As the first ball is kicked on June 16, countless football fans from across Europe will be making their way to Germany. It’s the perfect time to tackle the topic of mobility. ECC Malta offers essential information on Germany’s unique aspects, costs, and potential consequences when using public transport during the European Championship 2024.
Stadium Ticket Holders Travel for Free – But There’s a Catch
The greenest and most comfortable way to travel to and within Germany is by train. But which ticket should you choose? One standout option is the “Fan Pass,” a free 36-hour ticket linked to your match ticket, accessible via the UEFA EURO 2024 App. This pass allows you to use the public transport network in the host city from 06.00 on match day until 18.00 the following day.
The validity area corresponds to the local transport association’s sector. However, Germany has more than 60 transport associations (“Verkehrsverbünde”), each with varying operational areas – ranging from a few cities to an entire state. Therefore, travellers should check the coverage in advance, as the ticket might not be valid in a neighbouring network. Using public transportation in an invalid network is considered fare evasion and typically results in a fine of 60 euros. The relevant public transport areas can be found on the official UEFA homepage (under “Travel areas”).
Special Fares Within Germany
For those travelling around Germany, the “DB Ticket Euro 2024” offers access to regional and high-speed trains between tournament venues. The first-class costs 39.90 euros, and the second-class is 29.90 euros. Travellers arriving by train from their home countries can also enjoy a discount: the “Interrail Pass Euro 2024” provides a 25 per cent discount for travel from 33 European countries. These offers can be booked via the Deutsche Bahn website and the DB Navigator app.
For those aiming to travel as cheaply as possible, the “Deutschland-Ticket” by Deutsche Bahn is a great option. Unlike the special EURO 2024 offers, this ticket is available to everyone. It allows unlimited travel across Germany for just 49 euros a month – but only on regional and local trains, buses, trams, and underground trains. This means a ticket bought in Freiburg can also be used on the Berlin underground, Hamburg ferries, or a regional train in Munich.
However, this ticket is not valid for long-distance trains such as the ICE (Intercity Express), IC (Intercity), and EC (Eurocity) trains. Connections operated by other companies, like Flixtrain, are also excluded.
What to consider when purchasing a Deutschland-Ticket?
The Deutschland-Ticket is only available on a subscription basis for entire calendar months. If the contract is not cancelled by the tenth of the month, it automatically extends for another month. The European Consumer Centre Germany (ECC) recommends subscribing before the 10th and cancelling the contract immediately after signing up. This prevents any unexpected surprises. There are two ways to cancel the subscription: via the customer area or this online form.
If something goes wrong on your train journey, you can use the ECC’s Malta online article to quickly find out your rights, including the compensation you may be entitled to https://eccnetmalta.gov.mt/rail-passenger-rights/ .