Germany's 2025 mobility shift: Public transport surges while cars hold steady

Mobility patterns in Germany in 2025 have shifted significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels. Public transport and car travel have nearly recovered, but changes in usage and infrastructure stand out. Public transport saw strong growth in 2025. Local rail usage matched 2019 levels, while local road transport reached 98%. Long-distance rail usage was close behind at 97%. The Deutschlandticket played a major role in boosting these numbers.

Average trip distances for S-Bahn and regional trains increased sharply, hitting 114% of 2019 levels. Long-distance trains also saw a rise, with passenger-kilometres up by 109%. Leisure travel drove much of this growth, while commuting lagged behind.

Car traffic nearly returned to pre-pandemic figures. On highways, passenger car use reached 99% of 2019 levels, and on federal roads, it hit 97%. Meanwhile, freight traffic by truck dipped slightly to 96% of 2019 volumes.

Electric mobility expanded in 2025. More affordable electric cars entered the market, and urban areas saw a notable rise in fast-charging stations. By 2025, mobility by car and public transport had almost fully rebounded to 2019 levels. Public transport growth was supported by new ticketing options, while electric vehicle infrastructure and affordability continued to improve. Freight traffic, however, remained slightly below earlier figures.