FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

The VBN fare area is sub-divided into five fare areas:
Fare Area 1: Municipality of Bremen comprising Zone 100 (Bremen-City) and Zone 101 (Bremen North)
Fare Area 2: Zone 250 (Municipality of Bremerhaven)
Fare Area 3: Zone 740 (Municipality of Oldenburg)
Fare Area 4: All zones of the VBN transport area in Lower Saxony, except Zone Areas 3 (= Zone 740 (Municipality of Oldenburg)) and 5 (= Zones 130 (Municipality of Verden), 709/710 (Municipality of Delmenhorst) and 850 (Municipality of Nordenham))
Fare Area 5: Zone 130 (Municipality of Verden), Zones 709/710 (Municipality of Delmenhorst) and Zone 850 (Municipality of Nordenham)

Furthermore, the VBN Fare Area is broken down into fare zones. The principle of 1 municipality = 1 fare zone applies (Except price level S, see below in this drop-down list).

Prices are worked out by counting the fare zones travelled through on the trip. Every fare zone travelled through counts as one price level (except price level S, see below).

1 fare zone travelled = price level A, 2 fare zones travelled = price level B, 8 and more fare zones travelled = price level H. Tickets for price level H entitle you to travel across the whole network. Fare zones travelled through twice are counted once only. In the case of trips that go beyond the boundaries of the transport authority area, the valid fare outside VBN will be applied.

In fare areas 1 (Bremen), 2 (Bremerhaven), 3 (Oldenburg) and 5 (Delmenhorst, Nordenham and Verden), price level I applies (PS I Bremen, PS I Bremerhaven, PS I Oldenburg, PS I Delmenhorst, PS I Nordenham and PS I Verden).

Within fare area 4 or in the case of connections between fare area 4 and one of fare areas 1, 2, 3 or 5, the alphabetical price levels A to H and S apply. Price level S applies only between Bremen and a few towns and communities in Lower Saxony that directly border the city. For trips into or out of Bremen, the price level S fare zones must also be counted. Trips within a single fare zone and trips from a neutral zone to a neighbouring zone and vice versa are classed as price level A.

The fare plan and an overview of the fare areas can be found on the left under Downloads.

Fare Area 1 (Bremen) comprises fare zones 100 and 101. For trips within this fare area, price level I Bremen always applies, provided that the area is not left. For all other trips (from Bremen, into Bremen or through Bremen), fare zones 100 and/or 101, if you travel through them, are each counted separately when working out the price levels.

In one direction:

For a trip to a destination, SingleTickets and sections of 4-Tickets in price level I in Fare Area 3 (Oldenburg) are valid for 90 minutes, price level I in Fare Area 2 (Bremerhaven) for 90 minutes, price level I in Fare Area 1 (Bremen) and in Fare Area 5 (Delmenhorst, Nordenham and Verden) and price levels A and S for three hours, price levels B–G for four hours and price level H until the destination has been reached on the day of cancellation (no later than 3:00 am the following day). You can change routes as many times as you want in this time. you may break your journey.

Return:

In the area for which your SingleTicket is valid in Bremerhaven and Oldenburg, you can make as many trips as you want in various directions during the first 90 minutes. In other words, you have 90 minutes to complete your errand and make a return trip with your SingleTicket. You can change routes as many times as you want in this time. You may break your journey.

Der Nachtlinien-Zuschlag entfällt ab 1. Januar 2020 auf allen BSAG-Nachtlinien und Nachtschwärmerlinien im VBN-Land.

Bei Nutzung des VWG-Nachtexpresses ist für jede Person bis 04:00 Uhr ein Nachtlinienzuschlag zu zahlen. Dieser ist nur einmal pro Nacht zu lösen.

Keinen Nachtlinienzuschlag benötigen Inhaber des MIAplus-Tickets, des JobTickets für Erwachsene, des SemesterTickets, des NachtTickets, des Jugend-FreizeitTickets, des SchülerFerienTickets Niedersachsen/Bremen und der Kombitickets.

Der Nachtlinienzuschlag entfällt auch für Inhaber einer BahnCARD 100, für Schwerbehinderte mit gültiger Wertmarke sowie für Inhaber eines DB-Tickets mit der CityTicket-Funktion sowie für Inhaber eines DB-Tickets mit der City-Ticket-Funktion.

Hier geht's zum Nachtlinienangebot: VBN bei Nacht

VBN tickets are sold in the company’s own sales offices, independent shops identified accordingly as well as the transport company’s ticket machines. In addition, VBN tickets are available in the vehicles of the regional bus routes. Special tickets (for example, regional special tickets) are not available everywhere. No VBN tickets are sold in the DB AG, NordWestBahn, Regio-S-Bahn, metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH, erixx GmbH and evb trains.

If no ticket sales office is open or ticket machine capable of accepting cash is operational at the start of a trip, you must contact the train conductor immediately upon joining the train and buy a ticket. For connections within the authority area, local trains (RB, RE) will issue VBN tickets in such cases. Only a limited range of tickets is available to buy on the train. In IC/EC trains, only DB AG tickets – possibly at the on-board price – are available, in line with the DB AG fare regulations.

