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German rail pass flexi.

Are you longing for a great adventure through Germany? Then the Flexi Pass is the most flexible way to travel throughout the country.

• 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 or 15 freely selectable travel days within one month.
• Available online
• Travel on all scheduled Deutsche Bahn trains including the high-speed ICE

Frequently asked questions

Who can book a german rail pass.

The German Rail Pass is available to travellers whose place of residence is outside Germany.

Where can I go with the German Rail Pass?

When travelling in Germany , the German Rail Pass lets you travel as often as you like on all Deutsche Bahn trains. You can also use all trains operated by other rail companies that accept DB long-distance tickets.

Outside Germany , you can take DB trains to the following destinations:

• Basel Badischer Bahnhof (Switzerland)
• Salzburg, Kufstein and Innsbruck (Austria)
• Liège and Brussels (Belgium)
• Bolzano, Trento, Verona, Bologna and Venice (Italy)

When can I book a German Rail Pass?

You can book the German Rail Pass as early as 11 months before your journey begins.

What does a German Rail Pass cost?

Here you can find the prices for the German Rail Pass and the German Rail Twin Pass.

• Prices for German Rail Pass and German Rail Twin Pass (PDF, 42 KB) File download: Prices for German Rail Pass and German Rail Twin Pass (PDF, 42 KB)

How can children use the German Rail Pass?

• Children under the age of 6 travel for free and do not need a pass of their own.
• Up to two children aged 6-11 can travel for free when accompanying an adult. If two adults are using a Twin pass, up to four children can accompany them free of charge. Each additional child needs a German Rail Pass Youth.
• Children aged 12 and over need a German Rail Pass Youth.

Do Twin Pass holders always need to travel together?

No. People who book a Twin Pass do not necessarily need to travel together. One person can use the pass on a given day. However, the second person cannot use the pass on that day.

Can I book a German Rail Pass online?

Yes. The German Rail Pass can be booked online. The German Rail Twin Pass is currently only available for sale in person, e.g. in our DB Travel Centres.

Do I need to make seat reservations?

• Within Germany:  No. Seat reservations are not necessary within Germany. However, you can reserve a seat if you like.
• International connections:  Reservations are required on some international connections or night trains. Connections requiring a reservation are marked with an R in the travel information.

Does a pass provide any discounts?

Yes. Holders of a valid German Rail Pass can enjoy a host of discounts and benefits from our business partners. A detailed list can be found in the German Rail Pass brochure.

• German Rail Pass brochure (PDF, 1 MB) File download: German Rail Pass brochure (PDF, 1 MB)

Can I cancel or exchange a German Rail Pass?

• Exchange before the first day of validity is free of charge
• Refund before the first day of validity is subject to a processing fee of 15%
• Refund of unused German Rail Passes after the first day of validity : Possible upon presentation of a medical certificate stating that travel was not possible or the flight ticket for the return journey (journey home). The refund entails a processing fee of 15%.
• Refund of used German Rail Passes after the first day of validity:  Partial refund only possible in exceptional circumstances (illness, cancellation of the trip). Holders must present a medical certificate stating that travel was not possible or a flight ticket for a return journey (journey home).

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Conditions of this Pass

Only non-European residents can travel with a Eurail Pass. If you’re a European resident you can travel with an  Interrail Pass .

Most high-speed and night trains require a reservation at an additional cost.  Learn more about seat reservations

1st class Passes are valid in both 1st and 2nd class coaches. 2nd class Passes are only valid in 2nd class coaches.

You need to activate your Eurail Pass within 11 months of the issue date. You can do this online using our free activation service at checkout, or once you've received your Pass at a European train station.

All standard Eurail Passes are refundable or exchangeable if they are returned unused.  Read our booking terms  and our refund & exchange policy .

• Depending on the promo conditions, promotional Eurail Passes may be non-refundable and non-exchangeable. To check if a purchased promotional pass is refundable or exchangeable, please refer to the payment confirmation. Read more
• To travel with a discounted Youth Pass, you must be aged from 12 up to and including 27 on the date you choose to start your trip.
• To travel with a discounted Senior Pass, you must be aged 60 or older on the date you choose to start your trip. 
• Children under 4 travel for free and do not need an Eurail Pass. You may be asked to sit a child under 4 on your lap during busy times.

Children aged 4 to 11 travel for free with a Child Pass. A child must be accompanied at all times by at least one person with an Adult Pass. This doesn’t have to be a family member and can be anyone over 18.

• Children must be 11 or younger on the date you choose to start your trip. 
• Up to 2 children can travel with 1 adult. For example, when 2 adults are travelling, they can take 4 children with them. If more than 2 children are travelling with 1 adult, a separate Youth Pass must be purchased for each additional child.

Children under 12 travel in the same travel class as the accompanying adult.

Travellers aged 12 to 27 can travel with a Youth Pass.

Global Pass

Want to see more of Europe than just 1 country? A Global Pass can take you to  over 30,000 destinations  across Europe. It's flexible, so you can decide on the day where you want to go. Or plan out your trip completely, it's all up to you!

Check out the Global Pass

Trains in Europe

Europe’s extensive rail network connects all of Europe’s top destinations from world-famous capitals to charming off-the-beaten-track towns. Choose the type of train that best fits your plans, and travel where you want by day or night.

Find out about Europe's trains

Plan your trip

Start planning your Eurail adventure now:

• Check journey details on the timetable
• View map of European rail network
• Read about making reservations
• Book your hostel accommodation
• Get discounts with your Pass

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Conditions of this Pass

Only non-European residents can travel with a Eurail Pass. If you’re a European resident you can travel with an Interrail Pass.

Most high-speed and night trains require a reservation at an additional cost. 

1st class Passes are valid in both 1st and 2nd class coaches. 2nd class Passes are only valid in 2nd class coaches.

You need to activate your Eurail Pass within 11 months of the issue date. You can do this online using our free activation service at checkout, or once you've received your Pass at a European train station.

All standard Eurail Passes are refundable or exchangeable if they are returned unused. Read our full Booking Conditions on Eurail.com .

• Depending on the promo conditions, promotional Eurail Passes may be non-refundable and non-exchangeable. To check if a purchased promotional pass is refundable or exchangeable, please refer to the payment confirmation.
• To travel with a discounted Youth Pass, you must be aged from 12 up to and including 27 on the date you choose to start your trip.
• To travel with a discounted Senior Pass, you must be aged 60 or older on the date you choose to start your trip. 
• Children under 4 travel for free and do not need an Eurail Pass. You may be asked to sit a child under 4 on your lap during busy times.

Children aged 4 to 11 travel for free with a Child Pass. A child must be accompanied at all times by at least one person with an Adult Pass. This doesn’t have to be a family member and can be anyone over 18.

• Children must be 11 or younger on the date you choose to start your trip. 
• Up to 2 children can travel with 1 adult. For example, when 2 adults are travelling, they can take 4 children with them. If more than 2 children are travelling with 1 adult, a separate Youth Pass must be purchased for each additional child.

Children under 12 travel in the same travel class as the accompanying adult.

Travellers aged 12 to 27 can travel with a Youth Pass.

Global Pass

Want to see more of Europe than just 1 country? A Global Pass can take you to  over 30,000 destinations  across Europe. It's flexible, so you can decide on the day where you want to go. Or plan out your trip completely, it's all up to you!

Check out the Global Pass

Trains in Europe

Europe’s extensive rail network connects all of Europe’s top destinations from world-famous capitals to charming off-the-beaten-track towns. Choose the type of train that best fits your plans, and travel where you want by day or night.

Find out about Europe's trains

Plan your trip

Start planning your Eurail adventure now:

• Check journey details on the timetable
• View map of European rail network
• Read about making reservations
• Book your hostel accommodation
• Get discounts with your Pass

Change of currency

You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.

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Eurail Germany Pass

Starting From USD 212

Book Eurail Germany Pass

Type of pass continuous.

• Unlimited travel within the set selected days For example: If you choose Consecutive 8 Days Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimited times on Swiss Public Transport for 8 days.
• Pass is valid from the selected start date For example: If select start date as 1 st Jan 2024, then your pass is valid till 8 th Jan 2024 midnight.

Type of Pass flexi

• Unlimited travel within 1 month from the selected start date For example: If you choose Flexi 8 Days Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel unlimited times for 8 days in one month
• Pass is valid from the selected start date For example: If you select start date as 1 st Jan 2024, then your pass is valid till 30 th Jan 2024 and you can unlimited travel any 8 days within these 30 days.

Type of First class

• The First Class pass means a passenger can access the first-class sections of public transport like Train and Boat.
• In a train, the first-class seating is more spacious and have a separate section
• In a boat, the first -class section is the upper deck of the boat

Type of Second class

• The Second Class pass means a passenger can access only the second-class sections of public transport.

