Welcome to the jungle. Now comes the fun part. If you succeeded in finding out which ticket to get you now have to fight your way to the ticket itself.
Disclaimer: Again, the information on this page does not cover the complete variety of options and it has been last updated in August 2025. This page focuses on a few options which we consider most practical for most of our visitors.
Many ways to your ticket
Here is the overview of the public transport company with some of the options how to buy a ticket.
Our recommendation is to get your ticket from a so called “pre-purchasing point” (see the map on the overview). These are usually small tobacco shops (German: “Trafik”). Advantage: same price as anywhere; you talk to a person; if you pay cash you’ll get change. Disadvantage: available during shop opening hours only; relatively few shops carry tickets.
The second recommended option is to get the ticket from a ticket vending machine. You find them at nearly every bus stop and they’re “open” all day long. Unfortunately they are tricky to operate. We’ll help you in a minute.
You can also get your ticket via the online ticket shop or the mobile application (search for “IVB tickets” at your favorite app provider). We find the user interface quite challenging.
The ticket vending machines
The good thing is: they are everywhere.
They all look the same, so they are easy to recognize. There are differences, though.
How to distinguish the machines
The machine on the left has a parking meter symbol on the side (the white P in the blue circle). That means its main purpose is to sell parking tickets. It also sells tickets for public transport but not all types. Also, it accepts cash only.
We recommend to use the machine type on the right which does not have a parking meter symbol. That machine sells all types of tickets.
We continue to describe how to operate the machine on the right side. We use the German version of the screens as this is the only version you’ll see on these machines.
How to select your ticket
Start by selecting which ticket you want. Press the up / down buttons (segment 1 in the image). On the screen (segment 2) you see the arrow move from item to item.
When the arrow is at the type of ticket you would like to buy, press the OK button (segment 3 in the image above).
The screen will show you which ticket you selected and the price for that ticket.
Pay your ticket
Pay by cash: insert coins into the slot on the top right (segment 4 in the image above).
Watch out ! You should insert the exact amount for the ticket. If you insert more (because you don’t have the exact amount) you will not get any change back.
Pay by card: Insert your bank card or hold it near the scanner (segment 5 in the image above), then follow the instructions for payment (numeric keyboard and little screen above segment 5).
Your ticket will be printed. Take it from the machine. Remember to validate it when first entering the bus or tram.
Cancel your purchase
Abort your purchase at any time by pressing the cancel button (segment 6 in the image).