And if you have ever traveled with them you will definitely agree. Most seem to follow the “Ein Po, ein Preis” (One bum, one price) system. But finding a reliable, date-specific, and unified source for schedule and price information can be next to impossible. But it's mor… The most common types of train are InterCity (IC) and InterCity Express (ICE) services that offer high-speed connections throughout Germany. For example, a one-way trip from Frankfurt to Barcelona by long-distance bus costs just under 100 euros. On the other hand, you’re just as likely to make a new friend! There were almost no long distance buses within Germany and only several companies operated international routes and mostly to Eastern and Central Europe. While Bohr still only sells tickets on the bus, or from a ticket counter at the airport, the same bus ride can now be booked through Flixbus online to ensure payment is completed in advance by credit card and that a seat is available. Information on German transport associations, ticketing & fare systems & details of transport associations in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich & Frankfurt. They can be booked up to 12 months in advance. For a long time, Deutsche Bahn AG had expensively expanded the long-distance bus business. Wherever possible, each country's bus operating companies are divided by the nature of their operations. An intercity bus service (North American English) or intercity coach service (British English and Commonwealth English), also called a long-distance, express, over-the-road, commercial, long-haul, or highway bus or coach service, is a public transport service using coaches to carry passengers significant distances between different cities, towns, or other populated areas. Baden-Wuerttemberg Baden-Württemberg BEV BYD C9 Electric buses Flixbus Frankfurt Germany Heidelberg Hesse Mannheim. Buses leave from the ZOB (Zentraler Omnibus Bahnhof) which is usually located near the main train station in major cities. FlixBus, based in Germany, launched in 2013 to help tempt drivers out of cars on long-distance trips by making buses more appealing to people who might not have considered it as an option in the past. You normally have to pay extra for a seat reservation or to bring a bike on board. Due to Germany's many effecient and cost effective long- distance bus companies, traveling from Germany to other European country by bus is a great way to travel. This 1930s law finally made way to allow buses to provide competition to the railways. In addition to guidebooks and local resources, aggregator sites like GoogleMaps, BusBud, GetByBus, and Rome2Riocan help identify bus operators. There are a large number of smaller, local companies, but the biggest operators in Germany are: FlixBus; IC Bus; Eurolines; Carpooling in Germany The main companies for carpooling in Germany are: 2021 in Germany: All of the changes expats need to know about, COVID-19 vaccinations start in Germany today: What you need to know, Germany extends coronavirus lockdown until February 14, Explained: Germany's new mask rule for public transport & shops. News > World Long-distance bus overturns on German highway, 22 hurt. It costs 62 euros. After a break of more than two months due to the spread of coronavirus, budget bus firm Flixbus has announced it will start running again from May 28th. Another great option if you are travelling as a group, but just as economical for solo travellers, is the Regional Day Ticket (Länder-Ticket). Bus companies are also happy to point out that buses are greener and more environmentally friendly than trains, planes, or cars. « Top Amsterdam Attractions to See in 2013, Elbe Riverboat Cruise Itineraries in Germany & Czech Republic », Intercity Long-Distance Bus Travel in Germany, Eiger Express Cable Car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher and Jungfraujoch, Savings Tips on Public Transportation Tickets in Berlin, Cheap Public Transportation Bus Tours in Berlin, Top Cheap Berlin Public Transportation Tickets, Tickets for Schloss Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles. In Germany, Flixbus has closed the country’s first electric long-distance bus connection between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim – due to ongoing problems with the BYD buses and/or their batteries. Starting this Thursday it serves four times a day between between Frankfurt and Mannheim, including stops at Frankfurt Airport and Heidelberg. - Since 1931 in Germany long-distance inter-city bus service has been banned by law, according to … In 2019, roughly 21 million passengers used long-distance buses in Germany. FlixBus has introduced the first fully electric bus running the long-distance in Germany. Here is a selection of articles, news and features you may also like. The company operated at low prices and competed aggressively with the rail services, expanded strongly and incurred losses in the process. If you're lucky, the city you're traveling from will have one main bus station that can offer consolidated timetables online. The huge success of budget airlines in Germany clearly shows the German traveling public has an appetite for low ticket prices. Bus, tram, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, regional trains (RE/RB/IRE), ICE/ICs are the main public transportation in Germany. The largest long-distance bus operator in Germany is currently Flixbus, which absorbed several competitors including Mein Fernbus and