Berlin Public Transport
Updated for 2026

Public Transport in Berlin

Berlin has a well-connected and efficient public transport system, covering the city with U-Bahn (subways), S-Bahn (commuter trains), buses, trams, and ferries. Whether you’re exploring historic landmarks or trendy neighborhoods, getting around without a car is easy and convenient.

U S Berlin Guide Sections

Planning Berlin? Start with these

Tickets & Payment Methods

Berlin’s system covers Zones A, B, and C. Most tourists only need Zone AB.

🔗 Official Sources: BVG Ticket Overview • S-Bahn Berlin Tariffs

Ticket Prices (Zone AB)

  • €4.00
    Single Ticket
    Valid for 2 hours (one direction). Transfers included.
  • €12.40
    4-Trip Ticket BEST VALUE
    Four single tickets. Drops price to €3.10/ride. Shareable.
  • €2.80
    Short Trip (Kurzstrecke)
    3 stops U/S-Bahn or 6 stops Bus/Tram. No transfers.
  • €11.20
    24-Hour Ticket
    Unlimited travel for 24h. Includes up to 3 children (6-14) for free.
  • from €28.50
    WelcomeCard / CityTourCard
    Tourist pass for 48h–6 days, AB or ABC zones, plus attraction discounts. The old 7-day card was discontinued in 2026.

Where to Buy

📱 Official Apps

  • • BVG Fahrinfo: The main app for tickets & maps.
  • • Jelbi App: Best for all-in-one (Transit + Scooters + Taxis).

📍 Machines & Buses

Stations: Yellow machines at every U/S-Bahn platform (Cash/Card).
Buses: Drivers accept Contactless Card Only (No Cash!).

⚠️ Validation is Mandatory

You MUST stamp paper tickets in the yellow/red boxes before boarding trains. Fine: €60. (Digital tickets activate immediately).

Transport Modes

Berlin’s network is huge but logical. U-Bahn is for the city center; S-Bahn is for longer distances.

U

U-Bahn (Subway)

The yellow trains are the fastest way to get around Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Charlottenburg.

Key Lines:
• U2 (Red): Alexanderplatz to Zoo (Scenic elevated sections).
• U5 (Brown): Brandenburg Gate to Museum Island.

💡 Tip: Runs 24 hours on Fridays & Saturdays.
S

S-Bahn (City Train)

Green-branded trains run by Deutsche Bahn. Faster than the U-Bahn for longer distances.

Key Lines:
• S41/S42 (Ringbahn): Circles the entire city center.
• S9: Direct line to the Airport (BER).

💡 Tip: The “Ringbahn” is the border of Zone A.
Bus

MetroBus & Bus

Berlin’s iconic yellow double-decker buses. “M” buses (MetroBus) run 24/7 every 10 mins.

Sightseeing Hack:
Take Bus 100 or 200 from Alexanderplatz to Zoo. It passes all major sights for the price of a normal ticket.

M

Tram (Streetcar)

Mostly found in East Berlin (Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain). It is often faster than the bus.

Key Lines:
• M10 (Party Tram): Connects the nightlife spots of Warschauer Str. and Eberswalder Str.

💡 Tip: Buy tickets inside the tram (coin/card machines).
F

Ferry (Fähre)

Public ferries crossing lakes like Wannsee are included in your AB ticket!

Best Route:
• F10: Wannsee S-Bahn to Alt-Kladow (20 min crossing).

RE

Regional (Airport Exp)

Red double-decker trains. Essential for the airport or day trips to Potsdam.

Key Lines:
• FEX (Flughafen Express): Fastest link to BER Airport (30 mins from Hbf).
• RE1: The fast train to Potsdam.

💡 Tip: Included in ABC tickets (no extra supplement).
Berlin Transport Zones Map

Zone A is inside the Ringbahn. Zone C includes the Airport.

Zones & Fare System

Berlin is divided into three zones. Most tourists only need AB, but you must know when to buy C!

Zone A

City center (Inside the S-Bahn Ring).

Zone B

Outer districts to the city limits.

Zone C

Airport (BER), Potsdam & Suburbs.

2026 Ticket Prices

AB Ticket (€4.00): For 95% of tourists. Covers all central sights (TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate, East Side Gallery).
BC Ticket: Abolished (Jan 2026) Zone BC no longer exists. Use ABC ticket for all Zone C destinations.
ABC Ticket (€5.00): Mandatory for trips to/from BER Airport or Potsdam (Sanssouci).

👮 Extension Tip: If you have an AB Day Ticket and want to go to Potsdam (Zone C), you don’t need a new full ticket! Just buy a “Connection Ticket A/C” (Anschlussfahrausweis) for €2.40.

