🎓 Who Can Use the Ticket?

Students who are enrolled at an eligible university within the VGN area can purchase the ticket.
FAU is included in the list of participating universities.

During purchase, your eligibility is usually verified via university login (single sign-on / Shibboleth).
In exceptional cases, a separate verification form may be required (depending on the university and the VGN process).

📌 Fact Sheet

• 👤 Persons: 1 person (personalised)
• ⏰ Period of validity: around the clock
• 🗺️ Area of validity: valid nationwide on local public transport (2nd class)
• 🔁 Subscription: monthly subscription, runs automatically (cancellation possible every month)
• 🚫 Non-transferable: no ride sharing / not transferable
• 💶 Price: € 43.00 per month

⭐ Extras (included with purchase via participating partners / VGN)

• 🚲 600 free minutes per month for VAG_Rad
• 🛴 15 free minutes per month for Voi e-scooters

💡 Tip: The free minutes are typically redeemed via the NürnbergMOBIL app.

🚆 Train Types in Germany (Quick Guide)

If you travel by train in Germany, you will often see different train categories.
Here is a quick overview — especially useful when planning trips with the Deutschlandticket.

🚃 RB – Regionalbahn

• 🛑 Many stops: RB trains stop frequently (small towns and local stations).
• 🧭 Best for: short distances and local commuting.
• 🎟️ Deutschlandticket: ✅ valid (2nd class).

🚆 RE – Regional-Express

• ⚡ Faster than RB: RE trains stop less often and connect cities within a region.
• 🧭 Best for: medium distances and city-to-city travel.
• 🎟️ Deutschlandticket: ✅ valid (2nd class).

🚈 S-Bahn

• 🏙️ Urban/suburban network: S-Bahn trains connect city centers with surrounding towns.
• 🧭 Best for: commuting within metro areas (e.g., Nürnberg–Fürth–Erlangen region).
• 🎟️ Deutschlandticket: ✅ valid (2nd class).

🚄 ICE – Intercity-Express

The Intercity-Express (ICE) is Germany’s fastest and most comfortable type of train and is used mainly for long-distance travel.

• 🚄 High-speed: up to 300 km/h, connecting major cities and neighboring countries.
• 🛑 Few stops: mostly large stations, therefore much faster than RE or S-Bahn trains.
• 💺 Comfort: air-conditioned, free Wi-Fi, onboard restaurant/bistro, quiet zones, power outlets.
• 🎟️ Tickets: requires a separate long-distance ticket (e.g. Sparpreis/Flexpreis), available via DB Navigator or bahn.de.

❌ Important

The Deutschlandticket is NOT valid on ICE trains.

⏱️ Example

Nürnberg ↔ Munich takes about 1 hour by ICE (compared to nearly 2 hours with regional trains).

In short: ICE = fastest and most comfortable option for long-distance travel, but also more expensive and not included in the Deutschlandticket.

🗺️ Validity Basics: What “Deutschlandticket” Covers

The Deutschlandticket (and the discounted student version) is valid on local and regional public transport in Germany:

• 🚆 Local/regional trains: RB, RE, S-Bahn
• 🚌 Public transport: buses, trams, U-Bahn (metro/subway)

Not valid on long-distance services

The Deutschlandticket is not valid on long-distance trains operated by DB Fernverkehr (e.g. IC, EC, ICE)
or other long-distance providers (e.g. FlixTrain).

🔀 Combining Local + Long-Distance Travel (Important Practical Rule)

You may use the Deutschlandticket for the local transport segments of your trip:

• ✅ the regional/local section before boarding a long-distance train
• ✅ the regional/local section after leaving a long-distance train

For the long-distance part (IC/EC/ICE), you need a separate ticket.

⚠️ In some regions there are exceptions (e.g., certain services/routes). These exceptions are shown in the official journey planner / timetable information.

🏞️ Tourist & Historic Services (Excluded)

The ticket is not valid on transport services that are operated primarily for touristic or historic purposes
(e.g., some heritage railways or special tourist lines).

📄 Detailed Validity Table (Rail Transport)

For a detailed overview of the validity area of the Deutschlandticket (rail services), see the official PDF table here:

https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:35c032ce-e559-4b4d-82ce-ce207d374b45/20231221_Geltungsbereich-D-Ticket.pdf

🌍 Does the Deutschlandticket Work for Trips Abroad?

In general, the Deutschlandticket is valid throughout Germany on local transport, and on selected cross-border routes.
These are connections that can also be used with the Deutschlandtarif and, in some cases, with tickets from German transport associations or state tariffs.

Included cross-border routes (examples)

• 🚉 Joint border stations: Salzburg, Kufstein, Schaffhausen (including access routes)
• 🇫🇷 Selected routes to France (e.g., Lauterbourg and Wissembourg, depending on the local transport association)
• 🇳🇱 Selected routes to the Netherlands
• 🇦🇹 DB Regio routes in the Außerfern (valid only between Germany and Austria; not for trips solely within Austria)

Important: Which exact routes are included (and whether special rules apply) depends on the respective provider, transport association, or state tariff.
Please check the detailed notes in the official validity information for rail transport (see the PDF linked above).

🚉 Where Is the Ticket Valid in the VGN Region?

