligts The major airports in Germany are Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and Düsseldorf.Direct flights from South Africa are available only to Frankfurt and seasonally to Munich. 01 Lufthansa Lufthansa operates flights between Frankfurt, O.R. Tambo International, and Cape Town. The airline offers the chance to bid for upgrades, and, depending on flight availability, you can book a sleeper row at a significantly lower cost than Premium Economy or Business Class.Seasonal flights are offered between Munich Airport and O.R. Tambo International, and Cape Town 02 Condor Condor has reinstated flights between Frankfurt and Cape Town. They also offer two weekly flights between Frankfurt and O.R. Tambo International, but both routes are available only during their winter schedule. Stay updated on their winter and summer flight schedules. Indirect Fligts Indirect flights, also known as connecting flights, involve stopping at one or more intermediate airports before reaching your final destination.They can be more affordable and flexible than direct flights but may increase travel time. When booking, check layover durations, luggage transfer policies, and visa requirements for layover countries to avoid complications. 01 Emirates Emirates offer flights from O.R Tambo, Durban, and Cape Town to Dubai, and then from Dubai they offer flights to Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf 02 Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines offers flights from O.R Tambo, Cape Town and Durban to Istanbul and from there they offer flights to Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Friedrichshafen, Hamburg, Hannover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart from Istanbul. 03 Swiss Airlines Swiss Airlines operates flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Zurich, offering connections to nearly every German airport. Important: At Zurich Airport, you will need to go through security and passport control before reaching your connecting flight gate. A transit time of less than 90 minutes is not recommended. 04 other options Qatar Airways, British Airways, Swiss Airlines and KLM all have connecting flights from South Africa Brussels Airlines offers codeshare flights to South African cities Ethiopian Air and Egypt Air have connecting flights between O.R Tambo and Europe Travel Advice and Bookings Consider flying to a alternative airport. As an example, flights to Munich and Berlin can be much cheaper than to Frankfurt Booking sites like Travelstart are very helpful and reliable, just always be aware of the fact that in the event of cancellations, and you booked through a travel agent, you will have to contact them and not the airline. This can have pro’s and con’s. There are Travel agents listed on our website. These businesses are owned and run by South Africans living in Germany. Contact them to get expert advice and assistance with bookings. Flying tips Download an infographic and tips as a PDF file – Flying from South Africa Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Think casual but smart Bubble wrap your luggage if you feel the need to do that Declare any electronics at customs, if you plan on travelling back to SA with them. This is to avoid paying customs duties on the items when you return. Your passport and visa/residence permit will be checked before the check-in gates. Know your final destination. You have to go through security, to help in the process, take off your watch, and your belt, and remove anything from your person that can set off the metal detectors and place it in the bin provided. Don’t wait until just before landing to brush your teeth etc, everyone on the plane will have the same idea. Going through Passport control If you arrive from outside the EU, you will have to go through passport control in the first Schengen country you arrive in. You will need the following documentation and information. Your Passport with a Valid visa, or your German/Schengen Residence permit card If you are only visiting, they might ask you when you are planning on travelling back, and you must have your return ticket with you as they might ask for it. They can also ask you what you are planning on doing in Germany i.e Itinerary If you are taking up residence in Germany, they might ask you for proof of accommodation They will ask you what is the purpose of your journey. Standard answers are tourism, visiting friends or family in Town xxx, joining a spouse, or taking up employment and residence in Germany. HINT If you have permanent residence in Germany, you can use the EU Passport queues at passport control in Germany. South Africa does not have a biometric passport, so unfortunately you cannot use the automated gates. 90/180 day rule The 90/180 rule for a Schengen Type C visa (Typically Tourist or Family visits) means you can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. It’s not just three months straight—those 90 days are counted across all Schengen countries, and the 180-day clock keeps ticking as you move. So, each time you plan a trip, you must look back at the previous 180 days and ensure you haven’t spent more than 90 days total in the zone. Overstay even by a day, and you could face fines, bans, or worse—bureaucratic headaches no one wants. EES EU Entry/Exit System The European Union has announced plans to introduce a new Entry/Exit System (EES), due to start in 2025. “The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT system for registering travelers from third countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers, each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register the person’s name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data
