Einzelfahrschein

An Einzelfahrschein is a single-use ticket for public transport in German-speaking regions. It is issued for a single passenger and covers a one-way journey or a defined travel segment within a tariff zone.

It can be used on buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and regional trains within the respective transit network. The exact coverage depends on the city’s tariff structure, which is organized into zones or fare rings.

Validity is time- and zone-dependent. Most networks set a time window after activation, commonly between 60 and 180 minutes, during which the ticket remains valid; the ticket may also specify the allowed number of zones. Traveling beyond the covered zones or outside the validity period requires another ticket.

Validation and use: In many systems, the Einzelfahrschein must be validated before the first ride, by stamping a paper ticket or activating a digital ticket; some networks use contactless issuance via apps or cards, eliminating manual validation. Tickets are generally non-transferable and single-use for the named passenger.

Purchase and price: Tickets are sold at vending machines, service counters, bus drivers, and mobile apps. Prices vary by city and zone coverage; an Einzelfahrschein is usually cheaper than longer-duration passes for a single trip, with discounts for children or seniors in some networks.

The Einzelfahrschein forms the basic element of many regional fare systems and is often complemented by time-based tickets and day passes.