SingleTicket, 4-Tickets, DayTickets, NightTickets, the NightLine Surcharge and, where applicable, other special tickets must be cancelled (where necessary). They can be cancelled as follows:

a) When starting a trip on BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS, Delbus and VWG buses by using the ticket stamper in the vehicles or by using the stamper at the stop.

b) When starting a trip on the regional bus routes, by the driver.

c) Before starting a trip with DB AG, NordWestBahn, Regio-S-Bahn, erixx GmbH, evb and metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH trains, by using the stampers in the station.

If no stamper is operational in the entrance or on the platform when you are starting a trip, you must report to the train conductor, without being prompted, immediately upon joining the train and before tickets are checked. Otherwise, you may be liable to pay an increased fare of € 60.

The ShortTripSingleTicket Regio is valid on the regional bus and BSAG routes in Osterholz district and, across fare zones, on the routes from there to Bremen and vice versa (not on trains). Within Bremen, the ShortTripSingleTicket Regio is valid on the regional bus routes between the specially identified bus stops. The following applies to one trip: boarding stop plus three more stops. Interruptions to a trip and changes are not permitted.

ExtensionTickets are available to holders of the following season tickets who want to travel beyond the validity of the ticket: MonthlyTicket, AnnualTicket (MIA/ MIAplus), Adult and Apprentice JobTicket, Pupil’s Monthly Ticket, CityTicket Bremen, Senior’Ticket Delmenhorst, Pupil’s Collective Time Ticket/MIAjunior-Ticket and BahnCard 100.

Extension Tickets are available for a uniform price of €3.55 for adults and €2.60 for children, school pupils and apprentices, irrespective of the price level. They are available in the vehicles and from ticket machines (not available to purchase in advance!) and as a mobile ticket, but are only valid for immediate travel and are available only as a single-trip ticket (SingleTicket). ExtensionTickets can also be booked with the BOB ticket (except: ExtensionTickets are not currently available from the metronom BOB machines and only from the following NordWestBahn and Regio-S-Bahn BOB machines: Wildeshausen, Brettorf, Ganderkesee (RB 58); Ahlhorn, Großenkneten, Huntlosen, Sandkrug (RE 18); Rastede (RE 19) and Berne, Elsfleth, Kirchhammelwarden, Brake, Rodenkirchen, Kleinensiel, Nordenham (RS 4)). The people travelling with the ticket holder under the accompanying travellers regulations also each need an ExtensionTicket. The ticket is valid for a trip within the VBN area to the destination for 4 hours from the time it was purchased, and only in connection with one of the above-mentioned season tickets. You are also permitted to break your journey within the stated time. The ExtensionTicket cannot be exchanged or refunded.

Small animals – including small dogs – are transported free of charge if they are kept on your lap in suitable carriers (cages, transport boxes, travel bags, etc.).

Dogs that are not transported in carriers must be kept on a lead. They will be carried if there is sufficient space in the opinion of the driver or inspection staff. The fare for these dogs is the fare for a SingleTicket for Kids or season ticket for school children in the relevant price level, 2nd class.

It is prohibited to take dogs with increased aggression or dangerous dogs, so-called “fighting dogs”, on any public transport within the authority.

There is a general ban on alcohol and smoking on all VBN trains. It is also prohibited to carry alcohol in opened containers. There is a ban on smoking on all other VBN transport. In the event of a violation of the ban on alcohol and smoking, a penalty of at least €40 may be imposed. Furthermore, the passenger may be banned from travelling.

The increased fare is €60 and is charged if the passenger

1. has not bought a valid ticket for himself or – if the fare schedule requires a fare in this case – if he has not bought a valid ticket for any animals, bicycles etc. that he has brought with him,
2. has bought a valid ticket for himself, but cannot present it for inspection,
3. cannot prove that he has paid a valid NightLine Surcharge on the night services,
4. has not cancelled the ticket, or had it cancelled, or has not done so without undue delay or
5. does not present the ticket for inspection on request and hand it over on request,
6. shows a ticket that does not have the correct cancellation,
7. uses a ticket without the required photograph,
8. if using a mobile ticket, has not visibly downloaded a valid mobile ticket before the start of travel or cannot provide proof of purchase of the ticket during the inspection, e.g. due to mobile phone failure.

If the passenger demonstrates to the administration of the company that issued him with a request to pay the increased fare within one week that he was in possession of a valid, non-transferable season ticket or mobile ticket at the time of the request, the increased fare shall be reduced to €7.

You can search for your lost property here in a national online lost property database: Finding lost property online

Alternatively, please contact the transport company in whose vehicle you lost property. Here is their contact information: VBN transport companies.

How do I get my personal timetable and who will help me with any questions?
The electronic timetable information enables you to compile and print out your personal timetable, taking account of criteria that are important to you.
To timetable information

Or just give us a call. Our expert staff will be happy to help you on 04 21/59 60 59.

