At some point between arriving at BER Airport and reaching the ticket machine, most tourists make one of two mistakes: they buy an ABC ticket for a trip that only needs AB, or they ask for the 7-day pass that no longer exists. This post fixes both problems.
Berlin’s three zones — what they actually cover
Berlin’s public transport is divided into three concentric zones. Zone A is the inner city, inside the S-Bahn ring — this is where Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Alexanderplatz, the TV Tower, Checkpoint Charlie, and the East Side Gallery all sit. Zone B extends from the ring to the city limits. Zone C goes beyond Berlin entirely, into the surrounding Brandenburg region — and this is where BER Airport and Potsdam are.
There is no Zone A-only ticket. The standard tourist ticket is AB, covering both the inner city and the outer districts up to the city limits. You only ever need to upgrade to ABC for two reasons: flying in or out of BER Airport, or making a day trip to Potsdam.
Berlin ticket prices 2026
| Ticket | AB price | ABC price | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (Einzelfahrausweis) | €4.00 | €5.00 | 2 hours, one direction, transfers allowed |
| Short trip (Kurzstrecke) | €2.80 | n/a | 3 U/S-Bahn stops or 6 bus/tram stops, no transfer |
| 24-hour (Tageskarte) | €11.20 | €12.90 | Unlimited until 3am the following day |
| Group 24-hour (up to 5 people) | €28.80 | €33.50 | Same as above, shared by group |
| 7-day pass | Discontinued January 2026 | — | |
| Connection ticket (Anschlussfahrausweis) | €2.30 | Adds Zone C to an existing AB day ticket | |
| Children under 6 | Free | When accompanied by an adult | |
| Children 6–14 | €2.50 | €3.50 | Reduced fare single |
All prices are VBB/BVG fares effective 1 January 2026, following a roughly 6% increase across the network.
The 7-day pass no longer exists
Until 31 December 2025, the 7-day BVG ticket cost €36 for Zone AB and was the obvious choice for any visitor staying a week. It was cheap, simple, and almost always the right answer. As of 1 January 2026, it is no longer sold — along with BC-only tickets, annual subscriptions, and the 65Plus pass, all discontinued in the same fare restructuring.
Many travel blogs and guides — including some ranking on the first page of Google — still recommend the 7-day pass. They haven’t been updated. If you search for it at a ticket machine, you won’t find it.
What replaces it for week-long stays: the Berlin WelcomeCard, or simply buying 24-hour tickets day by day. The Berlin WelcomeCard combines unlimited public transport (Zone ABC) with discounts of up to 50% at over 170 attractions — if you’re planning to visit the TV Tower, Museum Island, or other paid attractions, the maths often work in its favour.
AB or ABC: the simple decision rule
Buy AB for everything that involves sightseeing within Berlin. Every U-Bahn line, every S-Bahn within the city, every tram and bus — all covered.
Buy ABC only when your journey crosses into Zone C. This means: any trip to or from BER Airport (single ABC €5.00), and any day trip to Potsdam. That’s essentially it for tourists.
The money-saving move for a mixed trip: buy an AB 24-hour ticket for your main sightseeing day (€11.20), and add a €2.30 Anschlussfahrausweis (connection ticket) if you decide to go to Potsdam that same day. This is cheaper than buying a full ABC 24-hour ticket (€12.90).
Getting from BER Airport into the city
BER Airport is in Zone C, so you need an ABC single ticket (€5.00) for the train into central Berlin. The FEX Airport Express reaches Hauptbahnhof in around 30 minutes; the S9 takes roughly 45 minutes and uses the same ticket. Both depart from the station directly under Terminal 1.
Inspectors are particularly frequent on the airport lines — “I didn’t know I needed ABC” is not an accepted defence for the €60 fine. If in doubt at the machine, select ABC.
If you’re arriving with heavy luggage, late at night, or with a group, a private driver meeting you at the gate removes the ticket question entirely.
The €60 fine: how to avoid it
Paper tickets bought from machines must be validated by stamping them in the yellow or red boxes on the platform before you board — not on the train, not after. A paid but unstamped ticket is treated the same as no ticket. The fine is €60, and there is no negotiation.
Digital tickets bought through the BVG app activate automatically when purchased and don’t require validation. The app also shows in advance which zone your route requires — useful if you’re unsure whether to buy AB or ABC for a specific trip.
The Kurzstrecke: when it’s actually useful
The short-trip ticket at €2.80 covers three stops on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, or six stops on a bus or tram. No transfers between vehicles are permitted. It’s useful for short hops of two or three stops, but only on a single mode of transport. Any time you need to change lines or travel further, a standard single is better value.
Is the Berlin WelcomeCard worth buying?
The WelcomeCard combines unlimited Zone ABC public transport with discounts at over 170 partners. Prices start at €28.50 for 48 hours. It makes financial sense if you’ve already planned visits to two or three partner attractions — the TV Tower, Museum Island, and major museums are all included. Check the WelcomeCard partner list before deciding.
Group tickets: the most overlooked saving
The group 24-hour ticket covers up to 5 people for €28.80 in Zone AB. Five individual 24-hour tickets cost €56. If you’re travelling with family or a group and spending a full day sightseeing together, this is one of the largest single savings in Berlin’s entire transport system.
Alternatives to the U-Bahn for sightseeing
Bus 100 runs from Alexanderplatz through the TV Tower, Hackescher Markt, the Reichstag, and Tiergarten — all with a standard AB ticket. It’s effectively a free sightseeing route if you already have a day ticket. For a more structured experience, a hop-on hop-off bus covers the major sights with audio commentary.
A Spree river cruise gives a completely different view of Museum Island, the Dom, and the government quarter — parts of the city that no U-Bahn line reaches. For the full network map and night transport options, see our Berlin public transport guide.
Berlin public transport tickets 2026: FAQ
Do I need an AB or ABC ticket in Berlin?
Almost all tourists need AB only. Zone AB covers the entire city including all U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses within Berlin. You only need ABC if your journey includes BER Airport or Potsdam. Buying ABC for regular city sightseeing costs €1 more per single trip for no benefit.
Is there still a 7-day BVG ticket in 2026?
No. The 7-day ticket was discontinued on 1 January 2026 as part of VBB’s fare restructuring. It is no longer available at any machine or through the BVG app. Many travel guides still mention it — they have not been updated. For week-long stays, the Berlin WelcomeCard or daily 24-hour tickets are the current alternatives.
How much is the Berlin metro ticket in 2026?
A single ticket for Zone AB costs €4.00, valid for 2 hours with unlimited transfers. A single for Zone ABC (needed for BER Airport or Potsdam) costs €5.00. A 24-hour ticket for Zone AB costs €11.20; ABC costs €12.90. All prices effective from 1 January 2026.
What is the fine for not validating a ticket in Berlin?
€60, applied on the spot. Paper tickets from machines must be stamped in the yellow or red validation boxes on the platform before boarding. A paid but unstamped ticket is treated as no ticket. Digital tickets from the BVG app activate automatically.
Which ticket do I need from BER Airport to Berlin city centre?
An ABC single ticket (€5.00). BER Airport is in Zone C — AB is not sufficient. The FEX Airport Express to Hauptbahnhof takes around 30 minutes; the S9 takes around 45 minutes. Stamp paper tickets on the platform before boarding. Inspectors are frequent on airport lines.
