Germany travel pass options: Routes, prices, and benefits
Traveling to Germany? With passes starting at just €6, you can save big, skip the stress, and explore with ease.
Planning a trip to Germany but worried about decoding train schedules or buying tickets every time you hop on train, bus, and local transport?
We get it. If you’ve searched “Germany travel pass” online, you’ve likely seen a variety of options — some focus on single cities, others on entire regions.
Whatever your itinerary, the Germany Travel Pass is your all-access ticket to trains, buses, and stress-free city hopping.
Let’s look at why a Germany travel pass for tourists is a must for your trip!

What are the different types of German travel passes?
Germany offers a variety of rail passes for different types of train travel, from city-based tourist cards to national and regional options.
Whether you’re hopping on an S-Bahn train in Berlin, riding high-speed trains between cities, or using night trains for longer journeys, there’s a pass that fits your route and budget.
👉 Most passes cover a mix of local trains, high-speed trains, and regional trains, with some requiring seat reservations
👉 Some rail passes also include discounts on bus, trams, and local transport, ideal for travelers exploring multiple destinations
👉 Depending on the validity period, you can choose between short-term or month-long options for flexible train travel
Here’s a quick look at the most popular options:
Key features | Ideal for | Tickets start at (€ / USD) | |
---|---|---|---|
Berlin WelcomeCard | Unlimited public transport (AB or ABC zones), discounts on 170+ attractions, and family-friendly options. | Travelers exploring Berlin, including families | Classic: €26.90 ($29 USD) for 48 hrs / €55.90 ($58) for 6 days + Museum Island: €59.50 ($63) for 72 hrs All Inclusive: €95.00 ($98) for 48 hrs |
Munich Guest Cards | Choose between the Munich Card (discounts + optional transport) and the Munich City Pass (all-inclusive entry + transport). | Budget and comprehensive sightseeing in Munich | Munich Card: €16.90 ($18) for 1 day in Zone M City Pass: €37.90 ($40) for 1 day without transport / €53.90 (~$58) with transport in Zone M |
Frankfurt Card | Includes unlimited transport (optional) and discounts up to 50% on attractions. | Visitors exploring Frankfurt | With transport: €12 ($13) for 1 day / €19 ($21) for 2 days Basic (no transport): €6 ($7) for 2 days / €9 ($10) for 3 days |
Bayern Ticket | Unlimited regional train travel and public transport within Bavaria for a day. | Groups or families exploring multiple cities and destinations in one travel day | 2nd Class: €32 ($34) 1st Class: €44.50 ($47) |
Black Forest Card | Access to 200+ attractions, including thermal baths, Europa-Park, and mountain railways. | Short and long-term Black Forest visitors | Standard: €35 ($37) for 3 days 365 Version: €70 ($74) for 1 year |
1. Berlin Travel Card
With the Berlin Travel Card, officially the Berlin WelcomeCard, you get unlimited transport and discounts at top attractions.
Choose between Zone AB (central Berlin) or Zone ABC (includes Potsdam and Brandenburg Airport). You’ll snag up to 50% off major sights — such as the Berlin TV Tower — and you can bring up to three children (aged 6–14) for free. Younger kids (under 6) travel for free without needing a card.
Here’s a summary of the card options:
- Berlin WelcomeCard Classic covers public transport and discounts at over 170 attractions
- Berlin WelcomeCard + Museum Island includes all the benefits of the Classic card plus access to the five museums on Museum Island
- Berlin WelcomeCard All Inclusive offers free entry to 25+ attractions, including the Berlin TV Tower, along with discounts and transport options

2. Munich Guest Cards
Munich offers two official guest cards: the Munich Card and the Munich City Pass.
Munich Card: Perfect for budget travelers wanting discounted entry to museums, exhibitions, and tours. Options include transport in central Munich only (Zone M) or a wider area (Zone M–6), which covers the airport and surrounding areas.
Munich City Pass: An all-inclusive version that covers free entry to major attractions, plus priority access. You can add transport if you want a hassle-free way to explore.

3. Frankfurt Card
Save up to 50% on museums, city tours, theaters, and more. The Frankfurt Card includes unlimited public transport (including travel to and from Frankfurt Airport), while the Frankfurt Card Basic offers the same discounts without transport. Ideal if you’re planning a quick walking tour or prefer biking.

4. Bayern Ticket
The Bayern Ticket is a regional day ticket covering Bavaria on Deutsche Bahn trains and public transport.
It starts at €32, valid from 9:00 AM on weekdays (midnight on weekends), and you can add up to four extra people on a single ticket for a small fee. Great for visiting multiple Bavarian towns in one day.

5. Black Forest Card
The Black Forest Card, officially known as the SchwarzwaldCard, provides free or discounted entry to over 200 attractions in the Black Forest region.
Whether you’re riding cable cars, relaxing in thermal baths, or checking out the local museums, this card streamlines costs and planning. Available as a three-day pass or a full-year pass—choose what fits your schedule.

Benefits of using a German tourist card
Traveling in Germany comes with challenges: figuring out public transport, managing ticket costs, and deciding which attractions are worth your time.
But a German rail pass is more than just a train ticket—it’s your key to convenient, affordable, and flexible train travel across Germany. Here’s how:
- Cost savings: Get free or discounted access to major attractions, museums, tours, and public transport. These savings quickly add up, especially for families or group travelers.
- Unlimited transport: Most cards include unlimited travel on buses, trains, trams, and metro systems within designated zones.
- Flexibility: Many cards allow you to explore at your own pace with options like multi-day passes or all-year validity, depending on the card.
- Convenience: One card covers multiple services, from entry fees to transport. Many cards are also digital, so everything you need is on your phone — but only if you have a reliable internet connection to purchase passes, access QR codes, or check attraction details.
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