Which ticket is the right one for me?
We have the right ticket for everyone. We have broken down our ticket range into tickets for adults and tickets for children, schoolchildren, apprentices and students, and each of them into occasional and frequent passengers.
Good to know: Children up to and including 5 years of age can travel for free on VBN transport when accompanying an adult.
To the Range of Tickets

Where can I buy the tickets?
Tickets are available in the buses, from the ticket machines, in the transport companies’ customer centres and in the VBN booking offices.
To the booking offices

How do I get home at night?
There are of course many great places to party in the VBN area, or you can attend one of the many cultural events. Afterwards, the VBN night routes will take you home safely.
To VBN at Night

Ihre alten Tickets, die Sie 2019 gekauft haben, sind keineswegs automatisch ungültig. Für eine Übergangszeit können Sie bereits gekaufte Tickets wie gewohnt für Bus- und Bahnfahrten im VBN-Land verwenden.

2019 gekauft – maximal 5 Jahre nutzbar

• KurzstreckenTickets
• EinzelTickets (auch 1. Klasse-Zuschlag)
• 4er- und 10er-Tickets
• TagesTickets
• NachtTickets
• Fahrrad-TagesTickets
• GruppenTickets

Diese Tickets können maximal 5 Jahre nach Kauf weiterbenutzt werden.

This way to the feedback form: Feedback Form

The current ticket prices of the Verkehrsverbund Bremen/Niedersachsen and the Lower Saxony Fares apply.

You can pay very easily without using cash:

• For registered ticket purchases (with customer account), by direct debit, credit card or PayPal,
• For “guest” purchases without registration, by credit card or PayPal. 

Terms of Payment: 

• If you pay by direct debit, the amount will be deducted from your bank account. 
• If you pay by credit card (American Express, Mastercard or Visa), your credit card will be charged the appropriate amount. 
• If you pay by PayPal, the payment method you have selected there will be charged the appropriate amount.

After you have bought it, your MobileTicket is loaded directly into your FahrPlaner app. The MobileTicket you have bought can be accessed via the menu item “Tickets” (also when you are offline). Please note that you have to remain logged into your customer account for this. After purchasing in the Ticket Shop of Niedersachsentarif GmbH, you can download your OnlineTicket as a PDF and print it out. It is also automatically loaded to the FahrPlaner app if you are logged into your account.

Sales receipts are only available for Mobile and OnlineTickets that have been purchased with a customer account.
You will find an overview of the MobileTickets you have bought in your customer portal. To do this, log into the FahrPlaner app (menu item “Tickets” – head symbol) or on the VBN website at My MobileTicket or in the Ticket Shop of Niedersachsentarif GmbH. Here, you can view and print out sales receipts for every Mobile and OnlineTicket you have bought. There are no sales receipts for “guest” purchases.

Mobile and OnlineTickets of Niedersachsentarif can be cancelled before the first day of validity. After that, it is not possible to return or cancel them. Niedersachsen-Tickets and VBN MobileTickets are always excluded from return and cancellation. 

• VBN MobileTickets are valid immediately when the purchase process is completed and cannot be bought in advance to become valid at a later date.
• MobileTickets as Tickets of Niedersachsentarif can be purchased a maximum of three months in advance.

Before entering the vehicle, the purchase process must be completed and the MobileTicket visible on the mobile phone display.

After the purchase process has been completed, the MobileTicket is available as a valid ticket offline under the “Tickets” menu item (condition: you must remain logged into your customer account). Ticket inspection is therefore possible without mobile phone reception. 

Show the ticket inspector your mobile with the MobileTicket open in the display in the FahrPlaner app or the OnlineTicket as a printed PDF. Mobile and OnlineTickets are only valid in conjunction with an official photograph ID. 

If the MobileTicket cannot be presented for inspection (because the mobile phone is not working or has been lost), this is deemed to be a journey without a valid ticket. An increased fare of at least 60 euros will be charged.

You can change your stored payment method in the customer portal. Log into the FahrPlaner app (menu item “Tickets” – head symbol top right) or on the VBN website at My MobileTicket or in the Ticket Shop of Niedersachsentarif GmbH.

Once you are logged into the FahrPlaner app, use the “Settings” menu item to go to your “Ticket Settings”, where your stored payment methods are displayed. Now select your new payment method, enter the required data and save your entries. After saving, your previous payment method will be replaced. 

On the VBN website in the My MobileTicket area and in the Ticket Shop of Niedersachsentarif GmbH, enter the new payment data in the customer portal under “Payment Methods”.

If you change your mobile phone, you have to reinstall the FahrPlaner app. Your access remains unchanged and can be reached via the email address used to date and your password. Any MobileTickets that are still valid can be accessed via the “Tickets” menu item.

If you lose your mobile phone, you should change your password in the immediately in the customer portal on the VBN website at My MobileTicket to prevent unauthorised people from buying tickets.

The MobileTicket is not linked to your mobile phone number. You log in to the FahrPlaner app irrespective of the SIM card used and your personal settings and booked tickets are loaded.

VBN and Lower Saxony Fare MobileTickets are available on the FahrPlaner app:

• VBN tickets are currently available as MobileTickets for an immediate journey and not as OnlineTickets. 
• Tickets of Niedersachsentarif are available as Mobile and OnlineTickets in the FahrPlaner app and the Ticket Shop of Niedersachsentarif. OnlineTickets can be printed out as PDF files in the Lower Saxony Fare Ticket Shop before you start your journey.