Eurail One Country pass only allows travel in the selected European country. 

Can not be sold to or used by residents of Europe, the Russian Federation and Turkey.  

Pass must be activated within eleven months after purchasing date, and before the first travel, through the Eurail Rail Planner App .

Seat/bed reservations for mandatory bookable trains still need to be purchased and are an additional cost to the rail pass. Seat reservations may be limited on some services, advance bookings are recommended (reservations are booked via the Rail Planner app or at the train station).

Discounts available: - Senior: for passengers 60 and over (except with the Eurail Germany Mobile pass) - Youth: for passengers under 28 - Children 4-11: free in the limit of 2 children by paying adult otherwise a youth pass should be purchased. Seat/bed reservations for mandatory bookable trains still need to be purchased. Children under 4: free (except if a reservation for a separate seat/bed is required) 

A 85% refund applies to completely unused and unactivated passes. Request must be submitted no later than six months from the last possible activation date indicated on the mobile Pass. 

Combo Offers

Swiss Travel Pass + Jungfrau, Titlis & Matterhorn

Swiss Travel Pass + Jungfrau

About Eurail Germany Pass

Basel Badischer Bahnhof (Switzerland)

Salzburg, Kufstein and Innsbruck (Austria)

Liège and Brussels (Belgium)

Bolzano, Trento, Verona, Bologna and Venice (Italy)

• Unlimited rail travel in Germany for 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 or 15 days for continuous as well as flexible (within a month) days.
• Choice to travel on first or the second Class.
• Discounted fares for passengers below the age of 28 years under the youth category.
• Discounted fares for passengers above 60 years of age under senior category.
• Children below the age of 12 years travel for free if travelling with adult holding a Eurail Germany Pass.
• Special pass holder fares for reservations on high-speed trains.
• Hotel discounts, reduced museum cost, free or reduced transportation on some private railroads, national or international ferry crossings and buses as well as discount on some attractions across the country.

Why To Buy Pass

• Travel extensively to the destination of your choice
• Unlimited coverage across Europe
• Discounts on ferries, hotels, city cards & many more
• Child under 12 yrs free

How It Works

Select your pass.

Selecting your Eurail One country pass is important as it should align with your travel dates, if you intend to move between cities every day then you should select a consecutive pass as it would decrease your travel expense and if on the other hand your travel plan has longer halts between cities then a flexible pass should make travelling easier.

Confirmation

Follow simple steps to book your Eurail pass which lets you view rates, select the number of passengers, the number of days and see your final amount payable. Enter passenger information (name, date of birth, email id etc.) before you proceed to the payment page.

Make the Payment

After selection of the pass and confirmation of your details mentioned above, you will be directed to 3D secured payment page where you can make payment by Debit/ Credit Card/ Net Banking/ UPI.

Get your pass

Once you book your pass, an email confirmation will be sent to your registered email id. Then follow the instructions to load the mobile pass. Traveling with a mobile Pass is simple – all you need is your phone, the Rail Planner app (Android 6.0 / iOS 10.0 / iPhone 5)

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FAQs on Eurail Germany Pass

What is a eurail one country pass.

Eurail One Country Pass is an all in one pass which offers flexible access to uncover the chosen country's rich history, amazing food, and vibrant culture by train. Travel between popular cities within the country is included. For example: Travel between Venice, Rome and Florence – Within Italy; Paris, Nice, Lyon – Within France or Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart – Within Germany.

Which Pass Should I buy?

Identifying the right Eurail One Country Pass depends on your travel route. Choose from 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 days within 1 month. Choose from flexible or consecutive 1st class or 2nd class passes depending on your budget.

What is an Adult Pass?

Passengers above the age of 28 years will be eligible to take an adult Pass

What is a Youth Pass?

A person aged between 12-28 years can purchase a youth pass.

How much in advance should we purchase the Eurail One Country Pass?

You can order your pass upto 11 months before your trip starts. Once purchased, you are required to activate your pass within 11 months from the time it is purchased. In order to activate your Mobile Pass, follow the instructions you receive in your order confirmation email. You will be asked to add your Pass to the Rail Planner app and activate it so it's ready for travel.

Are seat reservations required for every train journey?

Reservations are required on most high speed, overnight, scenic, and trains. With the Eurail One Country Pass you may travel on the above mentioned trains which require additional seat reservations. Please check your desired segment for any specific seat reservation requirements as most of the high speed, overnight, scenic require a mandatory reservation.

What is difference between purchasing a sector ticket and a Eurail One Country pass?

A rail pass and a train ticket are two different travel documents. A train ticket is valid for a single point to point journey. Some of the train tickets include a seat reservation in Italy which means that they are valid for a specific train and for specific date and time only. In some cases, the sector tickets (sometime reservations included in cost) become cheaper than buying a One Country pass but it depends on the number of days of your desired travel and the required journeys. On the other hand, a rail pass is unique travel document which offers unlimited travel across the selected country. These do not have seat reservations included in the cost, so the passenger has the flexibility to choose the date and time he wants to travel at. The seat reservations with the Eurail One Country pass will cost you approx. Eur 12 per person per sector.

What is the difference between a Consecutive-day pass and a Flexi pass?

A consecutive-day pass provides unlimited rail travel on all days for the chosen duration of the pass. This pass is preferred by those who wish to travel every day during their visit in Europe. A flexi pass is valid for a specific number of days which can be used consecutively or non-consecutively within a longer period. This pass is preferred by those who wish to travel only on certain days.

What is the difference between 1st and 2nd class?

The difference between 1st and 2nd class is the level of comfort and facilities available. Generally 1st class is costlier than second class as you get more leg space and additional benefits such as free wifi, adjustable reclining seats, extra wide tables, food and beverage services etc.

What should I do if there is incorrect information on my Pass?

If the details on your mobile Pass are incorrect or outdated and you can’t change it yourself, please get in touch with our staff. If your Pass has not been activated yet, we will be able to change the information for you (Not applicable for Non-refundable / promotional passes) only if it is informed to us prior to your travel. Once activated passes become fully non-refundable.

What details is required to book a Eurail One Country pass?

Full name, country of residence, and passport number should be as per your valid passport.

What is a Mobile Pass and how does it work?

A Mobile Pass is an electronic pass that can be loaded on your cell phone with the Rail Planner App. It is mandatory to download the Rail Planner App in order add / view / validate your Eurail Pass. While on tour, you would also need an internet connection once every three days (to keep the app updated and ensure the pass is active).

What are the initial steps to follow once I receive a Eurail Mobile Pass confirmation?

First and foremost you will have to download the Rail Planner App. Once you open the app, add the pass to the app by entering your surname and pass number (mentioned in your confirmation email). You should then be able to see your Eurail Pass in “My Pass”. If you have a child pass, you will have to load the Child pass too on the device. Next, you will have to choose or create trips to keep track of the journeys you will be taking. Finally, you will have to activate your Mobile pass. This has to be done before you start your journey, by adding your passport number and the first date of travel. Your pass will be valid for travel from the chosen date only, for the validity period chosen at the time of booking.

How soon can I validate my Mobile pass?

If your dates are fixed, validate your pass during the course of adding it to the app. If you’re not sure of your travel dates, you can activate it anytime later. You have upto 11 months from the date of purchase, to activate your pass. Please note that validating a Eurail pass is compulsory before boarding the first journey.

How do I show my ticket to the ticket inspector?

The ticket inspector will scan the barcode on the Eurail Pass and check whether the train you are traveling on is added as a journey to the pass. In order to do this, in your App, go to “My Pass” and then click on “Show ticket”. The inspector can even ask for your passport to see if it matches with the Eurail Pass.

What does it mean to add “add a journey” to the app?

Adding a journey means adding the sectors that you will be travelling on, using the Eurail Pass. Every journey you add to your pass, gives you a valid ticket. This ticket then needs to be shown to the ticket inspector while on board. Please note, adding a journey does not mean or entitle a seat reservation.

Can I cancel my first travel day once it has been added to the pass?

Yes, you can change or cancel the first travel day anytime before the start of the date (00:00 hours). Once the travel day has started, you cannot cancel or modify it. Please keep in mind that some countries follow CET (Central Europe Time) time, so there could be a difference in the start and end time of a travel day, compared to your local time.

The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in germany.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, inter-city train tickets from €12.90.

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.  DB's ICE trains travel at up to 186 mph from city centre to city centre, and if you pre-book direct with the operator you can find some really cheap fares.

Train travel within Germany

International trains to & from Germany

Station guides, general train travel information, useful country information, how to check train times & buy tickets.

To check times & prices and to buy tickets in advance go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de ( on a mobile device, use this link ).

Anyone from any country can use bahn.de, all international credit cards accepted, you print your own ticket or can simply show it on your laptop or phone.

