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Eurail Pass (Global) Privileges in Germany--U-Bahn, S-Bahn

Some countries, including Germany, have extra privileges that go with the Eurail Pass. Does that include the use of Subways and city trains? Are the Strassenbahnen included? I recall reading something about that, but I can't find it listed anywhere. Is there a link to the official answer? Thank you.

Posted by
19052 posts

The Eurail pass includes all S-Bahn that are run by German Rail. That might now include all; at one time there was a line in Berlin that was not included. The Eurail pass does not include other conveyances run by the city metro districts (Vevkehrsverbünde, such as MVV) - U-Bahn, Strassenbahnen, or buses.

This page on the Eurail website describes what is included, but doesn't specify what isn't (if it isn't included, it isn't included).

Incidently, there is a privately run rail line in Southern Bavaria, BOB (Bayerische Oberlandbahn), servicing Bayrischzell, Schliersee, Gmund, Tegernsee, and Bad Tölz from Holzkirchen. It is not included with a Eurail pass (nor with a German Rail Pass).

Posted by
22 posts

Thank you soooooo much for simplifying it for me. I'm in Berlin now, but leaving for other cities. So if it says "DB" or Deutsche Bahn, I'm good with my pass. Otherwise, not. This really helps! Vielen Dank!

Posted by
19052 posts

I've never really looked to see if the S-Bahns that I know are run by DB have the DB symbol, or not, but not all conveyances with the DB symbol are included with a Eurail Pass. Deutsche Bahn runs the buses in upper (south eastern) Bavaria. The RVO (Regional Verkehr Oberbayern) buses have the DB symbol, but Eurail passes are not valid on these buses. Eurail passes are valid, with payment of a supplement, on the DB IC buses like the one from Nürnberg or Munich to Prag.

Posted by
16893 posts

The rule for S-Bahn coverage in Berlin is that you're only covered when traveling between the train stations. S-Bahns in other German cities don't have this restriction (but U-Bahns, city buses, etc. still are not covered). I assume that you're using a consecutive-day version of the Global pass, so nobody's counting how many trains or travel days you use within the activated period. If you had a flexipass, you would only take advantage of the S-Bahn coverage on the same day that you also take longer, more expensive train rides.