Berlin Public Transport Guide
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.
How to Use Public Transport in Berlin
Tickets & Payment Methods
🎫 Ticket Options
- Single Ticket (€3.80) – Valid for 2 hours in one direction, including transfers.
- Short Trip Ticket (€2.60) – For very short rides: up to 3 U-Bahn/S-Bahn stops or 6 bus/tram stops (no transfers).
- 24-Hour Ticket (€10.60) – Unlimited travel for 24 hours, ideal for tourists.
- 7-Day Ticket (€44.60) – Best for longer stays with unlimited travel.
- Berlin WelcomeCard – Includes unlimited transport and discounts on attractions.
💳 Where to Buy & Payment Methods
- BVG Ticket-App & Fahrinfo-App – Buy and store digital tickets.
- Ticket Machines & BVG Sales Points – Located at stations, accepting cash, cards, and mobile payments.
- On BVG Buses – Cashless payments only (credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay).
- BVG Prepaid Card – A rechargeable card available at BVG service centers.
🛑 Important: Paper tickets must be validated before travel (stamp machines at stations or inside trams/buses).
Transport Modes
🚇 U-Bahn (Subway)
The fastest and most reliable way to get around Berlin. The U-Bahn has 9 lines and operates from early morning until late at night, with 24-hour service on weekends.
🚆 S-Bahn (Commuter Train)
A rapid transit system that connects the city center with outer districts and surrounding areas. Ideal for reaching Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and nearby towns.
🚌 Buses
Covers areas not served by the U-Bahn or S-Bahn. MetroBuses (M-lines) run frequently, while Night Buses (N-lines) operate when trains stop running.
🚋 Trams
Primarily in East Berlin, trams provide an efficient alternative to buses, with frequent stops and dedicated lanes in many areas.
⛴️ Ferries
Berlin has several public transport ferries crossing its many lakes and rivers. Operated by BVG, they are part of the city’s regular transport network.
Zones & Fare System
Berlin’s public transport system uses a zone-based fare system, dividing the city and surrounding areas into three fare zones:
- Zone A – City center within the S-Bahn ring.
- Zone B – Outer districts up to Berlin’s city limits.
- Zone C – Suburban areas, including Potsdam and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
Ticket Prices & Zone Coverage
- AB Ticket (€3.80): Covers most of Berlin, including the city center and outer districts.
- BC Ticket (€4.00): Covers outer Berlin and suburbs, but not the city center.
- ABC Ticket (€4.40): Required for travel to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Potsdam, or other nearby areas.
💡 Tip: Most visitors only need an AB ticket, but if you’re heading to the airport or Potsdam, get an ABC ticket. Tickets must be validated before travel unless purchased via the BVG app. 🚇
💡 Quick Tips
- Ticket Validation 🎟️ – If you buy a paper ticket, stamp it at the validation machines before boarding to avoid fines. If you buy your tickets in one of the apps, please follow the instructions and information in the app.
- No Tap & Go 🚫💳 – Unlike some cities, Berlin does not have a contactless fare capping system. Buy a ticket before traveling.
- Fare Zones Explained 🗺️ – Most travelers only need an AB ticket, but an ABC ticket is required for the airport or Potsdam.
- 🎟️ The same tickets are valid for bus, tram, S-Bahn and subway.
- 🧒 Children up to the age of 6 can always travel free of charge.
- Avoid Rush Hour 🚇 – Trains and buses are busiest from 7-9 AM & 4-7 PM.
- Cashless Buses 🚌 – Since 2024, BVG buses no longer accept cash. Pay with a card or mobile wallet.
- Escalator Etiquette ⬆️ – Stand on the right, walk on the left when using escalators.
- Boarding Tip 🚏 – On buses and trams, board through any door (except when buying a ticket on a bus).
- Night Travel 🌙 – U-Bahn does not run 24/7 but operates later on weekends. Night buses (N-lines) replace trains after hours.
- Public Ferries ⛴️ – Berlin’s ferries are part of the BVG network, and a regular ticket is valid for travel.
💡 Best Tip: Download the BVG Fahrinfo-App to buy tickets and check live transport updates! 🚆
Getting to Central Berlin
Berlin is served by Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and several major train stations, including Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station). Here’s how to reach Alexanderplatz, Mitte, and other central areas using public transport, taxis, and rideshares.
🚆 From Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
| Transport | Route | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚄 Airport Express (FEX) | BER → Hauptbahnhof | 30 min | €4.40 (ABC Ticket) |
| 🚊 S-Bahn (S9, S45) | S9 → Alexanderplatz / S45 → Südkreuz | 40-45 min | €4.40 (ABC Ticket) |
| 🚌 Express Bus (X7, X71) | BER → U7 Rudow → U-Bahn to City | 45-50 min | €4.40 (ABC Ticket) |
| 🚖 Taxi | Direct to Central Berlin | 30-40 min | €50-60 |
🚄 Airport Express (FEX)
Route: BER → Hauptbahnhof
Time: 30 min
Price: €4.40 (ABC Ticket)
🚊 S-Bahn (S9, S45)
Route: S9 → Alexanderplatz / S45 → Südkreuz
Time: 40-45 min
Price: €4.40 (ABC Ticket)
🚌 Express Bus (X7, X71)
Route: BER → U7 Rudow → U-Bahn to City
Time: 45-50 min
Price: €4.40 (ABC Ticket)
🚖 Taxi
Route: Direct to Central Berlin
Time: 30-40 min
Price: €50-60
🚄 From Major Train Stations
Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Main Station)
- Served by S-Bahn (S3, S5, S7, S9), U-Bahn (U5), trams, and buses.