Useful apps
Having the correct information available when you need it is priceless. Here are some apps that can make your life easier in Germany. Note for most we did not add links to the apps, as it is a lot of work to maintain for all operating systems. Use the search function to search the apps Integration Integreat app – Digital Integration platform Arrive App from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit Residence card Ausweisapp2 – Use it to identify yourself online with your electronic residence permit Mobility DB Navigator – Deutsche Bahn Navigator to book long-distance train tickets. Local tickets can also be bought. Apple App Store or Google Play store DB App – Deutsche Bahn main app Local public transport apps e.g HVV for Hamburg or VVS for Stuttgart Bicycle hire apps like StadtRAd Hamburg Mobility apps for a taxi, E-Roller, E-Scooter, and carsharing e.g Free Now or Reach Now mobiLet – parking payment app Taxi Deutschland Voi, Lime and Bolt for E-bike and scooter hire Outdoor and sport Komoot – Routes for hiking, running and cycling Strava. Join the South Africans in Germany Group Alltrails – Routes for hiking, running and cycling Outdooractive – portal for outdoor activities Hiking and tour apps in your region e.g Tours in BW Maps Offi directions – public transport HereWeGo (downloadable maps) Google Maps Medical Doctolib – search and book appointments. You can also search for English-speaking providers Jameda – app to rate and rank medical professionals Shop-Apotheke for buying medication online Doc Morris for medication Weather and warnings DWD WarnWetter App – Deutscher Wetterdienst. Weather warnings by the German Weather service Nina Warn app – Natural disasters and general warnings. This is a must have app Power outages – see where there are current power outages Entertainment Spotted by locals Open Table – Restaurant bookings Eventim – Concerts etc Radiobox – Worldwide radio station streaming PressReader Inc. – Access to all publications as a member of the local public library. Many German newspapers and magazines but also worldwide, including South African and Afrikaans. Translators and language Leo Translator Linguee Deepl Translator Dict – excellent German/English Dictionary Google translate, can also translate text on photos Alle Deutschen Wörterbücher – one app with all the different German dictionaries See our Where to learn German page for more apps Shopping General Amazon YouPickIt – shows deals of the day at local shops. You can compare prices Momox – Buy and sell second-hand items Rebuy for second-hand shopping Groupon – Discount vouchers Payback – for points collecting and discounts Idealo – Price comparisons Shopping Clothes Most shops like C & A, Bonprix, Peek & Cloppenburg have their own apps About you – Clothing Zalando – Clothing, shoes, accesories and more Vinted – Buy and sell second-hand clothes Food Hello Fresh for weekly ingredients delivered to you for meal preparation Flink – Flink promises to deliver groceries “in 10 minutes” Wolt – order food and household goods from the platform’s restaurant and merchant partners Picnic – grocery deliveries Flaschenpost – grocery deliveries Lieferando for restaurant food deliveries Too good to go – Discover shops and restaurants near you with Too Good To Go and save bags of surplus groceries from going to waste – at a great price. Online payments and delivery apps Klarna for online payments DHL, GLS or DPD and Hermes for deliveries Travel Airline apps like Lufthansa or Eurowings Booking.com app for hotel etc bookings Airbnb – Accomodation Momondo flight search and comparison app Moovit for maps, it also shows bus information Fuelflash – compare fuel prices in your area Parkopedia – find parking spots Flush app – Find a restroom Rome2Rio – handy app to find different ways of getting to your destination The Auswärtige Amt has a Sicher Reisen App. In the app you will find tips and a checklist for your travel preparations, and the addresses of the representations of your destination country in Germany. For problems on site, the app offers you information for emergencies as well as the addresses of the German representations in your travel country. Communication, social and community Threema, Signal or Whatsapp Discord – There is a South Africans in Germany group that you can join Nebenan – neighbourhood community Familywall – use it to keep a shopping list: each in the family can contribute to the lists Internations – International communities We also have a webpage with a list of South African communities in Germany Money transfers Please refer to our Foreign Exchange Information on the following pages ZAR to EUR and EUR to ZAR Xoom or Paypal Worldremit XE – currency converter. Please note that there is a buying and selling rate for Forex. Most apps show an average Financial Many banks have mobile apps, see your bank’s website for more information Most medical aid companies have mobile apps where you can submit your claims, and see your documentation Related content
