Living in Bremen means easy, affordable adventures. With the semester ticket, students can take budget-friendly day trips to nearby cities without the stress of long planning.
One of the benefits of living abroad is that you’re connected to so many other countries. Traveling to other countries is plausible and affordable when you’re a student. They make for great memories with friends or even solo travel if you’re feeling adventurous. Sometimes the best memories come from budget-friendly day trips. Trips to other countries take time to plan and execute. Day trips, on the other hand, involve less planning and are great for when you need a break from campus life. Bremen, situated in the North, is close to beautiful cities that can inspire you when life takes a boring turn. And with our handy-dandy semester ticket, exploring student-friendly destinations is free.
Semester Ticket:
The semester ticket is essentially a travel pass that allows you to use local public transportation in Germany for free. This includes buses, trams, ferries in some cases, and regional trains. For faster trains, such as the IC or ICE, the semester ticket doesn’t apply, and you have to buy your own ticket. After successfully following the guide on how to access your semester ticket, download it to your phone, and you’re good to go. With it, you can travel and use any form of public transport anywhere in Germany. So if you travel to Düsseldorf, you can use the buses and trams without purchasing additional tickets.
Top Day Trips for Students
With the logistics out of the way, here are some places near Bremen I’d suggest for affordable excursions. They’re easily reachable by regional trains and take between 25 minutes and an hour and a half to reach from the Bremen main station.
Bremerhaven: 38 minutes away from Bremen, it’s located right on the North Sea. Bremerhaven is a great place when you need that breezy coastal feel. It’s known for its maritime sights, museums, and beachside views. One thing Bremerhaven has that Bremen doesn’t is a zoo! If you want to see furry animals and take nice walks by the beach when the weather’s nice and sunny, Bremerhaven is the place for you.
Oldenburg: The underrated pick, Oldenburg, has charming architecture, perfect for when you want quiet, cozy vibes. The Old Town is full of cute cafés, shops, and beautiful historical buildings. During sunny months, the palace garden is a great place to relax, have picnics, or even study. Located 25 minutes away, it’s the closest city for the perfect day adventure.
Hamburg: The popular choice for most students, Hamburg is perfect when you want a break from Bremen. The harbor, Elbphilharmonie, and Speicherstadt are the usual sightseeing areas for students. But one thing I appreciate about Hamburg is that there’s always something going on, whether it's a concert, a fashion pop-up, or a street market. Depending on which regional train you take, it’s about an hour away from Bremen.
Hanover: The underrated option, in my opinion. It is amazing because it offers so much at an affordable price. The Herrenhäuser Gardens are stunning, with beautiful views and great public spaces to take them in. Though it’s farther than the other cities from Bremen by an hour and a half, the trip there will definitely be worth it.
Budget Travel Tips
Public Transit Options: For day trips, regional trains are your best friend. And with access to the Deutschland semester ticket, you can use the public transport within the city, further cutting down on costs.
Packing Tips: Packing smartly saves money, especially when small purchases add up faster than expected. Start with the basics: a reusable water bottle, snacks or a small packed lunch, and weather-appropriate layers. German weather is famously unpredictable, especially in the North ,so bringing a compact umbrella or a light jacket prevents you from having to buy one in a rush. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, day trips usually involve more wandering than planned. A portable charger is also worth carrying since relying on your phone for maps, tickets, and train updates can drain the battery quickly. Finally, download any offline maps you might need before leaving; it saves data and reduces the risk of getting lost in a new city.
It’s normal for campus life to feel as if you’re in a bubble. But it’s important to take breaks and get out of that bubble once in a while. Northern Germany has so much to offer, and spending three years without venturing outside our social bubbles makes life boring. I urge you to plan a trip to one of these cities on your own or with friends. There’s more to life than studying. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones to see all the other exciting things life has to offer. I hope this guide is useful as you plan your own day trip.
By Akousa Enam Zigi (Class of 2026)
