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The way most people
will get around is buy the U-Bahn system. It is fairly
safe way to travel except at night. It is the best
way to get around in Frankfurt except going to the bases,
those you will have to drive too.
The U-Bahn system
is the local subway system. The track are located
above ground except down town where they are underground.
The way to buy a ticket is by the machines located at each
stop. Some times they take for ever to process your
money so be patient. The way you buy a ticket is simple.
Put the number of the location where you want to go and
press Einzelfahrt, if your over 14 press the 14 and older
side or you will get fined. If your just going down
town press the Einzelfahrt Frankfurt and it automatically
put in the right number. If you're going just TWO
stops then press Kurzestrecke Frankfurt. There are
also day, week, month and year tickets to purchase and also
group tickets up to 5 people which last a day. The
prices vary because of rush hour and low use time but the
basic price for the Kurzestrecke is about 1.10 and the
Einzelfahrt Frankfurt is about 1.70. The Einzelfahrt
for places outside Frankfurt is about 3.25 and then the
group, day, week, month, and year all increase in price
after that.
And word to the wise:
the doors do not open automatically, you have to press the
button to open the door whether your inside the train or
out. And remember that the Einzelfahrt tickets only
work one way and for one hour and they have the time and
the printing location stamped on there so no trying to trick
the police.
There
are no turnstiles to check your ticket but there are policemen
in street clothes who come around and check tickets.
The fine is 40.00
which is about $50.00.
The
Map of the U-Bahn System here in Frankfurt with places of
interest highlighted on the map.
Click Here.
The Autobahn or highway
here is in a pretty good condition. There are some
patches of road that are cracked and rough but those are
getting fewer and fewer. There are no numbered exit
signs just signs that say AUSFAHRT. The Germans drive
either very slow or way too fast. In some area away
from city's there are actually no speed limits and the Germans
push their cars to the limits going about 155 MPH even in
old little beat up cars. They drive fairly safe at
these speeds but crashes do happen, like they do every where
when people drive to fast. The "hierarchy"
of the road left to right, slow to fast, so if you can drive
here, the driving age is 18 years old (Sorry) they do get
mad if you go to the wrong speed in the wrong lane.
If you go to slow in the fast lane the Germans tailgate
you until you switch lanes and then speed off before you
clear that lane. It is very stupid and very dangerous
and they all do it so don't get mad and try something stupid
because the fine for road rage is 1500 plus.
The Autobahn system
is a little weird. You will notice sometimes that
your going on the right road but it will take you away from
your destination. Remember that that's OK.
If and when you move
here you will learn these systems very well, and even find
better ways to get to the places you want to go. For
example if your tired coming home you can take a bus that
stops right across from the Siedlung starting at Dornbusch
train station and you don't have to buy a new ticket because.
The U-Bahn, S-Bahn (just another train system) and the Busses
all run on the same ticket for one hour and only one way.
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