Tip:   I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log in, check all your bookings and re-print your tickets at any time.

Do you need to book in advance?

When does booking open.

Booking now opens up to 6 months ahead for German domestic tickets.

It was increased to 6 months from the previous 92 days in 2016.  However, the booking period is often less than this for dates immediately after the timetable changes at midnight on the 2nd Saturday in December.  Bookings for dates after the mid-December timetable change, including the Christmas period, usually open in mid-October.

Flexpreis or Sparpreis?

If you use int.bahn.de to book a long-distance train it initially shows the cheapest fare available against each train.

If you click on that fare, you'll then see a range of fares, Super Sparpreis , Sparpreis & Flexpreis .

Flexpreis is the full-price flexible fare.  A Flexpreis ticket can be bought online or at the station on the day of travel, the price in fact varies slightly on different dates, but not by a huge amount.  They are refundable, good for any train that day, just hop on and find any empty unreserved seat, seat reservation on long distance IC, ICE & EC trains is optional for a small extra charge, €4.90 in 2nd class, €5.90 in 1st class.

Sparpreis & Super Sparpreis fares are limited-availability advance-purchase fares, from €12.90, €19.90, €29.90, €39.90 and so on, the price varies significantly depending how far ahead you book and how popular that date, day and train is.  Spar is German for save .  Sparpreis & Super Sparpreis fares only allow travel on the specific train you book, although if your journey involves a connecting regional train you can use any regional train on the regional part of the route.  Prices vary like air fares, rising as departure approaches and the cheaper tickets are sold.  They disappear a few days before departure, leaving only the Flexpreis fare.

Super Sparpreis = no refunds, no changes.   Sparpreis fares are refundable (although for a DB credit voucher, not cash) up to the day before departure with a small fee deducted, no changes or refunds allowed from the day of departure onwards.

• Children go free!   On DB trains, children under 6 go free, no ticket needed.  Children over 6 but aged under 15 also go free if they travel accompanied by a fare-paying adult, a great offer.  Book your tickets at int.bahn.de and it will work all this out for you.

Only one passenger name is needed

Only one name is necessary as I.D. to support a print-at-home ticket, even if that ticket covers several passengers.

If you buy hard copy tickets at a station, no name at all is needed.

Incidentally, until 2016 you had to show the credit/debit card used for the booking when using print-at-home tickets. I'm glad to say that this changed in October 2016, all you now need is a passport or other recognised ID to support a print-at-home online ticket.  You may or may not be asked for it by the conductor.

Tips for using int.bahn.de

Stopovers .  If you'd like a stopover en route, but still want a cheap saver fare from end to end, no problem.  Go to int.bahn.de and enter your start and end point, simply click Stopover , enter the place where you want to stop off, enter the number of hours stopover and off you go.  Maximum 2 days validity with a Sparpreis fare.

Alternatives to using bahn.de:   Bahn.de is one of the best train operator sites, but if for any reason you want an alternative site which can also book DB trains at DB prices, try these two:

Raileurope.com has a direct connection to DB's ticketing system so it sells the same trains, same prices, same print-at-home tickets at Bahn.de, but with a small booking fee.  It accepts all international credit cards so can be used by anyone from any country.  Raileurope.com also connects to the French, Italian & Spanish ticketing systems so can easily book multi-operator journeys such as Munich to Naples (which involves DB and Trenitalia) or Frankfurt to Bordeaux (which involves DB and SNCF).  Raileurope.com is also capable of splitting the booking to book some cross-Germany journeys (for example, Brussels to Poland) for which you'd have to manually split the booking at some logical point within Germany if you wanted to use bahn.de.

Thetrainline.com also has a connection to DB's system, so can sell print-at-home tickets (but not those which need to be posted) for DB train at the same prices as DB, but with a small booking fee.

Competing lo-cost operator:  Flixtrain

Almost all long-distance trains in Germany are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB), the State-owned German Federal Railways.  But there is now one other long-distance operator worth mentioning.

Buy tickets by phone in the UK

If you live in the UK you can buy German train tickets direct from Deutsche Bahn on their English-speaking telesales line, 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04 .  Lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings.

Custom-made tours of Germany by train

Railbookers are a train travel specialist who can put together a tour of Germany for you as a package, including rail travel, hotels & transfers.  On their website you'll find a range of suggested tours & breaks which can be varied or customised to your own requirements.  And as you're booking a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the itinerary such as a strike or delay.  They now have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Germany by train, they have suggested itineraries or they can organise a trip based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  Their website is www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/germany .

Back to top

DB's discount card:  Bahncard

What are bahncards.

You get the discount on German domestic journeys, and on international journeys to, from or across Germany.

However, for international journeys the discount will not normally be the full 25% or 50% as the reduction is not necessarily applied to the part outside Germany (test it before buying a Bahncard to see what actual effect a Bahncard has - see my top tip below).

Man in Seat 61's top tip:   Before buying a Bahncard, run an enquiry for the journeys you actually plan to make, using int.bahn.de (a) as normal and (b) with a Bahncard 25 or Bahncard 50 discount added.  See what it does to prices.  If you see no difference, the discount may not apply to your particular journey.  If you see a difference, do the savings justify the cost of the card?

Types of Bahncard

Each type of Bahncard can be bought for either 2nd class or 1st class.

Check prices & buy a Bahncard

Special regional tickets.

These one-day unlimited travel passes are well worth knowing about, even though they're not valid on fast long-distance trains, only on slower regional trains.  If you want a railpass valid on all trains, including high-speed and long-distance ones, see the German Rail Pass section below .

Deutschland ticket

Unlimited travel on regional transport nationwide for €49 a month

From 1 May 2023 Germany offers unlimited travel on regional transport nationwide for €49 per month.  This is the successor to the popular (but temporary) €9 ticket created after the pandemic to address the cost-of-living crisis.  Unlike the €9 ticket, the Deutschlandticket will be a permanent product.

The Deutschland ticket is good for all regional trains run by DB and by other operators across the whole of Germany ()marked R, RE, RB, IRE or S-Bahn in the timetable) and other types of local & regional transport including local buses, city buses, trams & U-Bahn.

It's even valid on the famous Harz Railway , including steam-hauled trains, but not on the branch line up the Brocken.

It's not valid on long-distance ICE & IC trains or similar long-distance trains classified EuroCity, Eurostar, TGV, Railjet, Westbahn, Flixtrain or Snälltåget.  So yes, you could cross Germany with it if you wanted, but only using slower regional trains.

The Deutschland ticket covers journeys wholly within Germany, with a few exceptions:  For example, it's valid on cross-border regional trains to/from Salzburg in Austria, to/from Venlo, Arnhem, Hengelo & Enschede in the Netherlands, to/from Basel Bad Bf & Basel SBB in Switzerland, and to/from Zgorzelec in Poland.  But remember, only on the regional trains (marked R, RE, RB, BRB and so on), not EC, RJ, RJX, IC or ICE long-distance trains or privately-run Westbahn (WB) trains.

It's valid from the 1st of the month to the end of the month :  Unlike normal passes or season ticket which can start on any date you choose, each month's Deutschland ticket is valid from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month.  So if you bought one on 30 May, that would be a 'May' Deutschland ticket valid from 1 to 31 May and you'd only get 2 days use out of it, 30 & 31 May - but it would still cost €49!

Only sold as a rolling monthly subscription :  It's aimed at commuters not tourists, so the Deutschland ticket is only sold as a rolling monthly subscription or one-off annual payment.  However, you can cancel the monthly subscription it at any time, even after paying for only 1 month, just be aware that most vendors require you to cancel before the 10th of the month to avoid paying for the following month's €49 Deutschland ticket.  Most vendors require payment by direct debit, a few allow payment by credit card.

Children : As it's aimed at commuters, there's no child version and no provision to add children to your account.  However, a child can travel on an adult ticket (just not the other way around).  If you want to buy Deutschland tickets for yourself and your children, use RMVgo app at sites.rmv.de/en/deutschlandticket , the Rhein-Main Lander, because this (unlike other Landers' apps) allows one person to open an account and buy Deutschland tickets for multiple people including children, with a credit card in one transaction.  The catch?  It may not accept non-German addresses, my correspondent had to use the address of his German hotel but successfully bought tickets for himself and his kids.  Feedback would be appreciated .

If you only want a Deutschland ticket for one month to enjoy a one month's unlimited travel on regional trains across Germany, buy a Deutschland ticket before the 10th of that month by setting up a monthly credit card payment.  Then make sure you cancel the subscription before the 10th of that same month to avoid paying for the following month.

How to buy a Deutschland ticket:

Don't bother trying to use the German Railways (DB) website www.bahn.com to buy a Deutschland ticket as it only accepts payment by direct debit and setting up a direct debit with a non-German bank account results in an error message.  #fail!

