Traffic

Jena has a well-developed network of cycle paths that make many destinations in the city quickly and easily accessible. Two important long-distance cycle routes, the Saale-Radwanderweg and the Thüringer Städtekette cycle route, also intersect here.

Children aged 10 and over and adults must always cycle on the road. Younger children may use the footpath. If there is a combined pedestrian/cycle path, cyclists of all ages may use the red cycle path.

The road traffic regulations also apply to cyclists as far as possible. There are special regulations regarding the carriage of children and adults. The law also regulates what is required for a roadworthy bicycle.

You will find numerous stores in Jena where you can buy or hire a bicycle. There you will also get help in the event of damage and addresses of repair workshops.

Links

• Cycle route planner Thuringia
• Traffic regulations in various languages (PDF)

The local public transport operator is Jenaer Nahverkehr. Information on bus and streetcar routes and timetables is available at the respective stops or on the Jena public transport website.

There you will also find an overview of all tickets and current fares. In addition to various discounted subscription offers for certain target groups, there are also discounted offers for holders of the Jenabonus Card.

Link

• New in Germany: On the move by bus and train

To drive on Jena's roads yourself, you need a valid driver's license and a good knowledge of the road traffic regulations. If you want to obtain your driver's license in Germany, you must be resident in the Federal Republic of Germany and live here for at least 185 days a year.

If you have obtained your regular driving license from an EU or EEA member state, it is valid for an unlimited period in all other member states. You can have it transferred, but you are not obliged to do so.

If you have another foreign driving license and settle in Germany, you may only drive with it for the first 6 months after entering the country. After that, you will need a German driver's license.

At the driving license office, the driving license is recognized and rewritten differently depending on the country of origin. In order for a driving license from a so-called third country to be converted, the holder must take a theoretical and practical test at a driving school.

The driving school requires a residence permit or a certificate of residence or toleration. This must include personal details and a photograph.

The theoretical driving test can also be taken in one of the approved foreign languages on request.

For all driving license matters in Jena, please contact the city's citizens' service.

Links

• Validity of foreign driving licenses in Germany
• Road traffic regulations
• German Road Safety

Registering your own foreign vehicles

If you want to bring your foreign-registered vehicle to Germany, you can do so temporarily without re-registering it. Temporary participation in road traffic in Germany is possible if a valid registration certificate has been issued by your country of origin and no regular location is established in Germany.

After one year, your vehicle will then also be subject to compulsory registration in Germany.

For more information on registering your foreign vehicle in Jena, please contact the Citizen Services team.

Jenaer Nahverkehr is a member of the Verkehrsverbund Mittelthüringen (VMT), an association of public transport companies. With just one ticket you can use city and regional buses, streetcars and local trains in the entire VMT area.

There are 4 train stations in Jena for your train connections. Of these, 3 stations are located in the city center. Deutsche Bahn provides information on routes, timetables and tickets for regional and national train connections. If you use the Deutschland-Ticket, you can use all regional and local public transport buses and trains. It is not valid for long-distance travel, e.g. for ICE, IC, EC, ECE or private providers (such as Flixtrain, Flixbus) and for travel in 1st class.

You can also reach your destination easily and cheaply by long-distance bus on other routes in Germany.

The nearest airports are in Erfurt and Leipzig/Halle.