To buy a Mobile or OnlineTicket you must be at least 18 years old and have full legal capacity. 

To buy a MobileTicket you need an internet-enabled mobile phone with an Android or iOS operating system and the most up-to-date version of the FahrPlaner app. You need an internet connection to download the FahrPlaner app from the app stores and to buy a MobileTicket. Costs are incurred when using a mobile data connection. 

You can buy Mobile or OnlineTickets with a customer account that you create in the FahrPlaner app (in the “Tickets” menu item – head symbol at the top right), via the VBN website or in the Lower Saxony Fare Ticket Shop.
It is also possible to Purchase as a “Guest” without registration if your pay using a credit card or PayPal. 
A customer account is ideal for regular purchases of Mobile or OnlineTickets. This means that you don’t need to enter your customer details every time you buy a ticket. You can also access and print out receipts, which is not possible for “guest” access. Please register with your personal data, create a password and select your preferred payment method (direct debit, credit card, PayPal).

Various options are available for buying Mobile and OnlineTickets:

Buying a MobileTicket

• When buying via the “Tickets” menu item, select the MobileTicket you want and add the further details of your journey. 
• When buying via the Trip Planner (start, destination), select the MobileTicket you want for your trip.

Once the purchase process is complete, the MobileTicket is loaded directly onto your mobile phone. It is not possible to buy or save MobileTickets on conventional PCs, including laptops, etc. 

Buying an OnlineTicket 

• When purchasing in the Ticket Shop of Niedersachsentarif GmbH, select the ticket you want and add the further details of your trip.
• When buying using the Trip Planner on the FahrPlaner (www.vbn.de or www.niedersachsentarif.de), select the ticket you want from the selection available for the journey.

After purchasing in the Lower Saxony Fare Ticket Shop, you can download your OnlineTicket as a PDF and print it out. It is automatically loaded into the FahrPlaner app if you are logged into your account.

When buying a MobileTicket as a guest, and therefore without a customer account, you can only access your MobileTicket on the device with which you bought the MobileTicket or to which you downloaded it. The only payment methods accepted are PayPal or a credit card. Please make sure that the MobileTicket is personalised. Otherwise, the data of the account holder from whose account the MobileTicket is purchased will be used. Sales receipts can only be accessed with a customer account. This means that sales receipts are not available for guest ticket purchases.

Every Mobile and OnlineTicket is personalised and is therefore not transferable. However, you can buy Mobile and OnlineTickets for people who are travelling with you by entering the name of each ticket user during the purchase process. When the tickets are being checked, the valid MobileTickets must be presented together with the official photograph ID of the ticket user. For journeys with the VBN TagesTicket (VBN DayTicket) for 2 to 5 people and the Niedersachsen-Ticket for 2 to 5 people, the person who is entered as the first traveller and therefore the ticket holder on the ticket must always be present. And the names of the fellow passengers must be entered during booking for a Niedersachsen-Ticket. Children travelling with the party free of charge (up to three children between 6 and 14 years of age and all children under 6 years of age) do not need to be named. 

You can easily change your password in your customer account either through the Fahrplaner app (menu item “Tickets” – head symbol) or on the VBN website at My MobileTicket or in the Ticket Shop of Niedersachsentarif GmbH.

If you have forgotten your password, you can also reset it there and have a new password sent to you.

VBN commissioned Logpay Financial Services GmbH to process the payment transactions for the purchase of Mobile and OnlineTickets.

We guarantee that we will handle your personal data that we disclose to the relevant service providers (eos.uptrade GmbH, Hamburg and LogPay Financial Services GmbH, Eschborn) with care  and only for the purposes of technical processing and accounting. The personal order data will be collected, processed and used in line with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). During the entire ordering process, all data is protected by a secure online connection between the ordering party’s device and the connected computer and the downstream systems connected to it. More information on data protection according to Articles 13 and 14 GDPR can be found at www.vbn.de/datenschutz.

MIA/MIAplus tickets are issued (on behalf of Verkehrsverbund Bremen/Niedersachsen) only through the customer centres of Bremer Straßenbahn AG (BSAG), BREMERHAVEN BUS and Verkehr und Wasser GmbH (VWG) in Oldenburg.

Order forms for the MIA/MIAplus ticket are available online at www.vbn.de/tickets/antraege and from the three transport companies, BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS and VWG.

It is possible to take one out starting from the first day of a month if the direct debit mandate has been received in the relevant customer centre by the 10th day of the previous month.

In the BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS and VWG customer centres, the MIA/MIAplus ticket can also be issued on the spot retrospectively to the first day of the month and issued immediately. This has to be paid for in cash. The contractual term is 12 months.

An MIA subscription is valid for 12 months and is debited from your bank account monthly by SEPA direct debit. The subscription is automatically extended by a further 12 months if it is not terminated on time. Alternatively, you can pay for 12 months in advance.

With MIA you can use all of the VBN means of transport within the fare zones/price levels that you have paid for (town and regional buses, trams and local trains).

Yes. Your family members or friends can also travel with MIA.

