Stamping Train Tickets In Bavaria: Is It Necessary?

If you're travelling by train in Bavaria, you might be wondering whether you need to stamp your ticket. The answer depends on the type of ticket you have. If you have a Bayern Ticket, which offers unlimited travel in Bavaria on regional trains, buses, U-Bahns and more for a day, you do not need to stamp your ticket. However, if you have a different type of ticket, such as a single trip ticket, you will need to stamp it. Stamping your ticket is important because if you don't, you may be fined by a conductor. To stamp your ticket, look for a blue box at the platform entrances and insert your ticket into the slot.

Where to buy a Bayern Ticket

The Bayern Ticket is a great way to save money on travel in the German state of Bavaria. It allows you unlimited travel for a day on regional buses and trains. The ticket is priced at 25 euros for the first passenger, and then 8 euros for each additional passenger (up to 5 adults in total).

You can buy the Bayern Ticket online, at any DB Ticket Machine, or at any ticket machine in train/tram stations (including U-Bahn, S-Bahn, etc.). You can also buy them from a ticket person at a train station, but they charge a 2-euro fee for this service, so it's more cost-effective to buy it from a machine.

• Look for a red DB Ticket Machine.
• To activate the English menu, click on the British flag.
• Look for a part of the touch screen that says "DB Special Offers" or "Top Offers".
• Select the number of passengers. If you are travelling with any dogs or children, make sure you check the rules to see if you need to pay for them as a regular passenger.
• Select your class. First class costs more, but the main perk is that first class will be much quieter and it will be easier for you to find a seat.
• Select the date of your travel.
• Choose whether or not to collect Bahn points. If you don’t know what these are, then you don’t need them.
• Look over all the details to ensure that everything is correct. Bayern Tickets aren’t amendable or refundable unless under very special circumstances, so make sure everything is correct before you pay.
• Pay, and the ticket will be printed. Don’t forget to write all passenger’s names on the ticket.
• Head over to the DB website for Bayern Tickets.
• Select whether you want a Bayern-Ticket or a Bayern-Ticket Nacht.
• Enter all the important details like the date of validity, number of passengers and class.
• At this point, they’ll ask you to log in, but you can easily check out as a guest if you don’t want to make an account.
• Select how you want to get your ticket. Most likely, it’ll be more convenient to just get a Digital Ticket.
• Once you’ve paid, you’ll receive your confirmation and your digital ticket.

It is not clear whether you need to stamp a Bayern Ticket. One source mentions that if you buy a Bayern Ticket from a machine on the day, it is self-validating and does not need to be validated before boarding. However, another source mentions that tickets need to be validated unless the date and time of travel are already printed on them. Therefore, it is advisable to check the ticket to see if it needs to be stamped.

When to use a Bayern Ticket

The Bayern Ticket is a regional day ticket that allows unlimited travel in Bavaria on regional trains, buses, U-Bahns and more for a day. It is a great option for groups or families as it offers significant savings. The first passenger pays 25 euros, and you only add 8 euros for every additional passenger (up to 5 adults in total).

• Day trips within Bavaria: If you are planning to visit places within Bavaria, such as Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich, or the lakes surrounding Munich, the Bayern Ticket offers an affordable and flexible option.
• Travel to neighbouring states and Austria: The Bayern Ticket is also valid on select routes to neighbouring states and Austria, including Salzburg. So, if you're planning to visit Salzburg, Austria, the Bayern Ticket can be a cost-effective choice.
• Multiple trips in a day: If you intend to make multiple trips within Bavaria in a day, the Bayern Ticket can be a more economical option than buying individual tickets for each journey.
• Group or family travel: The Bayern Ticket is ideal for groups or families as the cost per person decreases with each additional passenger. For example, for a group of five people, the total cost would be 63 euros, resulting in significant savings.
• Flexibility and spontaneity: The Bayern Ticket offers flexibility as you can make unlimited trips within the validity period. This is especially useful if you want to explore different places within Bavaria or make spontaneous travel decisions without the constraint of pre-booked tickets.
• Weekend or holiday travel: On weekends and public holidays, the Bayern Ticket is valid from midnight to 3 am the next day, giving you more flexibility to start your journey earlier in the day.
• Travel with children: The Bayern Ticket offers benefits for families travelling with children. Children under 5 travel for free and are not included in the count of total passengers. Additionally, up to three children aged 6 to 14 can travel free of charge, regardless of whether they are your own children or not.

