Transport processes play a pivotal role in cellular metabolism, e.g. for the uptake of nutrients or the excretion of metabolic waste products. Moreover, they are also important in biotechnological processes such as the production of various amino acids by the use of microorganisms. The focus of this review is on bacterial amino acid transport systems, in particular those of Corynebacterium glutamicum and Escherichia coli, with respect to their function and biotechnological significance.