The chip only saves your fare options (price level, fare zones and customer number); individual trips are not saved. MIA is fraud-proof and does not contain any personal data. The saved data can be viewed at “Display tickets” on the BOB machines.

If using regional buses, night routes or BREMERHAVEN BUS or VWG Oldenburg buses or BSAG buses in Bremen (after 8:00 pm) you have to show your MIA ticket to the driver when boarding at the front, or have the card checked by a reader. If using local trains or BSAG trams and buses, inspectors with the appropriate reader for chip cards check the tickets.

If the MIA ticket cannot be read because of damage to the chip you will receive a new ticket in BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS or VWG Oldenburg customer centres. The old one will be destroyed to prevent abuse.

Please block your MIA ticket immediately and get a new MIA ticket (for a charge of €10). To do this, please contact your BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS or VWG Oldenburg customer centre directly or by telephone, or the VBN 24h information service on 04 21/59 60 59.

If you want to make a trip with your MIA/MIAplus ticket within VBN but beyond its area of validity, you can do so with an ExtensionTicket.

Connecting tickets (irrespective of the price level) are available for a uniform price for adults as well as for children, schoolchildren, apprentices and students. They are available only as SingleTickets and entitle users to only one trip towards a destination. You may not return with the same connecting ticket. Furthermore, connecting tickets are not available to buy in advance and are valid only for immediate travel. A connecting ticket is valid for 4 hours from the time of purchase. Connecting tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.

The people travelling with the ticket holder under the accompanying travellers regulations also each need an ExtensionTicket.

Yes, you have that option. However, the IC/EC surcharges must be obtained via Deutsche Bahn. Please note: The IC trains between Bremen Hbf and Augustfehn, stopping in Delmenhorst, Hude, Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn and Westerstede-Ocholt, can be used by VBN customers without payment of a surcharge. The application form can be found here or you can collect one from the DB travel centres. Please note that an application for the IC/EC surcharges must have been received by Deutsche Bahn one month before the ticket starts to be valid.

No, MIA is not available as a mobile ticket.

The validity area (fare zones, price levels) can always be changed as per the first of the month. In order for the change to take effect on the first day of the month, the application must be received by the relevant customer centre (BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS or VWG Oldenburg) by the 20th day of the previous month. The change is then made directly on the chip card. Customers who cannot come to a customer centre will receive a new chip card by post - usually within 5 working days. The new invoice amount will be debited from the time of the change.

Your MIA contract is extended by a further 12 months if it is not terminated. Termination must be made in writing to the relevant company by the 10th day of the previous month. And the MIA/ MIAplus ticket must be returned to the issuing transport company (BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS or VWG) without undue delay. After the end of the contract, the MIA card is no longer a valid ticket.

If the contract is terminated prematurely - unless due to fare increases or major changes to the fare regulations and terms of carriage - the difference between the monthly price of the MIA/MIAplus ticket and the price of the relevant monthly season ticket will be charged and debited for the last time for each of the completed months in the current year of the contract. If the termination is due to a fare adjustment, the difference will not be charged if the relevant transport company has received the termination at least 21 days before the fare adjustment.

You can get information from the following places:
BSAG Customer Centre, Bremen

• Domsheide
• Hauptbahnhof
• Vegesack

BREMERHAVEN BUS Customer Centre, Bremerhaven

• Hanse Carré
• Hauptbahnhof

VWG Customer Centre, Oldenburg

• Lappan
• ZOB

VBN 24h information service: 04 21/59 60 59

Bei Nutzung des VWG-Nachtexpresses ist für jede Person bis 04:00 Uhr aktiv ein Nachtlinienzuschlag am BOB-Automaten zu buchen (einmal pro Person und Nacht). Dieser wird auf der BOB-Rechnung separat aufgeführt.

Der Nachtlinien-Zuschlag entfällt ab 1. Januar 2020 auf allen BSAG-Nachtlinien und Nachtschwärmerlinien im VBN-Land.

The BOB SMART TICKET costs you nothing and saves money with every trip. Because BOB always calculates the most favourable price per day.

Enter the destination and number of people at the BOB machine, insert the card or hold it against the screen, and you’re done! BOB saves your trip on the BOB ticket and on the BOB machine and then later takes the relevant amount from your bank account.

With your invoice you will receive a transparent and straightforward overview of your trips. If your invoice is at least €10, we will invoice you monthly. If you travel less frequently, the invoice will be sent at the end of the quarter at the latest. The trips made with BOB are recorded daily. On this basis, the most favourable price per day (DayTicket, NightTicket and DayBikeTicket) is subsequently calculated. When calculating the best price for the day, 4-tickets, NightLine Surcharge (4-ticket; after active booking), 10 pupils' tickets (BSAG and BREMERHAVEN BUS), SingleTickets for Kids, DayBikeTickets and ShortTripSingleTickets are taken into account. 1st class surcharges (4-tickets and ExtensionTickets are not taken into account when calculating the best price for the day and are invoiced separately. You can see some calculation examples on the BOB flyer, which you can access below. There is no further optimisation to 7-Day Tickets or Monthly Tickets.

You bet! You can also use the ticket with several people (up to 9 adults and 9 children).

