While Germany is famous for the Autobahn, many Germans don't own a car or even have a license. In America, it's normal to use a car to get everywhere, and even highschoolers can drive! Germans can't get a license until they are over 18 years old. Many of my students were shocked when I told them that I had been driving since I was 15 when I got my learner's permit. But even after 18, many Germans continue to use other means of transportation.
Germany has a vast network of Zügen (trains), Straßenbahn (street cars), Ubahn (subways) and buses (bus is just Bus in German). Every day, millions of Germans pendeln (commute) to work using these alternative modes of transportation. I take the bus every day since there aren't any Straßenbahn or Ubahn in Gießen. Most of my students ride the bus too, but not a school bus. They don't have those in Germany. Instead, school kids ride the normal public buses. When I want to travel to other cities on the weekends, I usually go by train. They whip across the land faster than any car!
