Transport

Bus Guide for Aachen: Tickets, Routes & ASEAG Apps

Etiquette, Tickets, and Apps for ASEAG Buses

Aachen in English Editorial Team
Bus Guide for Aachen: Tickets, Routes & ASEAG Apps

Buses in Aachen are operated by ASEAG, with around 180 routes covering the city, surrounding region, and cross-border services to Vaals and Maastricht. Tickets cost about €3.20 for a single adult ride within Aachen as of 2026, but most regular users buy the €63/month Deutschlandticket for unlimited national use. You board through the front door, validate your ticket if it isn't already digital, and signal your stop in advance using the red STOP button. The movA and naveo apps show real-time arrivals.

Before Boarding

  1. Validate Your Ticket Before Boarding: Ensure you have your fare ready and validated before stepping onto the bus. This helps the boarding process and avoids delays. In case you need to buy a ticket, do so at the ticket machine before boarding or purchase one from the bus driver.

  2. Use Transportation Apps to Plan Your Trip: Download apps like movA, naveo, or mobil.nrw to plan your route, check real-time schedules, and purchase tickets conveniently. These apps can also alert you to delays or disruptions.

Tickets and Fares

The Aachener Verkehrsverbund (AVV) tariff applies to all ASEAG buses. Common ticket types as of 2026:

  • Single ticket (EinzelTicket) within Aachen: ~€3.20 adult, ~€1.80 child
  • Day ticket (TagesTicket) for one person: ~€8.50
  • Group day ticket (TagesTicket Gruppe) for up to 5 people: ~€15
  • Deutschlandticket: €63/month, unlimited national use on all regional and local public transport (excludes ICE/IC). Best value for daily commuters and frequent regional travellers.
  • Semester ticket for RWTH/FH Aachen students: included in semester fees, valid as Deutschlandticket via the naveo app.

Tickets can be bought through the movA or naveo apps, at ticket machines (Aachen Bushof, Hauptbahnhof, Elisenbrunnen), or directly from the driver (cash and card). Always confirm current prices on the ASEAG fare page.

Boarding

  1. Let Passengers Exit First: Always allow passengers to exit the bus before you board. Stand to the side and give them enough space to get off the bus safely.

  2. Do Not Block Doors: Avoid standing near the doors during travel to ensure smooth entry and exit for other passengers.

  3. Front-Door Boarding: On most ASEAG routes, you board through the front door and show your ticket (paper, screen, or chip card) to the driver. Exit through any door.

Onboard Behavior

  1. Avoid Loud Conversations and Respect Personal Space: Keep conversations quiet and avoid engaging in loud discussions. Be mindful of your personal space and avoid encroaching on others. Use headphones when listening to music or watching videos to maintain a considerate environment.

  2. Offer Your Seat When Necessary: Give up your seat for those who need it more, such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, or passengers with disabilities.

  3. Respect Priority Seating Areas: Be mindful of designated seats for elderly or disabled passengers, and vacate these seats when needed.

  4. Supervise Children: Ensure children behave appropriately, such as sitting properly and not disturbing other passengers.

  5. Respect Transit Staff: Treat bus drivers and other transit staff with respect. A friendly greeting and a thank you before you exit is kind and courteous.

Cleanliness

  1. Keep the Bus Clean: Avoid littering, eating, or drinking on the bus. Clean up after yourself if you make a mess.

  2. Trash Properly: Carry any trash with you if bins are unavailable and dispose of it responsibly at your stop.

  3. Leave Your Seat Clean: Before exiting, ensure your seat is clean and free of litter.

Safety

  1. Follow Safety Guidelines: Always stand behind the white safety markings at bus stops and maintain a safe distance from the curb while waiting.

  2. Secure Yourself During Travel: Hold onto handrails or other supports while standing to avoid accidents during sudden stops or turns.

Special Considerations

  1. Prepare to Exit Early: Press the red STOP button before your stop so the driver can pull over safely. Many smaller stops in Aachen are request-only — if no one signals, the bus does not stop.

  2. Transporting Bikes or Pets: If bringing a bike or pet, ensure it does not obstruct or inconvenience others. Bikes are only permitted on most ASEAG buses outside peak hours (typically before 6 AM and after 9 AM, or weekends), and pets must be leashed and controlled. Small dogs in carriers travel free; larger dogs require a child fare.

  3. Wheelchairs and Strollers: All ASEAG buses are low-floor and have a designated wheelchair/stroller space in the middle. Press the blue accessibility button at the stop to signal the driver to lower the ramp.

Useful Bus Lines in Aachen

  • Line 33/35: Vaals (Netherlands border) — Bushof — Brand. Your easiest cross-border route for shopping in the Netherlands on Sundays.
  • Line 51: Hauptbahnhof — Burtscheid — Carolus Thermen. The bus most newcomers learn first, especially for spa visits.
  • Line 350 (Arriva, not ASEAG): Bushof — Vaals — Maastricht, every 15–30 minutes. Deutschlandticket only covers the German segment.
  • Night buses (N1–N9): From Elisenbrunnen and Bushof on weekends and public holidays, covering the Pontviertel nightlife area.

Helpful Tools

  1. Use Transportation Apps for Convenience:
  • movA: A comprehensive mobility app for Aachen that integrates bus, train, car-sharing, e-bike, e-scooter options, and parking availability.
  • naveo: Provides real-time routing for buses, trains, bicycles, and car-sharing services within the Aachener Verkehrsverbund (AVV).
  • mobil.nrw: Covers public transport across North Rhine-Westphalia with ticket purchasing options, departure monitors, bike routing features, and disruption alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does a single bus ticket in Aachen cost?

A single adult ticket within Aachen costs about €3.20 as of 2026. A day ticket is around €8.50, and a group day ticket for up to five people is about €15. The Deutschlandticket (€63/month) is unlimited and is the cheapest option for regular riders.

How do I buy bus tickets in Aachen?

Use the movA or naveo app for digital tickets, buy from ticket machines at Bushof, Hauptbahnhof, or Elisenbrunnen, or pay the driver in cash or by card.

Is the Deutschlandticket valid on Aachen buses?

Yes. The €63/month Deutschlandticket covers all ASEAG buses, regional trains in Germany, and S-Bahns nationwide. It does not cover ICE/IC trains, the Arriva 350 cross-border bus to Maastricht beyond the border, or first class.

Do Aachen buses run at night?

Yes, on weekends and public holidays. Night bus lines (prefixed N) leave Elisenbrunnen and Aachen Bushof and cover most major districts including Pontviertel and Frankenberger Viertel.

Can I take my bike on an ASEAG bus?

Bikes are allowed on most ASEAG buses outside peak hours (typically not between roughly 6:00–9:00 AM on weekdays). A bike ticket is required, and the driver may refuse boarding if the bus is full.

Is the Aachen bus system accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

Yes. All ASEAG buses are low-floor with a designated wheelchair/stroller area. Press the blue accessibility button at the stop to ask the driver to extend the ramp.