Apologies if this has been asked before, but how easy is it to buy a landerticket before one reaches the train station, if for instance one has to take a bus or tram or U or S bahn to get to the station? Would be nice to use it right away to get maximum value for it.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
You can buy them in advance, post-dated, from the DB website. You would then have to print them out (I don't know if you can keep the ticket on a phone). Or in advance from a DB ticket machine, if you are passing through a station the day before.
All DB ticket machines sell the local Länder ticket. S-Bahn is the suburban/commuter network, run usually by DB. All S-Bahn stations would also have DB ticket machines.
U-Bahn, Tram and bus are city-owned. These often have ticket machines to buy local tickets before you board. I don't know whether these sell Länder tickets, it would depend on the city.
Rural buses, where you buy tickets from the driver, possibly the driver would sell you a Länder ticket.
Posted by
Bavaria
2481 posts
I don't know if you can keep the ticket on a phone
Yes, you can. ;)
Posted by
TX
980 posts
Yes, we did this using the DB app. Bought it over wifi at the hotel then was able to use it right away on the RVO bus, BOB train, and regional trains.
With my last trip to Germany I don't think I bought a paper ticket the whole time.
DJ
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
It depends on the city, but very often you can buy a Land ticket from machines in U-Bahn stations. S-Bahns are part of the national rail system, so you can definitely get them there. I'd be surprised if a rural bus driver could sell you a Land ticket, but I've never personally tried.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19276 posts
I'd be surprised if a rural bus driver could sell you a Land ticket,
I'm two for two. Last October, I bought a Bayern-Ticket from the driver on an RVO bus in the small town of Pfronten, Bavaria. In 2012 I bought a Bayern-Ticket from an RVO bus driver in Frasdorf, Bavaria. I also bought a VVM (Würzburg metro) Tageskarte from the driver of a local bus in Lohr am Main, Bavaria. last year. I'm sure he also sold Bayern-Tickets.
Years ago I inquired by email to the MVV (Munich metro) about whether I could buy a Bayern-Ticket on a bus in Munich, and they said yes, but said I would need exact change. But I doubt that you could by a Länder-Ticket on a bus outside that Land.
Or in advance from a DB ticket machine, if you are passing through a station the day before.
I've done that.