the German Postbus. All continental European Megabus routes are also bookable through Flixbus. Cancellation conditions are also more generous on the buses, although read the fine print here too. However, Busliniensuche, a start-up by students from Karlsruhe, is making a valiant effort to at least provide the information and links to bus companies. Baalasooriya said another 100 PCR tests were conducted in Wellawatte today as well. Long-distance bus companies in Germany. The bus network is expanding almost weekly at the moment. Great care is taken in writing these articles but no responsibility is taken for errors or omissions. Three newly established long-distance coach service providers in Germany are Flixbus (MeinFernbus was dropped from the name) and DeinBus. As a consequence, several companies offering low-cost, long-distance coach journeys have emerged. Tickets are divided into first and second classes and can be bought in advance on the internet, from an automated ticket machine or from the station’s ticket office. The bus veered into a ditch next to the highway and ended up on its side. Operations may … There are long-distance buses from many German cities to Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid and about 30 other cities in Spain. Thanks to improved infrastructure, the journey from Berlin to Munich can now take as little as four hours. Berlin has long been an exception to the regulation and not surprisingly has a wide network of bus services to the German capital. The giants still studying the market will probably be surprised how fast others have moved to provide a network of intercity long-distance buses in Germany. Some offer free wifi while drinks on board are similar to kiosk prices. A bus sits beside the Autobahn A19 in Linstow near Rostock, northern Germany, Friday, Aug. 17, … Germany by bus Travelling by long distance bus in Germany has only recently become popular. From Terminal 1 you reach the P36 long-distance bus parking lot via Arrival C. Then stay to the right. Info on the public transportation system in Germany: modes of transport (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, bus), types of tickets, how to buy & validate tickets. How many people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Germany? Hello Hoppers! This is a list of the world's bus operating companies listed by country, with countries placed alphabetically by continent and country. Transportation information for expats: taxis in Germany, getting a taxi, taxi fares, meters, luggage charges, Uber & German taxi apps. EuroCity (EC) trains provide international connections. But as it always is with new markets only a few will survive in the long-run, which are the companies that offer the best service, the cleanest buses and having the … Deutsche Touring, which operated Eurolines cross-border bus services as well as the popular holiday route Romantic Road coaches, is also expected to rapidly increase its involvement in domestic bus routes in Germany. The Deutsche Bahn effectively held a monopoly of long-distance travel until January 2013. Deutsche Bahn (DB) DB is the German national railway company that operates all of the railway systems across Germany. Yet, it is the first […] Long-distance buses in Germany are generally clean, comfortable and air-conditioned. For example, the Bohr bus services from Frankfurt Hahn Airport to Frankfurt am Main can now also be booked as a Flixbus or IC  Bus ride. When Germany relaxed its laws preventing competition with train lines last year, numerous long-distance bus companies sprung up to fill in a gap which has perplexed budget travelers in the country for years. I returned to Nuremberg and this time decided to go by BUS! While established giants such as the ADAC and Deutsche Post are still studying the market, smaller companies are already operating on … Some expect buses to attract a different clientele from trains – maybe younger or older travelers. Except for ICE/ICs which is a German high-speed train for long-distance travel, the rest is used for regional transport. Expats in Germany have the choice between more than 30 commercial passenger airports, ranging from major, busy transport hubs to small airfields. As well as Spar (saver) and Flexi fares, Deutsche Bahn offers a range of different tickets that can help you make huge savings on train travel, especially if you’re travelling in a group or at the weekend: If you frequently travel by rail in Germany, it might be worth considering buying a BahnCard, which for a one-off price offers you a discount off every train journey you make. Following a pause due to the coronavirus, travellers and commuters in Germany can once again take long-distance bus journeys from Thursday. Many also offer last-minute deals: Germany’s railway network, operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB), is very well-developed, offering fast connections to almost everywhere in the country. FlixBus introduced electric buses between Paris and Amiens as a regular service this spring (we reported). The parking lot for long-distance buses is signposted. Generally speaking, in Germany you have three main options when it comes to long-distance travel (unless you wish to drive): These travel booking platforms search for multiple providers to find you the best deals on train travel, bus trips, flights and ferries in Germany, Europe and beyond. Up until today, the bus not only stands for cheap and convenient travels but is