Yes, you can take two bikes per trip booking with a BOB ticket. Please note that each passenger may take only one bike.

BOB is valid in all VBN transport. BOB trips can be booked at the machines of the following transport companies:

BSAG
Can be booked at the ticket machines in the BSAG vehicles and at the BSAG stops: Domsheide, Use Akschen, Schüsselkorb, Herdentor, Hauptbahnhof, Am Brill, Obernstraße, Schweizer Eck, Huckelriede, Flughafen, Rolandcenter, Bahnhof Vegesack, Gröpelingen and Bahnhof Blumenthal.

BREMERHAVEN BUS
Can be booked at the ticket terminal in the vehicle or in front of the customer centre at Bremerhaven’s main station and in the customer centre.

DB Regio
Can be booked at the ticket terminal in the following stations:
Achim, Augustfehn, Barnstorf, Diepholz, Dörverden, Eystrup, Lemförde, Verden and Westerstede-Ocholt.

NordWestBahn/Regio-S-Bahn
In the Regio-S-Bahn and Weser-Ems network you can book BOB at the machines on the platforms or on the station concourse.

VWG
Can be booked at the ticket terminal in the vehicle or in the am Lappan customer centre and at the main bus station.

metronom
Can be booked at the ticket machines in the Bremen-Oberneuland, Sagehorn, Ottersberg, Sottrum and Rotenburg (Wümme) stations.

You can find a map overview here: Booking offices/Ticket machines with BOB

The VBN DayTicket is valid for the whole day, until 3am the following day, including before 9am.

The VBN DayTicket in paper form is transferable, the VBN DayTicket as mobile ticket is not (mobile tickets are personalised and cannot be transferred).

In addition to the three children (6 to 14 years old) who can travel for free with an adult on a VBN DayTicket, one child can travel instead of each adult.

Instead of a child, you can bring a dog with you using the VBN DayTicket.

A NightLine Surcharge must be paid for each person, including children.

If you are travelling within the VBN area, the VBN DayTicket is the better choice in terms of price.

The NiedersachsenTicket is a ticket that is valid beyond the borders of the area and is thus not a pure VBN ticket. You can find more details here:
www.niedersachsenticket.de

Fare information about the VBN DayTicket can be found here: VBN DayTicket​​​​​​​

The season ticket is only valid with a registered name. An official photo ID must be carried at all time with a monthly or annual season ticket. Anyone who is caught with a ticket without a registered name during a ticket inspection must pay an increased fare of €60. Proof of age must be provided on request.

The three VBN season ticket centres (Bremen - BSAG, Oldenburg - VWG, Bremerhaven - BREMERHAVEN BUS) write to all holders 6 week before expiry of the annual season ticket. An application for an extension is sent with this letter. Obviously you don’t have to wait for the letter; you can go to your season ticket centre at any time and extend you season ticket there.

Unfortunately, we had to decide on a one-off advance payment because we often encounter failed direct debits among adult-fare season ticket holders. The costs and the staff time taken up for sending warnings and credit checks are very high in the adult sector. These costs cannot be covered with a monthly fee of €13.60. This is why our member companies, who process the YoungPerson’sFreeTimeTicket for us, have decided that the YoungPerson’sFreeTimeTicket will be issued only as an annual season ticket with a single, advance payment.

The Monthly Ticket is available in the transport companies’ customer centres, private ticket offices, Deutsche Bahn travel centres, at ticket machines and from the bus drivers. It is not sold in the BSAG, VWG and BREMERHAVEN BUS vehicles. You can find a list of VBN ticket offices here: Ticket Offices.

The ticket holder must not have turned 21 at the start of the validity period. If the ticket holder turns 21 during the validity period, the YoungPerson’sFreeTimeTicket (annual and monthly ticket) can continue to be used until the end of the validity period.

If you lose your annual ticket, you can apply for a new one. The new one costs €15. This amount must be paid directly in cash in the customer centre without being prompted, or by bank transfer to the relevant transport company. The replacement ticket will be issued within 5 working days of receipt of payment.

No, the YoungPerson’sFreeTimeTicket is not available as a mobile ticket.

The VBN fare area is sub-divided into five fare areas:
Fare Area 1: Municipality of Bremen comprising Zone 100 (Bremen-City) and Zone 101 (Bremen North)
Fare Area 2: Zone 250 (Municipality of Bremerhaven)
Fare Area 3: Zone 740 (Municipality of Oldenburg)
Fare Area 4: All zones of the VBN transport area in Lower Saxony, except Zone Areas 3 (= Zone 740 (Municipality of Oldenburg)) and 5 (= Zones 130 (Municipality of Verden), 709/710 (Municipality of Delmenhorst) and 850 (Municipality of Nordenham))
Fare Area 5: Zone 130 (Municipality of Verden), Zones 709/710 (Municipality of Delmenhorst) and Zone 850 (Municipality of Nordenham)

Furthermore, the VBN Fare Area is broken down into fare zones. The principle of 1 municipality = 1 fare zone applies (Except price level S, see below in this drop-down list).

Prices are worked out by counting the fare zones travelled through on the trip. Every fare zone travelled through counts as one price level (except price level S, see below).

