9-euro ticket: This is how you check how full your train will be before you travel

The 9 euro ticket is here! From June to August, it enables the use of local public transport throughout Germany for only 9 euros per month. As a result, critics fear overcrowded trains. We will therefore show you below how you can check the current occupancy of local trains.

The DB Navigator does not provide any information on this. It only shows occupancy for long-distance trains (IC, ICE, EC). The railway distinguishes between four categories:

• Low utilization expected: There are enough free seats on this train.
• Average utilization expected: At least half of the seats on this train are likely to be occupied.
• High utilization expected: There are only a few free seats left on the train.
• Exceptionally high occupancy expected: The train is crowded. It is no longer possible to book a ticket or reserve a seat.

According to Bahn, the displayed values ​​are a forecast. Actual occupancy may vary. According to Bahn, a similar forecast for local transport is not possible.

Google is still daring to do this and has been showing corresponding information in the Google Maps apps for Android and iOS for some time. However, these are based on the information provided by other travellers. How to get the information:

Please note that the function is still relatively new and is certainly not used by all users. It is therefore unclear how accurate these forecasts are.

An alternative to the occupancy forecast in Google Maps are the apps of the individual local transport companies. According to our research, the following apps offer a load forecast for connections:

• BVG Fahrinfo (only for Berlin U-Bahn and S-Bahn)
• MVV (only local public transport in Munich)
• mobil.NRW (local transport in NRW)

Are you planning a trip with the 9 euro ticket? Then these travel guide apps are also helpful.

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