Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Get Around for Less with the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket
Germany is known for many things - beer, sausages, and efficiency to name a few. But it's also known for being an expensive place to visit. Thankfully, you can explore Germany on a budget with the country's incredibly affordable public transportation options.
One of the best deals is the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket. This regional train ticket allows unlimited travel on regional trains across Germany for up to 5 people for just €49. It's valid from midnight on Saturday until 3am on Monday, making it perfect for weekend getaways.
With the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket, you can crisscross the country seeing castles, quaint villages, historic cities, and more without breaking the bank. For example, you could take the train from Berlin to Dresden to see the opulent Zwinger Palace for just a fraction of the normal train fare. Or head to the Rhine Valley to tour fairy tale castles for next to nothing.
The ticket even covers many ferry rides across Germany's rivers and lakes, allowing you to incorporate scenic boat rides into your itinerary. Take the ferry across the Rhine from Bingen to Rüdesheim to wander the charming wine village's cobblestone lanes. Or sail across Lake Constance to reach the flower island of Mainau.
Just keep in mind that the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket doesn't cover high-speed ICE trains. But it's valid on all slower regional trains, which stop in smaller towns and villages that high-speed trains zoom past. Taking regional trains allows you to experience the local side of Germany most tourists miss.
You can buy the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket online, at train station ticket machines, or on the train itself. Just be sure each member of your group brings identification to show when asked.
What else is in this post?
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Get Around for Less with the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Make the Most of Regional Trains
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Take Advantage of Discounted City Transportation
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Explore Castles along the Rhine for Free
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Wander Through Quaint Villages and Rolling Hills
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Savor Bavarian Food and Beer on a Budget
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Experience the Vibrant Nightlife of Berlin's Kreuzberg
- Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Discover Germany's Dark History at No Cost
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Make the Most of Regional Trains
While Germany's high-speed ICE trains whisk you between major cities at up to 300 km/hr, taking slower regional trains opens up a whole different side of the country. Meandering through quaint villages, rolling hills, and dense forests, these local routes give you a chance to experience small-town Germany and its charming provincial life.
Unlike larger cities, little has changed in many rural villages over the centuries. Traditional timber-framed houses line cobblestone streets hardly wide enough for cars. Locals gather at cozy gasthäuser to enjoy a stein of local beer. And farms dot the surrounding green valleys where cows lazily graze. It's a Germany that moves at a slower pace, keeping alive traditions that have endured for generations.
Hopping on regional trains allows you to fully appreciate the diversity of Germany's landscapes too. As the train winds through the countryside, one minute you're zipping past neon-green pastures dotted with dairy cows. The next, dark pine forests blanket the hills rolling by your window. Far removed from the autobahn, regional train routes trace more scenic paths that highlight Germany's natural beauty.
And while ICE trains focus on major cities, regional trains go beyond to hidden gems off the tourist trail. Towns like Miltenberg with its half-timbered medieval center on the River Main. Or Bamberg, bursting with historic architecture and breweries. Lesser known destinations that most visitors overlook but offer an authentic slice of German life.
Beyond scenery and smaller towns, taking regional trains in Germany often saves money over high-speed options. For example, a trip from Frankfurt to Heidelberg costs around €36 one-way by ICE but only €23 on the regional route. If you plan in advance and snag discounted tickets, the savings are even greater.
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Take Advantage of Discounted City Transportation
Urban explorers rejoice, because Germany’s major cities offer money-saving transportation passes that let you get around for cheap. Whether you want to tour Berlin’s world-class museums, bar hop in Hamburg’s trendy Schanzenviertel, or amble down Munich’s grand boulevards, discounted city passes maximize your time and minimize your spending.
For starters, Berlin’s metro, trams, and buses can be ridden all day with the Berlin WelcomeCard. Priced under €20, it provides unlimited transportation throughout zones AB of the city for adults. Or opt for the Berlin CityTourCard for €19.90, which includes all public transportation plus discounts on attractions like the Pergamon Museum.
Meanwhile in Munich, the City Tour Card gives you unlimited access to the metro, trams and buses for a full day for just €13.90. It also tosses in discounts on sights like the Residenz and the BMW Museum. Or upgrade to the Munich CityTourCard for €22.90 to score free walking tours and river cruises too.
When it comes to Hamburg, the Hamburg CARD is a must for just €10.50 per day. You get unlimited use of the subway, bus and ferry system across the city. It also snags you half-price entry to attractions like the Miniature Wunderland exhibit.
Beyond German’s Big Three cities, smaller urban hubs boast their own great-value transportation cards. For example, Nuremberg’s Nürnberg Card costs €28 for two days of unlimited subway, bus and tram rides. It also includes free admission to the Documentation Center museum and discounts on the city’s medieval castle tours.
In Leipzig, the Leipzig Card gives you three full days of public transportation plus free walking tours, discounts at museums like the Bach Museum, and more for €25.50. It even covers your journey to and from the airport on local trains.
Dresden's version provides two days of transportation and sightseeing discounts for just €27.50 with the Dresden City Card. Bremen’s Bremen Card does the same for €26. Or check out the 3-day Frankfurt Card for €34.50 covering unlimited transportation, half-price museum entry and more.
