BahnCard.
If you plan to travel around a bit while you are still in Germany, it can
pay off to have a Bahncard. With the Bahncard, you can purchase tickets for
half their price. That means that that ICE fast train traveling from Aachen
to France isn't quite as expensive as before. However there are other ways
of which you can travel using the rails and save money. Presently the
BahnCard costs 110 DM for 2nd Class, and 220 DM for 1st Class. Really 1st Class
doesn't offer that much extra in the rail system except the possibility of
having more privacy and most likely not so many people. However those that
are there are working class that would really like to have their own
compartment, though by no means are they exceedingly rude or anything. I do
suggest that you try 1st class at least one time, it is a little different.
Bus System.
The bus system in most of Europe is excellent. Germany holds perhaps the best
record for punctuality. However they don't have much control of the weather,
and as such when it rains the buses tend to be a little later than they should
be. Not to mention that more people want to ride the bus rather than get
soaking wet by the rain. So tends to take a little longer at each stop.
One nice thing is that you can find a time table of some sort at each bus stop.
If the bus stop has a shelter than often one might find a map of the city and
be able to see where the bus actually stops. Even if there is only a list for
a time table of stops, there is normally a list of the stops that the bus
makes along its route.
In Aachen you can purchase a monthly card for a rate that I would say is good
if you use the bus about every work day to and from your destination. It does
pay for itself at that point. However there is always the possibility of a
bike or just walking. (The price in September 1996 for a Monthly card was 51.50
DM. My bicycle cost only 200 DM. 4 months of a monthly card.) However not
to mention that my card was also acceptible to go all the way into
Vaals, Holland, and Kelmis, Belgium. However one does not need to purchase
such a card, just get one that allows the traveler to go as far as the border
of those places, at least Vaals. You can walk the 20 or 30 feet that it takes
to get into Holland from the Vaals Grenze bus-stop.
There are other special deals for bussers as well, stop by the Busbahnhof in
the center of Aachen to find out.
Auto.
Yes you can get around by car here. Thing is that you need to get hooked up.
First of all up to this point a foreigner(at least American) is able to drive
in Germany up to a year after arrival. Perfect if you are doing just a one
year exchange program. However you don't have to end up being the driver.
There are several ways of which you can find a ride to somewhere in Europe.
Often people will drive somewhere and be willing to take someone with them as
a passenger, as well as to make a little money in the process. I'm not entirely
familiar with all the ways, but I know there is actually a business that
specializes in just setting people up to get transportation to some location.
However the University offers something similar though you have to do a little
more work. Not difficult, just the usual Hassles..
:) It was last located just inside the door of the Hauptmensa (Main Mensa,
similar to a cafeteria.) On the wall is a large diagram of Germany broken
up into different sections. From there you can write a card requesting where
you want to go. As well you can find cards where someone is headed perhaps in
your direction. With enough playing around you could actually get a ride
to and from where you are headed.
Bicycle.
Aachen is fairly hilly, so expect to get a good work out when you get here.
There are paths that are fairly flat, ask someone that lives in your building.
They should be able to show you one of the easier ways to get home. If not
then try someone else. I have been unsuccesful at finding a topographical
map of Aachen although they survey Carman Auditorium all the time. :)
Roller Blades.
It's possible but not highly recommended. Rain. As well many places do not
allow Rollerbladers to enter the building. So you might just save the
discouragement. Or if you like the challenge go for it.
Go back to The Hassles where you belong.
Go back to the Main page.