Travel Cheaply in Germany with 14 Regional Train Passes

Planning to visit Germany? Want to save some money on transportation during your trip? Then take a look at the 14 German train passes below that will help you explore all corners of the country cheaply & conveniently. 

 

 

Germany is one of the world’s top destinations for all kinds of travelers – from backpackers to families – especially if they are traveling around Europe. But unfortunately, many people find out the hard way that it’s not the cheapest place to visit, especially in major cities like Berlin and Munich. 

During your trip to Germany, one of your biggest costs will likely be train travel between cities, which is quite expensive when compared to neighboring countries like Italy, Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic), and Slovenia, to give a few examples. 

So, want to know how you can save when it comes to train travel in Germany and explore one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever visited? Well, today I’ll be talking about 14 regional train tickets that can help you travel cheaply in Germany. 

 

 

Why visit Germany?

To be honest, if I were to list all the reasons why Germany is worth visiting, this article would be, at least, double the size. But I’ll try to summarize in a few words why I believe Germany to be one of the best destinations in Europe. 

Here are just a few of the things you have waiting for you on your trip to Germany:

• Breathtaking landscapes – fields, lakes, mountains, caves…
• Very polite and friendly people 
• Cultural attractions for all tastes 
• An endless variety of tours, excursions, and things to do 
• SO MUCH HISTORY (such as this abandoned spy station near Berlin)  
• Cheap beer & bratwurst 😉 

 

Obviously, Germany has a lot to offer. But I think those few bullets should be enough to stoke your curiosity a bit! 

 

What are the 14 regional train tickets in Germany? 

Germany has 16 states, two of which are considered city-states (Hamburg and Berlin). The Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national train company, has created special train passes that allow travelers to explore each of these states in more depth. 

Essentially, these train passes allow you to have an unlimited number of train trips through the cities of the state you choose for a set period of time (normally 24 hours). A great thing about these tickets is that many have options for group travel, which can make the trip even cheaper per person.  

I’ll speak a bit more about each of these regional train passes, their prices, and where you can visit with them below. 

 

How can I buy a German regional train pass? 

To buy your pass, just go to the Deutsche Bahn website (or click the image below) and click the following: Home > Offers > Regional day tickets

 

   1. Bavaria regional train ticket  (Bavaria Day Pass) 

Bavaria is one of Germany’s most famous states, and likely the one you think of when you think about Germany. It’s home to the famous Oktoberfest, attracting millions of tourists from around the world each year. 

Beyond this, you’ll find Munich in Bavaria. As one of the largest cities in the country and a destination full of great tourist spots, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Actually, if you would like to visit Munich during the winter, check out this awesome article with Things to do in Munich in Winter.

The cost of this pass for a single traveler in second class is 26 euros. It’s 8 euros for each additional passenger, and the group can hold up to 5 people. It’s free for children under 5. 

Generally, the ticket is valid from 9:00 AM the day you buy the ticket until 3:00 AM the next day. This is true from Monday-Friday. On weekends and holidays, the ticket is valid starting at midnight. 

There are also first-class options and overnight options (for first and second class). Overnight tickets are usually the cheapest. And the most expensive tickets are daytime first-class tickets for a group of 5 for a total of 120 euros.

 

Where to visit in Bavaria by train 

• Munich
• Nuremberg
• Ratisbona 
• Füssen (the location of the famous Neuschwanstein castle pictured above – it was the inspiration for the Disney castle!) 
• Augsburg
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen (home to the best ski resort in Germany) 
• Salzburg (although the city is in Austria, with the Bayern Ticket – or the Bavaria Pass – you can still get there!) 

 

    2. Brandenburg-Berlin regional train ticket (Brandenburg-Berlin Day Pass) 

The Brandenburg-Berlin ticket is one that includes two states since Berlin is considered a city-state. Personally, I think this ticket is the most valuable one. 

I say this because it has a fixed price of 33 euros for up to 5 people during the period of time it’s valid. You can bring children under 15 along for free. 

One tip here is that, if you’re traveling alone and see a group of people traveling together, ask if they have this regional ticket. If they do and they don’t have 5 people in their group, you can all save a lot of money by sharing the ticket.

And no need to be embarrassed to ask – many people do this! And you might even get asked to join a group yourself if you wait around long enough. 

I myself have saved quite a lot of money on solo trips thanks to this nice group discount. Plus, it gives you the chance to meet new people as well. 

As with the Bavaria ticket, this ticket is valid from 9 AM on the day it is purchased until 3 AM the following day Monday-Friday. On weekends and holidays, the ticket is valid from midnight until 3 AM the next day. 

There is also an overnight option for the Brandenburg-Berlin ticket, which costs 25 euros and lets you travel from 6 PM to 6 AM the next day with a group of up to 5 people.  

