The Bielefeld Stadtbahn is the backbone of public transport in Bielefeld, operated by moBiel GmbH, a subsidiary of Stadtwerke Bielefeld. It developed from the city’s tramway network, which dates back to 1900, and became a modern metre-gauge light rail system after the inner-city tunnel opened on 28 April 1991. Today, the system combines underground stations in the center with surface-running routes and serves as a core part of city transport.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | moBiel GmbH |
| System type | Metre-gauge light rail / Stadtbahn |
| Origins | Evolved from the Bielefeld tram network, in operation since 1900 |
| Modern opening | Inner-city tunnel opened on 28 April 1991 |
| Lines | 4 |
| Underground stations | 7 |
| Key central interchanges | Hauptbahnhof, Jahnplatz, Rathaus |
| Notable feature | Only German Stadtbahn system using metre gauge |
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.
A Glimpse into the Past
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn grew out of the city’s tram network, which had been running since 1900. In the 1960s, Bielefeld chose not to abandon trams. Instead, it moved toward a more efficient transport system built around a city-center tunnel, with key council decisions taken in 1966 and 1970.
Construction took years. The first tunnel section under Herforder Straße was completed in 1971, then work paused before resuming in 1977. During the 1980s, routes were changed, stops were rebuilt, infrastructure was upgraded, and new vehicles were introduced for tunnel service.
The big shift came on 28 April 1991, when the inner-city tunnel entered regular service and the modern Stadtbahn officially opened. The system later expanded further, including the extension of Line 3 toward Stieghorst and the opening of Line 4 to the university area in 2000.
One detail sets it apart: Bielefeld remains the only German Stadtbahn system built on metre gauge.
Lines and Stations Overview
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn route network has four main lines, all meeting in the city center at major interchange points such as Hauptbahnhof, Jahnplatz, and Rathaus. The system includes seven underground stations in the central tunnel, while most outer stations are at street level. That mix reflects its transition from tramway to Stadtbahn.
If you are looking for a stations map or stations list, these are the main lines in the regular network:
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Schildesche – Hauptbahnhof – Jahnplatz – Bethel – Brackwede – Senne; the longest core route and serves 22 stops |
| Line 2 | Altenhagen – Milse – Baumheide – Hauptbahnhof – Jahnplatz – Sieker; 21 stops |
| Line 3 | Babenhausen-Süd – Hauptbahnhof – Jahnplatz – Dürkopp Tor 6; links central and eastern areas |
| Line 4 | Lohmannshof – Universität – Hauptbahnhof – Jahnplatz – Sieker Mitte – Stieghorst; connects the university district with eastern Bielefeld |
| Hauptbahnhof | Main central interchange shared by all four lines |
| Jahnplatz | Core transfer point in the city center |
| Rathaus | Another key central stop on the network |
| Beckhausstraße | Underground station on Line 2 |
| Wittekindstraße | Underground station on Line 3 |
| Nordpark | Underground station on Line 3 |
| Siegfriedplatz | Underground station on Line 4 |
| Rudolf-Oetker-Halle | Underground station on Line 4 |
Until 31 July 2021, some services also used supplemental line designations. Today, the regular system is built around these four numbered lines, while night bus services replace the Stadtbahn on weekend nights and before public holidays.
Operating Schedule and Frequency
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn runs daily, with opening hours and operating hours that vary by day of the week. In general, service starts early and continues until around 1:00 a.m., giving the network broad daily coverage.
For standard opening times, the starting time is about 5:00 a.m. on weekdays, around 6:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays. Some line-specific departures begin earlier, with timings as early as 4:20 a.m. on Line 2 and 4:30 a.m. on other lines.
During the day, the usual frequency is every 10 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays, in the late evening, and at other quieter times, trains usually run every 15 minutes. So if you are checking the timetable, route timetable, or train schedule today, that 10- to 15-minute pattern is the main rule.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Weekday starting time | About 5:00 a.m.; some lines as early as 4:20 a.m. or 4:30 a.m. |
| Saturday opening time | About 6:30 a.m. |
| Sunday and public holiday opening times | About 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. |
| Typical daytime frequency | Every 10 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays |
| Evening and Sunday frequency | Usually every 15 minutes |
| Typical closing time | Around 1:00 a.m. |
| Christmas Eve schedule | Stadtbahn service ends at about 3:30 p.m., then buses take over |
| New Year’s Eve schedule | All lines run every 15 minutes until 4:30 a.m. |
| Weekend nights and before public holidays | Night buses replace Stadtbahn service |
On weekend nights and before public holidays, night buses take over the route plan, with departures and arrivals coordinated near the hourly mark at Jahnplatz. If you need timings today, schedule today details, or the last train on a specific line, line-by-line service may differ slightly from the general pattern.
Fares, Tickets, and Cards
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn fare system includes options for occasional riders and regular users. Tickets are valid across the wider moBiel network, so one ticketing system covers connected public transport services as well.
