Semester ticket

As a registered student at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, you receive the Germany semester ticket, which is financed through your semester fee. On this page, we want to inform you about what the Germany semester ticket is, what you can do with it and what you should pay attention to.

You can find all questions and answers about refunds due to the Germany semester ticket in the summer semester of 2024 here. Please also read the FAQ carefully before sending us an inquiry be email.

Are you studying in Germersheim (FB 06: Translation, Linguistics and Cultural Studies)? Then please contact the student representatives there (AStA in Germersheim, in German) - they manage your semester ticket and are responsible for all other questions. You can find all information on the AStA homepage in Germersheim: Semester ticket in Germersheim (in German).

What is the Germany semester ticket? What does it look like?

The Germany semester ticket is essentially a ticket for local public transport. It is valid throughout Germany and is purchased through the solidarity model for all students enrolled at Johannes Gutenberg University from the local AStA. The ticket is issued digitally, but it is possible to apply for an analogue chip card. Instructions on how to download the Germany semester ticket to a mobile device can be found here: Instructions on how to obtain the Germany semester ticket (in German)

The ticket is always valid for one semester. The obligation to purchase it and the right to travel end with exmatriculation. The Germany semester ticket entitles you to unlimited use of local public transport and to use second class on regional trains. It is not valid for long-distance travel. The ticket is not transferable and is issued in personal form either as a chip card or as a mobile phone ticket. It does not entitle you to take other people with you. For students, the fare is 60% of the regular Germany ticket price, which is listed below. All further information about the Deutschlandticket can be found in the tariff regulations of the transport associations: Tariff regulations (deutschlandticket.de) (in German)

A refund and a subsidy for the semester ticket are still possible. All information about this can be found on our homepage:

When and where is the Germany semester ticket valid?

The Germany Semester Ticket is valid for public transport throughout Germany during the following period:

  • for the summer semester from April 1st to September 30th,
  • for the winter semester from October 1st to March 31st.

A local transport network map from Deutsche Bahn can be found here: Long-distance and local rail transport: route maps and route network plans (in German; please note: not valid for long-distance transport!). You can find the Mainzer Mobilität route network maps here: Mainzer Mobilität route network plans (in German).

FAQ about the semester ticket

The Germany semester ticket is only valid in Germany. As soon as you cross the border into other countries, the tariffs of the local transport associations apply. This means that you have to buy a connecting ticket if you want to continue your journey.

The rules for taking dogs and bicycles on the bus vary from one transport association to another. In principle, an additional ticket must be purchased if there is no free transport with regular tickets in a certain tariff area. In the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), no additional ticket must be purchased for bicycles and dogs. In the Rein-Nahe-Nahverkehrsbund (RNN), one dog per person can be taken on the bus. Bicycles can be taken free of charge from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

The Germany semester ticket is basically digital. However, our university also offers the option of obtaining an analogue chip card version. To do this, you must fill out the relevant application document, which you can pick up from us during the AStA secretariat's opening hours. To get the chip card, you must then receive proof from us that you have not requested a refund and have the student secretariat confirm that you have paid for the ticket. With this proof, you can obtain the chip card from Mainzer Mobilität for a fee of €10. This chip card is always valid for one semester. The exact documents and proof that you need to receive it are also listed on the application document.

If you have paid the semester fee but the Germany semester ticket is not displayed, please contact the Student Services. You can find contact details here: Student Services at the University of Mainz

A refund and a subsidy for the Germany semester ticket are possible. There are new regulations in the case of refunds. You can find all the information on this on our homepage:

Since the Germany semester ticket could not be included in the fee regulations for the summer semester of 2024, there will be refunds for all students who paid too much with the new ticket. Further information will be announced shortly on our homepage.

Costs of the Germany semester ticket

The cost of the Germany semester ticket is 60% of the cost of the regular Germany ticket. The terms of the semester ticket portion are negotiated by the University Politics Department and the Transport Department with the transport associations.

The semester fee of 182,55 € for the summer semester 2024 and the winter semester 2024 / -25 is made up as follows:

176,40 € Mainzer Mobilität (Germany semester ticket)
6,15 € MVGmeinRad
Σ 182,55 € Semester ticket fee in summer semester 2024 and winter semester 2024 / -25