The Bielefeld Stadtbahn, often referred to as “light rail”, is an integrated urban transport system serving the city of Bielefeld, Germany. It is typical of the transport systems found in medium-sized German cities. At present, the Stadtbahn consists of four operating lines with a total length of 33.1 kilometres and a total of 64 stations.
Established in 1991, the Stadtbahn was the result of the modernisation of the city’s former tram system. The fare for a single 90-minute journey on the Bielefeld Stadtbahn is €1.60 (equivalent to US$1.99). The Stadtbahn operates approximately from 4:20 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day, with slight variations on different lines.
The Bielefeld Metro, also known as the Stadtbahn in Germany, is not a 24/7 service. Fares and daily ridership for this metro system are not available.
This metro system does not use driverless trains, air conditioning or platform screen doors. Passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms.
Bielefeld Metro Map
Map of Bielefeld Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Bielefeld Metro map in PDF format.
Understanding Bielefeld: A German Urban Hub
Located in the north-east of Germany, Bielefeld is a major city in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city, with a population of around 330,000, forms a wider conurbation with the cities of Gütersloh and Herford, and is the 18th largest city in Germany.
Bielefeld’s origins can be traced back to 1214. While a few decades ago it was a major player in the linen industry, today its economy revolves around the food, textile and service industries. The city is also renowned for its mechanical engineering facilities and its educational landscape, particularly the University of Bielefeld and its associated secondary schools.
The city is divided into ten municipalities and covers an area of 257.91 square kilometres. Temperatures range from 13°C to 17.5°C in the warmer months and from 3.7°C to -0.6°C in the colder months.
The Stadtbahn: A Glimpse
The Stadtbahn is a 33.1 kilometre light rail system in the city of Bielefeld. It is unique in that it was developed from a tram system, resulting in most stations being above ground.
The fleet has changed considerably over the years and currently consists of 42 vehicles. The fleet consists of two series, the M8C and M8D, with lengths of 26.64 m and 27.19 m respectively. The newer GTZ8-B models, introduced in 2012, have a contemporary design and are 34.30 metres long.
The Bielefeld tramway transports approximately 32 million passengers per year. The tramway is operated by moBiel, part of Stadtwerke Bielefeld.
Stadtbahn Fast Facts
- Name: Stadtbahn
- System Length: 33.1 kilometres
- Track Width: 1000 mm
- Number of Lines: 4
- Number of Stations: 64
- Website: www.mobiel.de
- Operator: moBiel, under Stadtwerke Bielefeld
- Annual Passengers: 32 million
- Established: April 28, 1991
A Glimpse into the Past
Prior to the introduction of the Stadtbahn, Bielefeld had been operating a tram system since 1900. Rather than abolish it, it was decided in the 1960s to convert it to a modern transport system, inspired by a similar transformation in Cologne.
The conversion involved extensive construction work, including the excavation of a central city tunnel to accommodate the new light rail system. Although construction began in the 1970s, it was interrupted several times before resuming in 1977. The 1980s saw a series of adaptations, including line relocations, station refurbishments and infrastructure upgrades.
New ticket machines were also installed, stations were merged and extended, and new types of trains were introduced. The central city tunnel was officially opened on 28 April 1991, marking the transformation of the tramway into the Bielefeld Stadtbahn. Since its inauguration, the Stadtbahn has continued to expand with the addition of new stations on lines 3 and 4.
Lines and Stations Overview
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn consists of four lines with a total of 64 stations over a length of 33.1 kilometres. Most of the stations are at ground level, as the tram system evolved into a light rail system. There are only seven underground stations located in the central part of the city. On certain special weekdays, four additional lines (10, 11, 13 and 18) run along alternative routes. In brief, the four main lines of the metro are:
Line 1
Line 1 runs on a north-south axis and is marked blue. It starts in Schildesche and ends in Senne, covering major points such as the city’s Central Station, Jahnplatz, Bethel and Brackwede. It has the largest number of stations on the entire Stadtbahn, 22 in total.
