The German new flat-fee public transport ticket is on sale since this Monday. The Deutschland ticket costs 49 euros per month and can be used in regional trains, commuter trains and other forms of local public transport. The initiative comes in the wake of the successful 9-euro ticket that was available last summer. The Deutschland ticket can be used from 1 May onwards.

The Deutschland ticket is available in the form of a subscription that costs 49 euro per month. The subscription does not have a fixed end term but can be cancelled on a monthly basis. It can be purchased online, at Deutsche Bahn travel centres or via the DB Navigator application. The 49-euro ticket is valid in second class only. Children aged 6 years and over also need a ticket.

Whether or not you can take your bicycle with you in public transport depends on the rules that apply in fare zone you will be using the ticket. Last June, the introduction of the 9-euro ticket resulted over crowded trains in some areas. This was partly due to the number of people bringing along their bicycles.

Local transport subscription holders can also benefit from the introduction of the Deutschland ticket. According to rail operator Deutsche Bahn, most have already been informed of an offer to switch over via the app. Holders of the so-called BahnCard 100 can use their subscription as a Deutschland ticket.

The Deutschland ticket has been some time in the making. Following the success of the 9-euro ticket for use in June, July or August, of which 52 million were sold, it was clear to policy makers that a successor campaign would have to be devised. State and federal officials originally targeted a starting date before the end of 2022, but locked horns over the financing of the new 3-billion euro initiative. This sum would be split evenly between the federal and state governments. Should the plan result in higher costs, the federal states wanted reassurances from Berlin that there will be prompt discussions about financing. The government issued assurances to that end earlier in March.

Further reading:

• Germany announces start of 9-euro ticket successor campaign
• Germany’s 9-euro ticket successor clears another hurdle
• German 9-euro ticket successor is a fact: launch next year
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz throws weight behind plans for 9-euro ticket successor