How do you travel between cities in Germany?

Travelling by train in Germany is very convenient, too: the local and long-distance public transport network has trains and buses that serve virtually the entire country. The major cities and their surrounding areas in particular offer excellent transportation links.



In 2026, the premier way to travel between German cities is via the Deutsche Bahn (DB) rail network, specifically the high-speed ICE (Intercity-Express) trains. These trains reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, connecting hubs like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg in a few short hours with high-value comfort and free Wi-Fi. For budget-conscious travelers, FlixBus and Flixtrain offer significantly cheaper but slower alternatives. A massive 2026 high-value tool is the "Deutschland-Ticket," a monthly pass (currently €63 in 2026) that allows for unlimited travel on all regional trains, buses, and trams nationwide. While driving on the Autobahn is a "bucket-list" experience for some, the efficiency of the rail system—combined with the difficulty of finding city-center parking—makes the train the undisputed king of German domestic travel for both business and leisure visitors.

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Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) high-speed IC and ICE trains are easily the best way to travel between major town & cities all over Germany, in comfort at ground level.

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The U-Bahn commonly understood to stand for Untergrundbahn (underground railway) are conventional rapid transit systems that run mostly underground, while the S-Bahn or Stadtschnellbahn ('city rapid railway') are commuter rail services, that may run underground in the city center and have metro-like characteristics in ...

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Purchase ticket: You can buy your ticket at sales kiosks or ticket machines. Validate ticket before departure: Please check whether you have to validate the ticket. This can be seen on the tickets. Since some tickets are only valid for a specified period, we recommend to stamp them right before you start your journey.

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Bus – Aside from hitchhiking, buses are the cheapest way to get around Germany. They are punctual but slow, with comfortable seats, air-conditioning, rest stops, and usually free Wi-Fi. I recommend Flixbus for the cheapest rates and most comfortable buses.

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Saver Fare (Sparpreis) – prices for one-way tickets in Germany start from €19 for short distances (up to 250 km). For longer distances prices start at €29 (Second Class) and €49 (First Class) Travel on the ICE is possible. Prices for two people traveling together start at €49 in Second Class.

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Many who come from other parts of the world also fly into one of Germany's major cities and then continue their journey by bus or train.

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Uber now manages to operate in Germany and the EU only as a regulated taxi service. The US-style UberPop (called UberX in the US) freelance ride service can't be found in Germany or anywhere in the EU. Anyone who wants to drive for Uber in Germany, needs a professional chauffeur's license.

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German trains are clean, comfortable, reliable and fast. Between the downtown areas of most German cities the travel time by train is as fast or faster than the travel time by plane, when you calculate in the time it takes to get to and from the airport. Buy your ticket before boarding!

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97 percent of Berliners praise public transport in Berlin, claiming the city's transport network is comfortable, safe, and always on time.

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Hbf – Hauptbahnhof, the main or central station of a town or city.

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To get a thorough taste of Germany, you need to spend at least two weeks, which will allow you time to explore its major cities, take in picturesque medieval towns and highlights along the Rhine Valley, and perhaps visit a few of its mighty castles.

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What's the cheapest city to fly into in Germany? The cheapest city to fly into is Berlin, and the cheapest airport serving this city at the moment is Berlin Brandenburg.

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