Public transport is a central part of daily life for many people in Germany, even those who own cars. This is especially true in urban areas where public transport infrastructure is more developed.
There are many different types of public transport in Germany. Major cities tend to have an U-Bahn, or underground/ subway system. Many cities also have a commuter train called an S-Bahn, which links central areas to more suburban ones. Other cities have trams. Some cities, like Hamburg, even have ferries to bring people across large waterways. To move between cities, or even to travel to neighboring countries, many people travel by train.
Here in Aachen, people mostly get around by foot, bus, bicycle or train. The city does not have an U-Bahn, S-Bahn or tram system.
In my own life, I mostly walk anywhere I need to go. Walking takes on average 15 to 30 minutes. Though I do not own a bike myself, I often see many cyclists out and about, and there are bike lanes on many public streets and sidewalks.
In bad weather, or when traveling longer distances, I usually take the bus. Several bus lines in Aachen even have routes that go across borders, such as to Eupen in Belgium or Vaals and Maastricht in the Netherlands.
