Traveling through southern Germany doesn’t have to drain your wallet. The Baden-Württemberg ticket turned out to be one of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel between towns when I went from Switzerland into Germany. With one ticket I could hop between regional trains all day, explore the Black Forest and Lake Constance. As a result, I could reach small towns that would have cost a fortune otherwise. If you want a budget-friendly way to explore this part of Germany, this pass is honestly a lifesaver.
What the Baden-Württemberg ticket is?
The Baden-Württemberg ticket is a regional day pass. It is valid on all regional trains (RB, RE, IRE) in all of the Baden-Württemberg region in Germany, but not valid on Intercity (ICE/IC) trains. With your ticket, you can freely use not just all local trains operated by all railway companies, but all public transport services (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses).
The Baden-Württemberg ticket is valid on any weekday of your choice from 9am to 3am the next day. On weekends, public holidays and on December 24th and 31st even from midnight to 3am the next day.
How much does the ticket cost?
You can use it also for group travels, up to five people. Additionally, up to 3 children aged between 6 and under 15 can travel free of charge. Moreover, if you want to travel with your dog, then small dogs (up to the size of a house cat) can travel free of charge in a carrier. However, larger dogs are considered passengers, so you have to purchase a ticket. You will be charged at the same rate as an adult for a larger dog.
The price of the ticket depends on the number of passengers. On the 2.class, a ticket for one person costs €27 euros. And up to four additional people, they pay €9 euros each for the journey. If you want to travel on 1.class, then a ticket for one person costs €35 euros. And up to four additional people, they pay €17 euros each for the journey.
You and all the passengers you travel with, must write their full names on their tickets immediately after boarding. Otherwise your tickets will not be valid. Reselling or giving away a used ticket is not permitted.
Baden-Württemberg ticket Night version
If you want to travel at night, there is a night version of this ticket. With this version of the ticket you can travel from Mondays to Fridays from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day. And on weekends, public holidays and on December 24th and 31st even until 7 a.m. the next day. The price of the night ticket is €24; up to four additional passengers they pay €9 each.
Where can you travel with the Baden-Württemberg ticket?
You can travel with this ticket not just in the region of Baden-Württemberg, but all within the validity area. So, you can move in all of Baden-Württemberg (e.g. Stuttgart, Freiburg, Black Forest, Lake Constance, Karlsruhe).
Moreover, the ticket is good for cross-border travellers staying near the Swiss-German border. That means you can use e.g. from Basel or Schaffhausen to travel to or from Southern Germany. Or to and from some stations in Bavaria.
You can see the exact area on the route map, which you can download from here. With this ticket, you can do unlimited rides for the whole day in the validity area.
When it’s worth buying? Pros and cons
If you’re doing multiple trains in one day, this ticket can be way cheaper even than a one way ticket.
When you’re travelling with friends or family. If you add multiple people, they could get the ticket at a cheaper price.
If you’re exploring for example the Black Forest or hopping between small towns.
Pros: cheap, unlimited travel within the validity area, easy for day trips, great for groups.
Cons: regional trains are slower, expect potential delays, regional trains can get crowded, the ticket is not valid on faster Intercity trains.
Where can you buy the Baden-Württemberg ticket?
You can buy the ticket at train stations and from DB ticket machines. You can purchase online on the DB website, from here. You can buy this ticket from the conductor, but there will be a price difference, because they will add a little fee to your purchase then. And at last, but not least, you can purchase the ticket in the DB App.
I recommend to use the App. If you plan your journey in the DB App, it will notify you of the changes and delays. Or whether you can make the connection when you have to transfer. You can see at what platform you will arrive, and what platform you shall change to. So, the App can be very useful.
How to plan your day trip?
The Baden-Württemberg Ticket becomes valid at 9:00 a.m. on weekdays, so plan your route with this in mind. Check the timetable for trains departing shortly after 9 to make the most of your travel day. On weekends and public holidays, the ticket is valid all day.
Regional trains are slower, so pick destinations reachable within 1–2 hours each way. Regional trains can get crowded or delayed, so save a couple of return options.
Since the ticket is valid nearly all day, you can add extra spontaneous stops. You can take a detour through a scenic route or explore another town on the way back.
It’s a great ticket for slow, flexible travel. Check the train types, make sure to avoid ICE/IC/EC trains since the ticket is not valid on them. Regional trains run reasonably often, so you will have flexibility.
If you are curious about my day trip travelling to the Black Forest using the Baden-Württemberg ticket, you can read about it here.
Conclusion
The Baden-Württemberg Ticket is simple, flexible, and surprisingly affordable for a country where public transport usually feels priced for royalty. Whether you’re crossing over from Switzerland, exploring the Black Forest, or hopping between charming German towns, this regional pass makes slow travel easy. It’s not fancy, and you won’t be speeding across the country on ICE trains, but for budget-minded travellers, it’s easily one of the best deals you can get.