A single ticket is valid for 90 minutes and costs €1.60 (US$1.99). A short ticket for four stops in one direction also costs €1.60 (US$1.99) in advance, or €1.80 (US$2.38) on board.
For longer trips within Bielefeld, the single ticket price is €2.60 (US$2.24) in advance or €2.80 (US$3.48) on board. A Group Ticket for Four costs €5.80 (US$7.21) for a short trip in advance or €6.00 (US$7.46) on board; for regular routes, the fare is €8.40 (US$10.44) in advance or €8.60 (US$10.69) on board.
For unlimited travel over a day or longer, there are several pass and card options. The day pass costs €6.00 (US$7.46) in advance or €6.20 (US$7.71) on board. A 9 a.m. day pass costs €5.00 (US$6.22) in advance or €5.20 (US$6.47) on board. Weekly and monthly ticket options are also available.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Single ticket validity | 90 minutes |
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Single ticket | €1.60 (US$1.99) |
| Short ticket, advance | €1.60 (US$1.99) |
| Short ticket, on board | €1.80 (US$2.38) |
| City single ticket, advance | €2.60 (US$2.24) |
| City single ticket, on board | €2.80 (US$3.48) |
| Group Ticket for Four, short trip, advance | €5.80 (US$7.21) |
| Group Ticket for Four, short trip, on board | €6.00 (US$7.46) |
| Group Ticket for Four, regular route, advance | €8.40 (US$10.44) |
| Group Ticket for Four, regular route, on board | €8.60 (US$10.69) |
| Day ticket, advance | €6.00 (US$7.46) |
| Day ticket, on board | €6.20 (US$7.71) |
| 9 a.m. day ticket, advance | €5.00 (US$6.22) |
| 9 a.m. day ticket, on board | €5.20 (US$6.47) |
| Weekly ticket, advance | €19.90 (US$24.74) |
| Weekly ticket, on board | €21.90 (US$27.23) |
| Monthly ticket, advance | €77.50 (US$96.36) |
| Monthly ticket, on board | €79.50 (US$98.84) |
| 9 a.m. monthly pass, advance | €56.70 (US$70.41) |
| 9 a.m. monthly pass, on board | €58.70 (US$72.98) |
| Student monthly pass, advance | €54.90 (US$62.26) |
| Student monthly pass, on board | €56.90 (US$70.74) |
| Tourist Card, 1 day | €8.00 (US$9.95) |
| Tourist Card, 3 days | €13.00 (US$16.16) |
Tickets can be bought online, from vending machines, at stations, or from the bus driver. If you are comparing fare, cost, ticket price, or looking for a fare calculator, the exact option depends on trip length and whether you buy in advance or on board.
From 1 January 2026, fares in the Bielefeld tariff zone are set to rise slightly. The average increase is around two percent, and abo products increase by three percent. The Deutschlandticket will cost €63.00, the Bielefeld abo with take-along and optional transfer will rise to €75.70, and the adult single ticket will increase to €3.60. Short-distance fares and digital tickets such as the Clip ticket and eezy.nrw remain unchanged.
Also from 1 January 2026, the night-bus fare will be discontinued. Night buses will then accept regular WestfalenTarif tickets including the single ticket, the day ticket 24, eezy.nrw, and the Deutschlandticket. Free carry-on rights for certain abo products will also apply on night buses.
Connections with Other Systems
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn is tightly integrated with the city’s wider transport system. All four lines serve Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station and the key interchange for regional and long-distance rail travel. Access between the railway station and the Stadtbahn is by escalators and lifts, though there is no direct internal link; the walk takes about two minutes.
Another rail connection is Brackwede, where the regional railway station sits below the Stadtbahn stop. It can be reached by stairs and a walk of about four minutes. These are the only two Deutsche Bahn stations directly connected to the Stadtbahn network.
Bus links are just as important. Jahnplatz is the central bus hub, and many Stadtbahn termini connect directly with bus stations serving outer districts and nearby towns. Other interchange points include the church in Brackwede, Lohmannshof, the University, Deciusstraße, Baumheide, and Betheleck.
The network also supports park-and-ride and bike-and-ride travel. The largest station parking site is at the University, with garages and spaces right beside the stop. Additional station parking is available on Line 4 between Wellensiek and Lohmannshof, while Milse, the terminus of Line 2, has a large P+R area with 200 spaces. The draft does not give parking charges or parking charges per day.
At night and on the eve of public holidays, eight night bus lines replace the Stadtbahn along its routes, with departures and arrivals coordinated at Jahnplatz shortly after each full hour. It is a practical way to keep local transport running even when rail service is not operating.
Airport Connections
Bielefeld does not have its own commercial airport. The local airport is used for private and business flights, so most travelers use airports in the surrounding region.
The nearest commercial airport is Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport in Buren. The usual route is to take the RB74 regional train from Hauptbahnhof to Paderborn Hauptbahnhof, then continue by bus on lines S60 or 460.
Many passengers also use Hannover Airport. To get there, take an ICE 10, IC 32, or RE70 train from Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof to Hannover, then transfer to the Hannover S-Bahn on lines S5 or S8.