The easiest way for foreign visitors to buy a Deutschland ticket is to buy from Bremen area transit authority VBN using their FahrPlaner app because (a) it accepts payment by credit card, (b) it's in English, and (c) it has no problem with overseas users, overseas addresses or UK postcodes.  #result!

Step 1, download the FahrPlaner app for iPhone or MFahrPlaner app for Android (please let me know if those links stop working).

Step 2, the app should open in English.  Click the menu icon top left and go to Tickets .  Then select Deutschlandticket.

Step 3, click the red PROCEED TO LOGIN button at the bottom.  Then click Sign up for free and register, it lists most countries including United Kingdom and United States and has no problem with UK postcodes.

Step 4, select Credit Card and buy your Deutschland ticket.

This is a rolling subscription which you can cancel at any time.

You show the Deutschland Ticket as a QR code in the app on your phone.  Easy!

If you only want one Deutschland ticket for one month, buy it before the 10th of the month then cancel your subscription also before the 10th of the month.  That prevents payment being taken for the following month.

To cancel the subscription, you must open the order confirmation email they sent you when you bought it and click on the cancellation link.  You cannot cancel your subscription from the app.

If you have children, you'll need to use the RMVgo app instead, see the paragraph about children above.

Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket

Unlimited regional off-peak train travel, €46.

The Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket ( Day Ticket for Germany ) gives a day's unlimited travel from 09:00 weekdays or from 00:00 Saturdays & Sundays, until 03:00 the following morning on all regional & regional-express trains (RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn) throughout the whole of Germany.

The first traveller pays €46, each additional passenger pays just €9 to be added to the same ticket, up to a maximum total of 5 passengers.

You can't use fast IC, ICE or EC trains, only slower regional trains, so a long-distance journey which could be made on a fast direct IC or ICE train could be very slow and involve several changes if made using purely regional trains.  But it can be a very cheap way to go, especially if you haven't been able to book a cheap advance-purchase ticket for an ICE or IC train.

For more information, see int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/day-ticket-germany .

To buy a ticket online and print it out yourself, see int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/day-ticket-germany .

Alternatively, these tickets can be bought on the day of travel from the self-service ticket machines at German stations, although it costs €2 more if you buy from a staffed counter.

Lander tickets

Bayern ticket, schönes-wochenende-ticket :  discontinued, railpasses for germany, interrail germany pass:  click to check prices & buy online, german rail pass, maps of the german rail network, what are german trains like , intercity express (ice).

InterCity Express high-speed trains, usually known as ICE, are German Railways' front-rank trains, travelling at up to 200 km/h (186 mph, ICE3), 280 km/h (175 mph, ICE1 & ICE2) or 250 km/h (155 mph, ICE4).  They have 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains .

InterCity trains (IC)

InterCity trains travel at up to 200 km/h (125 mph), usually using a locomotive and conventional carriages.  Some InterCity trains cross borders into neighbouring countries and these may be classified EuroCity (EC) rather than InterCity.  Power sockets at all seats, and usually some sort of refreshment service.  More about IC trains .

A German Intercity train at Amsterdam Centraal .

2nd class seating on an Intercity train.  Larger photo .

Regional trains

Regional trains are shown as R, RB, RE and so on, where RE is a faster regional express.  Some are operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB, German Railways), others are outsourced to private operators such as Abellio, Metronom, Erixx, but still run as part of the national network with tickets sold by DB at int.bahn.de .  They come in many different shapes and sizes, some single-deck, some double-deck.  No  catering, so bring your own food & drink.  No seat reservation necessary or possible, you sit where you like.

Sleeper trains

There are several German domestic routes where a sleeper is an option.  These are now run by ÖBB (Austrian Railways) and branded Nightjet:

Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz < > Munich, see the Nightjet page .

Hamburg, Hannover < > Munich, see the Nightjet New Generation page .

Seat numbering plans : Click here

Travel tips.

Language problems?

First-time visitors often think this will be a problem, but it hardly ever is.  At stations, signs are usually in English as well as German, or they use easy-to-understand pictograms.  On-train announcements on long-distance trains are often made in English as well as German.

Food & drink on German trains

Most long-distance trains have at least a bistro car serving tea, coffee, wine, beer & snacks from a counter, with some tables nearby if you'd want to eat and drink in the bistro car rather than take it back to your seat.  See sample ICE bistro menu .  Many German long-distance trains have a proper sit-down waiter-service restaurant car.  In first class on ICE you'll often be asked if you want to order food or drink, and it will be brought and served at your seat.

Alternatively, feel free to bring your own food and drink (even a bottle of wine, if you like) onto the train, there's no rules against that on the rails.

Luggage on trains

There are no baggage fees or weight limits, and you don't check your bags in, you simply take them with you onto the train, placing them on the racks at the end of each car or amongst the seats, or above your head.  It's usually possible to keep all your bags in sight.  More about luggage on trains .

Should you reserve a seat or not?

Reserving a seat is optional on most German trains.  You can add a reserved seat to your booking for €4.90 in 2nd class, €5.90 in 1st class. 

If you don't reserve, you simply sit in any empty unreserved seat.  Small LED displays above each seat show which seats are reserved between which stations, and which seats are free.  Travelling alone, middle of the day, mid-week in February, you'll have plenty of seats to choose from.  But a family group, travelling on a Friday afternoon in July would be well advised to reserve seats.  And for any long journey it's best to be on the safe side and reserve. 

You can make a seat reservation separately (i.e. after buying your ticket) by going to int.bahn.de , clicking in the from or to field to open the parameters panel, set up an enquiry and run it by clicking Book seat only .

On the seat reservation display for each seat:

ggf. reserviert - this means the train's on-board reservation system hasn't been updated with the latest information from the main DB reservation system.  Usually all of the seats show this message if this happens.  Seat reservations are still valid, but cannot be shown on the LED displays, so you can sit in these seats but you could be asked to move if someone shows up with a reservation.

ggf. freigeben - this is a last-minute reservation seat.  You can sit in it if you like, but will have to move if someone shows up with a reservation.

bahn.comfort - travellers holding a frequent traveller BahnCard have priority for these seats. You can sit in these seats but someone with a BahnCard may show up and claim it.  Though how they'd know you didn't have a BahnCard and so ask you to move is another question!

Schwerbehinderte means that seat is reserved for people with disabilities.

First class lounges at stations

There are lounges for holders of certain types of first class ticket at Berlin, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt Main Airport, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart. Follow the signs to the DB Lounge .  They're typically open 07:00-21:00 daily, search int.bahn.de for details.  The lounges offer complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer & snacks.  Unfortunately, only holders of expensive 1st class Flexpreis tickets get lounge access, you don't get access with 1st class Sparpreis or Super Sparpreis fares or 1st class Interrail or Eurail passes.

Left luggage at stations

All German stations except the smallest have left-luggage lockers in various sizes, up to suitcase-sized.  More information on left luggage lockers & prices .

Bikes can be carried on all German trains if semi-dismantled & placed in a bike bag, they then travel as ordinary luggage. 

Undismantled bikes are carried on most suburban & regional trains, you need a Bicycle Day Ticket ( Fahrradtageskarte ) which you can buy online at int.bahn.de (use the site search to find it) or at stations for a few euros.

Undismantled bikes are also carried on most InterCity trains , ICE-T & ICE4 trains for a fee as these have been fitted with bike racks, prior reservation required.  Undismantled bicycles are not carried on high-speed ICE trains other than ICE-T & ICE4 .

To find a train that takes bikes, go to int.bahn.de , click in the from field to open the details panel and select Bicycle transport possible .

To book yourself and your bike on a train in Germany, go to int.bahn.de , click in the from field to open the details panel, click on Passenger, bicycles and add a bicycle to the booking.  For more information, see the bicycles by train page .

Dogs & pets

Dogs can be taken on all German trains, sometimes free, sometimes for a small fee.  For more information, see the dogs & pets page .

Places not served by the main rail network

Neuschwanstein, Germany's fairytale castle:   See details here .

Eagles's Nest:   See details here .

Take a good guidebook.  For independent travel, the best guidebook is either the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks provide an excellent level of practical information and historical and cultural background.  You won't regret buying one!

Buy in the UK from Amazon.co.uk

Or buy in the usa from amazon.com.

Or buy the Lonely Planets from the Lonely Planet website , with shipping worldwide.    Alternatively, you can download just the chapters or areas you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Tours of Germany by train

Railbookers, railbookers.co.uk.

If you want to tour Germany by train, with all your train reservations and hotels sorted for you, contact rail travel specialists Railbookers and they'll create the best rail holiday for you, hassle-free.  They take good care of their clients and get a lot of repeat business.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia.

