SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 11, 2026 – A major overhaul of public transport ticketing has taken effect across western Germany's Rheinland region, replacing the old patchwork of fare systems with a single, streamlined tariff called the Rheinlandtarif — and for the millions of daily commuters, weekend cyclists, and occasional bus riders traveling between Aachen, Cologne, and Bonn, that's genuinely good news. The new system launched on June 1, 2026, merging the previously separate fare structures of two major transport associations into one unified ticket range with fewer price tiers, clearer validity rules, and some welcome surprises for cyclists and budget-conscious passengers alike.
What Changed and Why It Matters
The old setup in this part of North Rhine-Westphalia involved two separate transit associations — the Aachener Verkehrsverbund (AVV) and the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS) — each running its own fare logic. That meant different rules depending on which side of a boundary you were on. The Rheinlandtarif sweeps all of that away. Now there is one tariff zone covering the entire combined network, with a simplified color-coded pricing system using just three tiers: green, yellow, and red. Fewer zones, fewer confusions, fewer moments standing at a ticket machine wondering if you've picked the right option.
The New Price Structure at a Glance
The new system uses five fare levels — a short-distance tier (K), and four distance-based stages (1a, 1b, 2, and 3). A basic single ticket starts at €2.90 for the shortest journeys and rises to €13.90 for travel across the full Rheinland network. Children between 6 and 14 travel at a reduced rate, starting from €1.30. Holders of social discount passes such as the MobilPass can access further reduced single fares beginning at €1.80. The 4-journey ticket, long a favorite among occasional riders, is still available — it simply has a new name: Einzelticket 4 Fahrten (Single Ticket 4 Journeys). Prices for app purchases are now identical to those at ticket machines or customer centers, which removes a small but persistent frustration for digital-first commuters.
New Bike Ticket, Clearer Rules for Families
One genuinely practical addition is the new 24-hour bicycle ticket. Previously, cyclists had to buy a separate single-journey bike supplement each time. Now, for €4.50, a single 24-hour bike ticket covers the entire Rheinland network — handy for anyone planning a day out by rail and bike. The 24-hour personal ticket has also been clarified: it covers people only, and bike transport is handled separately through that new add-on. For families, the companion rules on monthly tickets are now uniform: from Monday to Friday after 7 p.m., and all day on weekends and public holidays, one adult and up to three children aged 6–14 can ride along for free.
Monthly Tickets and Subscription Changes
Subscription holders no longer pay a different price than walk-up buyers — the monthly ticket costs the same whether you buy it once or on a standing subscription. What the subscription does offer are added perks: no need to repurchase each month, 30 minutes of free KVB bike-share per ride, and benefits with selected car-sharing partners. Monthly tickets now run on calendar months, matching the Deutschlandticket model. For school students, the transition to the new Schülerticket (school ticket) format begins in August 2026 for secondary municipal schools; all other schools with existing contracts continue with the Deutschlandticket Schule for now.
What Happens to Old VRS Tickets
Riders who still hold unused, unstamped VRS-tariff tickets don't need to panic. Those tickets remain valid for travel until August 31, 2026, provided they were valid at the start of the journey under the old VRS fare rules. Beyond that date, unused VRS tickets bought through KVB can be exchanged at customer centers until May 31, 2029. For 4-journey tickets, the exchange applies proportionally to any unstamped trips remaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Deutschlandticket still work in this region? A: Yes. The Deutschlandticket remains fully valid across the Rheinland network and its rules have not changed under the new tariff.
Q: Can children under 6 still travel free? A: Yes. Children under 6, and children under 7 who have not yet started school, continue to travel at no charge.
Q: Are dogs still allowed on board for free? A: Yes. Leashed dogs continue to be carried free of charge.
Q: Where can I find the complete Rheinlandtarif ticket range and prices? A: Full details including all fare levels, ticket types, and zone maps are available on the official Rheinlandtarif website.
For the full ticket range, pricing tables, and zone maps under the new Rheinlandtarif, visit KVB