Longest Regional Train Journeys in Germany with €49 Ticket
Longest Regional Train Journeys in Germany with €49 Ticket
With the freedom to travel anywhere in the country, Germany’s €49 ticket could really come into its own this summer. If you’re planning to use it for a weekend trip, here are some of the Longest Regional Train Journeys in Germany with €49 Ticket without changing trains.
Last summer, Germany’s €9 ticket whipped up excitement about travelling by train. Families used the cheap ticket to nip off on day trips at the weekend, others used it for their daily commute, and some ambitious (and budget-conscious) travelers even took monumental regional train journeys across the country. Now, almost a year later, the €49 Deutschlandticket has launched – and like its predecessor, it will also pave the way for affordable travel. With the new monthly travel card, you can take regional or local trains anywhere in the country, from Heidelberg to Dresden. If you’re looking to embark on an adventure while admiring Germany’s diverse landscapes, these long regional train journeys are perfect for you. 
1. Rostock to Elsterwerda (390km)
By far the longest stretch of regional track in the country is the RE 5 route from Rostock – a city on the north coast – to Elsterwerda in the deepest reaches of southern Brandenburg. With a travel time of five hours, this journey is no mean feat, but luckily the train passes through Berlin, giving weary travelers a chance to stop off in the capital for a coffee or some lunch. Elsterwelda itself is located in a beautiful yet rugged moorland nature park that’s a perfect rural retreat in summer. That said, if you’re in the market for a city break, the town is just a stone’s throw away from Dresden on the RB31.
2. Cottbus to Wismar (365km)
In terms of sheer kilometers traveled, a trip on the RE2 from Cottbus in Brandenburg to Wismar on the Baltic coast offers a lot of bang for your buck. Once again, this 4.5-hour trip will take you through Berlin, but it also travels through Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania via the popular tourist destination of Schwerin before eventually arriving at the charming port town of Wismar. Here you’ll find beaches, unspoiled wildlife, and a little seaside resort complete with a historic pier – the perfect spot for a weekend away.
3. Stralsund to Falkenberg Elster (360km)
If you’re looking for a seaside town that’s steeped in history, look no further than Stralsund – and with a direct train taking you there from destinations as far away as Falkenberg (Elster), it’s a perfect escape for those in northeastern Germany. Stralsund is located on the Baltic coast in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, not too far from the Polish border. The tiny town of Falkenberg, meanwhile, is in the southwestern part of Brandenburg near Saxony. Though the RE3 route takes five hours from start to finish, one of the attractions of this line is how many picturesque places you pass on the way. As well as taking you through the German capital, you can also stretch your legs at Chorin, which is home to a stunning medieval monastery.
4. Koblenz to Mannheim (330km)
Hopping to the other side of the country, there’s a route that wine lovers and culture-vultures are bound to enjoy: the RE1 (SÜDWEX) train from Koblenz to Mannheim. Starting in the picturesque town of Koblenz along the banks of the Rhein, the route curves around past Trier and Saarbrücken before arriving in the historic university town of Mannheim. In around four hours, you’ll weave through the heart of the Mosel Valley – a verdant, hilly region famous for its Riesling. The other great thing about this route is the accessibility to other cities. Koblenz is located halfway between Bonn and Frankfurt, while Mannheim Hauptbahnhof is just a 15-minute S-Bahn ride from Heidelberg.
5. Hof to Munich (315km)
In terms of sheer landmass, Bavaria is Germany’s largest state – and you can travel almost the full length of it by taking the Alex-Länderbahn (RE2) from Hof to Munich. On the way down south from the Thuringian border to the mountainous reaches of Upper Bavaria, you’ll stop off at the medieval university town of Regensburg – ideal for a quick pitstop if the 3.5-hour journey feels a bit too long. During the summer, Bavaria’s capital is alive with cultural events and festivals – including the Tollwood performing arts festival, which is always worth a visit. But for those looking for more of a rural escape, you can reach countless sprawling lakes like Tegernsee and Ammersee by taking just a short trip on another regional train.
6. Göttingen to Glauchau (300km)
Admittedly, Göttingen isn’t top of many people’s travel lists, but if you fancy being transported back in time, it’s well worth a visit. The university city is one of a handful of places in Germany where the medieval center is largely unspoiled, complete with timber-framed houses and a rampart enclosing the Altstadt. And despite the quaint setting, the student population keeps things lively. A single journey on the RE1 route will take you all the way from Lower Saxony to the Saxon town of Glauchau – a pretty town with an impressive fortress and acres of parkland – in around 3 hours and 40 minutes. With a stop-off in Erfurt, the historic capital of Thuringia, history buffs will have lots to keep them entertained.
7. Lübeck to Stettin (295km)
The five-hour RE4 trip from Lübeck to Stettin, included in the Deutschlandticket, is a bit of a slog. Lübeck, not far from Hamburg and accessible by RE8, is a charming medieval town with cobbled streets, cathedral spires, and marzipan’s birthplace. Its rich Hanseatic history, coastal resorts, and culinary culture add to its allure. Stettin (Szczecin) in Poland is a lively harbor town with a stunning Renaissance castle and intriguing museums, like PRL – Poland’s version of Berlin’s DDR Museum.
8. Leipzig to Nuremberg (290km)
This route is truly exciting: a trip from one of Saxony’s most vibrant cities to the historic city of Nuremberg in Bavaria. Sure, the ICE follows this route as well, but if you have a few extra hours to spare, you can do it in around four hours on the RE42 while using your €49 ticket. Whichever direction you’re coming from, an unmissable experience awaits you on the other side. Whether it’s visiting trendy bars and exploring hipster neighborhoods in Leipzig or delving into the long (and sometimes dark) past of Bavaria’s second city, both destinations should be on your ‘to-visit’ list. If you want to break up the journey, the RE42 also stops at Jena in Thuringia: a fascinating city that played a key role in the reunification movement back in DDR times.
9. Düsseldorf to Kassel (290km)
At 3 hours 20 minutes, the Düsseldorf to Kassel route is the quickest of our long-distance train journeys – and it also offers a whistle-stop tour of Germany’s post-industrial heartlands. On the way to the Hessian city, you’ll pass through Duisburg, Mülheim, Essen, and Dortmund, before finally arriving in Kassel. For English speakers, the town lives up to its name: it does indeed have a magnificent neo-Gothic castle known as Löwenburg, set amongst sprawling UNESCO parkland. Here, you’ll also find the famous Teufelsbrücke, which crosses a rushing waterfall, and high atop a hill, the Hercules monument.
With the €49 ticket in hand, you have the opportunity to embark on some of Germany’s most scenic and longest regional train journeys in Germany with €49 ticket. Whether you choose to venture along the coast, through historic towns, or across picturesque landscapes, each trip promises an unforgettable experience. So, if you’re ready to explore the beauty of Germany, plan your journey using the €49 ticket and get ready for an adventure-filled summer. Happy travels!
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