Transportation
Buses in Saarbrücken: The Saartal routes.
Saartallinien
This state-owned local company provides bus lines and a tramway. Depending on the line, buses run every 15 to 60 minutes.
It is advisable to buy a timetable, sold at the main train station or in bookshops. It is really handy and contains a map of the entire bus network and train schedules (Price: 1 Euro).
Saarbahn/Bus Stations:
- Universität Mensa -- the closest station to MPI
- Universität Campus -- the second-nearest station
- Universität Busterminal -- equally close to MPI and the Universität Mensa
- Haus der Zukunft -- a busy station where a lot of buslines cross
- Rathaus -- busy station downtown
Bus/Tram lines:
- Bus 101, 102, 109, 111, 112, 150 via / to Uni
- Bus 101, 102, 109, 111, 112, 150 via Johanneskirche or Hauptbahnhof (passing by downtown)
- S1 (tram) to Sarreguemines Bahnhof (heading South-East)
- S1 (tram) to Riegelsberg Süd (heading North-West)
if you own a smartphone, it is a clever idea to get the app DB Navigator for you phone.
The Deutsche Bahn
The Deutsche Bahn is responsible for the German train system, its web site gives detailed information about train schedules and platforms, trips inside Germany, and prices.
A Bahncard, valid for one year, gives a 25% reduction on fares for all trains inside Germany. The card is only valid for the person it is issued to. The Deutsche Bahn's Price system (see below) for long-distance traffic (ICE ``InterCityExpress'', EC ``EuroCity'' or IC ``InterCity'' trains) offers special discounts, especially if you are able to book far in advance and to commit to the specific train you have chosen.
| Card type | Prices: | Discount on normal fees | Applicable to | On condition that |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahncard 25 : | 62 euros for 2nd class | 25 % discount is also applicable on the special rates "Sparpreise" for early bookings | all train journeys | |
| 125 euros for 1st class | 50 % discount is not applicable on the special rates "Sparpreise" for early bookings but up to 4 passengers can travel for half price | all train journeys | ||
| Special Price ``Sparpreis 25'' | 25 % | journey to and from | train must be selected and is binding, | |
| no. of places limited | ||||
| tickets must be purchased 3 days in advance | ||||
| charge for cancellation: 15 - 45 euros | ||||
| Special Price ``Sparpreis 50'' | 50 % | between the journey to destination the and the return, there must be one night from a Saturday to a Sunday | ||
| train must be selected and is binding | ||||
| no. of places limited | ||||
| tickets must be purchased 3 days in advance | ||||
| charge for cancellation: 15 - 45 euros | ||||
If you plan to travel in groups, there are discounts of up to 50 % for the persons joining you. If you are looking for someone to share a ticket with, please see also:
General information on the train system in Germany
Passenger trains are classified according to their speed, the distance they cover, and the type of services they offer, as shown below:
| ICE | InterCity Express | travels at up to 280 km/h (174 mph) on selected routes, usually with regular-interval timetables. Seating is arranged in 6-seater compartments or open-plan saloons. A complimentary snack, soft drinks and daily papers are available to passengers travelling in first class. |
| IC | InterCity | express trains operating on major internal routes at a speed of up to 200 km/h (124mph), at regular intervals and with first and second class cars. They usually include a restaurant or bistro car. |
| EC | Euro-City | IC trains serving destinations outside Germany |
| IR | Inter-Regio | limited-stop trains connecting regional centers, with a minimum two-hour frequency and an average speed of at least 90 km/h (56mph) |
| D | Schnellzug | other limited-stop fast trains |
| RE | RegionalExpress | local trains operating a limited-stop service |
Each train has a unique number which is prefixed by one of the above abbreviations, so there should be no confusion about the type of trains and applicable fares.
There are direct trains from Frankfurt Main Train Station to Saarbrücken (please see also Location). If you have to change trains, it is either in Mainz or Mannheim.
Train tickets:
The rule in Germany is that you buy a ticket before travelling by train, otherwise, you will end up paying a higher fare or even a penalty. Bear in mind that ticket checks are routine, as each train usually has a team of staff rather than a single conductor. Tickets for train travel can be purchased from
- Travel centers or booking offices at stations
- Authorized travel agencies (additional handling fee)
- Ticket machines at stations (touch screen)
- via the internet (www.bahn.de)
or if you are travelling on business, please get your online train ticket from your group's secretary (please see her well in advance)