Tarifzone

Tarifzone is a geographic area used in tariff systems to determine the price of transport tickets. In many public transport networks, fares are calculated based on the number of zones a trip passes through rather than on a fixed origin-destination distance. A journey contained within a single zone requires a cheaper ticket than one that crosses multiple zones. Tickets may be offered as single-zone, multi-zone, or all-zone passes, and some networks also sell time-limited or day passes valid for a chosen set of zones.

Tariff maps define the boundaries of zones and are published by the fare authority or transport association (Verkehrsverbund). The borders often follow administrative boundaries, but they can also be drawn to reflect travel patterns, service coverage, or demand. Zone labeling varies by system; zones may be named with letters (for example A, B, C) or with numbers, and combinations of zones determine the applicable price. Many networks use an integrated tariff so a single ticket is valid across several operators within the same zone system.

Practical use: when buying a ticket, travelers must select the zones they intend to travel through. If the trip crosses zone boundaries, the price increases according to the number of zones traversed. Digital ticketing and apps typically display zone validity and allow zonal searches or route-based pricing. Tarifzonen enhance pricing transparency and network integration, but can be a source of confusion for occasional travelers.