 

Where to visit in Brandenberg-Berlin by train

• Berlin
• Potsdam
• Sanssouci Palace
• Sachsenhausen concentration camp 

 

    3. Baden-Württemberg regional train ticket (Baden-Württemberg Day Pass) 

This day ticket lets you travel freely around the state of Baden-Württemberg for a day for 24 euros as a single passenger in second class, or 32 euros for first class. There aren’t any overnight options for this ticket like with the others, but children up to age 15 can travel for free. 

The hours for the Baden-Württemburg ticket are exactly the same as the others I’ve mentioned above (9 AM – 3 AM the next day). 

 

 

Where to visit in Baden-Württenberg by train 

• Heidelberg
• Stuttgart (home to the Mercedes and Porsche factories)
• Mainau Island on Lake Constance 
• Freiburg (home to Europa-Park – Germany’s largest theme park) 

 

    4. Lower Saxony regional train ticket (Lower Saxony Day Pass) 

The Lower Saxony train ticket works similarly to the others, but with a few peculiarities. For example, children under 14, rather than 15, are free (when accompanied by adults, of course). 

Beyond this, the ticket hours are a little different. It’s valid from 9 in the morning to 3 AM the next day, but the hours aren’t different on holidays nor on weekends. 

The cost of a Lower Saxony regional ticket is 24 euros for a passenger in second class. For 5 passengers, there is a fixed price of 44 euros. There aren’t overnight nor first-class options for this regional ticket. 

 

Where to visit in Lower Saxony by train

• Bremen
• Hannover
• Wolfsburg
• Emden

 

    5. Lower Saxony + Groningen regional train ticket (Lower Saxony + Groningen Day Pass)  

This ticket works just like the ones above with the difference being that you can also use it to visit the bustling university city of Groningen in the Netherlands. 

Because of this, the prices are a bit different. The cost of a single passenger ticket is 30 euros, or 56 euros for a group of 5. 

In other words, unlike the Bayern ticket which will allow you to get to Salzburg, Austria with a single ticket, here you’ll need to get a separate ticket if you want to visit a city in a neighbouring country. 

 

    6. North Rhine-Westphalia regional train ticket (North Rhine-Westphalia Day Pass)  

This ticket, which will let you freely visit the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, has a few particularities as well. One of them is that they only have two types of tickets: single passenger and double passenger. 

The price of a single passenger ticket is 31 euros. For double passengers, it’s 46 euros. This is, without a doubt, one of the most expensive tickets on our list here. 

When it comes to hours, it follows the same logic as the other tickets that I’ve mentioned from 9 AM to 3 AM the next day (M-F), and from midnight on weekends and holidays. 

 

Where to visit in North Rhine-Westphalia by train

It’s in this state that you’ll find some of the biggest and richest cities in Germany including: 

• Cologne (which as an amazing carnival each February) 
• Düsseldorf
• Dortmund
• Bonn (the old capital of West Germany) 
• Essen 
• Münster
• Bochum 

 

    7. Hesse regional train ticket (Hesse Day Pass) 

The regional train ticket for the state of Hesse costs 36 euros. You can travel in a group of up to 5 people with each additional person costing 7 euros. For a second class ticket, that is. 

The hours for this ticket are a little different than the others. It’s valid starting at 9 AM, but only works until trains stop operating…or around midnight. 

On weekends and specific holidays, the ticket is valid for an entire day. 

 

Where to visit in Hesse by train 

• Frankfurt (headquarters of the European Central Bank & Germany’s financial capital)
• Hanau
• Wiesbaden (one of the oldest spa towns in Europe and home to thermal baths!) 
• Kassel 

 

    8. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania regional train ticket (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Day Pass) 

The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ticket works like the other tickets above. And if you travel with more than 2 adults, children under 15 are free. 

The price for a single traveler ticket is 23 euros for second class. For a group of 5, the tickets are 39 euros. 

The hours are the same as the others (valid 9 AM-3 AM), including the weekend exception. 

 

Where to visit in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania by train: 

• Schwerin (home to the castle you see above on Lake Schwerin!) 
• Rostock
• Wismar 
• Rügen (Germany’s largest island and home to white-sand Baltic beaches) 
• Greifswald 

 

    9. Schleswig-Holstein regional train ticket (Schleswig-Holstein Day Pass) 

The Schleswig-Holstein ticket is 29 euros for a single traveler and 45 euros for a group of 5 people. For second class, since this ticket doesn’t have a first-class option. 

As with the others, this ticket is valid from 9 AM until 3 PM the next day (and starts at midnight on weekends). 

 

 Where to visit in Schleswig-Holstein by train

• Schleswig
• Husum
• Kiel (where many ferries and cruises depart from to get to Scandinavia and the Baltic states) 
• Lübeck 

 

    10. Saxony regional train ticket (Saxony Day Pass) 

Saxony is one of the most famous, and most visited, states in Germany. This region was part of the former Communist West Germany. So, even today, the prices tend to be a little bit lower than elsewhere in the country. 

The price of a single traveler ticket is 25 euros, while the price for a group of 5 is 57 euros. There are no options for overnight tickets nor first-class tickets. 