! Berlin Public Transport Quick Tips

🎟️ Ticket Validation

Crucial: You MUST stamp paper tickets in the yellow/red machines before boarding U/S-Bahns (or immediately on the bus). The fine is €60—and inspectors are strict!

💳 Prices & Payment

Bus drivers only accept contactless cards (no cash). 24-Hour tickets start at €11.20 (Zone AB). Groups of 3-5 should buy a “Small Group Ticket” (€35.30) to save money.

✈️ Airport = Zone C

Don’t get caught with an AB ticket at the airport! You need an ABC Ticket (€5.00). If you already have an AB day pass, just buy a “Connection Ticket A/C” supplement (€2.30).

🌙 Night Service

Weekends: U-Bahn & S-Bahn run 24 hours (Fri & Sat nights).
Weekdays: Trains stop ~1 AM and are replaced by Night Buses (N-lines).

🚲 Bikes on Trains

Allowed on U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and Trams (marked carriages only). You need a separate Bicycle Ticket (€2.40 for Zone AB).

🎟️ Best Tourist Card

Staying 3+ days? The Berlin WelcomeCard covers all transport + discounts at TV Tower & Museums.

View WelcomeCard Prices

Arriving in Berlin (BER)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is located in Zone C. You need an ABC Ticket to get to the city.

🚄

FEX / RE7 (Express Train)

⚡ Fastest Option
  • 💰 €5.00 (ABC Ticket)
  • ⏱ 30 mins to Hauptbahnhof
  • 📍 Stops: Ostkreuz, Gesundbrunnen, Hbf
  • 🔄 Runs every 30 minutes
Included for free with:
🎟️ Berlin WelcomeCard (Zone ABC)
🚆

S-Bahn (Line S9)

📸 Scenic Route
  • 💰 €5.00 (ABC Ticket)
  • ⏱ 45-50 mins to Alexanderplatz
  • 📍 Stops: Warschauer Str, Alex, Zoo
  • ℹ️ Good for hotels in East/West Berlin hubs
🚖

Taxi & Uber

  • 💰 €60–€75 (Metered Estimate)
  • ⏱ 45-60 mins (Traffic dependent)
  • 📍 Taxi stands at T1/T2 arrivals
  • ⚠️ Beware of “touts” inside terminal. Only use the official line.
✈️ Book Private Driver (Meet at Gate)
🚇

Bus X7 + U-Bahn U7

💡 Local Hack
  • 💰 €5.00 (ABC Ticket)
  • ⏱ 40 mins to Neukölln/Kreuzberg
  • 📍 Take Bus X7 to “Rudow”, then transfer to U7
  • ℹ️ Best if staying in South Berlin (Neukölln)
⚠️ Important Ticket Rule: Do not forget to stamp your ABC ticket on the platform before getting on the FEX or S-Bahn. Inspectors target the airport lines heavily!

Tourist Travel Passes

Compare the best options for unlimited travel and museum access in Berlin.

🔥 Best Seller

Berlin WelcomeCard

  • ✅ Unlimited Travel: Bus, Train, Tram (AB or ABC).
  • ✅ Discounts: Up to 50% off 200+ attractions.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Friendly: 3 children (6-14) travel free per card!
  • ⏱ Flexible: 48h to 6 Days.
Popular attractions included in discounts:
🗼 TV Tower 🏛️ Museum Island
From ~€32.00 (48h)
🎟️ Buy WelcomeCard

CityTourCard

  • ✅ Transport: Same unlimited travel as WelcomeCard.
  • 📉 Fewer Discounts: Saves money at ~20 attractions (mostly nightlife/alternative).
  • 💰 Cheaper: Saves you ~€4-€5 compared to WelcomeCard.
From ~€24.00 (48h)
🏷️ Check Prices »
📅 Long Stay

Deutschland-Ticket

  • 🇩🇪 All of Germany: Unlimited local transport nationwide.
  • ⚠️ Subscription Trap: It is a monthly subscription. You must cancel by the 10th of the month or you pay for the next month too.
  • ❌ No ICE/IC Trains: Local/Regional trains only.
€58.00 / Month
ℹ️ Info on BVG Site »
Feature WelcomeCard CityTourCard D-Ticket
Transport ✅ Unlimited (Berlin) ✅ Unlimited (Berlin) ✅ All Germany
Airport (BER) ✅ (If ABC bought) ✅ (If ABC bought) ✅ Included
Kids Free? ✅ Yes (3 kids <15) ✅ Yes (3 kids <15) ❌ No (Adult Only)
Best For First-Time Tourists Budget / Nightlife Stays > 1 Month

Bikes & Boats

Experience Berlin from the saddle or the water.

