Spectacular routes with the regional train

High gasoline and diesel prices are hitting many drivers hard. To relieve commuters and at the same time encourage them to switch to public transport, the federal government is planning discounted tickets for regional trains and buses.

In concrete terms, this means that trips with regional and local transport should only cost 9 euros per month throughout Germany in June, July and August. The Bundestag will vote on the € 2.5 billion project on May 18 or 19. This was reported by the German publishing network (RND).

9 euro ticket during the holidays?

The duration of the experiment would therefore fall in the middle of the holiday season. Travelers also benefit, as arrival and departure with the 9-euro ticket is likely to be cheaper in many cases than by car. Also, the savings price could allow many people on a tight travel budget to take a trip or a short vacation to Germany.

With the monthly flat rate, the whole of Germany can easily be explored by train. But which goals are particularly worthwhile? The 9 euro ticket on the railway lines with a panoramic view is a special treat. The travel reporter shows a selection of the most beautiful routes with regional trains.

1. With the Mittelrheinbahn through the Palatinate

Rhineland-Palatinate shows its most beautiful side on the tracks of the Mittelrheinbahn. The route runs along the Rhine from Cologne via Bonn and Koblenz to Mainz.

From the windows of the regional train there is a splendid panoramic view of the ancient castles and idyllic vineyards of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are many attractions along the way. For example, it is worth making a stop to visit the 800-year-old Andernach Cathedral, which is one of the oldest cities in Germany.

The Roman complexes in the picturesque center of Boppard and the Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar are also easily accessible from the Mittelrheinbahn train stations.

2. To the source of the Danube with the Black Forest Railway

The Black Forest Railway connects Offenburg in western Baden-Württemberg with Lake Constance. The 149-kilometer route winds its way through dense mountain forests and 39 tunnels.

When traveling with great views, train travelers should plan a layover in Triberg. From the train station it is only five kilometers to a 163 meter high waterfall. During an adventurous ride, visitors to Triberg also learn a lot about the Black Forest Railway, which was built in the second half of the 19th century.

In Donaueschingen, another train station on the Black Forest route, you have the opportunity to visit the source of the Danube. The gurgling spectacle of spring water in the princely basin in the castle park fascinates onlookers from near and far, because the rising water forms the origin of the 2,857-kilometer river through ten countries.

3. Beach hopping in the Bay of Lübeck

The railway lines from Lübeck and Hamburg to Fehmarn could also be described as bathing routes. On the way to the famous sunny island, regional trains stop at the Baltic Sea train stations of Timmendorfer Strand, Scharbeutz, Haffkrug, Lensahn, Neustadt and Grossenbode.

Whether it’s originality in Scharbeutz, coziness in Neustadt or a little chic in Timmendorfer Strand: with the 9-euro ticket, travelers can head to several Baltic Sea beaches at the same time. It is usually less than a 20-minute walk from train stations in the Bay of Lübeck.

There is even more beach at the destination station on Fehmarn. With over 2100 hours of sunshine per year, the island is one of the sunniest regions in Germany. The most popular and at the same time largest stretch of beach is Burgtiefe South Beach, a 2.5km long and up to 60m wide holiday paradise with white sand, blue water and great views of the Fehmarnsund Bridge.

4. Heavenly view from the Höllentalbahn

If you travel with the 9 euro ticket, you can embark for free for the next adventure in Donaueschingen: a ride on the Höllentalbahn.

The railway line crosses many historic tunnels and bridges from Freiburg to Villingen. On a twelve-kilometer stretch between Himmelreich and Hinterzarten, it traverses 400 meters of altitude and thus holds the record as the steepest railway line in Germany.

Heavenly views continually open up from the windows of the Höllentalbahn. A highlight is the view from the 224 meter long Ravenn viaduct over the Ravenna gorge.

5. Explore Lake Constance with the Bodenseegurtbahn

The Lake Constance Belt Railway runs along Lake Constance. The route runs mainly along the coast. This makes it one of the most beautiful rail routes in Germany.

The route connects the pretty villages north and east of Lake Constance. Train passengers can, for example, explore the island town of Lindau with its beautiful 15th-century town hall and in Friedrichshafen enjoy the spectacular lake views from the observation tower or the cozy waterfront cafes.

When the weather is nice, you can even see the Alps on the horizon.

6. Wine tasting on the Moselle route

Back to Rhineland-Palatinate: the famous Moselle line runs to the left of the Moselle, perhaps the most beautiful railway line in Germany. The winding route crosses the idyllic landscapes of Koblenz via Treis-Karden, Cochem, Bullay and Wittlich to Trier.

With a stop in Neef, travelers can savor the benefits of a train ride and taste carefree local wines, for example as a reward for a hike on the Calmont via ferrata to Europe’s steepest vineyard. From the vantage point, visitors have a unique view of the Moselle ring.

If necessary, wine knowledge can be further developed by changing at Pündrich train station to the “Moselweinbahn” to Traben-Trarbach.

7. With the Elbe Valley Railway to the mountain fortress

The impressive sandstone formations of Saxon Switzerland are easily accessible by the Elbe Valley Railway. On the German part of the approximately 40-kilometer-long route from Dresden to Prague, the tracks cross idyllic landscapes of the Elbe.

Along the way, alluring cities and hiking trails through Saxon Switzerland invite you to stop, for example in Wehlen, Bad Schandau, Krippen, Schöna and, of course, Dresden. Provisional terminus of this tour: the huge Koenigstein mountain fortress.

8. Across the Wadden Sea to Westerland

During the approximately three-hour train journey from Hamburg to Sylt, the anticipation of a beach holiday reaches its peak shortly after Klanxbüll. Because that’s where the train turns on the famous Hindenburgdamm.

The eleven kilometer long embankment, opened in 1927 and equipped with double tracks in 1972, crosses the Wadden Sea. From the windows of the regional trains, travelers have a splendid view of the coastal landscape, unique in the world. From Westerland train station it is only a few minutes’ walk to the 40 km long sandy beach.

Regional trains to Sylt leave Hamburg (with change at Elmshorn) approximately every hour.

9. Train journey to “Racing Roland” in Rügen

Racing Roland has been running through the southeast of the island of Rügen for 125 years. Unfortunately the 9 euro ticket does not include a ride on the iconic train, but with Binz (RE 9) or the Baltic town of Göhren with Putbus (RB 26 from Bergen) you can reach some stations from which it departs.

If you want to take the narrow-gauge steam railway, you can also travel to Sellin and Baabe, among other locations, at a pleasant speed of 30 kilometers per hour. In summer, the train also arrives at the Mole di Lauterbach.

The “Racing Roland” is a popular attraction with island guests and at the same time an integral part of the local transport network. We have already tried “Racing Roland” and captured the racing for you in the video:

From the island’s train stations, visitors can, for example, set off on excursions through the island’s various landscapes and switch to a steamer for an excursion on the Baltic Sea.