Transportation
Public Transport Services
Cottbus and Senftenberg are part of the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB). Because of this, it is very easy to travel back and forth to Berlin.
In addition to the wider transportation network, there is a well-developed public transport system of city and intercity buses in Cottbus and Senftenberg, as well as trams in Cottbus. Thus, all important and interesting destinations in Cottbus, Senftenberg and the surrounding areas are easily accessible by public transport. Furthermore, the cities are relatively compact and the streets are both flat and pedestrian friendly, meaning that almost everything can be reached safely on foot or by bike.
The various timetables for the urban and regional transportation can be found online:
- Verkehrsverbund Berlin Brandenburg (all of Brandenburg)
- Cottbus Verkehr GmbH (only Cottbus)
The cities of Cottbus and Senftenberg are a paradise for cyclists because of their network of well-developed bike paths. In fact, many BTU employees bike to work each day. It is a great alternative to using public transportation or a car and is one of the best ways to explore the surrounding countryside.
Deutsche Bahn connects all cities, both large and small, with their expansive network of local, regional and long-distance routes. If you plan to travel a lot by train, it may be worth it for you to buy a ‘Bahncard’. Depending on which card you buy, you are given a 25% to 50% discount on all rail travel for an entire year. Additionally, Deutsche Bahn offers various special fares based on when and where you are travelling (e.g. saver price, regional tickets, or a day ticket for all of Germany), so it is very helpful to check online and see what offers are currently available.
Before you board a train, you should have already bought a ticket; otherwise, it can get very expensive. Anyone who does not have a valid ticket for bus or train travel is deemed a ‘fare dodger’ and must pay a penalty.
www.bahn.de
For the past few years, there is now the possibility to travel with one of the long-distance bus lines to many of Europe’s larger cities. Although a journey by bus typically takes longer than a train ride, it is often cheaper. If you would like more information concerning bus connections from Cottbus, please visit:
www.fernbusse.de.
Taxis are relatively expensive in Germany and thus, are often only used in special circumstances, for example, if you are travelling with heavy luggage or at night when the buses are not running. All prices are determined according to the tariff schedule, which is calculated off of a fixed basic price pluskilometres travelled.