Road Rules
Driving on German roads is very well regulated and if you don’t adhere to the rules you will get penalty points against your name and hefty fines. Your licence can be suspended when you reach a certain amount of points (currently 8). Ignorance of road rules is not an excuse. The ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) website has the following information: a list of the Traffic signs – the descriptions are in German the Traffic Rules(in German) The signs you have to learn very fast are the Road priority signs, Wikipedia has a list of road signs in English, but this is not an official German authority site For information about Fines and “Punkte in Flensburg” (points in Flensburg) have a look at the Busgeldkatalog website. Are speeding camera warning (Blitzer-Apps und Radarwarner) devices allowed? According to ADAC, radar detectors are prohibited and if you use them you risk a fine. Regardless of whether it is integrated into the Navi system or installed on your mobile phone, or an external device. You are however allowed to download such apps on your smartphone. You can use it before your journey to inform yourself where the speed cameras are, but you are not allowed to use them while driving. If you are stopped during traffic checks, and the app is active you will get a fine. Some basic road rules Yield Sign You have the right-of-way at all intersections on this road unless overridden by a “Yield,” “Stop,” or “End of Priority Road” sign. Parking is not allowed on this road outside of urban areas. Maximum speed limit Shown in kilometers per hour. End of all restrictions This sign removes all previous speed limit and passing restrictions. The default speed limits now apply. Priority Sign at an intersection and a definition of the priority. The Thick line has priority. Minimum Speed Limit Indicated in km/h. You must drive at or above this speed unless slower driving is required due to road, weather, or traffic conditions. All Vehicles Prohibited. This sign restricts all vehicle access, though exceptions are often listed on an accompanying supplemental sign. Types of road signs Warning Signs Be cautious on the road and watch for warning signs. These red-triangle signs with white backgrounds and black pictograms offer important safety information and should be noted to avoid potential dangers while driving. Regulatory signs Regulatory signs are vital for road safety. They give clear orders to drivers, reducing the chance of accidents and ensuring compliance with traffic rules. In Germany, circular signs with red indicate prohibitive actions and and blue circles indicate prescriptive actions. These signs are non-negotiable and must be followed to avoid penalties and legal consequences. How to build an emergency lane Insults on the road Everyday traffic situations can quickly escalate in road users harassing or throwing swear words at each other, and reacting aggressively.Derogatory gestures like showing someone a middle finger or using swear words like “A…hole” are not only rude and offensive, but they can also constitute a criminal offence (§ 185 StGB). Insults in traffic are punished with 20- 30 daily rates (A daily rate is your monthly net income divided by 30, so you could for example get a fine for your daily rate x 20 ) In special cases, a driving ban can also be imposed You do not lose any “Flensburg” points More information and examples can be found on the ADAC website Driving in winter Winter introduces new challenges and regulations for drivers. It’s important to stay updated on the relevant laws to avoid fines. Below are the key rules you need to know for winter driving. Fines – 2024 Engine Running €80 Let your car engine run to defrost the windows. “Standheizung” is allowed Lights €20 Driving without your lights on. Switching your lights on helps with visibility Snow on car €25 Snow on your car’s hood or roof can blow onto other cars’ windscreens causing dangerous conditions and accidents. Be a responsible driver by taking preventive measures like removing snow before driving. No winter tyres €60 Driving without winter tyres despite wintery road conditions. In addition to a fine you will also get on point against you. Speeding €100 Not adjusting your speed in poor visibility conditions. In addition to a fine you will also get on point against you. Window not clear €10 For safe winter driving, clear all windows of frost and snow to maintain optimal visibility. Neglecting to do so can be dangerous, obstructing your vision and preventing you from seeing potential hazards. References ADAC EVZ Resources on the web Driving in Germany Gettingaroundgermany Brain’s guide to getting around Germany. Traffic signs and signals THE MASTER DRIVERS GUIDE TO DRIVING IN GERMANY – This is a PDF file with road rules, not sure who the author is and how up-to-date it is Related content
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