Next time you travel to Germany, whether for work or pleasure, don't rely on luck and taxi drivers to get you from A to B.
The country has some sophisticated route planning apps that integrate trains, buses, car- and bike-sharing services, giving you the lowdown on the most convenient means of transport.
Here are some recommendations from Autoclub Europa, a major German automobile club, all of which are free to use and are available for both Android and iOS:
Qixxit
This app is suitable for both long-distance and shorter routes. It takes buses, trains, planes, car rentals, taxis and even ride-sharing services into account to show you the most convenient way to get to your destination.
An overview of your carbon footprint is also displayed for each route. If you want to book tickets, the app redirects to participating suppliers' websites.
DB Navigator
In addition to train connections for local and long-distance routes, this app from the German national rail service Deutsche Bahn can also help you locate car- and bike-sharing services – albeit only those run by the Deutsche Bahn's partner companies Flinkster and Call-a-Bike.
In the event of delays or cancellations, this app also shows alternative travel connections. Tickets for intercity trains as well as local public transport systems can also be booked directly in the app.
Moovel
This app produced by carmaker Daimler also helps users locate car- and bike-sharing services, as well as taxis and train connections. In addition, Moovel lets users make direct taxi bookings, and reserve shared cars as part of the Daimler-owned Car2Go. Users can also pay by PayPal in the app.
Ally
This versatile app can be used in some 100 cities around the world, providing information on bus, train, car and bike-sharing services. In addition, the app is linked to the Allygator Shuttle mobility service, which can be especially useful at night in cities with limited late-night public transport. — dpa
