This is by far the cheapest and most convenient method of travel in Marburg. Unlike most parts of the US, it is actually safe to walk in Marburg. Sidewalks abound and their are crosswalk with lights everywhere. With the exception of the Lahnberge, most subject buildings and most things you will want to go to downtown are with in about a half hour to 40 minute walk from Studentendorf. If you live in Christan-Wolf Haus or in Wehrda (which are far from the city center) see the section on buses.
Bikes are very popular in Marburg so there are plenty of places to park them. With this popularity comes the increased possibility of theft. If you bring a good bike with you or have one shipped be sure to have a good lock. If you really want a bike in Marburg try and find a cheap, used one in Germany.
Marburg has a good bus system. You can get to most places in the city from the stops near the Studentendorfs.
If you have a pass you do not have to show it to the driver unless it is after 8 p.m. You just get on the bus. Normal tickets and the Mehrfahrtkarten can be bought from the driver. The Mehrfartkarten must be stamped in the orange or green boxes in the bus. For further information see Section 4.8.2.
Note: Donít think that you can ride the bus for free because the driver does not check your pass each time you get on. Occasionally throughout the year controllers will come on the buses and check for passes and tickets. If you are caught without a pass or ticket they fine you 60 DM. Thereíre unforgiving as well so donít think that you can just talk your way out of the situation.
All of these trains of course cost money. You are charged by the distance you travel. To find out prices for cities in your region you can just check on the ticket machines otherwise ask at the counter. Deutsch Bahn takes cash and most major credit cards.
IR, RE, RB, S, D, and SE all are on the basic rates (ticket price. IC and EC are the basic rate plus a Zuschläge (additional charge). Which is 6 DM at the ticket counter (or automate) or 8 DM if you pay on the train. ICE have a pricing system of their own, ask at a ticket counter before you get on one.
Other charges will be incurred if you want a reservation on an IC, EC, D, IR, or ICE. They usually run between 3 to 5 DM. If you want a bed or a coutchett on a night train you have to pay more. Usually you reserve this or just pay the conductor on the train.
The German train system is considered to be one of the most reliable in Europe. This is true but it is also one of the more expensive. There are however ways to save money whether you are going to be taking a long journey or just a short trip.
The easiest way to save cash is to purchase a BahnCard. The initial cost is 110 DM (for people under 25 years old, 2nd class travel) but from the date of purchase you save 50% on all train travel within Germany for one year. With the prices as they are you will start saving money quickly. They can be purchased at any ticket counter after filling out a form. When buying tickets from the counter just show them the card. When buying tickets from a machine purchase the child priced ticket and then show the conductor your BahnCard when he or she checks your ticket on the train.
Another wonderful saver is the WochenendeTicket. It allows up to 5 people travel anywhere in Germany on RE, RB, S, and SE trains for a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) for 35 DM. It is a slow way to travel but it is by far the cheapest. They can be purchased at the ticket counter. This ticket has caused these trains to be quite crowded on the weekends.
Other discount offers can be found in the Deutsche Bahn brochure entitled Bahnangebote or by asking at the ticket counter.
Passes can be cost effective and convenient if you travel a lot. They vary in their time limits and what trains you can travel. Some passes will allow you unlimited travel for a period of time. Others will allow you a certain number of days in a larger period of time.
The most used passes are those that allow one or two months of unlimited travel. Of these there are two types, the Eurorail pass and the Interrail pass. The Eurorail pass can only be bought in the USA. Juniata can send you a pass for one month to travel second class in most of Europe (not in Great Britain and some countries in eastern Europe). There is also a two month pass but Juniata only pays for the one month. The only time you have to pay anything extra for any train is when making a reservation and sometimes for a sleeper car. In Germany this means that you can ride ICEs (at no extra cost) and do not have to pay Zuschläge on ICs and an ECs. Eurorail also has other types of passes. A popular one allows 14 non-consecutive days of travel in two months. Ask a travel agent in the states for more information.
The other option for this type of pass is the Interrail pass. This pass can only be bought in Europe and Juniata will reimburse you for a one month pass on the following semester bill. You can buy these at a train station or some travel offices. All of Europe, Morocco, and Turkey have been split up into seven zones. You buy the zones you are going to be traveling in. Prices vary for just one zone from 380 to 420 DM. Other price are: 500 DM (2 Zones), 560 DM (3 zones), and 630 DM (all Zones). Prices were correct in 1996.
| Zone | 1 Zone (DM) | Countries |
| A | 420 | Great Britain, North Ireland, Rep. of Ireland |
| B | 380 | Sweden, Norway, Finland |
| C | 420 | Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria |
| D | 420 | Poland, Chech Rep., Slovak Rep., Hungary, Croatian, Bulgaria, Romania |
| E | 420 | France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg |
| F | 380 | Spain, Portugal, Morocco |
| G | 420 | Italy, Slovenian, Greece, Turkey |
Unlike Eurorail you have to pay Zuschläge on trains. Also you must buy tickets for travel in your country of residence, there is a 50% discount. Like EuroRail travel is on 2nd Class and you must pay for reservations.
You have to decide which pass would be best for your travel plains. Both passes have their advantages. With both you can get discounts on ferries, ask at the ferry ticket counter.
This is the German way of saying "car pooling". You ride with someone and help pay for the gas. May times this is the cheapest way to travel. You can find rides to places of course by asking friends but other means exist.
Many people will post notices either asking for rides or offering. The main place for this is in AStA (on the ground floor of the downtown Mensa). In the hallway you will find two maps of Germany with small boxes hung beside them. Here people offer rides and request rides. If either party is interested they take the slip and give the other party a call. No one in the group tested this system but others have said that it works well.