Apps you need for navigation in Germany
If you are planning a trip to Germany, there are a few navigation apps in Germany you should download to make your life a lot easier. There are multiple apps for buses, trains, and general navigation, but these apps listed below are the best navigation apps in Germany that I personally use all the time.
Best Navigation Apps in Germany
DB Navigator
Germany uses DB, Deutsche Bahn, for its long-distance trains. Anywhere long distance, for example, Hamburg to Berlin, Munich to Cologne, etc., etc., you’re going to need the DB app for your tickets. You can also use DB for regional travel, for example, within Berlin or Hamburg, making DB Navigator one of the most helpful navigation apps in Germany.
If you’re moving to Germany and plan on traveling throughout the country often, definitely consider getting one of DB’s membership cards. You will have to pay a fee to get this year-long card, but then you will have great discounts on all trains. I have the DB 50 card, which costs around 70€ per year, but it’s worth it because it gives me 30% all tickets.
Flix Bus
Flix Bus initially only offered buses, but they now provide trains as well. Flix Buses are incredibly cheap, but they take hours. If you are okay with late-night or early-morning busses, then you will love Flix Bus.
The trains are like DB but cheaper and much shittier; it’s kinda like the Spirit Airlines of German trains.. DB trains aren’t the best either, but they are a bit cleaner, and they do have okay restrooms and have a tinyyy bit of AC during the summer. (Like barely, but it’s better than nothing, lmao). Flix Train, though, has absolutely no AC during the summer. I nearly passed out one summer on a 4 hour Flix Train because I was so hot, but I guess I’m very sensitive to heat, haha. Anyway, I’d say nine times out of ten, the Flix Trains cost nearly half the cost of DB trains, but they also have way fewer times to choose from, and they get sold out pretty fast. They also aren’t always on time, but hey, neither are DB trains.
OuiBus
OuiBus is actually the train app for France. But if you’re traveling into the south of Germany near France, this app can definitely come in handy when you’re planning your trip tickets.
TIP- when you’re booking train tickets, try to plan a few weeks in advance. Train tickets are much cheaper if you book at least 3-4 weeks before your travel date. If you wait until the week of, the rates are going to skyrocket like crazy.
Offi
Offi is one of the regional train and navigation apps. It’s great to plan out your day and figure out what time trains go and when and where.
BVG
BVG is similar to Offi, but it is solely for the Berlin region. It includes information for Berlin’s busses, Strassebahn, S Bahn, and the U Bahn.
TIP, if you’re ever in a rush to get somewhere in Berlin, do NOT take a bus. From my experience of living in Berlin for almost two years, the buses were literally NEVER on time, and I waited multiple times for buses that never came lmao. 2/10 recommend.
Google Maps
Google Maps are super helpful when you need to walk somewhere. Some streets in Germany can be small and confusing, but the iPhone maps, for example, are terrible at leading you in the direction. Google Maps seems to be the best option for guiding through Germany’s little cobblestone streets.
Excellent TIP- if you’re going abroad without phone data, do yourself a favor and download Germany’s maps on the Google Map app before you travel. (This way, you’ll be able to view the maps without needing data or Wifi).
NextBike and Mobike
If you want to enjoy a nice bike ride in German nature or around the city, you can use the NextBike and MoBike apps to find bikes near you to rent. All you have to do is scan the bike’s barcode with your phone and connect your debit card or Paypal to pay the hourly rates (which are super cheap).
Blitzer.de
If you’re going to be driving in Germany, you should 1000% get the Blitzer.de app. This app will alert you whenever a Blitzer is coming up on the streets. (A Blitzer is a little box on the sides of the roads and in red lights. In basic terms, they are like robot cops that you need to slam on brakes for so you don’t get ticketed for speeding).
Whenever you’re driving, just make sure that the app is active in the background and have the sound on loud so you can hear when a Blitzer is about to come up.
Lime and Tier
Lime and Tier are like NextBike/MoBike, but they are for electric scooters! Use the app to find a scooter near you and start riding! Be aware, though, that scooters can actually be really dangerous. Those little things can go faster than you’d think. Also, scooters are way more expensive in comparison to renting bikes.
Conclusion
I hope this list of the best navigation apps in Germany is helpful for your trip to Germany!