also eco-friendly and safe for the passengers. These new providers often use existing local and regional bus operators to run the actual busses, which thus may not always be painted in company colors. Only in 2012 was this law officially amended and thus a long distance bus market has also emerged in Germany since then. Just as with budget airlines, an all-encompassing national booking service for all buses is not available. Berlin Linien Bus, owned by Deutsche Bahn, has cheap bus services from all parts of Germany. In Germany, long-distance … Long-distance and intercity bus travel has finally become legal in Germany from the start of 2013. Ever since the first bus companies launched bus routes connecting various American cities in the 1910s, hopping on a bus is a great way to explore the United States. While established giants such as the ADAC and Deutsche Post are still studying the market, smaller companies are already operating on various routes throughout Germany and neighboring countries. Flixbus back up and running Flixbus will resume long-distance travel services in Germany from May 28, as well as operations in Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Denmark. As costs don't change too much long distance buses are a great option for those on a budget or those who want to be flexible about their travel around Europe. Prior to the liberalization of the long-distance bus market, trains accounted for 125 million annual travelers versus 2 million for coaches but 2013 statistics will certainly be different. A guide to the German public transportation system for expats: public transport (S- & U-Bahn, tram), taxis, trains, coaches, long-distance buses & driving. Long Distance Inter City Bus Travel in Germany The domestic networks of the private bus companies cover most of the country's main towns and more local destinations. The ADAC (automobile club) and Deutsche Post (post office) are studying the market and planning a nationwide network from 2014. Standard prices on buses are generally 20 to 60% below the standard ticket prices on German Railways trains. Long distance bus services which competed with the railways were prohibited in Germany from 1934 until the market was liberalised in 2013. Contact service providers directly before making any arrangements. Everything about cars and driving in Germany: driver's licences, learning to drive, registering cars, taxes, insurance, inspections / TÜV & importing cars. FlixBus, based in Germany, launched in 2013 to help tempt drivers out of cars on long-distance trips by making buses more appealing to people who might not have considered it as an option in the past. Starting at just 23 euros (depending on the federal state), the ticket allows up to five people unlimited travel on regional services within a given state for a full day. In most countries, bus routes are operated by multiple companies, each with its own timetables and fares. There are a large number of smaller, local companies, but the biggest operators in Germany are: The concept behind carpooling is relatively simple: drivers with empty seats advertise their trips through an app, where they are matched with would-be travellers. Four years ago there were 18 IC bus routes and 40 connections from the Berlin-Linienbus (BLB) branch. However, by then they may well find the market a bit crowded by the bus services of nimbler competitors. Services offered vary but thus far all allow at least one suitcase for free and often two. New companies such as MeinFernbus and Flixbus are already providing competition to the existing Berlin Linien Bus and German Railways (Deutsche Bahn). Despite years of lobbying by Deutsche Bahn, the protectionist laws that previously prohibited long-distance bus travel have more recently been liberalised. New companies such as MeinFernbus and Flixbus are already providing competition to the existing Berlin Linien Bus and German Railways (Deutsche Bahn). BahnCard 25 offers 25 percent off super saver, saver and flexi fares for a year. Luckily, the country’s transport system provides several different options for fast and reasonably-priced connections between its major cities. Starting at just 43 euros, they offer unlimited train travel in up to 31 European countries. Since then new long distance bus companies have popped up everywhere and made travelling through Germany a lot cheaper and flexible. Trains are faster and more comfortable with specials (Sparpreise) often available for travelers booking in advance or using a Bahncard. Berlin Linien Bus (also part of Deutsche Bahn) stopped services end October 2016. This site is not responsible for the content of linked external sites. For expats of all colours, shapes & sizes. A long-distance bus line connects regions at bigger distances from each other. While some bus companies only operate regionally, others cover the whole nation with their bus lines. Families with children under 14 years, who usually travel for free on Deutsche Bahn trains, should note that child (or seniors) discounts are generally not available on buses. The two men were detected with the virus after nearly 100 Rapid Antigen Tests were conducted on long distance buses that were set to leave to the North and East from Wellawatte. In comparison to trains and planes, fierce competition has meant that going by bus is a very budget-friendly option for travelling across Germany and Europe, with a coach from Berlin to Hamburg costing as little as eight euros. Prior