If you have lived in Germany for more than a few months, you have probably heard about the Deutschlandticket — the flat-rate monthly pass that lets you ride almost all local public transport in the country. In 2026 it costs €63 per month, and for anyone living or travelling in Germany it is often the cheapest way to move around. This guide explains exactly what the ticket covers, what it does not cover, how to buy it, and — most importantly — how to cancel it without losing money.
One thing up front: if you remember the "€49 ticket", that price is history. The ticket has risen twice since launch, and this guide is written for the current 2026 price, which the official sources confirmed at €63 per month.
What Is the Deutschlandticket?
The Deutschlandticket (also called the D-Ticket or, informally, the "49-euro ticket" by people who remember its launch price) is a monthly subscription for all local public transport in Germany. It launched on 1 May 2023 as the successor to the pandemic-era €9 ticket, and it is valid on:
- Regional trains: RE, RB, IRE (Interregio-Express)
- S-Bahn (city rail)
- U-Bahn (underground), trams and buses
- Ferries operated as part of local transit networks (e.g. Hamburg's harbour ferries)
It works nationwide — one ticket covers Berlin in the morning and Munich in the evening, as long as you stay on regional and local services. It is also valid on regional trains run by private operators, not just Deutsche Bahn.
How Much Does the Deutschlandticket Cost in 2026?
The current price is €63 per month, in force since 1 January 2026. Here is the full price history so you know what people are talking about:
| Period | Price per month |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2023 – 31 Dec 2024 | €49 |
| 1 Jan 2025 – 31 Dec 2025 | €58 |
| From 1 Jan 2026 | €63 |
The price is set by the federal and state governments, and a price index is scheduled to be applied for the first time in 2027. The ticket is funded at least until the end of 2029 under the current coalition agreement — so the price may change again, but the product is not going away soon. Always check deutschlandticket.de for the official current price before you buy.
What Does the Deutschlandticket Cover?
The Deutschlandticket covers 2nd class travel on regional and local services across Germany:
- All regional rail (SPNV): RE, RB, IRE and S-Bahn
- Local public transport (ÖPNV): U-Bahn, trams, buses, and most local ferries
- All participating operators — DB regional trains, private regional operators, and every city transit network
There are no distance limits: you can ride from the far north to the far south on regional trains in a single day, and the ticket is valid every day of the month, from the 1st to the last day of the calendar month (not from the day you buy it).
What Does the Deutschlandticket NOT Cover?
This is where most people get caught out. The Deutschlandticket is not valid on long-distance trains:
- ICE (InterCity-Express)
- IC (InterCity) and EC (EuroCity)
- FlixTrain and other long-distance coach or rail services
- Night trains and most tourist or heritage railways
You can use the D-Ticket to get to and from a long-distance station, but the long-distance leg itself needs a separate ticket. A practical tip: in the DB Navigator app, switch on the "D-Ticket services only" filter when searching connections — it shows only services your ticket is valid on, so you will not accidentally plan a journey that needs an ICE ticket.
How to Buy the Deutschlandticket
The ticket is digital-only: there is no paper version, no ticket-machine version, and a screenshot or printout is not valid. You buy it as a monthly subscription, and it appears as a QR code in your chosen app.
You can buy it from:
- The DB Navigator app (see our DB Navigator app guide) or abo.bahn.de
- deutschlandticket.de — the official federal portal
- Regional transport apps (e.g. hvv Switch in Hamburg, VBB in Berlin)
Payment options include credit card, PayPal, SEPA direct debit and Apple Pay — depending on where you buy. Because it is a subscription, it renews automatically every month; there is no option to buy a single month without subscribing.
If you are visiting Germany from abroad and your foreign credit card is rejected by the official portals, third-party resellers (such as mo.pla or deutschland-ticket.store) sell the same ticket with international payment support — slightly more expensive, but still cheaper than daily tickets if you travel a lot.
Cancellation: The 10th of the Month Rule
The most important practical detail — and the one that costs people real money:
- Cancel by the 10th of the month → your subscription ends on the last day of that month.
- Cancel after the 10th → your subscription ends on the last day of the following month (you pay for one more month).
So if you want to cancel for March, you must cancel on or before 10 March. Miss it and you pay for April too. Cancel in the app or portal where you bought the ticket — you cannot cancel through DB if you bought via a regional app. Because the ticket renews automatically, set a reminder if you plan to use it for a limited period only.
Deutschlandticket vs Other Options
| Option | Price | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Deutschlandticket | €63/month | All regional + local transport nationwide, monthly subscription |
| DB Summer Familienticket | €99.99 flat | Up to 5 people on ICE/IC/EC long-distance trains during summer school holidays, seat reservations included |
| Sparpreis / Super Sparpreis singles | from €6.99 | One-off long-distance journeys, booked in the DB Navigator app |
The Deutschlandticket and the Summer Familienticket are different products that complement each other: the D-Ticket is your everyday regional pass; the Familienticket covers the long-distance summer trips that the D-Ticket cannot. For short visits with few journeys, single tickets or a regional day ticket can be cheaper than a full month.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Boarding an ICE with a D-Ticket — the most expensive mistake: a ticket inspection on an ICE without a valid long-distance ticket means a fare of €60+ or a penalty.
- Forgetting to cancel — the subscription renews automatically; the 10th-of-the-month deadline is unforgiving.
- Showing a screenshot — the ticket must be displayed in the app; screenshots and printouts are not accepted.
- Assuming it is transferable — the ticket is person-specific. If a friend asks to "borrow" your QR code, it is not valid under their name.
- Buying mid-month expecting pro-rating — the ticket runs from the 1st to the last day of the month; there is no daily rate.
FAQ
Is the Deutschlandticket still €49?
No. It launched at €49/month in May 2023, rose to €58 in January 2025, and has cost €63/month since 1 January 2026. Check deutschlandticket.de for the current price.
Can tourists buy the Deutschlandticket?
Yes. You subscribe, use it for the month, and cancel by the 10th of that month to avoid paying for the next. International cards may be rejected on official portals — third-party resellers accept foreign cards.
Is the Deutschlandticket valid on ICE trains?
No. It covers regional trains (RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn) and local transport only. ICE, IC, EC and FlixTrain require a separate long-distance ticket.
Can I use the Deutschlandticket across all of Germany?
Yes, nationwide — but only on regional and local services. There are no distance limits within that scope.
How do I cancel the Deutschlandticket?
Log in where you bought it and cancel by the 10th of the month. Cancelling by the 10th ends the subscription at month-end; cancelling later ends it at the end of the following month.
Related Travel Guides
- The DB Summer Familienticket: Cheap ICE Travel for Families
- DB Navigator App Guide: Search, Buy & Manage Train Tickets
- Autobahn Adventures: Road Tripping Through Germany
- Best Time to Visit Germany for Fewer Crowds
Conclusion
The Deutschlandticket at €63/month is still one of the best transport deals in Europe — if you understand its limits. Use it for regional trains and city transit, buy a separate ticket for ICE journeys, and never forget the 10th-of-the-month cancellation deadline. Whether you are commuting daily or exploring Germany on weekends, it usually pays for itself within a handful of trips.
If you plan to travel long-distance as well, pair it with the DB Summer Familienticket for families, and manage everything from the DB Navigator app. For more trip ideas, browse our full travel in Germany guides.