Sort your public transport

German cities run on trains, trams and buses — and nobody checks your ticket at the door. Plain-clothes inspectors appear randomly, and riding without a valid ticket costs €60 (the "erhöhtes Beförderungsentgelt") plus a very uncomfortable conversation. Never risk it.

Your best friend: the Deutschlandticket (€63/month since January 2026) — one subscription covering local and regional transport in all of Germany. Subscribe via the DB Navigator app or any local transit app. It's a monthly subscription that auto-renews — if you won't need next month, cancel before the cut-off (typically the 10th of the month).

Students: most universities include or discount a semester ticket (often a discounted Deutschlandticket) with enrolment — check before paying full price.

Apps you want: DB Navigator (all of Germany) plus your city's own app (MVV/MVG in Munich, VGN in Nuremberg/Ingolstadt region, INVG in Ingolstadt).

Rules that surprise newcomers: validate paper tickets in the little stamping machines where required; bikes need their own ticket at some hours; night buses replace trains after midnight in smaller cities.

Red flags:

• The Deutschlandticket covers local and regional transport only — stepping onto an ICE, IC or EC train with it counts as travelling without a ticket.
• Buying the app ticket after boarding or when you spot inspectors — it must be valid before you board, and inspectors read the purchase timestamp.
• Repeated fare-dodging is a criminal offence (Beförderungserschleicherung), not just a fee — and a criminal record is poison for residence permits.
• Forgot your valid ticket/semester pass at home? You still get the €60 notice — but showing the ticket at the transit office within the stated deadline usually reduces it to ~€7. Don't ignore the deadline.