Electric bikes & scooters
Whether in the country or the city, cycling can be a quick and cheap alternative. You can also buy second-hand bikes for a small fee, for example at special bike flea markets.
Many major cities also offer bicycles for hire. You can either rent a bike on a long-term basis (subscription) and benefit from services such as repairs. If you only want to cycle occasionally, you can register with bike-share providers and search for your nearest bike via an app. In recent years, electric scooters have become increasingly popular, also via an app.
Please note: bicycles and electric scooters must generally use the cycle path or lane and must not use the footway. If there is no cycle lane, they should use the carriageway.
Bus & train
To be mobile, you don't necessarily need a car. You can also use public transport: bus, metro, suburban train and tram, regional train (RE or RB), long-distance train (ICE and IC) and long-distance bus.
Buses and trains make it easy to get around a city or from one city to another. In general, Germany has a well-developed public transport infrastructure, especially in the cities.
How much do bus and train journeys cost?
The cost of public transport varies depending on the region and the route. Normally, a transport association (Verkehrsverbund) is responsible for each region and sets the fares. Find out about fares directly online on the transport association's website. Many transport authorities also offer free apps, so you can have timetables and tickets at your fingertips.
If you use public transport regularly, it's usually a good idea to take out a season ticket or monthly travel pass. You pay a fixed price and can travel as often as you like.