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Explore Castles along the Rhine for Free
Dotting the banks of the Rhine River are dozens of formidable medieval castles, each with its own unique history and charm. While most charge admission fees, savvy travelers can explore many of these fairy tale castles without paying a cent by taking advantage of free entry days and scenic hiking trails along the river.
One of the most famous free castle experiences is the iconic Rhine Gorge near Rüdesheim am Rhein. Here, you can wander the grounds of medieval Rheinfels Castle at no cost. Sprawling across a hillside high above the river, it’s the largest castle on the Rhine. Giant stone walls, soaring towers, and cavernous chambers make it feel straight out of Game of Thrones. Beyond the castle itself, trails through the terraced vineyards surrounding it offer stunning valley views.
Further along the Rhine’s shore, Marksburg Castle near Braubach lets visitors freely roam its cobblestone courtyards and ramparts daily from 10:30am to 5pm. This massive fortress is one of the few castles on the Rhine that was never destroyed, offering an exceptionally well-preserved slice of medieval history. Climb the castle keep for panoramic views across the slate-roofed village nestled below and the shimmering Rhine beyond.
Burg Rheinstein near Trechtingshausen boasts free entry to the castle grounds and exterior every evening from 5:30pm to 9:30pm in summer. Wandering this candle-lit hilltop castle at sunset feels like stepping back centuries through time. Or for daytime castle adventures, the Rheinsteig hiking trail traces the Rhine for over 300km pastFortresses like the spiky-turreted Burg Reichenstein near Bacherach.
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Wander Through Quaint Villages and Rolling Hills
Meandering through rural Germany by regional train opens up a world of quaint villages and rolling hills that most visitors never experience. Cobblestone streets winding between medieval half-timbered houses. Flower boxes bursting with red geraniums below rustic wood balconies. The clip-clop of horse hooves pulling wooden wagons. It’s a Germany frozen in time.
One of the most idyllic villages is Miltenberg on the River Main. It’s the sort of place where locals sit outside at picnic tables sipping steins of regional beer as evening sunlight filters through lush grapevines. Or take a stroll down the narrow Old Town lanes that weave between gloriously decorated buildings from the 16th to 18th century. The ornate facade of the Royal Tavern has scarcely changed since its construction in 1605.
Further south, Gengenbach’s pedestrianized core feels straight out of the pages of a storybook. Its multicolored half-timbered houses tower over cobbled lanes barely wide enough for a single car. Flowering vines climb up the historic buildings, adding bursts of fuchsia and scarlet to the beige and brown beams. Grab a cake from one of the traditional bakeries before wandering down to the lazy River Kinzig below.
Meandering along forgotten backroads that wind through the countryside by regional train unveils even more rural charm. Hills blanketed in deep green forests roll gently by out the window. Lazy streams slice through the valleys, where ducks drift along glistening in the sun. The air carries the sweet scent of wildflowers and grass warmed by the midday heat.
Church steeples peek above the tree line, signaling yet another storybook village ahead. Pulling into the tiny station, you're greeted by richly decorated homes clustered around a babbling stone fountain. Just down the lane lies an ornate market square and turreted castle framed by blooming gardens. Paths lined with apple trees tempt you into the hills beyond.
It's on these rural branch lines far from cities that you witness authentic local culture. Stern-faced farmers in overalls scratching their heads at the rare sight of tourists. Grandmas on rickety bikes wobbling home from the bakery with plump loaves. Raising a prost to your fellow passengers hoisting steins of Helles as you clickety-clack through the countryside.
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Savor Bavarian Food and Beer on a Budget
Bavaria is synonymous with beer, pretzels and sausages. But experiencing the region’s hearty cuisine and famous brews often comes with a hefty price tag that blows budgets. Thankfully, with some insider tips, you can savor authentic Bavarian flavors for less.
Start by timing your visit for a local beer festival. Cities across Bavaria host these raucous celebrations of the state’s brewing heritage all year long. One of the best is Starkbierzeit, Munich’s “strong beer season” from March to April. For just €13.50, you get entry to the carnival-like party at Munich’s largest beer halls, like the famous Hofbräuhaus. That includes a 1-liter mass brimming with seasonal Doppelbock, a malty beer only brewed once a year. Musicians fill the halls with oompah tunes as drinkers sway arm-in-arm singing bier hall classics.
Beyond the big cities, smaller towns host wonderfully wallet-friendly festivals too. One example is Annafest in Forchheim, where 23 local breweries set up tents in a wooded park serving their signature brews. Admission is free and a full liter glass costs around €9 – nearly half what you’d pay in Munich. The atmosphere is less touristy and more community-focused, with whole families camping under the trees cheerfully toasting steins.
When there’s not a beer festival happening, many breweries across Bavaria offer tours and tastings that won’t drain your budget. At Munich’s Paulaner Brewery, a self-guided tour with three tastings is just €11. Or visit Kloster Andechs monastery’s centuries-old brewery near Ammersee for €3, including their potent Doppelbock beer.