Tailor Made Rail, tailormaderail.com

Tailor Made Rail can arrange tours of Germany by train based on your own requirements, they welcome complex itineraries.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Recommended hotels

Here are my suggested hotels conveniently located for arrival by train in key German cities, all with good or great reviews.  You are unlikely to be disappointed by any hotel scoring over 8.0 out of 10 on Booking.com .

In Frankfurt

If you walk out of Hamburg Hbf's main eastern exit, you'll find a row of good hotels lined up in front of you on the opposite side of the Kirchenallee.  The pick of these is the excellent 4-star Hotel Reichshof Hamburg , across the road and to the left with art deco-based design and great reviews.  It has its own restaurant for lunch or dinner, although I'd still be tempted to try the beer & traditional German food at Nagel's bar, 150m south along the Kircheallee, restaurant-kneipe-hamburg.de .

The Hotel Europaischer Hof is another good choice and directly in front of you across the road when you walk out of the station.  Other hotels next to Hamburg Hbf with good reviews include the 5-star Hotel Continental Novum (to the right of the Europaischer), Hotel Furst Bismarck (to the right of the Continental Novum), and the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski .

If you'd prefer a hotel right in the city centre, the Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown is 5 minutes walk from the station on the city side, and gets really great reviews.

If you're on a budget, private rooms in the A&O Hotel start at around £33 for one person or £49 for two people booked at www.hostelworld.com .  The A&O is an 11-minute 900m walk south of Hamburg Hbf, see walking map .  Also try the innovative Cab20 capsule hotel , a 550m 6-minute walk from the station, see walking map .

Affordable hotels right next to Munich Hbf with good or great reviews include the reliable Eden Hotel Wolff or the NH Collection München , both directly across the road from the station's north side exit, ideal for an overnight stop between trains.  I've used the Hotel Wolff myself.

Also consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian , Excelsior by Giesel or Mercure München City Center , all a stone's throw from the station with great reviews.

If you want to push the boat out, the luxurious 5-star Sofitel Munich Beyerpost is right outside the station's south side exit, located in the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building dating from 1896-1900.  It comes complete with a spa with massage service and sauna.

If you're on a budget, the Wombat's Hostel Munich is close to the station's south side exit with private rooms & dorm beds, with good reviews.

Booking.com for hotels

I generally use Booking.com for hotels for 3 reasons:

(1) It keeps all my hotel bookings together in one place;

(2) I've come to trust Booking.com 's review scores;

(3) Booking.com usually offers a clearly-marked Free cancellation option.

Free cancellation means you can secure hotels risk-free even before trains open for booking, and if necessary change those bookings if your plans evolve.

If I'm only staying a night or two, I look for a hotel near the station to make arrival & departure easy.  You can enter the station name (e.g. Berlin Hbf ) as search location.  If staying longer, I look for a hotel close to the sights, entering the name of a city attraction as the search location, then using map view.

AirBnB:  Airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels: Hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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1-Month Unlimited Travel Pass for only 59€

Valid throughout Germany on all local public transport and regional trains.

Yes, all! Trains, trams, buses, U-bahns, S-bahns,...

Not valid in IC, EC and ICE trains

Purchase your DBPass today

All fields are required

Processing time is up to 12 hours

How it Works?

Fill in the form.

Provide your details and await an email with a direct payment link.

Make the Payment

Click on the link in the email to securely pay for your train ticket. Stripe - our payment processor, fully complies with the latest PCI standards.

Receive Your Ticket

After your payment is confirmed and we've processed your order, you'll get a final email with your ticket. Please note it may take up to 12 hours to process your order.

Still not sure?

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about using your DBPass and where it is valid.

As a flat rate for regional transport, the DBPass simplifies local transport fares by enabling travel across different states and tariff zones. It therefore makes it even easier to switch the car for more environmentally friendly means of transport.

The DBPass can be used throughout Germany in all regional and local trains. It is also valid for any number of journeys in all means of public transport of the participating regional ticketing systems, transport associations and transport companies according to their area of validity and conditions.

Please note, however, that the DBPass is not valid on trains operated by DB Fernverkehr AG or other long-distance providers such as FlixTrain (e.g. IC, EC, ICE, as well as RE operated by DB Fernverkehr AG). DB Fernverkehr is currently in talks with the German state governments and authorities about exceptions on certain sections of line.

List of all transportation companies and lines where DBPass can be used (German) - PDF

Children under 6 travel for free. They do not need a ticket. Children aged 6 and over need their own ticket, e.g. their own DBPass. They cannot travel free of charge.

No, you cannot take any other persons with you on a DBPass. Your fellow passengers need their own ticket.

Any such rights from an existing subscription cannot be transferred to the DBPass.

It is valid from the first day of each calendar month until 3:00 am on the first day of the following month.

The DBPass can be used before and after a journey on a long-distance train. However, a separate ticket is always required for the long-distance journey. This may have implications for passenger rights. If you miss the long-distance train you have booked following your journey on a local/regional service, you are not entitled to travel on another train with the same ticket and cannot claim a refund.

No. Once you purchase the ticket, it is not possible to ask for a refund or exchange it.

Phone support (workdays 08-18 CET): +49 157 3553 4899

Email support: [email protected]

Explained: How can travelers benefit from Germany's new monthly train pass?

Mar 2, 2023 • 4 min read

Germany is bringing back a fixed-price public transport ticket for citizens and tourists © Getty Images

After almost a year after its wildly popular launch, Germany’s favorite train ticket is back– and open for pre-order.

BVG , Berlin’s main public transport company, launched the pre-order of the Deutschlandticket on February 20.

Many Germans consider this ticket the next step toward a more affordable and environmentally friendly culture of public transportation. It is also a great opportunity for travelers who wish to spend more time in Germany this year.

Expectations have been high since the ticket’s initially launched last year at an exceptional price of just €9. Over 52 million tickets were sold, helping Germany to reach its goal of having fewer traffic jams and lower carbon emissions. Additionally, the surge in train travel produced a huge boom in local tourism, supporting locals affected by rising energy prices throughout the country in 2022.

Although the cost of this new ticket has significantly increased this year, it is still one of the best (if not the best) offers for traveling around Germany on a budget.

What is the Deutschlandticket?

The Deutschlandticket is the successor to the successful €9 ticket introduced last summer. Starting May 1, travelers will be able to use all forms of public transportation throughout all of Germany – including buses, U-Bahns, S-Bahns, trams, and local and regional trains – for one calendar month for just €49. Despite the dramatic price increase since the 2022 launch, this ticket still costs a small fraction of what travelers and locals usually pay when traveling within and between cities in Germany.

With the Deutschlandticket, you can take as many rides as you want within a month – though it does not cover long-distance trains like the IC or ICE trains, or buses and trains from private companies like Flixbus and Flixtrain.

How can I get a Deutschlandticket?

Let’s start with the bad news. Unlike the €9 ticket, this Deutschlandticket will primarily be sold digitally as a monthly (cancellable) subscription, and won’t be transferable to friends and family. To get your hands on one, you must create an account through the DB Navigator app (from Germany’s official railway company, available for iOS and Android ) to buy one, or on any website or app of one of Germany’s regional transport entities. There is currently no information available about whether the tickets will only be available to residents of Germany. To pre-order your tickets, however, you must provide a German address and fill in a European international bank account (IBAN) number.

After your subscription is approved, you will receive your ticket digitally through the app you signed up with, allowing you to board any regional train you desire. As this is a monthly subscription, you can always cancel before the 20th of each month. For those who want to use the Deutschlandticket for only one month, I’d advise canceling the subscription one day after signing up, to put to rest worries about unintentional auto-renewals.

Remember that if you are not planning to pre-order the ticket immediately, you should purchase your subscription by the 20th of the previous month for it to be valid for the following month. For example, if you want to use your ticket from the beginning of May, acquire it before April 20. If you purchase it after April 20, it will only be valid for the subsequent month (June in this case).

How can I make the most of the Deutschlandticket?

The Deutschlandticket is primarily designed for residents in Germany – yet all travelers can benefit from it and enjoy the possibilities it offers. At the same time, keep in mind that the Deutschlandticket is not meant to be for everyone.

Travelers planning to visit the country for just a few days will unfortunately not see much upside from this offer: 24-hour tickets in Berlin cost just €8.80, and a train ride to the Berlin airport is only €3.60. However, if you plan to visit several cities across Germany or arrange day trips from any urban center, the Deutschlandticket can help you reduce your travel costs significantly.

Perhaps the best way to get the most out of your Deutschlandticket would be to combine it with an Interrail Pass . You can use the latter to travel long distances using high-speed trains, and the former to get around cities and plan nearby activities and day trips.

Thanks to the Deutschlandticket’s flexibility, you might also consider spending an entire month in Germany, exploring (slowly!) as much of the country as possible. This way, you can search for your favorite fairy-tale town , compare the Currywurst of different regions or venture off the beaten path to explore the German coastline .