However, it's important to note that the Bayern Ticket is not valid on long-distance trains (such as ICE, IC, or EC trains) and certain buses in Bavaria. Therefore, always check the validity of the ticket for your intended route before purchasing.

How to validate a Bayern Ticket

The Bayern Ticket is a regional day ticket that allows unlimited travel for a day on regional buses and trains within the German state of Bavaria. It is a great option for those looking to save money on train travel, as it offers unlimited travel for a flat rate, with additional passengers costing only 8-9 euros extra. The ticket is valid from 9 am to 3 am the next day on weekdays and from midnight to 3 am the next day on weekends and holidays.

Purchasing the Bayern Ticket

The Bayern Ticket can be purchased online, at a Deutsche Bahn (DB) ticket machine, or at a DB ticket counter. When buying online, select whether you want a regular Bayern Ticket or a Bayern Ticket Nacht (Night), enter the date of validity, the number of passengers, and the class. If buying from a machine, look for a red DB Ticket Machine and activate the English menu by clicking on the British flag. Then, find the section for "DB Special Offers" or "Top Offers" and press "Bayern Ticket". Select the number of passengers and the class, and enter the date of travel.

Validating the Bayern Ticket

Unlike some other train tickets in Germany, the Bayern Ticket does not need to be stamped or validated at a machine. This is because the ticket has specific validity times, and the date and time of travel do not need to be printed on the ticket. However, it is important to check the validity times on the ticket and ensure that all passenger names are included. The ticket is only valid if the surnames and first names of all passengers are entered, and passengers may be asked to show valid ID to confirm their identity.

Using the Bayern Ticket

The Bayern Ticket can be used for unlimited travel on regional trains (e.g. RE, RB, BOB) within Bavaria, as well as on public transportation such as the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, and most buses. It is not valid on certain buses in Bavaria or on long-distance trains such as the ICE. The ticket is ideal for day trips within Bavaria, including popular destinations like Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich, and Salzburg in Austria.

Tips for Using the Bayern Ticket

• Always buy the ticket from a machine or online to avoid a 2 euro surcharge at the ticket counter.
• Be sure to write down the names of all passengers on the ticket, as conductors may ask for ID to confirm the identities of those travelling.
• The ticket is only valid for the class selected (first or second), so be sure to sit in the correct class.
• The ticket is valid for a group of up to five people, so be sure to stick together when travelling.

The cost of a Bayern Ticket

The first passenger pays a base price of €25 for a regular Bayern Ticket or €23 for a Bayern Ticket Nacht. Each additional passenger (up to five adults total) pays €8 for a regular ticket or €5 for a Nacht ticket.

First-class tickets are more expensive than second-class tickets. The exact price depends on the number of passengers, but first-class tickets are around €15-20 more expensive than their second-class counterparts.

You can buy Bayern Tickets online, at a Deutsche Bahn (DB) ticket machine, or from a ticket person at a train station. Tickets bought online or from a machine cost the same, while tickets bought from a person at a train station cost an extra €2.

• Regular Bayern Ticket: €49
• Bayern Ticket Nacht: €41

The difference between a Bayern Ticket and a Bayern Nacht Ticket

In Bavaria, Germany, the Bayern Ticket is a travel pass that grants you unlimited travel on regional trains, buses, U-Bahns and more for a day. The ticket is priced at €25 for the first passenger, and you only add €8 for every additional passenger (up to 5 adults in total). This ticket is perfect for groups and families looking to save money on transport.

The Bayern Ticket is valid during the following times:

• Weekdays: 9 am to 3 am the next day
• Weekends and holidays: Midnight to 3 am the next day

The Bayern Ticket Nacht (Night) is a variation of the Bayern Ticket that is valid for travel during the night. It is slightly cheaper than the regular Bayern Ticket, priced at €23 for the first passenger, and an additional €5 for up to 5 total passengers. The Bayern Ticket Nacht is valid during the following times:

• Sunday to Thursday: 6 pm to 6 am the following day
• Friday, Saturdays and public holidays: 6 pm to 7 am the next day

Both the Bayern Ticket and Bayern Ticket Nacht are valid on local and regional trains, transport association services, and almost all buses in Bavaria. They are not valid on long-distance trains (ICE, IC).

You can purchase the Bayern Ticket and Bayern Ticket Nacht online, at DB Ticket Machines, or at ticket machines in train/tram stations (including U-Bahn, S-Bahn, etc.). It is recommended to buy the tickets from a machine or online, as there is a €2 surcharge for purchasing from a person at the DB Ticket Desk.

Frequently asked questions