Deutschlandticket vs. Car
Calculate whether the Deutschlandticket (€63) is worth it for you or whether the car is cheaper
As of September 2026Calculated in your browser – your inputs are not transmitted and are kept on this device only if you choose
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Workdays per week
Car and ticket5 days/week · Mid-size car, 7 L/100 km · Petrol (Super E10) · no parking costs · no subsidy
Vehicle type
Fuel
The Deutschlandticket pays off
With a 20 km commute, the ticket saves you €86.73 per month.
Savings with the ticket
per month
€86.73
€86.73The car costs you €149.73 per month, the ticket €63.00. Over a year you save €1,040.76.
Car
- Fuel
- €106.33
- Wear and tear (€0.05/km)
- + €43.40
- Per month
- €149.73
Deutschlandticketcheaper
- Ticket price
- €63.00
- Per month
- €63.00
CO2 per month
- Car
- 144.0 kg
- Public transport
- 52.1 kg
- 64% less with public transport
- 1,103.1 kg per year
RZ-26 · headon.pro
Cost by commute distance
From 8.5 km one way, the ticket is cheaper – your distance is above that.
How this was calculated
Basis: ticket price €63.00 per month, 21.7 workdays per month, fuel price €1.75 per litre (average).
Not included: long-distance rail (ICE, IC), car insurance and vehicle tax.
What does the Deutschlandticket cost in 2026?
The Deutschlandticket costs 63 euros per month starting January 2026. With this price you can use the entire local and regional public transport network nationwide – including S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses and regional trains.
Compared to car costs, the ticket is especially attractive for commuters: while a car means paying for fuel, wear, insurance and parking fees, the Deutschlandticket bundles everything into a single flat fee.
The Deutschlandticket at a glance
- 63 euros a month
- Flat fee from January 2026 (valid nationwide)
- Local & regional transport
- S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus, tram, regional trains
- Job ticket option
- From €44.10 possible with an employer subsidy
- Cancel monthly
- Flexible subscription with no long-term commitment
Hidden car costs many commuters forget
When weighing car versus Deutschlandticket, many commuters underestimate the true cost of their vehicle. Beyond the obvious fuel consumption, numerous other costs add up quickly.
The true costs of driving
- Fuel costs
- At 7L/100km and €1.70/L: about 12 cents per km
- Wear & maintenance
- Tires, brakes, oil changes: about 5-8 cents per km
- Insurance & tax
- On average €800-1,500 per year
- Parking fees
- Often €50-200 per month in cities
- Depreciation
- Biggest cost factor: about 15-20% per year
- Inspection & repairs
- Unpredictable costs from wear and tear
Example calculation: 25 km commute
- Daily distance (there + back)
- 50 km
- Annual kilometers (commute)
- 11,000 km
- Fuel costs (7L/100km, €1.70/L)
- €1,309
- Wear & tear (5 cents/km)
- €550
- Parking costs (€100/month)
- €1,200
- Car costs per year (commuting only)
- €3,059
- 12 months × €63
- €756
- Savings vs. car
- €2,303
For a typical 25 km commute, the Deutschlandticket saves over €2,300 per year. The savings are even higher if you pay expensive city-center parking fees or have to pay tax on a company car.
Park & Ride: the clever combination
Switching completely to the Deutschlandticket is not always possible. Especially in rural areas, public transport connections are often poor. The solution: Park & Ride combines the best of both worlds.
Drive to the nearest train station and switch to the train there. This way you save fuel costs for the longer stretch and avoid expensive parking in the city – Park & Ride car parks are usually free or cheap.
Advantages of the Park & Ride combination
- 1FlexibilityCar for the first leg, train for the main stretch
- 2Cost savingsFewer kilometers by car, no expensive city parking
- 3Stress-free commutingWork or relax on the train instead of sitting in traffic
- 4Environmentally friendlySignificantly reduce CO2 emissions
- 5Time savingsOften faster than driving through the city
CO2 savings: good for the climate
Besides the financial savings, switching to the Deutschlandticket makes an important contribution to climate protection. Public transport emits on average only about 30% of the CO2 of a car per passenger-kilometer.
CO2 comparison per passenger-kilometer
- Car (average)
- about 147 g CO2 per passenger-kilometer
- Regional train
- about 55 g CO2 per passenger-kilometer
- S-Bahn / U-Bahn
- about 45 g CO2 per passenger-kilometer
- Bus (local transport)
- about 80 g CO2 per passenger-kilometer
- Annual kilometers (there + back)
- 11,000 km
- CO2 with car (147 g/km)
- 1,617 kg
- CO2 with train (55 g/km)
- 605 kg
- Annual CO2 savings
- 1,012 kg
By switching to the Deutschlandticket you can save over 1 tonne of CO2 per year. That is roughly equivalent to a round-trip flight from Frankfurt to Mallorca. Our calculator also shows you your personal CO2 savings.
When is the car still worth it?
Despite the advantages of the Deutschlandticket, there are situations where the car remains the better choice. Honestly: not everyone can or should give up their car entirely.
The car is better when...
- 1Poor public transport connectionsRural areas without regular local transport
- 2Unfavorable working hoursShift work when no trains run at night
- 3Company car without private useWhen the employer covers all costs
- 4Transporting tools/materialsTradespeople and field staff with equipment
- 5Very short distancesUnder 5 km, the bicycle is often the best option
Frequently asked questions about the Deutschlandticket
Everything important about the Deutschlandticket vs. car comparison
Who benefits most from the Deutschlandticket?
The Deutschlandticket is especially worthwhile for commuters with good public transport connections who travel to work at least 3 days a week. For commutes of 10 km or more and high parking costs at work, the ticket is usually cheaper than a car. Occasional users who take public transport at weekends can also benefit from the subscription.
What will the Deutschlandticket cost from 2026?
From January 2026, the Deutschlandticket costs 63 euros per month (previously 58 euros). That is 756 euros per year. With an employer subsidy (job ticket), the price can drop to as low as €44.10 per month.
What hidden costs does a car have?
Besides fuel costs, a car comes with many hidden costs: wear and tear (about 5-8 cents per km), maintenance and repairs, insurance, vehicle tax, inspections, parking fees and depreciation. Many commuters significantly underestimate these costs. Our calculator accounts for all relevant cost factors.
Can I combine a car and the Deutschlandticket?
Yes, combining them is often the best solution. With Park & Ride, you drive to the nearest train station and switch there. This way you save on fuel and parking costs in the city while still benefiting from the flexibility of a car for the first part of the journey.
How much CO2 do I save with the Deutschlandticket?
Public transport emits on average only about 30% of the CO2 of a car. For a typical commuter with a 25 km one-way commute and 220 workdays, switching to the Deutschlandticket can save around 1 tonne of CO2 per year.
Is there an employer subsidy for the Deutschlandticket?
Many employers offer the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket. If the employer covers at least 25% of the cost, an additional 5% federal discount applies. This can reduce your share to €44.10. Ask your employer about a subsidy.