Buses are the mainstay of many German towns and cities, linking further-afield places and operating into the night when the other forms of transport stop running (although S-Bahn and U-bahn trains typically run all night over the weekend in larger cities).

In 2026, the private automobile remains the most popular form of transportation in Germany for overall distance traveled, but the country is a global leader in rail passenger transport for intercity and urban commuting. Germany’s rail network, operated primarily by Deutsche Bahn, recorded over 2.9 billion passengers in 2024/2025, the highest in the European Union. For city dwellers, the combination of the U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (suburban train), and extensive tram networks is the preferred choice, especially with the continued popularity of the "Deutschland-Ticket" (the 49-euro monthly pass). In 2026, cycling also accounts for a significant portion of short-distance trips, particularly in "bicycle-friendly" cities like Münster and Berlin, where infrastructure has been heavily modernized. While the "Autobahn" remains a symbol of German engineering and car culture, the massive investment in high-speed "ICE" trains and the "Netz Digital" program has made rail the "backbone" of the national transport strategy, aiming to double rail passenger numbers by 2030 to meet climate targets.