🚲

Nextbike (Berlin)

  • 💰 Cost: ~€1 per 15 mins (Max €15/day).
  • 📱 App: Use the Jelbi App or Nextbike app to rent.
  • 📍 Availability: Thousands of silver/blue bikes citywide.
  • 🔓 Return: Park at designated stations or “Flex Zones” (small fee may apply).
🚴‍♂️ Book a “Berlin Wall” Bike Tour
⛴️

Ferries & River Cruises

  • 🎫 BVG Ferries (F Lines): Included in your AB ticket! Best route: F10 (Wannsee).
  • 🏙️ Spree Cruises: Sightseeing boats in the center are Private (Not included in BVG ticket).
  • ⚓ Popular: 1-hour tour past Museum Island & Reichstag.
🚢 Book Spree River Cruise
💡 Pro Tip: Do not confuse the yellow/white BVG ferries (public transport) with the large glass-roofed sightseeing boats. Only the ferries marked F10, F11, F24, etc., accept your standard metro ticket.

Scenic Routes

Sightseeing for the price of a standard ticket (€4.00).

Bus 100

The “Budget” Tour Bus

Created after reunification to connect East & West. Passes the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and Victory Column.

Alex ↔ Zoo
⏱ 35 min
U-Bahn U1

The Elevated Viaduct

Instead of going underground, the U1 glides above the streets of Kreuzberg. The crossing of the Oberbaum Bridge is iconic.

Warschauer Str. ↔ Möckernbrücke
Ferry F10

Lake Wannsee Crossing

One of Berlin’s longest ferry routes. It feels like a mini-vacation across the lake. Included in the regular AB ticket!

Wannsee ↔ Kladow
S-Bahn S41/42

The “Dog’s Head” Circle

Ride the full circle (60 mins) to see the transition from industrial zones to leafy suburbs. S41 goes clockwise.

Full Loop
⏱ 60 min

Common Questions

Answers to the most frequent queries from travelers in 2026.

⚠️ Validate Your Ticket!

Stamp it or face a €60 fine.
Paper tickets must be validated in the yellow machines before boarding. Travelling unvalidated — even with a paid ticket — results in an on-the-spot fine. Digital tickets activate automatically.

🗺️ What Zones Do I Need?

Zone AB covers everything central.
All U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses within Berlin. Zone C is only needed for Potsdam or BER Airport. Don’t overpay for zones you don’t need.

✈️ BER Airport to City?

FEX or S9 train — ~30–45 min.
The FEX Airport Express reaches Hauptbahnhof in ~30 min. The S9 takes ~45 min but is cheaper. Both require a Zone ABC ticket (€5.00).

🌙 Does U-Bahn Run All Night?

Yes on weekends.
All U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines run 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights. On weeknights, night buses (Nachtbusse, prefixed N) replace trains every ~30 min.

🏛️ S-Bahn to Brandenburg Gate?

S1 to Brandenburger Tor station.
The S1 S-Bahn stops directly at Brandenburger Tor. Alternatively, U5 stops at Unter den Linden — a short walk away.

🎫 Best Value Ticket?

Day ticket for heavy users.
Zone AB day ticket costs €9.80 — unlimited for the whole day. If you plan 4+ trips, it beats buying singles. For longer stays, the WelcomeCard or CityTourCard (from ~€28.50, valid 48h–6 days) is the best value; for month-plus stays, the Deutschlandticket (€63/month) is cheapest.

Accessible Travel in Berlin

Berlin has one of the most accessible transport networks in Europe.

Public Transport Accessibility

🚇

U-Bahn (Subway)

86% of stations are step-free (elevators/ramps).
⚠️ Warning: Some older stations (e.g., U2 line) still lack elevators. Always check the map for the wheelchair symbol.

🚌

Bus & Tram

100% Accessible. Every bus and tram is a low-floor vehicle with a fold-out ramp. Press the blue wheelchair button outside specifically to alert the driver.

🚆

S-Bahn (Trains)

All S-Bahn trains have a dedicated wheelchair compartment (usually directly behind the driver). Staff will deploy a ramp if needed.

♿

Free Assistance Service

BVG offers a free “Begleitservice” (Guide Service) for travelers who need help navigating.
📞 Call +49 30 256 34 256 (Book 1 week ahead recommended).

Essential Planning Tools

🔗 BVG Official Accessibility Guide
Broken elevators & station maps.

🔗 Wheelmap.org
Crowdsourced map of wheelchair-friendly places (Made in Berlin!).

🔗 VisitBerlin: Accessible Tourism
Hotels, tours & museums info.

🟢 Last Verified: June 2026 – Prices and transport details are checked regularly.

This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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