2025 brought a blanket price rise for the Deutschlandticket, Germany’s nationwide public transport pass, but in some federal states locals are entitled to a reduced-price ticket. Where in Germany are public transport passengers getting the best value for money?
In late 2024, the German federal government announced that it would increase the monthly cost of the Deutschlandticket from 49 euros to 58 euros a month. The ticket allows holders unlimited use of public and regional transport across the country.
Despite the blanket price rise, local authorities can choose to further subsidise the ticket and make it cheaper for travellers. A new study by the German Parity Welfare Association (Der Paritätische) has given an overview of where locals pay the least for their monthly ticket.
According to the organisation, residents in Würzburg, Bavaria, pay the least for their tickets in 2025, just 15 euros per month instead of the standard 58 euros. Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, followed, where locals pay 18 euros per month, then Ilm-Kreis, Thuringia (19 euros), Hamburg (22,50 euros) and Weimar, Thuringia (24,50 euros).
In total, 31 local authorities chose to subsidise the ticket in 2025. The most expensive subsidised ticket is available in Magdeburg, Brandenburg, for 53 euros per month.
In certain administrative areas (Landkreise), locals on a low income or those receiving social assistance payments are eligible for a further subsidised ticket, but this is only the case in 254 of Germany's 497 Landkreise.
According to February figures from the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), Deutschlandticket subscriptions have remained stable since the New Year price rise. However, a recent study commissioned by the German government and conducted by the Ariadne climate project predicts a shift.
Ariadne found that the Deutschlandticket helped Germany make CO2 savings of between 4,2 and 6,5 billion tonnes as a result of more people dropping driving and opting for the train.
But the organisation is forecasting a decline in the Deutschlandticket’s popularity, a subsequent 15,5 percent decrease in train travel and 2,3 percent increase in car travel, resulting in a CO2 emissions increase of 3,0 million tonnes.
While the incoming German government is expected to continue the ticket through 2026, Ariadne predicts that the price rise to 58 euros will almost halve the annual emissions savings achieved to date.
To reduce unequal access to public transport, standardise prices and push Germany further in the direction of climate neutrality, the German Parity Welfare Association is calling on transport associations to sell the ticket at 25 euros nationwide.
Further reduced prices would be available for low-income residents, and the scheme could be funded by rearranging the transportation budget, the association argues.
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