What Every one Needs to Know About the Stripe Ticket (Streifenkarte)

TL;DR (Quick Takeaway: Stripe Ticket Cheat Sheet)

When I first moved to Munich, I was totally confused by the MVV ticket system. Between zones, day tickets, stripe tickets, short trips, and IsarCards, I felt really overwhelmed. I made many mistakes, wasted some money on the wrong tickets :D.

So if you’re new to Munich, you really want to avoid this mess, let me break it down for you. Especially the Stripe Ticket (Streifenkarte), which is one of the most flexible and cost-effective tickets if you know how to use it right.

What is a Stripe Ticket?

A Stripe Ticket (Streifenkarte) is a paper ticket with 10 stripes (rectangles) printed on it and numbered from 1 to 10. You validate a certain number of stripes depending on how far you’re traveling and who you are (adult, youth, child).

Why Use a Stripe Ticket?

• It’s cheaper for occasional travelers.
• It can be used by more than one person at a time.
• It works on all MVV transportation: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Tram, and Bus.
• It doesn’t expire until all stripes are used.

How to Use the Stripe Ticket (for Zone M)

If you’re traveling within Zone M (the city of Munich):

• Adults (21+): Validate 2 stripes per trip.
• Children (6-14): Validate 1 stripe per trip.
• Children under 6: Travel for free.

A trip is defined as a single journey from one station to another in one direction, regardless of how many transfers you make.

Example: You and your 8-year-old daughter are taking the U-Bahn. You validate 3 stripes — 2 for you, 1 for her. And three stripes means you validate the rectangle with the number 3. which makes the previous stripes invalid.

To validate:

1. Fold the ticket to expose the right number of stripes.
2. Insert it into the blue stamping machine (at stations or inside trams/buses).
3. Make sure the rectangle with the correct number is up.
4. Make sure the machine stamps the correct date and time. (Usually it does, but check anyway.)

Short Trips: Even Cheaper

For very short trips (up to 4 stops by bus/tram, or 2 stops on U-Bahn/S-Bahn), only 1 stripe per person is needed.

⚠️ Be sure to check if your trip qualifies as “Kurzstrecke” (short trip) — otherwise, you might get fined.

Is the Stripe Ticket Cheaper Than a Day Ticket?

It depends on how much you’re traveling that day.

Stripe Ticket Costs:

• 10 stripes: €17.80
• Cost per stripe: €1.78
• Typical Zone M trip (adult): 2 stripes = €3.56

Day Ticket (Tageskarte):

• Single Day Ticket Zone M: €9.70 (unlimited rides until 6 a.m. next day)
• Group Day Ticket (up to 5 people): €18.60

Quick Math:

• One round trip (to and from) using stripe ticket = 4 stripes = €7.12 for you
• If you take 3 or more trips in one day, a Day Ticket is cheaper

Where to Buy Stripe Tickets

• Ticket machines at all U-Bahn/S-Bahn stations
• MVV app (you get a digital version — same pricing)
• On trams or buses (but only single tickets, usually)

MVV Official Page: Stripe Ticket Info

Pro Tips from My Mistakes:

• Always validate before boarding, even if you’re changing trains later.
• Don’t forget to validate enough stripes for both you and your kids.
• Use the MVV app to check if your trip is short enough for a 1-stripe ticket.
• Take a picture of your validated ticket in case it gets lost.

Final Thoughts

Stripe tickets are great choice once you understand how to use them. As an expat, they helped me save money. If you’re only taking a few trips a week, they’re totally worth it.

But if you’re commuting daily or exploring the city heavily on weekends, look into Day Tickets or even weekly/monthly passes.

Don’t let MVV confuse you — just remember: fold, stamp, and ride.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or you are seeking help, don't hesitate to get in touch with me on Twitter at @salem_hsn