Line 2
Line 2, shown in green, runs from north-east to south-east, with termini at Altenhagen and Sieker. It has a total of 21 stations and runs through the city centre, connecting with other lines at key junctions such as Milse, Baumheide, Jahnplatz and the main railway station.
Line 3
Line 3 runs from north to south-west and has 21 stations from Babenhausen Süd to Stieghorst Zentrum. It is marked yellow and passes through important areas such as Jahnplatz and Sieker Mitte, as well as the central station.
Line 4
The smallest line in the system, Line 4 has only ten stations. It terminates at Lohmannshof and Rathaus. This red line passes through areas such as the University, the Central Station and Jahnplatz.
Operating Schedule and Frequency
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn operates long hours on all its lines. On line 1, the first train leaves Senne at 4:45 on weekdays and the last train arrives in Schildesche at 12:43. On Saturdays, the first train leaves Senne at 6:45 a.m. and the last train arrives in Schildesche at 12:43 a.m. On Sundays and public holidays, the first train leaves Senne at 8:45 a.m. and the last train arrives in Schildesche at 12:43 a.m.
Line 2 leaves Sieker at 4:20 on weekdays. On Saturdays it starts at 6:04 and on Sundays at 9:14. The last train of each day arrives in Altenhagen at 12:55.
The first train of line 3 leaves Sieker Mitte station on weekdays at 4:31. On Saturdays it starts at 6:06, and on Sundays at 8:31. The last train of the day arrives at Lutherkirche at 1:01.
For line 4, the first train departs from Rathaus at 4:41 on weekdays. On Saturdays the first train leaves at 6:11, and on Sundays at 8:21. The last train arrives at Lohmannshof at 12:53 every day.
Each line has a specific frequency that varies according to the time of day and day of the week. For example, the weekday frequency for line 1 starts at 5-minute intervals and increases to 10-minute intervals at certain times. From 7.30 a.m. a fixed frequency of 10 minutes is maintained until 7.30 p.m., after which it increases to 15-minute intervals until closing. Similarly, each line adjusts its frequency to optimise passenger flow and operating hours.
Fares, Tickets, and Cards
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn offers a range of fares to suit both occasional and regular travellers. Firstly, there’s the Single Ticket, which allows unlimited travel for 90 minutes and costs €1.60 (US$1.99). The Short Ticket allows travel for four stops in one direction and costs €1.60 (US$1.99) if purchased in advance or €1.80 (US$2.38) if purchased on board. The single ticket for tours within Bielefeld costs €2.60 (US $2.24) if purchased in advance and €2.80 (US $3.48) if purchased on board.
There are also special ticket options for groups. The Group Ticket for Four costs €5.80 (US $7.21) for a short trip if purchased in advance, or €6.00 (US $7.46) if purchased on board. For regular routes, it costs €8.40 (US $10.44) if purchased in advance and €8.60 (US $10.69) if purchased on board.
Another option is the day ticket, which costs €6.00 (US $7.46) if purchased in advance and €6.20 (US $7.71) if bought on board. There’s also a variant of this ticket that’s valid from 9am and costs €5.00 (US $6.22) if bought in advance and €5.20 (US $6.47) if bought on board.
For regular users, the Weekly Ticket costs €19.90 (US $24.74) if purchased in advance or €21.90 (US $27.23) if purchased on board. The monthly ticket costs €77.50 (US $96.36) if purchased in advance or €79.50 (US $98.84) if purchased on board. There’s also a Monthly Pass, valid from 9am, which costs €56.70 (US $70.41) in advance or €58.70 (US $72.98) on board.
Students can benefit from a discounted monthly pass for €54.90 (US $62.26) or €56.90 (US $70.74) if purchased on board. The Tourist Card offers unlimited travel for €8.00 (US $9.95) for one day or €13.00 (US $16.16) for three days, plus free entry to dozens of museums and similar attractions. These tickets can be purchased online, from vending machines, directly at stations or from the bus driver as they’re integrated into the entire moBiel system.