Pair your brews with Bavarian bar snacks for the ultimate budget-friendly experience. Beyond Munich, you can find giant pretzels for under €2 in rural towns – a fraction of the price at touristy spots. Or stop by a butcher like Metzger Hermann in Nuremberg, where you can pick up an authentic Nürnberger Bratwurst for €1.40.
For the cheapest homestyle Bavarian cooking, keep an eye out for student canteens known as “mensa.” These cafeteria-style eateries at universities dish up traditional local staples liked Schweinebraten, Knödel dumplings and Obatzda cheese spread for just a few Euros. Fill up on hearty classics that would cost three times as much elsewhere. The University of Passau’s mensa is one local favorite.
Saving the best for last, no Bavarian food crawl is complete without a stop at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich. This lively open-air market bursts with stalls heaped with cheeses, sausages, pickles and more. Grab an organic cheese pretzel for under €2 or spicy Obatzda to spread on a freshly baked brezen roll. Wash it down with a draft beer for just €3.20 – the cheapest brews in town. Then pick up budget souvenirs like tubes of sweet mustard and bags of nuts roasted right at the market.
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Experience the Vibrant Nightlife of Berlin's Kreuzberg
As the sun sinks behind Berlin’s skyline, the gritty, creative spirit of Kreuzberg comes alive. This culturally diverse district has emerged as one of the most exciting nightlife scenes in Europe's club capital. Edgy bars, trendy street food stalls, and pumping basement clubs draw revelers from across the city after dark. With so many options, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. But diving headfirst into the electric energy of Kreuzkberg after hours is an unforgettable experience for night owls.
One essential stop is Club der Visionaere, an iconic bar-club set along the banks of the River Spree. During the day, locals flock here to relax in the beer garden and soak up the laidback vibe. But at night, some of Berlin’s top DJs take the decks, spinning hypnotic techno beats until the sunrise glows pink on the horizon. Dancing the night away with cool Kreuzbergers as house music reverberates through the trees is an only-in-Berlin experience.
Nearby, the dirty-cool nightclub ://about blank is a maze of graffiti-covered rooms pulsing with underground house and techno spun by underground DJs. The gritty, industrial space embodies the raw creative spirit the neighborhood is known for. After working up a sweat dancing, chill out in their massive garden with cocktails and food from the on-site vegan burger joint.
For a wild night out, make your way to Klunkerkranich, a club located on top of a multi-story parking garage. The rooftop setting offers panoramic views of the Berlin cityscape glittering around you as DJS play and colorful lights flash. On weekends the space transforms into an open-air beach club, with tons of sand and tropical decor. It's the perfect place to dance as the sun rises over the city.
Of course, no night out in Kreuzberg is complete without checking out the street food scene. Peruse the Turkish kebab stands clustered around Kottbusser Tor, where juicy döner kebabs are stuffed into warm flatbread for just €4. Or grab late night currywurst – Berlin's iconic spicy sausage slathered in curry ketchup. For the trendiest bites, head to Markthalle Neun. This historic market hall hosts "Street Food Thursday" every week, with stalls dishing up flavors from around the globe - the perfect fuel before hitting the clubs.
Guten Fahrt! How to See Germany on the Cheap with the €49 Public Transport Pass - Discover Germany's Dark History at No Cost
Germany’s turbulent 20th century profoundly shaped not only the country’s future, but that of the entire world. While WWII and the horrors of the Holocaust are well known, many travelers remain unaware that sites preserving these dark chapters in history can be visited in Germany at no cost. Confronting this difficult past firsthand gives invaluable insight into how a democratic Germany emerged from the rubble and shadows of Nazism.
In Berlin, the Topography of Terror documentation center occupies the site of the former Gestapo and SS headquarters. Outdoors, the excavated building foundations create a chilling outline of the nerve center of Nazi oppression. Indoors, multimedia exhibits chronicle the rise of the Nazi party using artifacts and photographs in grunting detail. And it’s all free, with donations welcomed.
Nearby, the Berlin Wall Memorial traces the former path of the barrier that divided the city for 28 years. A portion of the Wall itself still stands, covered in graffiti art as a symbol of freedom. Displays document daring escape attempts and preserve parts of the border facilities. Again, no ticket needed.
No visit to Berlin is complete without seeing the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Its massive labyrinth of concrete blocks conveys an eerie sense of disorientation, confusion and claustrophobia. Audio guides delve into personal stories of Holocaust victims and can be borrowed on-site gratis.
Outside the capital, the Dachau concentration camp memorial near Munich stands as a testament to the horrors of Nazi antisemitism and racism. Walking beneath the cynical “Arbeit macht frei” gate through the camp’s barracks and crematorium is a powerful experience that etches the atrocities committed here into your consciousness. Entry is free, with donations welcomed.
In Nuremberg, the expansive Documentation Center catalogs the city’s role as host of the Nazi party’s massive rallies. It also covers the post-war Nuremberg trials, when Nazi leaders were brought to justice here. Engaging exhibits like a full-scale model of the rally grounds reveal this history in tangible form - and not a cent is charged.