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With the D-ticket and summer ticket, unlimited travel throughout Germany by regional public transport is an affordable reality. These tickets offer a convenient way to explore the country without the high costs of individual tickets or owning a car. Read on to discover how to make the most of these tickets and which one best suits your travel plans.
What is the Deutschlandticket (D-ticket)?
The Deutschlandticket, often abbreviated to D-ticket, is a monthly subscription for a fixed amount. It gives you unlimited access to all local and regional public transport throughout Germany. For 49 euros per month, you can use city buses, trams, subways (U-Bahn) and regional trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn). The ticket is a successor to the popular 9-euro ticket from the summer of 2022. It is intended to make travel by public transport more accessible and attractive.
The main limitation is that the D-ticket is not valid on long-distance trains such as the Intercity-Express (ICE) and Intercity (IC). However, there are some exceptions on specific routes. The ticket is a personal subscription that can be cancelled monthly. This makes it flexible for both residents and travellers staying in Germany for a month or longer.
‘ You no longer have to worry about fare zones or individual tickets; you just hop on and travel. ’
How much money do you save with a D-ticket?
The savings you can make with a D-ticket are significant, especially if you plan to make multiple journeys. The cost of individual tickets on German public transport can quickly add up. A single journey between two cities by regional train can easily cost between 15 and 30 euros. If you make just two such journeys in a month, you will have already covered the cost of the D-ticket.
For a traveller who wants to visit several cities and regions for, say, a week, the choice is simple. Day tickets for cities cost around 8 to 10 euros. If you combine a city visit with a train journey to a nearby nature reserve or another city, the D-ticket is usually the most economical option. You no longer have to think about fare zones or individual tickets; you just hop on and travel.
The Summer Ticket as a seasonal option
A variant is offered especially for the summer months: the Deutschland-Sommer-Ticket (Germany Summer Ticket). This ticket offers similar advantages to the D-ticket. It is specifically aimed at travellers during the holiday period from June to August. It is an ideal option for those who want to take a train tour, for example, along the Moselle, through the Black Forest or along the German Baltic Sea coast. The conditions and prices vary each year. It is advisable to check the current information for the summer with Deutsche Bahn or local transport operators.
What is the difference between the 9-euro ticket and the D-ticket?
The main difference lies in the nature of the scheme. The 9-euro ticket was a temporary measure by the German government in the summer of 2022 to ease the burden of high energy prices and promote public transport. It was a cheap ticket offered for a period of three months.
The D-ticket is the structural successor to this initiative. The main differences are:
- Price: The D-ticket costs 49 euros per month, in contrast to the 9 euros of its predecessor.
- Subscription: The D-ticket is a monthly cancellable subscription, whereas the 9-euro ticket was a single monthly ticket. If you do not cancel the D-ticket, the subscription automatically continues.
- Permanent nature: The D-ticket is intended as a permanent solution to stimulate public transport. Prices may be adjusted in the future.
Can the D-ticket also be used in the Netherlands?
For travellers from the Netherlands, it is good to know that the D-ticket is also valid on a number of cross-border connections. This makes planning a day trip or starting your holiday just across the border extra easy. You can travel with the D-ticket on the following routes to and from the Netherlands: RE13 (Hamm – Venlo), RE19 (Düsseldorf – Arnhem), RB61 (Bielefeld – Hengelo), RB64 (Münster – Enschede), and various bus lines such as line 58 (Emmerich – Nijmegen) and line 91 (Emmerich – ‘s-Heerenberg).
Please note: the ticket is not valid on the Three Countries Train between Aachen, Heerlen and Maastricht. For the Dutch part of your journey, you will need a valid Dutch transport ticket, unless you are travelling on one of the aforementioned cross-border lines.
‘ Planning your trip is an important part of the anticipation. ’
Practical tips for purchase and use
The D-ticket is a digital product. The easiest way to buy it is via the DB Navigator app from Deutsche Bahn or via the websites and apps of regional transport companies. After purchase, you will receive a QR code that you can show on your smartphone during a check. Make sure your phone is charged and that you have an ID with you.
As it is a subscription, you must actively cancel it if you no longer wish to use it. Cancellation must be made before the 10th of the month to avoid paying for the following month. Always check the specific conditions with the provider from whom you purchase the ticket.
Plan your routes using a journey planner such as Deutsche Bahn’s. Tick the ‘regional traffic only’ option. This way, you can be sure that your journey falls entirely within the validity of the D-ticket.
Planning your trip is an important part of the anticipation. On the Traveler Tips website, you will find much more practical information about travelling by car and train, preparing your route, and the most beautiful destinations in Germany and beyond. Discover more and make your next trip a well-planned experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
The D-ticket offers unlimited travel on regional and local public transport in Germany for a fixed monthly fee, which can result in significant cost savings for an extensive road trip or train journey. The Summer Ticket is a seasonal variant for June to August, ideal for holidaymakers to travel unlimited at a fixed price. Both tickets are cost-effective because they eliminate the need for individual tickets, especially for frequent travel within Germany and certain border regions. This allows you to effectively budget your travel expenses while exploring extensively.
To optimally integrate the D-ticket or summer ticket, purchase it digitally via the DB Navigator app or transport operator websites for flexibility. Plan routes via the DB Planner and take advantage of cross-border connections to the Netherlands, which is handy for day trips. Consider the validity on the first or last day of the month and any price increases, and always check the current status before departure. For summer holidays, the summer ticket is ideal; combine this with bicycle rental at stations for maximum comfort.
The D-ticket is a monthly subscription for unlimited travel on regional and local public transport throughout Germany (buses, regional trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn), trams and U-Bahn), with exceptions for long-distance connections. It is also valid on various cross-border connections to the Netherlands, such as the RB61, RB64, RE13 and RE19 trains and various buses. The Summer Ticket is a seasonal variant, valid from 1 June to 31 August, for unlimited travel on regional public transport in Germany.
With a D-ticket or summer ticket, you can travel unlimited on regional and local public transport throughout Germany. This includes cross-border connections to the Netherlands, such as the RB61 (Bielefeld-Hengelo), RB64 (Münster-Enschede), RE13 (Hamm-Venlo) and RE19 (Düsseldorf-Arnhem) trains, and various buses deep into the Netherlands. Ideal for budget-friendly day trips to Münster or Düsseldorf, or for cycling holidays along the Moselle, Rhine or Bavarian lakes. Pay attention to the validity for long-distance connections and check current prices and conditions, especially for 2026.
For a short travel duration and specific destinations within Germany and certain border regions, the D-ticket is a flexible choice, as it can be cancelled monthly. The Summer Ticket, on the other hand, is ideal for travellers who want to travel unlimited on regional public transport from June to August, perfect for holidays. When making your choice, consider the price (€63 for the D-ticket from 2026, around €49 for the Summer Ticket) and the validity of the ticket.
