Visiting 5 foreign cities with a 49 euro ticket in Germany? This May 2023, and the long-awaited 49 euro ticket is officially in operation. If you want to make the most of all the Feiertage days this month and are feeling a little more adventurous than a day trip to Schloss Neuschwanstein, here’s a look at the non-German cities you can visit, all with your trusty 49 euro ticket.

Use a 49 Euro ticket in Germany to visit 5 foreign cities

As of May 1, 2023, the 49 euro Deutschlandticket has been valid on all regional trains and public transport across the federal republic. While this means there is no need to take long-distance ICE or IC trains, with a little patience one can get quite far with a 49 euro ticket.

This includes crossing borders into some of Germany’s eight neighbouring countries. Since national rail tariff borders are often not located on the actual border between two countries, in some cases the German national tariff still applies to stations on the other side of the neighbouring border.

Provided there is regional transport for these connections, the €49 ticket can be used to cross these borders. From Tønder to Salzburg, this is how to really get the most out of your monthly pass.

Use the 49 Euro ticket in Germany to visit 5 foreign cities: Tønder, Denmark

Let’s start at the beginning. Starting in Niebüll, Schleswig-Holstein, the RB66 crosses the border into Denmark and arrives in Tønder, a quaint Danish town that hosts its namesake festival every summer? a staple of the folk-fan calendar.

And if you want to make the trip truly life-changing with a €49 ticket, remember that the Danish border town has been a favourite with European escapees since the 1960s. Denmark’s marriage laws mean that many couples opt for Scandi-style arrangements to avoid Germany’s arduous bureaucracy.

Use the 49 Euro ticket in Germany to visit 5 foreign cities: Venlo, Netherlands

With the RE13, it takes just six minutes to cross the border from Germany and arrive in Venlo, a small town in the Netherlands that has made a name for itself in world history. During World War II, the town became famous for the Venlo incident, in which two British spies were kidnapped by the German SS and used by the Nazis to link the UK to an assassination attempt on Hitler. 

Because they’re all located near the border, many of the overseas destinations accessible with a €49 ticket have their own specific stories to tell about international relations during World War I and World War II. But if you’re looking to unwind during your spring or summer travels, a visit to the Meuse River followed by a cold beer in the Cafe de Klep beer garden might just do the trick.

Use the 49 Euro ticket in Germany to visit 5 foreign cities: Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Via Koblenz and Trier with the RE11, tourists can end their journey in one of Europe’s most visited countries, Luxembourg. This comes with an added bonus, one that fans of the overlooked but unforgettable 9-euro ticket will surely love: all public transport in Luxembourg is free for residents and tourists alike. This policy, implemented in 2020, means you can explore the entire small country for free.

But if you find yourself desperate to get off a sweaty train, little Luxembourg is known for something else – it’s one of the only countries that can be crossed on foot with relative ease. Walking across southern Luxembourg from Wormeldange to the Belgian town of Aubange will take you just under 12 hours, including a stop for lunch in Luxembourg City, the country’s capital.

Use the 49 Euro ticket in Germany to visit 5 foreign cities: Strasbourg, France

Located just across the Rhine, Strasbourg is the perfect trip for French people who like living in Germany, the combination of the two countries will leave German learners disoriented after hearing too much Alsatian. Starting in the German city of Offenburg, the RB25 can take you from the almost indistinguishable regional speciality of Flammkuchen  to tarte flambée in just over half an hour.

Now this addition to the list might technically be a cheat. Since Strasbourg doesn’t actually allow the €49 ticket to cross its territory, you’ll need to spend a few extra euros. Get off at the last stop in Germany, Kehl, and transfer to the tram at the stop outside Bahnhof Kehl, after a few stops on this cross-country tram you’ll be in the Alsatian city centre.

A walkable city with plenty to see, Strasbourg is a great weekend getaway from the federal republic. The city’s Notre Dame Cathedral is impressive in scale, towering over the old town, and the Upper Rhine Valley that runs through it makes for some shady, waterside picnic spots.

Use the 49 Euro ticket in Germany to visit 5 foreign cities: Salzburg, Austria

For trips to cities outside Germany, this is how much you can get for a 49 euro ticket. About two hours from Munich with the Bavarian RE5, you can be in the heart of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

Surrounded by the Alps, Salzburg is best known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1756. Much of the city’s tourism industry is centred on this spot, with Mozartkugel pistachios and chocolate marzipan taking centre stage in many shops and tourist attractions . Now plug in your headphones, turn on Wolfie’s 1782 hit Leck mich im Arsch (Lick My Ass) and wander the picturesque countryside!

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49 Euro Tickets In Germany And Everything You Need To Know