1 fare zone travelled = price level A, 2 fare zones travelled = price level B, 8 and more fare zones travelled = price level H. Tickets for price level H entitle you to travel across the whole network. Fare zones travelled through twice are counted once only. In the case of trips that go beyond the boundaries of the transport authority area, the valid fare outside VBN will be applied.

In fare areas 1 (Bremen), 2 (Bremerhaven), 3 (Oldenburg) and 5 (Delmenhorst, Nordenham and Verden), price level I applies (PS I Bremen, PS I Bremerhaven, PS I Oldenburg, PS I Delmenhorst, PS I Nordenham and PS I Verden).

Within fare area 4 or in the case of connections between fare area 4 and one of fare areas 1, 2, 3 or 5, the alphabetical price levels A to H and S apply. Price level S applies only between Bremen and a few towns and communities in Lower Saxony that directly border the city. For trips into or out of Bremen, the price level S fare zones must also be counted. Trips within a single fare zone and trips from a neutral zone to a neighbouring zone and vice versa are classed as price level A.

The fare plan and an overview of the fare areas can be found on the left under Downloads.

Fare Area 1 (Bremen) comprises fare zones 100 and 101. For trips within this fare area, price level I Bremen always applies, provided that the area is not left. For all other trips (from Bremen, into Bremen or through Bremen), fare zones 100 and/or 101, if you travel through them, are each counted separately when working out the price levels.

In one direction:

For a trip to a destination, SingleTickets and sections of 4-Tickets in price level I in Fare Area 3 (Oldenburg) are valid for 90 minutes, price level I in Fare Area 2 (Bremerhaven) for 90 minutes, price level I in Fare Area 1 (Bremen) and in Fare Area 5 (Delmenhorst, Nordenham and Verden) and price levels A and S for three hours, price levels B–G for four hours and price level H until the destination has been reached on the day of cancellation (no later than 3:00 am the following day). You can change routes as many times as you want in this time. you may break your journey.

Return:

In the area for which your SingleTicket is valid in Bremerhaven and Oldenburg, you can make as many trips as you want in various directions during the first 90 minutes. In other words, you have 90 minutes to complete your errand and make a return trip with your SingleTicket. You can change routes as many times as you want in this time. You may break your journey.

Der Nachtlinien-Zuschlag entfällt ab 1. Januar 2020 auf allen BSAG-Nachtlinien und Nachtschwärmerlinien im VBN-Land.

Bei Nutzung des VWG-Nachtexpresses ist für jede Person bis 04:00 Uhr ein Nachtlinienzuschlag zu zahlen. Dieser ist nur einmal pro Nacht zu lösen.

Keinen Nachtlinienzuschlag benötigen Inhaber des MIAplus-Tickets, des JobTickets für Erwachsene, des SemesterTickets, des NachtTickets, des Jugend-FreizeitTickets, des SchülerFerienTickets Niedersachsen/Bremen und der Kombitickets.

Der Nachtlinienzuschlag entfällt auch für Inhaber einer BahnCARD 100, für Schwerbehinderte mit gültiger Wertmarke sowie für Inhaber eines DB-Tickets mit der CityTicket-Funktion sowie für Inhaber eines DB-Tickets mit der City-Ticket-Funktion.

Hier geht's zum Nachtlinienangebot: VBN bei Nacht

VBN tickets are sold in the company’s own sales offices, independent shops identified accordingly as well as the transport company’s ticket machines. In addition, VBN tickets are available in the vehicles of the regional bus routes. Special tickets (for example, regional special tickets) are not available everywhere. No VBN tickets are sold in the DB AG, NordWestBahn, Regio-S-Bahn, metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH, erixx GmbH and evb trains.

If no ticket sales office is open or ticket machine capable of accepting cash is operational at the start of a trip, you must contact the train conductor immediately upon joining the train and buy a ticket. For connections within the authority area, local trains (RB, RE) will issue VBN tickets in such cases. Only a limited range of tickets is available to buy on the train. In IC/EC trains, only DB AG tickets – possibly at the on-board price – are available, in line with the DB AG fare regulations.

SingleTicket, 4-Tickets, DayTickets, NightTickets, the NightLine Surcharge and, where applicable, other special tickets must be cancelled (where necessary). They can be cancelled as follows:

a) When starting a trip on BSAG, BREMERHAVEN BUS, Delbus and VWG buses by using the ticket stamper in the vehicles or by using the stamper at the stop.

b) When starting a trip on the regional bus routes, by the driver.

c) Before starting a trip with DB AG, NordWestBahn, Regio-S-Bahn, erixx GmbH, evb and metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH trains, by using the stampers in the station.

If no stamper is operational in the entrance or on the platform when you are starting a trip, you must report to the train conductor, without being prompted, immediately upon joining the train and before tickets are checked. Otherwise, you may be liable to pay an increased fare of € 60.

The ShortTripSingleTicket Regio is valid on the regional bus and BSAG routes in Osterholz district and, across fare zones, on the routes from there to Bremen and vice versa (not on trains). Within Bremen, the ShortTripSingleTicket Regio is valid on the regional bus routes between the specially identified bus stops. The following applies to one trip: boarding stop plus three more stops. Interruptions to a trip and changes are not permitted.

