Berlin Public Transport: How to Get Around the German Capital
This page takes a look at how to navigate Berlin public transport and covers everything you need to know about the German capital’s extensive U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus network
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From north to south and east to west, Berlin has a reliable public transport network that will quickly whisk you from one side of the city to the other. Through combining four modes of public transport under one common fare structure, getting around Berlin is fast and affordable (especially in comparison to other major European capitals).
Berlin’s Public Transport System
In Berlin, there are four main types of public transport:
Berlin U-Bahn (underground railway)
The U-Bahn is the main means of public transport in Berlin. 173 stations are spread across the city and are easily recognised by the famous ‘U’ signs. Omnipresent in all of Berlin’s major neighbourhoods, the city’s 10 U-Bahn lines are a staple presence in the life of most Berliners.
U-Bahn operating hours and timetable:
Mon – Fri: 4 a.m. until 1 a.m. (5–10 minute intervals depending on the time of day.
Sat – Sun: 24hr service (10–15 minute intervals depending on the time of day)
Here is an U-Bahn map that gives you an overview of the Berlin U-Bahn lines.
Berlin S-Bahn (light railway)
The S-Bahn operates mostly overground and is the quickest mode of public transport around Berlin. 15 S-Bahn lines connect 170 stations, that are easily recognised by large green/white ‘S’ signs.
S-Bahn operating hours and timetable:
Mon – Fri: 4.30 a.m. until 1.30 a.m.
Sat – Sun: 24hr service
Here is an S-Bahn map that gives you an overview of the Berlin S-Bahn lines.
Berlin Trams
Operating mainly in the eastern side of the city, the Berlin tram network consists of 22 tram and metrotram lines.
Tram operating hours:
Regular service, 7 days a week
Here is a Berlin tram map that gives you an overview of the Berlin tram lines.
Berlin Buses
Local buses criss-cross Berlin and can get you to most parts of the city.
Bus operating hours:
24-hr service, 7 days a week. For nighttime hours, there are designated night buses, that are marked with the letter ‘N’.
Here is a Berlin bus map that gives you an overview of the Berlin bus lines.
Berlin Public Transport Planner
Finding the best and quickest public transport routes for getting around Berlin can be tricky. Thankfully, the BVG Fahrinfo App (the main public transport company in Berlin) has a simple and intuitive route planner:
Simply enter your route and the app shows you the different Berlin public transport options, the expected journey time, the departure and arrival times and the journey cost.
Berlin Transport Zones
As you will see in the information above, there are multiple modes of public transport for getting around Berlin. While the U-Bahn, tram and bus network is managed by BVG, the S-Bahn is run by a different authority.
Despite being managed separately, all the services are thankfully integrated into the same 3-zone ticketing system, meaning that you can take all modes of public transport on the same ticket type.
Berlin is split into three different transport zones (A, B and C) with slight variations in price between the different zones. You can purchase tickets for the combined zones AB, BC or ABC, as needed:
Berlin AB Zone – which includes the city centre and less central urban areas within the city boundary. Zone AB covers the vast majority of trips within Berlin.
Berlin BC Zone – which does not include the city centre but covers less central urban areas within the city boundary and the outskirts of Berlin.
Berlin ABC Zone – which includes the city centre, less central urban areas within the city boundary and the outskirts of Berlin. For example, the city of Potsdam.
Here is a Berlin zone map to help you see which zones your travel is in. Once you know which Berlin transport zone your travel is in, the next step is to work out which ticket you need.
Berlin Public Transport Tickets
There are a large number of ticket options available for getting around Berlin by public transport. Below, we have highlighted the ones that are most frequently used in the city.
Single ticket
A Berlin single ticket covers U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus travel for 1 person for 2 hours in the fare zone selected.
Importantly, you can only travel in one direction on a single-trip ticket in Berlin. You must not travel back towards the direction of your starting point on the same single ticket.
You are permitted to change modes of transport on the same single ticket.
Pricing for Berlin single tickets:
Zones AB: €3.00
Zones BC: €3.50
Zones: ABC: €3.80
Short-trip ticket
As its name suggests, a short-trip ticket (Kurzstrecke Berlin) is valid for short trips in Berlin. Specifically, it permits you to travel for 3 stops on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn or 6 stops on buses and trams.
Importantly, you are permitted to changes modes of transport if travelling by S-Bahn or U-Bahn, but this is not permitted if travelling by bus or tram.
