My Deutschlandticket Journies
Background I’ve always pictured traveling a lot through Germany during my studies. While I spent almost the entire first semester in my dormitory, the end of the second semester marked the first time I saw parts of Germany beyond Hamburg (apart from a conference in Berlin). Due to the Covid pandemic, the German government increased domestic spending and aimed to lower living costs, partly by reducing transportation expenses. The result: For June, July, and August 2022, it was possible to purchase tickets for 9€, granting access to all local transportation (including buses, ferries, and U-Bahn) and regional trains. Students at the University of Hamburg, who already had free access to local transportation in Hamburg, saw their tickets become valid nationwide. I had to seize this amazing opportunity to explore the country because there is nothing like exploring Germany by train. In May 2023, the German government introduced a successor to the 9€ ticket, the 49€ ticket or Deutschlandticket, which we students also received. ...