✅ The ticket is valid

• Germany-wide on local public transport (2nd class)
• Within the VGN network on regional/local transport (e.g. RB/RE, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, regional buses)
• On on-demand services (e.g. AST “Anrufsammeltaxi”) with the corresponding surcharge

❌ The ticket is not valid

• in 1st class
• on long-distance trains requiring surcharges (e.g. IC/ICE) — not even with additional payment
• on long-distance buses
• for dogs or bicycles (separate rules/tickets may apply depending on region/operator)

Important: You must carry an identity document at all times while using the ticket.

🛒 How and When to Order

The student discount ticket must be ordered no later than the 20th of the current month.
Depending on your choice during purchase, the ticket will be displayed in one of the apps below.

⚠️ Please note: Due to potentially high demand and processing times, the ticket may not be available immediately after purchase.

✅ Purchase options (app ticket)

• 🛍️ VGN online shop
• 📱 App “VGN Fahrplan & Tickets”
• 📱 App “NürnbergMOBIL”

🏦 How to Buy the Semester Ticket (Important for Foreign IBANs)

Since the payment service provider LogPay may have difficulties processing foreign IBANs, this can lead to ordering problems via VGN and NüMO.
To help students, VAG has provided a recommended purchase method via the VAG subscription portal.

✅ Step-by-step (via browser)

1. Open your browser and go to
   https://meinabo.vag.de/
   and search for “Ermäßigungsticket Studierende”.
   Or use the direct link:
   https://meinabo.vag.de/abo/new.aspx?produkt=16230706_1
   
2. Choose your university.
3. You will now be redirected to the website of the German Research Network (DFN).
4. Select your university again.
5. Log in using your university single sign-on (SSO).
6. If required, agree that your university may transfer the necessary data to VAG, and confirm.
7. Select April 1 (or October 1 for the winter semester) as the start of validity and click continue.
8. The price may be shown as € 63 per month first; below it you will see your personal contribution of € 43. Click continue.
9. Enter your personal data and bank details. Tick both boxes to issue the SEPA Core Direct Debit mandate. Click continue.
10. Select the app you want to use for your ticket and decide whether you want a photo on the ticket.
11. If you do not want to upload a photo, select:

    „Ich möchte ein Ticket mit Hinweis ’nur gültig mit amtlichem Lichtbildausweis’“

    In this case, you must always carry an official photo ID when using the ticket.

12. Check your details and order the ticket.

⏳ Need a Ticket Before the Official Semester Start?

If you need a public transport ticket before the official semester start dates (April 1 and October 1),
you should buy a regular Deutschlandticket at the normal price for that period.

One option is MoPla, which offers a multilingual booking process and a simplified cancellation option:

https://en.mopla.solutions/en/tickets/deutschlandticket

🔐 How Does the Eligibility Check Work?

The authorisation check is carried out automatically during the purchasing process.
In most cases, authentication is done via a university login (single sign-on / Shibboleth).
If a university login is not available for the check, a verification form may be used as proof of eligibility.

🧾 Cancellation Rules

The subscription continues automatically but can be cancelled monthly.
Cancellations must be completed by the 10th of the month at the latest for the end of that calendar month.

Example: Cancel by 10 December to end the subscription at the end of December.

If you purchased via the VGN online shop, you can usually cancel under “meinAbo” using the cancellation button next to your ticket.

🛴 Extra Benefits: VAG_Rad and Voi (Practical Notes)

If purchased through participating partners (e.g. via VGN/VAG channels), the ticket can include:

• 🚲 600 free minutes/month for VAG_Rad
• 🛴 15 free minutes/month for Voi e-scooters

Voi e-scooters (local availability)

In the Nuremberg/Fürth/Erlangen region, Voi e-scooters are typically rented via QR code in the app.
Availability and city coverage may differ in other regions.

💡 Tip: For redeeming included free minutes, use the NürnbergMOBIL app if required.

✅ Summary

• 🎫 Full Deutschlandticket at a reduced student price: € 43.00/month.
• 🗓️ Order by the 20th of the month; cancel by the 10th for month-end cancellation.
• 🚆 Valid on local/regional transport (RB/RE/S-Bahn, buses, trams, U-Bahn); not valid on IC/EC/ICE or other long-distance providers.
• 🔀 You can combine it with long-distance trains by using it for local segments before/after the long-distance part.
• 🏞️ Not valid on services mainly operated for tourist or historic purposes.
• 🌍 Valid on selected cross-border routes (depending on providers/associations).
• ⭐ Extras may include VAG_Rad + Voi free minutes (often redeemed via NürnbergMOBIL).
• 🏦 If you have a foreign IBAN, purchasing via meinabo.vag.de may work better than ordering via apps.

🗂️ Quick Checklist

• ✅ Confirm you are enrolled at FAU and have access to your university login.
• 🛒 Order by the 20th (VGN online shop or ticket apps).
• 🏦 If you have a foreign IBAN, try the VAG web purchase flow (meinabo.vag.de).
• 📱 Make sure the ticket appears in your chosen app (processing may take time).
• 🪪 Carry an ID when using the ticket.
• 🔁 If you want to stop: cancel by the 10th for the end of the month.
• 📄 For edge cases (cross-border routes, exceptions), consult the official validity table PDF.