Pricing for short trip tickets:
€2.00
4-trip ticket
This ticket consists of four single tickets, each of which must be validated at the start of each trip. You should use 1 ticket for each trip and the same conditions apply as for a regular single ticket (i.e. you can travel in one direction for up to 2 hours and you are permitted to change modes of transport).
The 4-trip ticket works out considerably cheaper than purchasing four single tickets individually.
Pricing for 4-trip tickets:
Zones AB: €9.40
Zones BC: €12.60
Zones: ABC: €13.80
24-hr ticket
If you are going to be taking 3+ trips in a day, then a 24-hr day ticket is your most economical option. This Berlin day ticket type gives you unlimited travel on all public transport for 24 hours.
Pricing for 24-hr tickets:
Zones AB: €8.80
Zones BC: €9.20
Zones: ABC: €10.00
7-day ticket
A 7-day week ticket is valid for 7 days from the moment you validate the ticket and covers unlimited travel on all Berlin public transport for the zones you have selected.
Pricing for 7-day tickets:
Zones AB: €36.00
Zones BC: €37.00
Zones: ABC: €43.00
Monthly ticket
A favourite amongst commuters, the Berlin monthly ticket is a very economical choice for regular users of the public transport network.
On the ticket, you can enjoy unlimited travel on all public transport for a full month. The validity dates are displayed on the ticket. As an added bonus, the Berlin monthly pass allows you to take one extra person for free at the weekend and on weekday evenings after 8 p.m. until 3 a.m.
Pricing for monthly tickets:
Zones AB: €86.00
Zones BC: €89.00
Zones: ABC: €107.00
While these are the most popular choices when it comes to Berlin public transport tickets, there are a number of other ticket types tailored to groups, students and trainees, companies, senior citizens and tourists. For a full overview, check out the BVG tickets website.
Purchasing tickets
When it comes to purchasing Berlin public transport tickets, you have a number of options:
Ticket machines on U-Bahn and S-Bahn platforms
The most common method for buying tickets is via the ticket machines on the station platforms themselves. Here you can choose between 6 languages. Payment can be made via cash or German debit card.
Ticket machines on the tram
Berlin tram tickets can be purchased on the trams themselves. Many of the ticket machines on the trams are fairly old school and only allow you to pay with coins.
From the bus driver
On buses, you are able to buy tickets directly from the bus driver. Make sure you have the exact change or a small note as the drivers do not carry lots of change.
From ticket offices in main stations
In many of Berlin’s larger stations (Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, Ostbahnhof) there are ticket offices where you can purchase your transport tickets in person.
Using the BVG app
Rather than purchase a physical ticket from the ticket machines, you can also use the BVG Ticket-App to buy BVG tickets on your mobile device.
Validating tickets on Berlin public transport
Before getting on Berlin public transport, it is essential that you timestamp/validate your ticket using the machines provided. These machines can be found on U-Bahn/S-Bahn platforms in the form of a red/yellow box close to the ticket machines. Validating machines are also present on all buses and trams in the city.
The validation machines will stamp your ticket with the time, date and station name or current location so that ticket inspectors can determine that your ticket is valid for your intended route.
If you encounter ticket inspectors and have forgotten to validate your ticket, then you will likely incur a €60 penalty fare.
Penalty fares
Berlin’s public transport system is a barrier-free system. You can enter stations and jump on and off trains without needing to show a ticket or scan through a ticket barrier. Considering this, it can be tempting to travel without a valid ticket. We highly recommend against this.
While there are no tickets barriers, there are ticket inspectors (many of them plain-clothed) patrolling the different public transport lines in Berlin. If caught without a valid ticket, you will receive a €60 penalty fare. Worse still, travelling without a valid ticket can actually be pursued as a criminal offence.
If you receive a penalty fare, you will receive a payment deadline. Failing to pay by the deadline will result in a further penalty fee.
Taking your bike on Berlin public transport
It is generally possible to take bikes on board the S-Bahn, U-Bahn and trams in Berlin. If travelling with a bike, make sure that you only use the carriages that have a bike logo either on or beside the carriage door. If a particular carriage is full and there is no space for your bike, then you should wait for the next train.
Importantly, your bike needs to have its own bike ticket, which must be presented alongside your own valid transport ticket.
Pricing for single bike tickets:
Zones AB: €2.10
Zones BC: €2.40
Zones: ABC: €2.70
We hope you have found this post useful for understanding Berlin’s public transport network. For further information about living in Berlin, check out our other blog posts and free relocation resources.