Public Transport

Overview

A base student ticket for the KVV network is provided through the Studierendenwerk, which allows trips in off-peak times and on weekends. 17,50€ (as of WS24/25) of the semester fee is used to fund this ticket (severely disabled can be entitled to reimbusement, see below). On top of this base ticket, the KVV offers multiple tickets aimed at students: the full-time semester ticket (Studikarte), and two variations of the Deutschlandticket. The following table tries to give an overview (without guaranty):

(*) When terminating before a period of 12 months, the difference to the regular Deutschlandticket hat to be paid (see FAQ on the KVV webpage (German only)).

As of 02.01.2025

KVV Base-Ticket, Semester Ticket and Expansion Tickets

The basic student ticket allows students with a student ID and KVV certificate to travel on the entire KVV network free of charge from Monday to Friday from 6 p.m. (18:00) to 6 a.m., as well as all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The KVV certificate can be created in the Campus Portal under Study Certificates. The certificate is also valid digitally.

The ticket is provided by the Studierendenwerk and is jointly financed by the semester fees. Currently, €17.50 is charged for this (as of WS 24/25). This base fee can be offset against the Studikarte, a KVV semester ticket. For under 28-year-olds, however, the price is only just below that of the D-Ticket JugendBW. Expansion tickets are also available from surrounding transport associations, which can be booked in addition to the Studikarte. However, the cost of the Studikarte + expansion ticket always exceeds that of the Deutschlandticket / D-Ticket JugendBW.

Deutschlandticket, D-Ticket JugendBW and Deutschland-Semesterticket

The D-Ticket JugendBW is often the most cost-effective option for students under 28 years of age who regularly use public transport outside off-peak times or outside of Karlsruhe. The base fee of €17.50 (see above) will still be offset until 31.03.2025, but according to the current status, this is no longer possible after this date - I am not yet sure why.

In the opinion of the state and local authorities, a limit is exceeded for students when they reach the age of 27. After this, they are no longer eligible for a discounted Deutschlandticket. We are campaigning for this limit to be lifted, but at the moment you will be faced with additional costs.

The Deutschland-Semesterticket could offer some relief, as there is no longer any differentiation according to age. However, this can only be purchased by student bodies in full solidarity and would therefore mean a substantial increase in student fees. In order to protect financially weak students from an additional burden, the student parliament has therefore positioned itself against the introduction of a fully solidary semester ticket (at the current conditions) in a resolution passed on 05.12.2023. Should the conditions change substantially, this issue will be revisited.

Reimbursement of the base fee for severely disabled students

The translation of the relevant excerpt of the contribution regulation of the Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe (as of WS 24/25):

»

§ 5 Deferment, reduction

1. [...]

2. severely disabled students who are entitled to use local public transport free of charge due to their disability will be reimbursed the fee charged for the semester ticket upon application and against proof. The application for reimbursement must be sent to the Studierendenwerk and must be received by the Studierendenwerk by the end of the semester for which the fee was paid.

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Contact points of the Studierendenwerk can be found on this page of the Studierendenwerk. If you have any problems, you can also contact our Equal Opportunities Department, our social consultation hours and our International Department.

For other questions related to mobility, please contact our Sustainability Department.

Translated partly with DeepL.com (free version)