Practices in Europe vary, but in Germany you can usually buy a ticket from the bus driver when you board (cash only, exact change), or using the ticket machine on trams. (In some Swiss cities you must have a ticket before you board a bus or tram.)

In 2026, the ability to buy a ticket directly from a bus driver in Germany is becoming increasingly rare, especially in larger metropolitan areas. While some rural or regional bus lines still allow cash purchases from the driver, most urban networks have transitioned to digital-only or machine-based ticketing to improve efficiency and safety. The most popular method is using a mobile app, such as the DB Navigator or local transit apps (like BVG in Berlin or MVV in Munich). Furthermore, the Deutschland-Ticket, which costs €63 per month as of January 2026, has standardized travel across the country, making individual paper tickets less common. If you do not have a digital subscription, you are generally expected to purchase a ticket at a station kiosk or via your smartphone before boarding. If cash is accepted on a bus, drivers rarely have change for large bills, so carrying small coins is a necessity for those rare occasions.