to 2013, long distance coach services (anything longer than 50km) was prohibited unless it could be proven that it did not compete with DB’s rail network and during this time coach travel in Germany was restricted to international routes, short regional services and intercity routes in and out of Berlin. However, on German Railways own IC Buses the standard children under 15 travel for free is maintained. Specific seats cannot be reserved on buses but a seat is guaranteed for ticket bearers, something that is not the case on trains. Buses have historically only played a marginal role in long distance passenger service, as all routes directly competing with rail services were technically outlawed by a law dating to 1935 (during the Nazi era). These bus companies all follow basically the same model: tickets are sold primarily online, bus services are constantly being expanded, and growing mostly from southern to central Germany with plans to cover the whole country. Europe - Germany Lifts Ban on Long-Distance Bus Travel? Operating through an app also allows passengers to provide drivers with reviews and verifications, thereby improving safety. The main risk you take, therefore, is that you might get stuck in a car with a stranger for four hours with nothing to say. One thing these buses cannot do is transport travelers for less than an hour or less than 50 km – here the official local transportation services maintain their state-subsidized monopolies. Carpooling is growing in popularity in Germany for two major reasons: it’s a cheap way of getting around, and it’s relatively environmentally-friendly. Up to 2013, bus services in Germany were mostly illegal between city centers otherwise served by railways. Deutsche Bahn, which is the largest operator of buses and not only trains in Germany, is almost certain to increase its domestic bus services. Long-distance buses in Germany are generally clean, comfortable and air-conditioned. Group saver fares are limited to groups of six or more people travelling within Germany and cost as little as 19.90 euros per person, with a free seat reservation. Whether visiting a friend or heading out to explore some of the country’s wonderful sights and attractions, most expats will, from time to time, want to travel within Germany. Receive the IamExpat Weekly and Special Offers from our Partners. Well, until the 31 of December 2012, it was legally (with a few exceptions) not possible to operate domestic long distance buses in Germany. March 5, 2013 by Henk Bekker in Buses, Germany. Buses may be slower and less comfortable than trains but in many cases, especially if not booked in advance, much cheaper too. A major advantage for smaller bus companies working as partners with these national services is the information technology backup provided by dedicated online reservation services. Operating with very new buses, which all offer free WLAN, Flixbus is right now the best rated long distance bus company in Germany. BahnCard 100 offers unlimited travel on DB trains in Germany for one year for 4.395 euros. From Terminal 2 you can easily reach the P36 long-distance bus parking lot with our Bus-Shuttle, which departs from Terminal 2 every 10 minutes. Fri., Aug. 17, 2018. It’s best to book well in advance to secure the cheapest fares. Thanks to new regulations, the market is now filled with new long-distance bus companies that made intercity traveling in Germany much cheaper and flexible. Up until 2013 travelling by train in Germany was number one which was regulated by law. All buses are completely new and in very good shape. Special deals are available – sometimes tickets go for €1 – and price competition may well increase as services expand. The main reason for this was that the government wanted to protect the German railways (Deutschebahn), which at that time was the only land based mass transportation available for intercity travelling. BahnCard 50 offers 50 percent discount on the same fares for 255 euros per year. Long-distance and intercity bus travel has finally become legal in Germany from the start of 2013. Long-distance buses are a type of long-distance transport which connects different cities and regions with each other. Interrail passes are a great way to explore both Germany and the rest of Europe. The travel industry still debates whether intercity buses will provide real competition to Deutsche Bahn trains. They usually offer free wi-fi and onboard refreshments. Flixbus buses have been off the roads since March 18, but now a total of 26 buses will be back in operation for a total of 50 stops. They usually offer free wi-fi and onboard refreshments. Coaches are often slower but much cheaper than railways. FlixBus, Europe’s largest long-distance road transport operator, wants to take sustainable mobility one step further through buses. However on 1 January 2013, this law was repealed leading to a more competitive market for domestic travel within Germany and the launch of many long distance bus operators that are often a much cheaper alternativ… It will test vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel batteries for long distances, becoming the first company in the world to do so. There are three different options: There are also options for discounted BahnCards for children, youths under 27 and seniors over 60. Cheap buses provide competition to trains for intercity and long-distance travel in Germany. 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