Getting Around in Germany

Spending five weeks in Germany has really highlighted the differences between its public transportation system and that of San Diego. I spent my first two years at UCSD as a transit rider commuting from Chula Vista to La Jolla nearly every day, and it’s fair to say that I have mixed feelings about San Diego’s public transportation system. Living without a car for five weeks in Germany made me realize that I am a low-maintenance transit rider. In San Diego, I’ve grown used to wait times of over 15 minutes, inaccurate or inexistent arrival updates, and even a heightened sense of safety during rides after dark. Germany’s transit system proved to be very different, but still with some surprising drawbacks.

My first encounter with public transportation in Germany could qualify as my train ride from Berlin 

Main Station (Haubtbanhof) to Weimar. Although train schedules, routes, and maps were overwhelming for the jet-lagged, never-been-to-Europe-before, student traveler, the trains were comfortable and I eventually figured out that I was on the right track (literally). Germany has an extensive high-speed rail system composed of a national line (ICE) and multiple regional lines (Erfurter-Bahn, etc.) all organized within the Deutsche Bahn network. I was able to cross nearly the entirety of Germany (from Weimar to Amsterdam) on a weekend trip in three hours. Very impressive compared to Amtrak, the closest we’ve gotten to high-speed rail in California.

On the ICE train to Amsterdam

The city of Weimar is significantly smaller than Berlin and Amsterdam, so the bus is the main public transportation mode. Buses are frequent and routes are comprehensive. It was very easy to navigate the city and to figure out which bus to take thanks to real-time displays and friendly drivers. It also helped to be able to know exactly when each bus was coming thanks to digital displays at popular bus stops and a printed timetable at every stop.

It takes a little time to adjust to this public transportation system, from reading maps and timetables to practicing proper transit rider etiquette, but overall the German transportation system is very effective and full of helpful staff.

-Vianney Ruvalcaba

Muir College, Class of 2018

Modernism and Design: The Bauhaus Experience

Weimar, Germany