This article was first published November 2022 and updated March 2023

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Everything you need to know about Germany's 9-euro ticket

To cushion rising fuel and living costs, German lawmakers have introduced a discounted nation-wide travel pass for June, July and August this year. Here's everything you need to know about the 9-euro travel pass.

Starting June 1, Germany's new budget travel pass, available for €9 ($9.60), can be used around the country. We've compiled some information to help you understand how to use it.

Who can buy and use the ticket?

Anyone, including non-German residents and tourists.

Is there a special discount for children?

Children under the age of six can travel for free on German public transport. Children six years and older need their own 9-euro ticket, there is no discount.

Germany launches public transport bargain

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Is the ticket transferable?

No, every travel pass bears the owner's name. It cannot be transferred to or used by anyone else.

Where can I buy the 9-euro ticket?

It is available for purchase on the Deutsche Bahn (DB) website, and also through various public transport apps, ticket vending machines and shops.

When are the tickets available?

The Deutsche Bahn train tickets went on sale May 23. They can be used between June 1 and August 31, 2022. 

When is the ticket valid?

Each ticket entitles you to use Germany's public transport network for one calendar month. A ticket bought in June is valid from the first day until the last day of that month.

You will need to buy an additional ticket for July and August.

Which train and bus connections can I use?

You may use all means of public transport in Germany. This includes buses, trams, subways, light rail, regional and regional express trains.

Certain ferry connections in Berlin and Hamburg are also included.

Which services are excluded?

The 9-euro ticket does not entitle you to travel on long-distance ICE (Intercity Express), IC (Intercity), EC (Eurocity) or Thalys connections. Other private operators , such as FlixTrain, are not participating in the scheme either. They can not be used for travel in first class carriages.

Can I use the ticket to travel abroad?

The ticket is largely restricted to domestic connections. Certain exceptions do, however, apply. Ticket holders may, for instance, take a Bavarian regional train (BRB) to nearby Salzburg and Kufstein in Austria.

Similarly, Aachen transport association in Germany's far west, runs select services to the Netherlands and Belgium, which may be used with the 9-euro ticket.

If you are planning a trip abroad, be sure to consult the Deutsche Bahn website, or contact your regional transport association beforehand.

What about holders of public transport season tickets?

Anyone in possession of a monthly or annual public transport ticket will be contacted by the transport association in question and receive a refund. No ticket holder will have to pay more than €9 per month to use Germany's public transport network this June, July and August.

What about students with term-time travel passes?

Discounted travel passes for university students in Germany will be upgraded, allowing ticket holders to also use Germany's entire public transport network. They, too, will receive a refund.

What about holders of job tickets?

They will also receive a refund.

Can I take a bike?

No, taking a bike onto a train will still require an additional ticket.

Edited by: Sarah Hucal

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News & Reviews News Wire Germany launches new national low-cost travel pass

Germany launches new national low-cost travel pass

49 Euro monthly pass is successor to 9 Euro promotional offer in summer 2022

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The German government has launched a new nationwide travel pass good for use on almost all trains, as well subways, light rail lines, and almost all buses.

The new ticket, effective May 1, is called the “Deutschland Ticket, and costs costs 49 euros ($54) a month. It is seen as a permanent successor to the temporary “9 Euro” national ticket sold between June and August last year [see “In response to high gas prices, rail tickets are discounted …,” Trains News Wire, June 24, 2022].

That promotion saw 52 million tickets sold and record passenger numbers on some rail routes. It was popular with the public and therefore politicians across the board supported it, too, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calling it “one of the best ideas” by his government. However, the financial and operational impact would have made a successor priced at similar levels very expensive.

The new ticket is valid for a month on almost every train, except the fastest ‘Intercity/Eurocity’ or ICE high speed trains operated by German national operator DB. Other commercial long-distance trains run by Flixbus and overnight sleeper trains run by various companies are also excluded, but in eastern Germany most of the narrow-gauge steam railways are included — as they are operated either by state-owned companies or supported with subsidies. Light rail, subways (U-Bahn) and almost every bus are also included at no extra cost.

While the new ticket is priced at €49, not €9, it still represents a huge discount for most travellers. Day transit passes for a single German state currently cost nearly as much, and many season tickets, which the new ticket will largely replace, cost hundreds of euros each month. For many passengers using the ticket to commute to work, the cost may be reduced further, as employers may choose to fund 25% of the cost tax free.

Unlike last year’s promotional ticket, which could be bought onboard buses and light rail and from station ticket vending machines, the new version is lot harder to buy. It is being sold mainly on a monthly subscription basis – as that is how most German season tickets worked previously. The ticket is being sold by multiple rail companies and regional transit authorities; you pay a month at a time and can cancel the next month, so while you sign up for an ongoing deal, you can actually use it for a month or two and then just cancel. Alternatively, national rail company DB will sell an annual version at its main stations, but this will cost €588 and cannot be cancelled for a partial refund.

For less regular travellers and foreign visitors, the ticket is harder to buy than the previous €9 euro ticket, as most agencies selling it require a direct debit to a German or European Union checking account. However for international visitors there is a solution: the transit agency in Hamburg is offering sales via its “HVV-Switch” app on a monthly payment basis using credit cards. The app is available in English; details are available here. Purchasers using the Hamburg app don’t actually need to be in or even visit Hamburg! The ticket is valid per calendar month, so any visit straddling two months might need two tickets.

Government provides extra funding

The new ticket is expected to require €3 billion ($3.3 billion) in government funding, on top of existing operating subsidies and funding of around €11 billion ($ 12 billion) provided annually by federal and state governments. In late March, the German parliament agreed to financial details for the new ticket, with €1.5 billion of additional federal funding to cover half the likely increased costs and revenue lost for each of the first two years; the country’s 16 Federal states must match this and cover the other half. This arrangement only covers the first two years. From 2025 financing will be based upon experience gained from use of the ticket in 2023.

The new ticket is not without controversy. Some rail and transit industry managers and advocates worry it will significantly reduce income from passenger fares, which will lead to service cuts and significant price increases for anyone buying a regular ticket. In part, this is already happening, as many German transit authorities are increasing other ticket prices by 5% or more this year to cover major increases in energy costs since Russia invaded Ukraine, plus increased labor costs. These may increase further as rail unions are currently seeking higher pay in disputes with many German rail companies.

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Alert: Germany has extended its mega-cheap travel pass

Unlimited public transport in the country for just €49 per month will continue in 2024

In 2022, German public transport users were the envy of pretty much everyone, everywhere. In order to promote sustainable travel and help out with the cost of living crisis, Germany ’s government introduced monthly tickets for near-unlimited public transport usage that cost just €9 (£7.86, £8.80)! Mental stuff, we know.

That scheme ended in August 2022, but the German government worked on a follow-up and launched a pass costing just €49 (£43, $48) per month in May 2023. And excitingly, the government have just announced it will continue throughout 2024, at the same incredible price. 

Sure, compared to the €9 ticket, the ‘Deutschlandticket’ might sound expensive – but it still works out really, really cheap. For reference, if you wanted to get a cheap train ticket from Berlin to Hamburg  before the ticket launched, using only local trains, it’d cost you at least €35 (£31, $34). With the new pass, you’ll be able to do as many of those journeys as you want for under €2 (£1.75, £1.96) per day. 

The pass has similar criteria to the €9 ticket in that it’s available to visitors but won’t cover high-speed Inter-City Express (ICE) trains. The €49 ticket is available to buy as part of a monthly subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

The idea, again, is to cut CO2 emissions and help out Germans with the cost of living crisis. In June, July and August 2022, a whopping 50 million €9 passes were sold, covering one billion trips every month and saving 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Who can argue with those kinds of numbers, eh?

The fact the government has put more funding into the scheme proves just how popular it ’s been. The price and continuation of the scheme will be re-evaluated for 2025, but  you can enjoy super-affordable month-long jaunts around Deutschland for at least the next 11 months!

Did you see Europe’s greenest countries have been named for 2024 ?

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What to know about Schengen zone, Europe’s ‘border-free’ travel system

Schengen countries allow international travelers to move freely across borders without additional passport checks.

Europe’s “border-free” Schengen zone has added travel protections for two more countries, making it easier for more people to explore the southeastern region of the continent.

Romania and Bulgaria partially joined the Schengen area on Sunday, which means visitors who arrive by air or sea from other countries in the zone can cross their borders without an ID check. Land borders will remain subject to ID checks because of opposition led by Austria, which has long cited irregular migration as a concern when it comes to welcoming the two Eastern European states into the Schengen agreement. The move comes more than a decade after Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union.