Connections with Other Systems
As a medium-sized German city, Bielefeld offers a variety of public transport systems that are seamlessly integrated. All Stadtbahn lines pass through the city’s main railway station. Bielefeld has eleven Deutsche Bahn stations, two of which are connected to the Bielefeld Stadtbahn: Hauptbahnhof, which is connected to all four lines, and Brackwede, which is connected to line 1.
In addition to regional and long-distance trains, buses form an important part of Bielefeld’s public transport network. Operated by the public company moBiel, there are 17 conventional bus routes and 10 tangential bus routes in the city. For areas not served by the terminus of the railway lines, a number of commercial bus lines provide connectivity.
Line 1 buses go to places such as Theesen, Vilsendorf, Herford, Stedefreund, Spenge, Sennestadt, Lipperreihe, Friedrichsdorf and Ummeln. Buses on route 2 go to Elverdissen via Herford, while buses on route 3 go to places such as Thesen, Enger, Jöllenbeck, Ubedissen, Oerlinghausen and Hillegossen.
The city also operates 11 night bus routes and the regional bus route 59, which connects Neuenkirchen with the main railway station.
Airport Connections
The city of Bielefeld does not have a commercial airport and relies on nearby air terminals. Bielefeld’s existing airport serves private and business flights and is also the base for several flying clubs. The city is therefore mainly served by Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport, located in the town of Buren between Paderborn and Lippstadt. It is the smallest commercial airport in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The most efficient way to get to this airport is to take the RB74 regional train from Paderborn Central Station to Paderborn Central Station and then take the S60 or 460 bus to the airport.
Due to the limited capacity of Paderborn/Lippstadt airport, many residents use Hannover airport. To get to this airport, take the ICE 10, IC 32 or RE70 train from the main railway station to Hannover. From Hanover, travellers can take the S-Bahn S5 or S8. Düsseldorf Airport is also served by the RE6. Bremen and Cologne airports can also be reached by train.
Future Expansions
Bielefeld’s tram system is undergoing continuous improvement, with numerous construction projects aimed at expanding the system’s reach. As part of its Masterplan 2030, moBiel has outlined 15 new extension projects. The current focus is on a few selected initiatives, including the extension of line 4 from Lohmannshof through Dürerstraße to Schloßhofstraße, opening up access to the university campus. In addition, line 3 will be extended from Stieghorst to Hillegossen. The most ambitious of the 15 projects is the construction of Line 5 in the Heepen district, with 17 stations and a length of 7.2 kilometres.
Travel Tips
- Unlike some other transport systems, Germany doesn’t usually use turnstiles at station entrances. It’s therefore important to buy your ticket before boarding, as conductors may ask to see it.
- Tickets are often available at a discount if purchased in advance or online. Planning your trip in advance can result in significant savings.
- All information on timetables and bus connections can be found on the moBiel website.
- When planning your trip, take into account the frequency of trains on different lines.
Interesting Facts
- The city of Bielefeld is the subject of the Bielefeld Conspiracy, a satirical theory that the city does not exist. The game consists of asking someone if they know someone from Bielefeld, if they have been there and if they know someone who has been there. A negative answer supposedly reinforces the theory, while a positive answer suggests they’re part of the conspiracy.
- The Stadtbahn is one of the few transport systems in the world that has been completely converted from tram to light rail.
Sights to See from the Bielefeld Stadtbahn
Aside from the humour of the Bielefeld Conspiracy, the city offers many attractions typical of medium-sized towns in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. An increasing number of tourists are drawn to Bielefeld to prove its existence and to enjoy its peaceful attractions and unique geography. Some of the places that can be visited using the Bielefeld Stadtbahn are
Sparrenburg Castle: Accessible from line 1 near Adenauerplatz station, this more than a castle was built between 1240 and 1250 by the Counts of Ravensberg. Today it is one of the city’s most important historical sites and a popular venue for events.
Old Town Hall (Rathaus): Located near the Rathaus station, served by lines 1, 2, 3 and 4, this charming brown building serves as the seat of the city government. Its location is close to the epicentre of the city.
Botanical Garden: A few blocks northwest of Line 1’s Bethel station, the city’s botanical garden is small by German standards, but offers a wide variety of plant species spread over a large area.