Other airports reachable by rail include Düsseldorf Airport, as well as Bremen and Cologne.
Future Expansions
Bielefeld plans to expand the Stadtbahn system, with a strong focus on the northern districts. The city’s mobility strategy aims to increase the share of sustainable transportation in the city, and several possible route extensions are now being reviewed in detail.
This expansion work is based on the city’s third local transport plan and earlier potential studies. Since conditions have changed since the first feasibility review in 2021, the route plan is being reassessed with input from the public and local politics.
Possible extensions in the north
- Line 1: an extension is planned at least to the junction of Vilsendorfer Straße and Engersche Straße. Planners are also studying service to the new Blackenfeld development, the Brake-West area near Grafenheider Straße, and a possible route via Vilsendorf to Jöllenbeck.
- Line 3: because of local conditions, an extension via Jöllenbecker Straße appears to be the only sensible option, at least as far as Theesen. From there, possible terminal points will be compared.
- Line 4: the first step is to examine which alignment is possible in the corridor between Schloßhofstraße and Babenhausen Süd.
The Line 4 extension from Lohmannshof to Schloßhofstraße is already a separate project and is further advanced. It has political approval, with preparatory construction expected no earlier than the end of 2025 and main works likely to begin in 2026.
The feasibility study for the northern extensions is scheduled for completion in 2027. During that process, the city and moBiel are also weighing operational stability, better university and HSBI connections, environmental limits, and the goal of reducing the use of private land as much as possible.
Beyond the northern project, wider network development could add around 40 percent more route length over the decade. That would be a major expansion of the system.
Travel Tips
If you are traveling from Bielefeld to Bielefeld Stadtbahn, there are four basic options: bus, tram, taxi, or walking. The route is short, about 4 km (2.5 miles), so the difference in running time is fairly small.
The cheapest option is Line 4, which costs about €2 (about US$2.16) and takes around 10 minutes. moBiel runs trams from Bielefeld, Rathaus to Bielefeld, Universität every 15 minutes.
If speed matters more than price, a taxi is the fastest choice. The trip takes roughly 5 minutes and usually costs €13–17 (about US$14.04–18.36).
There is also a direct bus from Bielefeld, Notpfortenstraße to Bielefeld, Universität. It runs once daily on Friday and Saturday, with a journey time of about 8 minutes.
Walking is possible too for this short distance. Before you go, it makes sense to check the current schedule, train schedule, and ticket price if you want the smoothest trip.
- Cheapest: Line 4 tram
- Fastest: Taxi
- Direct bus: Bielefeld, Notpfortenstraße to Bielefeld, Universität
- Main arrival point: Bielefeld, Universität station
The Universität stop is an important transfer point and links into the wider Stadtbahn system.
Interesting Facts
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn is a metre-gauge light rail system in North Rhine-Westphalia, operated by moBiel and integrated into the Westfalentarif network.
What makes it especially unusual is simple: it is the only German Stadtbahn system that uses metre gauge. It also blends tramway and rapid-transit features, with some sections built to higher standards.
The network has four lines and a total track length of 66.3 km (41.2 miles). Its mainline network covers 36.9 km (22.9 miles), with 62 stops including seven underground stations.
In 2012, the Stadtbahn carried 32.77 million passengers. Daily operating hours generally extend until 1:00 a.m., while weekday service can begin as early as 4:30 a.m.
The old tram system was gradually rebuilt into the current Stadtbahn between 1978 and 1991. A fourth line to the university area opened in 2000 and reached Lohmannshof in 2002.
There were also line-network changes in 2021, when former supplemental services were folded into the standard numbering. At the same time, Line 3 began terminating at Dürkopp Tor 6, while Line 4 shifted to Stieghorst.
A planned Line 5 extension from Kunsthalle Bielefeld via Jahnplatz and Kesselbrink to Heepen was approved by the municipal council in 2013, but a citizens’ initiative voted against it in 2014, so it did not move forward.
Sights to See from the Bielefeld Stadtbahn
The Bielefeld Stadtbahn is a handy way to reach several of the city’s best-known sights. With central stations such as Hauptbahnhof, Jahnplatz, and Rathaus, it is easy to combine a route through the city with sightseeing.
- Sparrenburg Castle can be reached from Line 1 near Adenauerplatz station. Built between 1240 and 1250 by the Counts of Ravensberg, it is one of Bielefeld’s best-known historic landmarks and a popular event venue.
- The Old Town Hall (Rathaus) is near Rathaus station and served by Lines 1, 2, 3, and 4. It is the seat of the city government and stands close to the heart of town.
- The Botanical Garden lies a few blocks northwest of Line 1’s Bethel station. It is small by German standards, but it still offers a wide range of plant species across a large area.
Visitors who want to see more can use the Tourist Card Bielefeld, which includes travel by bus and Stadtbahn within the city and also gives free or discounted entry to attractions. That makes planning a relaxed day on public transport pretty straightforward.