Options Compared
Semester Ticket
~€150-300/semester
Coverage
Regional transport network
Train Types
RE, RB, S-Bahn, Bus, Tram
Pros
- Included in university fees
- Cheapest option for public transport
- No separate booking
Cons
- Regional only
- No long-distance trains
- Coverage varies
Deutschland-Ticket
€58/month
Coverage
All of Germany
Train Types
RE, RB, S-Bahn, Bus, Tram
Pros
- Nationwide validity
- Monthly cancellable
- Ideal for commuting
Cons
- No long-distance (ICE/IC)
- Monthly costs
- May overlap with semester ticket
My BahnCard 25
€38.90/year (U27)
Coverage
All Germany + EU
Train Types
All trains including ICE
Pros
- 25% off all tickets
- Valid for long-distance too
- City ticket included
Cons
- Additional tickets needed
- Under 27 only
- Annual subscription
Saving Tips for Students
Saver Fare Finder
Save up to 70%Book 1-2 weeks ahead for the cheapest Saver fares. Students with BahnCard save an additional 25%.
Super Saver Fare
Low pricesTravel across Germany at low prices - ideal for flexible students who accept train binding.
Group Ticket
Save up to 60%Travel with up to 5 people for a fixed price. Ideal for study groups or flat-share trips.
Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket
€44 per dayFor €44, travel all day with all regional trains across Germany - worth it from 2 people.
Which Ticket Suits Me?
Daily Commuter
Daily to university and back
Recommendation
Semester Ticket + My BahnCard
Why?
Semester ticket for daily use, BahnCard for trips home
Weekend Traveler
Regular trips home (>100km)
Recommendation
My BahnCard 25 + Saver fares
Why?
25% off long-distance, book early
Long-Distance Relationship
Frequent trips to another city
Recommendation
My BahnCard 50 (if >€500/year)
Why?
With high travel volume, BC50 pays off
Internship/Working Student
Regular commuting beyond transport network
Recommendation
Deutschland-Ticket
Why?
Nationwide regional transport for €58/month
Calculation: Is the My BahnCard Worth It?
The My BahnCard 25 costs €38.90 for under 27s. When is it worth it?
€38.90 ÷ 25% = €155.60
The BahnCard pays off from €156 travel costs per year
Example: Trip home Berlin → Munich:
- Saver fare without BahnCard: regular Saver
- Saver fare with My BahnCard 25: €22.40 (25% off)
- Savings per trip: €7.50
- After 6 round trips, the card pays for itself!
All About Semester Tickets
What Does the Semester Ticket Include?
- Public transport in your university's network
- S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Bus, Tram
- Usually also regional trains (RE, RB)
- No long-distance (ICE, IC, EC)
- Only in defined coverage area
Semester Ticket + Deutschland-Ticket?
Some universities offer an upgrade model:
- Some universities replaced semester ticket with Deutschland-Ticket
- Price usually lower than €58/month through solidarity model
- Check with your student union about current options
My BahnCard vs. Regular BahnCard
The My BahnCard is the discounted version for young travelers under 27:
| BahnCard | Regular | My BahnCard (U27) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| BahnCard 25 | €62.90 | €38.90 | €24 (38%) |
| BahnCard 50 | €255 | €69 | €186 (73%) |
Especially worthwhile: The My BahnCard 50 for only €69/year - one-third of the regular price!
Interrail for Students
For semester break adventures: Interrail offers discounted passes for under 27s:
- Global Pass 4 days: from €185 (Youth) vs €246 (Adult)
- Global Pass 1 month: from €446 (Youth) vs €594 (Adult)
- Valid in 33 European countries
- 2nd class, flexibly combinable
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using semester ticket on IC/ICE: This results in a fine! The semester ticket is only valid for regional transport.
- Forgetting BahnCard: Without showing your BahnCard, the ticket is invalid. Store it digitally in the app!
- Booking too late: Saver fares increase over time. 2-4 weeks ahead is optimal.
- Wrong Deutschland-Ticket: There are regional variants - check the coverage area.
Notice: All information is provided without guarantee. Schedules and availability may change at any time. For current and binding information, please visit the official provider websites. This website is not affiliated with Deutsche Bahn AG or other railway companies.
Last update: December 2025
Sources & More Information:
- Deutsche Bahn – Official Deutsche Bahn website
- DB Navigator – Official DB Navigator App
- My BahnCard – Official BahnCard overview
- Deutschland-Ticket – D-Ticket info