- Easy transfer to anywhere in the city.
Berlin Ostbahnhof
- S-Bahn hub with direct access to Alexanderplatz & Friedrichstraße.
Berlin Südkreuz & Gesundbrunnen
- Important ICE and S-Bahn stations on Berlin’s Ringbahn.
💡 Tip: If arriving by train, a standard AB Ticket covers most journeys within the city! 🚇
Tourist Travel Passes
🎟️ Berlin WelcomeCard
Validity: 48h - 6 days
Benefits: Unlimited transport + 25-50% attraction discounts
Price: From €28.90 (48h, AB)
🏙️ Berlin CityTourCard
Validity: 48h - 6 days
Benefits: Unlimited transport + discounts at select attractions
Price: From €22.10 (48h, AB)
🚇 24h & 7-Day Pass
Validity: 24h / 7 days
Benefits: Unlimited transport (no extra discounts)
Price: €10.60 (24h, AB) / €44.60 (7-day, AB)
Alternative Transport: Bikes & Boats 🚲 ⛴️
🚲 Rent a bike for as little as €1 per 15 minutes or €3 per hour.
📍 Docking stations are available throughout Berlin, near U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations.
💳 Pay via the Nextbike app or at station kiosks with a credit/debit card.
⚡ E-bikes available for an extra fee.
⏳ Available 24/7 for short or long-term rentals.
🔗 More info & rentals: Nextbike Berlin
🚢 Hop-on, hop-off ferry service connecting different parts of Berlin along the Spree and Havel rivers.
🌇 Enjoy stunning views of Berlin’s skyline, Museum Island, and the Reichstag.
🎟️ Free with a standard BVG ticket, no extra cost for ferry rides.
⏳ Ferries run every 20-60 minutes throughout the day.
📍 Stops include: Wannsee, Spandau, Treptower Park, and Müggelsee.
🔗 More info & schedules: BVG Ferries
Accessible Travel in Berlin: A Guide for Everyone
Berlin’s public transport system is designed to be accessible to all travelers, including those with mobility impairments, visual or hearing disabilities, and other accessibility needs. From step-free U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations to audio and visual announcements, here’s what you need to know for a smooth journey.
Step-Free Access 🚉
Berlin has an extensive step-free access system across its U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and ferries, making it easier for passengers using wheelchairs, mobility aids, or strollers.
🚇 U-Bahn & S-Bahn
- Over 140 stations are equipped with elevators or ramps for barrier-free access.
- Fully accessible stations are marked with the ♿ wheelchair symbol on BVG & S-Bahn maps.
- Newer trains are designed with low-floor entry, but some older stations may still require assistance.
🔎 Find accessible stations: BVG Accessibility Guide
🚌 Buses & Trams
- All BVG buses are wheelchair-accessible, featuring ramps and designated priority seating.
- MetroTrams (M-lines) have low-floor entry for easier boarding.
- Tram platforms in newer areas like Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg are designed for step-free boarding, but some older stops may require assistance.
⛴️ Ferries
- BVG ferries are wheelchair accessible with boarding ramps and priority seating.
- Some smaller ferry lines may have limited accessibility—check in advance.
Audio & Visual Announcements 🦻
For travelers with visual or hearing impairments, Berlin’s transport system includes real-time accessibility features:
📢 U-Bahn & S-Bahn Announcements – Spoken notifications for stops, service updates, and delays.
🖥️ Digital Screens – Real-time arrival and delay updates inside trains, buses, and stations.
💳 Contactless Ticket Machines – Equipped with tactile buttons & audio guidance for visually impaired users.
🔊 BVG Apps & Navigation Tools – Features real-time accessibility updates on station elevators and transport disruptions.
Assistance Services 🆘
For travelers who need additional support, BVG and Deutsche Bahn offer specialized services:
📞 BVG Mobility Service
- Assistance for boarding, exiting, and transfers at major U-Bahn & S-Bahn stations.
- Pre-booking is recommended for help at specific stations.
💺 Priority Seating
- All U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams have reserved seating for passengers with disabilities.
- Passengers with a Schwerbehindertenausweis (disability card) may be eligible for free or discounted transport.
Contact & Help
For travelers needing accessibility assistance:
📩 Email: [email protected]
📞 BVG Customer Service: 00 49 30 19449
🔗 More Info: BVG Accessibility Guide
💡 Tip: Check elevator status before traveling using the BVG App, as some older U-Bahn stations may still lack step-free access.
Top 5 Most Scenic Transport Routes
📌 Last Verified: March 2025 – Transport details may change. Check official sources for the latest updates. 🚍📅