Berlin reporting: this is huge for anyone taking public transport.
Monthly ticket for the AB area alone was way above 80/€/month for the city only.
This is 49 for everything anywhere in Germany except for high speed long distance trains, flixbuses and flixtrains (the latter are private entities)
This is a massive change and a huge improvement for a lot of people. This isn't directly because of the price, although there is some reduction in price to the current system, but because it simplifies the ridiculous pricing zones. For example, Berlin is split up into 3 different pricing zones: A, B, C. If you need a monthly subscription for zones A and B you'd pay 63 Euros per month. If you live just across the state border from Berlin in Brandenburg, which still is technically one continuous urban area, you're classified in Zone C and now need to pay 83 Euros. This is still somewhat simple compared to some other combination. You can see all the zones on Wikipedia.
That's absolutely false. I don't even spent €9 most months on public transit in Berlin, but at €9, I'd get it and probably use public transit more often (which is the point). There's no way I'd buy a €49 ticket. I primarily bike and drive, though I drive so little that I only have to fill up my tank every 2-3 months.
In Berlin, the monthly ticket is 89 euros for the two main zones. It goes to 107 euros for all zones. Basically, halfs your monthly outgoings just for Berlin travel. Then add in the ability to travel it's looking really good. Can't wait for it to be available.
From an infrequent visitor, EUR49 a month for all public transportation is reasonable. Also I can just buy a digital ticket before coming to Germany and then use it in any cities sound fantastic.
Under $200? That’s pretty incredible. You have to pay three quarters of that to get from Munich to Berlin. That’s with a high speed train, but still — under $200, wow.
As an American, I can only dream of having convenient train fares of about USD$80 to go between somewhat-distant cities. Berlin to Brussels for GPB63.50 (about $80 right now) sounds downright cheap to me.
Deutschland-Ticket covers fares on all public transportation options in Germany, regardless of the city, plus on slower longer-distance trains (RB, RE, etc).
I live in Berlin, and the rest of the costs mentioned in the article seem somewhat accurate.
Yes, public transportation is oddly expensive in most German cities I know of. But the network is often very good and you can get special deals for month tickets with your employer.
Not sure what you're talking about. Here in Berlin I can buy a monthly ticket to go anywhere in the city limits. If I want to also travel in the small part of the network which is outside the official city limits, that costs a bit extra.
reply