Public transportation

A streetcar stands at a stop.
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Emma likes traveling by streetcar the best – perhaps because they roll so comfortably along the tracks through town. In some places, the tracks were dismantled over time to make space for cars on the streets. In contrast, some cities have updated and expanded their streetcar and subway networks.

Germany's first subway was opened in Berlin in 1902. In many of the bigger cities, the subway is the fastest mode of transportation. The "U" stands for "underground", even though in some cities, like Hamburg and Berlin, the U-Bahn also travels across bridges. The S-Bahn (commuter/suburban train) originally connected the suburbs with the inner city.

The most widespread form of transportation is the bus. Out in the country, buses often travel only rarely, so it's essential to have a car. But in bigger cities, you'll find a dense network of public transportation that also operates during the night.

You have to buy tickets for public transportation before you begin your journey: either at a ticket office, at the machines in the vehicles, or on the internet. You often find discounted daily specials, multiple journey tickets, or subscriptions for a certain period of time. You can find more information about what your city offers at info points or on the internet.