ExtensionTickets are available to holders of the following season tickets who want to travel beyond the validity of the ticket: MonthlyTicket, AnnualTicket (MIA/ MIAplus), Adult and Apprentice JobTicket, Pupil’s Monthly Ticket, CityTicket Bremen, Senior’Ticket Delmenhorst, Pupil’s Collective Time Ticket/MIAjunior-Ticket and BahnCard 100.

Extension Tickets are available for a uniform price of €3.55 for adults and €2.60 for children, school pupils and apprentices, irrespective of the price level. They are available in the vehicles and from ticket machines (not available to purchase in advance!) and as a mobile ticket, but are only valid for immediate travel and are available only as a single-trip ticket (SingleTicket). ExtensionTickets can also be booked with the BOB ticket (except: ExtensionTickets are not currently available from the metronom BOB machines and only from the following NordWestBahn and Regio-S-Bahn BOB machines: Wildeshausen, Brettorf, Ganderkesee (RB 58); Ahlhorn, Großenkneten, Huntlosen, Sandkrug (RE 18); Rastede (RE 19) and Berne, Elsfleth, Kirchhammelwarden, Brake, Rodenkirchen, Kleinensiel, Nordenham (RS 4)). The people travelling with the ticket holder under the accompanying travellers regulations also each need an ExtensionTicket. The ticket is valid for a trip within the VBN area to the destination for 4 hours from the time it was purchased, and only in connection with one of the above-mentioned season tickets. You are also permitted to break your journey within the stated time. The ExtensionTicket cannot be exchanged or refunded.

Small animals – including small dogs – are transported free of charge if they are kept on your lap in suitable carriers (cages, transport boxes, travel bags, etc.).

Dogs that are not transported in carriers must be kept on a lead. They will be carried if there is sufficient space in the opinion of the driver or inspection staff. The fare for these dogs is the fare for a SingleTicket for Kids or season ticket for school children in the relevant price level, 2nd class.

It is prohibited to take dogs with increased aggression or dangerous dogs, so-called “fighting dogs”, on any public transport within the authority.

There is a general ban on alcohol and smoking on all VBN trains. It is also prohibited to carry alcohol in opened containers. There is a ban on smoking on all other VBN transport. In the event of a violation of the ban on alcohol and smoking, a penalty of at least €40 may be imposed. Furthermore, the passenger may be banned from travelling.

The increased fare is €60 and is charged if the passenger

1. has not bought a valid ticket for himself or – if the fare schedule requires a fare in this case – if he has not bought a valid ticket for any animals, bicycles etc. that he has brought with him,
2. has bought a valid ticket for himself, but cannot present it for inspection,
3. cannot prove that he has paid a valid NightLine Surcharge on the night services,
4. has not cancelled the ticket, or had it cancelled, or has not done so without undue delay or
5. does not present the ticket for inspection on request and hand it over on request,
6. shows a ticket that does not have the correct cancellation,
7. uses a ticket without the required photograph,
8. if using a mobile ticket, has not visibly downloaded a valid mobile ticket before the start of travel or cannot provide proof of purchase of the ticket during the inspection, e.g. due to mobile phone failure.

If the passenger demonstrates to the administration of the company that issued him with a request to pay the increased fare within one week that he was in possession of a valid, non-transferable season ticket or mobile ticket at the time of the request, the increased fare shall be reduced to €7.

You can search for your lost property here in a national online lost property database: Finding lost property online

Alternatively, please contact the transport company in whose vehicle you lost property. Here is their contact information: VBN transport companies.

How do I get my personal timetable and who will help me with any questions?
The electronic timetable information enables you to compile and print out your personal timetable, taking account of criteria that are important to you.
To timetable information

Or just give us a call. Our expert staff will be happy to help you on 04 21/59 60 59.

Which ticket is the right one for me?
We have the right ticket for everyone. We have broken down our ticket range into tickets for adults and tickets for children, schoolchildren, apprentices and students, and each of them into occasional and frequent passengers.
Good to know: Children up to and including 5 years of age can travel for free on VBN transport when accompanying an adult.
To the Range of Tickets

Where can I buy the tickets?
Tickets are available in the buses, from the ticket machines, in the transport companies’ customer centres and in the VBN booking offices.
To the booking offices

How do I get home at night?
There are of course many great places to party in the VBN area, or you can attend one of the many cultural events. Afterwards, the VBN night routes will take you home safely.
To VBN at Night

Ihre alten Tickets, die Sie 2019 gekauft haben, sind keineswegs automatisch ungültig. Für eine Übergangszeit können Sie bereits gekaufte Tickets wie gewohnt für Bus- und Bahnfahrten im VBN-Land verwenden.

2019 gekauft – maximal 5 Jahre nutzbar

• KurzstreckenTickets
• EinzelTickets (auch 1. Klasse-Zuschlag)
• 4er- und 10er-Tickets
• TagesTickets
• NachtTickets
• Fahrrad-TagesTickets
• GruppenTickets

Diese Tickets können maximal 5 Jahre nach Kauf weiterbenutzt werden.

This way to the feedback form: Feedback Form