The European Commission had previously recommended that Bulgaria and Romania be admitted to join the Schengen zone, starting in 2011 and most recently in 2023. A combination of internal problems in the two countries and opposition from other countries citing irregular migration concerns — especially after the so-called “migrant crisis” of 2015 — meant they were caught in “Schengen purgatory” until now, according to Leon Züllig, a researcher and Schengen expert at Germany’s Justus Liebig University Giessen.

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Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights ..

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

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Travel pass for 49 euros in France: Who can use it and how

T his summer, France is set to launch a €49 pass for train travel, as the government has struck a deal with the regions, according to reports by euronews.travel.

Who can use cheap tickets and which routes will it cover?

The €49 monthly pass for almost all types of transportation is highly popular in Germany, known as the Deutschlandticket. France is launching its own budget pass this summer.

Last week, French Transport Minister Patris Vergriet announced that a deal had been reached with all regions. The pass will cost €49 per month, and in July and August, it will be available to approximately 700,000 people aged under 27.

The pass will allow unlimited travel on TER and Intercity trains, but it cannot be used on TGV high-speed trains.

Pass will be a one-year experiment

The cost of the €49 pass program is estimated at €15 million. The government proposes to finance 80% of it. Some mayors criticized the project for its lack of details in the plans.

"In six months, the initial announcement of a French-style Deutschlandticket has now been translated into a €49 subscription for two months, on a network outside the Ile-de-France region, and only for young people," regional representatives said.

Photo: Youth will be able to travel across most of France (gettyimages.com)

The most populous Île-de-France region has been excluded from the routes. To travel across France, young people in the Île-de-France region will have to buy an additional ticket costing up to €16 within the Île-de-France region.

Initially, the pass will be a one-year experiment, but it could be extended and expanded in the future.

Available routes

Despite criticism of the plan, the summer pass will make large parts of the country accessible to young people. TER trains connect local stations in France's regions and serve around 1.1 million passengers per day.

Among the popular routes are Bordeaux – Arcachon (with a fare of about €13) and Marseille – Toulon (€14). Passengers who regularly make such trips can save hundreds of euros with the new pass. A trip from Lyon to Marseille takes less than 4 hours, but it often costs more than the price of the new €49 ticket.

Germany Paves Way for Asylum Seekers' Debit Card to Control Transfers

Germany Paves Way for Asylum Seekers' Debit Card to Control Transfers

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a press conference with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, in Berlin, Germany, March 27, 2024. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben/ File photo

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany on Friday paved the way for the introduction of special debit cards that put limits on how and where asylum seekers can spend the financial benefits the receive, part of a tougher migration policy.

The three parliamentary groups of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government coalition agreed on a draft law that will be put to a vote in the nation's lower house, after the Green party came around to support it after months of negotiations.

Germany's regional states, some of which had already independently launched such shopping cards, had pushed for a nation-wide legal framework.

The card, designed to control benefits to asylum seekers and to prevent money transfers abroad, have long been debated as a tool to reduce cash benefits that the co-ruling liberal Free Democrats (FDP) have criticised as a false incentive for migration into Germany.

Chancellor Scholz and his Social Democrats (SPD) have been seeking to reduce the number of asylum seekers and stem support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

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France releases details of €49 nationwide rail pass – but there’s a catch

Inspired by germany's successful unlimited monthly pass, it will exclude high-speed tgv trains and ile-de-france.

France will launch a €49-a-month rail pass this summer offering unlimited travel on the country’s TER and Intercity trains. This week, however, some changes to the initial plan were released

Only people aged 26 or younger will be eligible for the pass, revealed an announcement by transport minister Patrice Vergriete on Wednesday.

The monthly ticket was inspired by the success of a similar scheme in Germany , which led to a 25 per cent rise in passengers on regional services of the German national operator, Deutsche Bahn.

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However, the German version, which has been extended throughout 2024, does not have an age cap.

Speaking to the AFP news agency on Wednesday, Mr Vergriete said an agreement had been reached with all regions of France to roll out the pass.

“In six months, the initial announcement of a French-style Deutschlandticket has now been translated into a €49 subscription for two months, on a network outside the Ile-de-France region, and only for young people,” Regions of France said in a statement on Wednesday.

Around 700,000 young people will be able to buy and use the pass this July and August. The scheme could be extended if it is a success.

Passes will be available to buy from 15 June through SNCF-Connect.

Travel by high-speed TGV trains will not be included.

The project was first presented in September 2023, when President Emmanuel Macron was interviewed by YouTuber Hugo Decrypt.

Negotiations between the French government and the country’s regions have slowed down the launch.

Since 2017, French regions have been able to set their own transport fees. As such, the French government needed their agreement to proceed.

Que les moins de 27 ans puissent voyager en train de manière illimitée en France : devant Hugo, j'avais dit banco ! Le Pass Rail à 49€ par mois devient réalité dès cet été. Où irez-vous ? — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 3, 2024

The government said in March that the state would cover 80 per cent of the cost of the implementing pass, which is expected to be around €15m.

The remaining bill will be paid by the regions. However, the most populous region of the country, Ile-de-France, will be excluded from the scheme.

Young people using the €49 pass will have to buy an additional ticket for travel in Ile-de-France.

According to Le Monde , a summer rail pass for under-27s previously existed in France in 2020 and 2021. The previous scheme cost €29 a month and could be used on any TER trains, except in Ile-de-France.

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A total solar eclipse is expected to pass through the United States on April 8, 2024, giving stargazers across the country the opportunity to view the celestial phenomenon in which the sun is completely covered by the moon.

The eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas and exit in Maine. It is the last time a total solar eclipse will be visible in the contiguous United States until 2044.

Here's what to know about the path of the eclipse and where you can see it.

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Where can you see the total solar eclipse?

The eclipse will cross through North America, passing over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 

The eclipse will enter the United States in Texas, and travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.

Much of the eclipse's visibility depends on the weather. A cloudy day could prevent visitors from seeing the spectacle altogether.

When does the solar eclipse start and end?

The solar eclipse will begin in Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The longest duration of totality—which is when the moon completely covers the sun — will be 4 minutes, 28 seconds, near Torreón, Mexico. Most places along the path of totality will see a totality duration between 3.5 and 4 minutes.

Read More : The Eclipse Could Bring $1.5 Billion Into States on the Path of Totality

Where’s the best place to see the total solar eclipse?

The best place to witness the event is along the path of totality. Thirteen states will be along the path of totality, and many towns across the country are preparing for the deluge of visitors— planning eclipse watch parties and events in the days leading up to totality.

In Rochester, NY, the Rochester Museum and Science Center is hosting a multi-day festival that includes a range of events and activities. Russellville, Arkansas will host an event with activities including live music, science presentations, tethered hot-air balloon rides, and telescope viewings.

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Germany legalises cannabis: Where does the rest of Europe stand on ‘weed tourism’?

Germany has relaxed its laws on the possession and cultivation of cannabis - but is ‘weed tourism’ on the cards?

Germany has long been known as one of the most conservative countries in Europe, but that perception could be shifting.

This week, it became the largest EU country to legalise recreational cannabis - despite fierce opposition from politicians and various medical associations.

Those over 18 are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis as well as cultivating up to three marijuana plants at home.

The change means Germany now has some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, similar to those in Malta and Luxembourg. Those nations legalised recreational use in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

In Europe, the Netherlands has been famous for its seemingly relaxed attitude to the drug - but, recently, has been taking a stricter approach to counter cannabis tourism. People hoping to travel to take the drug won’t find it so easy, even in Holland or neighbouring Germany.

What does the law change mean for cannabis use in Germany?

Despite the law change in Germany , getting hold of cannabis is not straightforward.

Initial plans for cannabis to be sold via licensed shops were ditched due to EU opposition, although officials hope there will soon be pilot schemes to trial selling the drug in some shops.

The German government hopes that legalisation will help to contain the growing black market for the substance.

From 1 July, the next stage of legal reform, people will be able to obtain cannabis through so-called ‘cannabis clubs’.

Each regulated association will be allowed to have up to 500 members each, who will each be able to purchase up to 50 grams of cannabis per month. It’s not yet clear whether membership will be open to foreign nationals or tourists.

While some health groups have raised concerns that legalisation could lead to an increase in use among young people, who could face severe health risks in some cases, the government has a solution.

They’ve promised a widespread information campaign to raise awareness of potential downsides and have also stressed that cannabis will remain banned for under-18s and within 100 metres of schools, kindergartens and playgrounds.

The law has also led to criticism from police, who have openly said they are fearful of increased conflict with citizens under the influence.

They’re concerned it will be difficult to enforce, which suggests Germany is unlikely to become a ‘weed tourism’ hotspot any time soon.

Which are Europe’s biggest destinations for ‘weed tourism’?

Cannabis is, in fact, legal in a number of European countries . For the most part, though, it’s only available for medical use or decriminalised for personal use. That means it’s not readily available for tourists to buy in most nations.

