Excursion train, mountain railway, ferry: The Deutschlandticket is valid everywhere

Traveling easily across the entire country by train with just one ticket: The idea of the Deutschlandticket continues to enjoy great popularity. No wonder, because despite the price increase, it's not only practical for commuters but also well-suited for excursions. Whether it's a weekend getaway in good weather or even a trip abroad .

But the Deutschlandticket can do more than just get you to your destination: In some places, the journey itself is the highlight – and with the Deutschlandticket it's completely free.

Attention railway enthusiasts: If you want to see what was once Europe's largest narrow-gauge railway station, all you have to do is take the Döllnitz Railway . Once extremely important for freight transport in Saxony, the trains now only transport people (many schoolchildren) on the line between Oschatz and Mügeln.

However, the Deutschlandticket only includes rides on diesel trains. Unfortunately, a separate ticket is required for a ride on the steam locomotive "Wilder Robert."

The Döllnitz Railway leaves the Oschatz station on its way to Mügeln.

Source: IMAGO/imagebroker

Things are different in the Harz Mountains. The famous Harz narrow-gauge railway is mostly steam-powered and can be used with the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket). The exception is the Brocken Railway, which runs on the section between Drei Annen Hohne and up to the Brocken.

An equally beautiful alternative is the Selketalbahn , which starts from the UNESCO World Heritage town of Quedlingburg – with the Deutschlandticket at no additional cost.

Not far away, in the southern Harz Mountains, there's another tourist train that can be used with the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket). Even though the so-called Wipperliese isn't powered by steam, the route is definitely worth the trip – just for the ride over the spectacular Hasselbach Viaduct.

The Kirnitzschtalbahn (literally "Kirnitzsch Valley Railway") offers a leisurely journey through Saxon Switzerland. This historic tram runs between Bad Schandau and the Lichtenhain Waterfall. The railway's predecessor trains first ran on this route in 1898; today, so-called Gotha carriages from the GDR era serve the route—available with the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket) at no extra cost.

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For a limited time during the Kiel Week (end of June), the Deutschlandticket is also valid on the trains of the Holstein Switzerland Historical Railway from Kiel Central Station to the Baltic Sea resort of Schönberg.

It's part of Stuttgart's local public transport system, yet it's something truly special. Using technology that was already in use in the Middle Ages, the trains of the Stuttgart funicular are pulled from Südheimer Platz in the Heslach district, sometimes up a gradient of 28 percent, to the Waldfriedhof cemetery in Degerloch. The carriages are made primarily of wood.

The Stuttgart Cog Railway is somewhat more modern. Nevertheless, the "Zacke" is one of the last four remaining cog railways in Germany and is considered a landmark of the Baden-Württemberg capital. Both historic railways in Stuttgart are free with the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket).

In addition to the one in Stuttgart, the Zugspitze Cog Railway is also among the cog railways still in operation. From Garmisch, the railway travels at a leisurely pace up to an incredible 2,588 meters – unfortunately, the Deutschlandticket isn't valid for that distance, but it's sufficient for the section between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Grainau.

Not only can the hills and mountains of southern Germany be explored free of charge with the Deutschlandticket. Train fans will also be delighted on the Thuringian Mountain Railway , as rides on the funicular and the historic electric railcar are included. Weather permitting, there's even an open-top convertible car.

Perhaps one of the most famous means of transport in the world: the suspension railway in Wuppertal.

Source: IMAGO/Robert Poorten

These trains start at dizzying heights. The famous suspension railway in Wuppertal is part of the city's public transport system and is therefore fully included in the Germany ticket. It is the oldest operating monorail, or suspended railway, in the world.

Significantly less history and still an experience for everyone who does not come from Dortmund : The H-Bahn , also a suspended railway, can be used in Dortmund's local transport with the Deutschlandticket.

Anyone keen on a city trip with the Deutschlandticket can benefit twice in Hamburg, as the ferries in the Port of Hamburg are part of the public transport system and are therefore included in the Deutschlandticket. This is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the Elbphilharmonie, Landungsbrücken, and Blankenese from the water.

When you think of Hamburg, everyone immediately thinks of ferries, but what about Berlin ? There are also several ferries there that take people with a Deutschlandticket across the Spree, Havel, and some lakes free of charge. The exception is the ferry to Peacock Island.

Other ferries that can be used with the Deutschlandticket include the Warnow ferry in Rostock, the Elbe ferries in Dresden or the ferries in the Rhine-Moselle transport association .

The Priwall ferry in Lübeck and the Förde ferry line F1 near Kiel also offer ferry trips at no extra cost with the Deutschlandticket. Even a ferry trip abroad is possible: from Schöna in Saxony, you can take the ferry to Hřensko in the Czech Republic at no extra charge.

A unique experience is also a ride on the transporter bridge in Rendsburg, Schleswig-Holstein. The ride was usually free with the Deutschlandticket, but the ferry is currently out of service due to a technical defect. It is scheduled to resume service in September 2025.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter .

travel reporter