As with the others, this ticket is valid from 9 AM until 3 PM the next day (starting from midnight on weekends). 

 

Where to visit in Saxony by train

• Dresden (completely destroyed during WWII and beautifully reconstructed today)
• Leipzig 
• Bastei rock formation (in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in Saxon Switzerland National Park)   
• Meissen
• Plauen

 

    11. Thuringia regional train ticket (Thuringia Day Pass)

To travel through the state of Thuringia, you’ll pay 25 euros for a single-traveler ticket or 57 euros for a group ticket for 5 people. Like the other tickets, you also have the option to travel with 2, 3, or 4 passengers, but never more than 5. If it’s more than 5, then you’ll need to buy another ticket. 

The rule for children under 15 traveling free when accompanied by at least 2 adults is also true for this ticket. 

And as with the others, this ticket is valid from 9 AM until 3 PM the next day (starting from midnight on weekends). 

 

Where to visit in Thuringia by train

Although it may not be one of the more well-known or visited states in Germany, it’s still worth exploring. Here are some of the places you can visit with this ticket: 

• Weimar
• Eisenach (home to the Wartburg Castle you see above) 
• Erfurt (home to Martin Luther Bridge) 
• Gota
• Gera
• Suhl 

 

    12. Saxony-Anhalt regional train pass (Saxony-Anhalt Day Pass) 

The cost of a single-traveler ticket is 25 euros and 57 euros for a group of up to 5. 

Children under 15 don’t pay and, as with the other tickets, this ticket is valid from 9 AM until 3 PM the next day (starting from midnight on weekends). 

 

Where to visit in Saxony-Anhalt by train

As with the previous state on the list, Saxony-Anhalt is not a major tourist destination. However, it still has a lot to offer! Here are just a few of the places to add to your itinerary: 

• Magdeburg 
• Dessau
• Wittenberg
• Bode Gorge 

 

    13. Rhineland-Palatinate regional train ticket (Rhineland-Palatinate Day Pass)  

This state, full of many interesting historical cities and cultures, is well worth visiting. The cost of the Rhineland-Palatinate train pass for a single traveler is 25 euros. For a group of 5, it’s 49 euros.  

Children under 15 don’t pay and, as with the others, this ticket is valid from 9 AM until 3 PM the next day (starting from midnight on weekends). 

 

Where to visit in Rhineland-Palatinate by train 

• Mainz
• Speyer 
• Koblenz (home to Rhine Gorge) 
• Trier (home to Roman ruins and the birthplace of Karl Marx!) 

 

    14. Saarland regional train ticket (Saarland Day Pass)

Finally, we’ve arrived at our last German regional train pass. For solo travelers, this ticket costs 25 euros. For a group of 5, it costs 49 euros. 

Children under 15 don’t pay and, as with the others, this ticket is valid from 9 AM until 3 PM the next day (starting from midnight on weekends). 

 

Where to visit with in Saarland by train 

• Saarbrücken (located near the French border and the capital of the state) 
• Völkingen
• Homburg (home to caves and castles!) 
• Lebach 

 

How can I buy a German regional train pass? 

To buy your pass, just go to the Deutsche Bahn website (or click the image below) and click the following: Home > Offers > Regional day tickets

 

In summary…

The 14 regional train tickets you can buy in Germany include: 

1. Bavaria Day Pass
2. Brandenburg-Berlin Day Pass 
3. Baden-Württemberg Day Pass
4. Lower Saxony Day Pass
5. Lower Saxony + Groningen Day Pass
6. North Rhine-Westphalia Day Pass
7. Hesse Day Pass
8. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Day Pass
9. Schleswig-Holstein Day Pass
10. Saxony Day Pass
11. Thuringia Day Pass
12. Saxony-Anhalt Day Pass
13. Rhineland-Palatinate Day Pass
14. Saarland Day Pass

 

How can I buy a German regional train pass? 

To buy your pass, just go to the Deutsche Bahn website (or click the image below) and click the following: Home > Offers > Regional day tickets

 

Activities, attractions and tours to do in Germany

If you are planning to visit Germany and would like to take tours and excursions, I recommend using the Get Your Guide website and Civitatis to research the best attractions and tours in the region. There you can find day trips to full day excursions.

 

Get Your Guide

 

 

Civitatis

 

 

In conclusion…

Germany is, without a doubt, a country with lots to offer. It’s in the heart of the European Union and an economic powerhouse. I definitely recommend you take advantage of these train passes to save as much as you can on transportation while traveling through Germany. Not to mention, trains of the most interesting and sustainable ways to explore! 

Have any questions or a recommendation to add? Let us know in the comments area below!

 

 

To read our other articles about Germany, take a look below:

How to Visit Teufelsberg: An Abandoned Spy Station from the Cold War in Berlin

How to Save on Transportation in Europe with Buses b/w Countries & Cities

21 Reasons Why Being Part of the European Union is Awesome!