It’s a very different situation in Malta, though. The island nation currently has the most tolerant laws in the entire EU concerning the cultivation, consumption and possession of cannabis.

Adults are permitted to carry up to 7g of cannabis as well as growing up to four plants at home since legislation passed in 2021.

While smoking marijuana in public is still prohibited, the streets of Malta are lined with shops selling joints and edibles, alongside paraphernalia.

The Netherlands is often seen as relaxed on marijuana - but the cultivation, sale and possession of drugs is actually illegal.

Officially, its sale is “tolerated” in the country’s famous ‘coffee shops’ and the possession of no more than 5g of cannabis is decriminalised.

Similarly in Spain, personal use of cannabis has been decriminalised. Regulations tend to vary between municipalities but cannabis social clubs are hugely popular, with over 1,000 in action, including in tourist hotspots like Barcelona. Despite occasional crackdowns, most law enforcement turns a blind eye to the clubs, which are known to push the limits of the Spanish decriminalisation law.

The majority of other European nations still have fines or other punishments in place for the use or possession of even small amounts of the drug.

It’s likely more liberal countries will be keeping an eye on how Germany’s new law pans out, though. Belgium especially is one to watch, where possession of up to 3g of cannabis or the cultivation of one plant has been considered “low prosecution priority” in individuals over the age of 18 since 2003.

Last year, the Deputy Prime Minister, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, told Flemish news publication De Morgen, that the country should “consider the legalisation of cannabis”, suggesting that Belgium could be another country heading for legalisation sooner rather than later.

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The Interrail German Rail Pass is the best way to discover Germany's gigantic beer festivals, beautiful nature, impressive history, and many other highlights. With the Pass you can visit popular cities like Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Cologne, but you can also cross borders to go to some destinations in Germany's neighbouring countries. 

What is a German Rail Pass

Travel all over Germany

With an Interrail German Rail Pass you can enjoy  unlimited rail travel throughout Germany . The Pass is accepted on all trains operated by the national railway company, Deutsche Bahn (DB), and many private operators .

A big advantage of exploring Germany by rail is that most trains  do not require you to reserve seats . All you need to do is hop on and show your Pass on your mobile device and you're good to go. 

Find more information in this overview by Deutsche Bahn .

The benefits of travelling with a German Rail Pass

• Travel all over Germany and selected destinations outside of Germany with one Pass.
• Available as 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 or 15 consecutive travel days, and 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 or 15 travel days within one month.
• Kids can travel for free if they're 11 years old or younger on the date you choose to start your trip.
• Youth discount if you're 27 or younger on the date you choose to start your trip. 

How to use the Pass

The German Rail Pass is available as a mobile Pass. All you have to do once you've purchased your German Rail Pass, is activate your Pass in our Rail Planner app when you're ready to start travelling. Everything you may need on your trip, from planning your trip to ticket inspection, is on your phone!

Reservations

Reservations for trains in Germany are usually no mandatory. If you want peace of mind and have a seat waiting for you, we recommend you to make a reservation a couple of weeks before you travel, but you can also book your reservation at the station right before traveling. Please note that for international trains reservations are mandatory.

There are several ways to make train reservations:

You can make reservations at a ticket office in the larger train stations in Germany. Tell the staff that you have a German Rail Pass and that you only need a seat reservation. You can usually make reservations starting from 3 months in advance.

You can make reservations online through the DB website . 

• Go to the Deutsche Bahn website.
• In the search tool on the homepage, click ' Seat only (no ticket) ', right under the date field.
• Follow the steps to make your seat reservation.

You can use the following credit cards for payment: American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard and Visa Card. You will receive your reservation as an e-ticket. You may be asked by the train staff to show the e-ticket together with the credit card that was used for booking.

You can make reservations online through the DB Navigator app

• Install the app on a mobile device and open it
• Fill in the Trip Planner and hit 'search' 
• Select the train you want to take.
• You'll get an overview of the train journey. Click 'Continue to booking'.
• Scroll down and select 'Only Reservation'.
• Log in or register and finalise the booking.

You can make your reservations through the call centre of the German railways UK booking center. They have English speaking staff and they can book all seat reservations in Germany.

You can contact the booking center by phone: (+49) 180 6 99 66 33 (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CET). You can make seat reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Can I go to other countries with a German Rail Pass?

See more of Europe

With a German Rail Pass, you can extend your trip to explore even more of Europe! Travel to exciting cities outside of Germany, such as Venice and Brussels. Check out the list of European countries below that you can add to your itinerary. With a German Rail Pass, the possibilities are endless!

Please note that for some international trains you may need a reservation. Check our timetable to find out.

Routes from Germany to Austria

The German Rail Pass is valid on trains from Germany to the Austrian border:

• Munich to Salzburg / Kufstein / Innsbruck
• Cologne (Köln Hbf) - Brussels (Bruxelles-Midi)
• Cologne (Köln Hbf) - Liège (Liège-Guillemins)
• Bolzano/Bozen
• Basel Bad Bf 

Other information

Germany itineraries.

Don't know where to start when it comes to planning your trip in Germany? We've got many example itineraries for you to get inspired by.

Get inspired by our Germany itineraries

Benefits in Germany

If you travel with a German Rail Pass you can get discounts on City Cards, tours, and many other activities. 

Find out more about benefits in Germany

Good to know

Keep this information close by on your trip:

• Validity of your Pass on non-DB trains

Change of currency

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2024 solar eclipse map: Where to see the eclipse on April 8

These 2024 solar eclipse maps will help you make the best decision about where and how to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday (April 8).

It's finally here: Today, (April 8) a total solar eclipse will pass across the skies North America, giving more than 33 million people living in 15 U.S. states a rare view of the totally-obstructed sun, and — weather permitting — a taste of some seriously strange eclipse phenomena .

If you’re wondering where the total and partial phases of the eclipse will be visible, the good news is that almost everyone in the contiguous U.S. will be able to see the celestial spectacle to some extent. But for a more detailed view of the eclipse’s path, take a look at these handy eclipse maps, courtesy of GreatAmericanEclipse.com. 

Solar eclipse 2024 path of totality map

Totality is the moment that every eclipse-chaser lives for: The moment when the moon completely covers the sun’s face, resulting in a brief but eerie darkness in the daytime. The path of totality , shown in the map above, is the path of the moon’s shadow across Earth’s surface. 

On Monday (April 8), totality will begin in Sinaloa, Mexico, then move northeast up to Texas, ultimately crossing 15 states before moving on to Canada. The states where totality will be visible are: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine — although Tennessee and Michigan will only be glanced by the moon's shadow.

Related: April 8 solar eclipse: What time does totality start in every state?

Viewers MUST be within the path of totality to witness the total phase of the eclipse; if you are off the path by even a mile, you will only see a partial eclipse, and miss out on the spooky daytime darkness. Furthermore, the closer you are to the center of the path of totality, the longer totality will last for you — up to a maximum duration of 4 minutes, 27 seconds in Torreón, Mexico.

Note: Totality is the ONLY TIME when it is safe to view the sun without protective eyewear like certified solar eclipse glasses . You must protect your eyes during the entire partial phase of the eclipse, no matter where you are.

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Solar eclipse 2024 partial eclipse map

If you live in the U.S. and can’t make it to the path of totality, a partial eclipse still awaits you on April 8. The entire contiguous U.S. will have some view of the partial eclipse, ranging from 99% coverage of the sun just off the path of totality to about 15% coverage far to the northwest of the path.

The map above shows how much of the sun’s disk will be blocked from your location. Watching the partial phases of the eclipse — which last about an hour and 20 minutes before and after totality — means wearing protective eyewear at all times. Failure to do so could result in permanent eye damage, according to NASA .

If you want to experience the celestial spectacle but don’t have a pair of eclipse glasses handy, there are many other ways to safely enjoy the partial eclipse . These include making a homemade pinhole projector , using a pasta strainer to project the shadow of the moon onto the ground or watching one of the various eclipse live streams available.

2024 eclipse travel maps

If you want to see totality but don’t live within the path, driving or taking public transit to a city within the path may be possible. The map above shows how far the drive is to the path of totality, based on where you’re coming from. Meanwhile, the map below shows the most populated cities within the path of totality — many of which are expected to be flooded with millions of eclipse tourists on April 8.

The biggest cities within the path of totality include: San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth in Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Hamilton and Montreal in Canada; and Torreón and Mazatlan in Mexico.

Wherever you are on April 8, we wish you clear skies and protected eyes during this rare, wondrous eclipse over North America.

Brandon is the space/physics editor at Live Science. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, CBS.com, the Richard Dawkins Foundation website and other outlets. He holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona, with minors in journalism and media arts. He enjoys writing most about space, geoscience and the mysteries of the universe.

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