Image courtesy of Christian Lue via Unsplash - @christianlue

Berlin is a big city. While a lot of the famous sites are close together, making the city perfect for walking tours, getting around to all the shops, museums, lakes, galleries, bars and kebab shops can be tricky at first. First and foremost, “just google it” really does work in Berlin. Google Maps in Berlin includes all public transport options, and Apple Maps has got a lot better in the last couple of years, too.

Below I’ll tell you about all your different public transport options in Berlin, but first let’s get the big one out of the way.

You only need one ticket for everything!

That’s right, we may have two different train systems, a tram network, and a bus system, but you only need one ticket for all of them, including transfers from one system to another.

Wait, two different train systems?

Yes! Actually a lot of German cities are the same. There is an “S-Bahn” provided by the national train service, Deutsche Bahn (DB) that tends to have longer distances between stops, and stretches right out outside the city. The “S” stands for “schnell”, or “quick”.

Then we have the U-Bahn. Again just like other German cities, in Berlin the U-Bahn is provided by the local transport authority. In our case they’re called the BVG. The U-Bahn trains in Berlin are famous for their distinctive bright yellow paint, and the “U” stands for “Untergrund”, or “Underground”.

Confusingly sometimes the S-Bahn goes underground and the U-Bahn goes overground. Don’t think about it too hard.

How do I know where I’m going?

There’s a big, confusing map plastered on every ticket machine and inside every train. Finding where you are is only step one, finding the right direction is step two. The Berlin S- and U-Bahn doesn’t use cardinal directions (North, South, East, West), rather, the direction of the train is defined by the very last stop on the line. The U1 line, for example, will list the direction as “Warschauer Strasse” when heading East and “Uhland Strasse” when heading West. Once you get used to it it’s fine.

What are the different zones all about?

The transport system is divided into three zones, A, which is the centre, and B, which is a bit more suburban, and C, which is actually outside of Berlin. The dividing line between zones A and B is the circular S-Bahn line called the “Ring Bahn”. This is served by the S41 going clockwise, and the S42 going anticlockwise.

Most things you’re going to want to see in Berlin will be in Zone A.

There is then a third zone, C, which is outside of Berlin. This includes the city of Potsdam and the town of Oranienburg, where the former concentration camp Sachsenhausen is located.

Tickets are sold as AB, BC, or ABC. Generally speaking, unless you’re doing a day trip out of town, or travelling to or from BER Airport, you will only need an AB ticket.

What ticket do I need?

If you’re travelling within Zone A and/or B you need AB, if you’re travelling only within B and/or C, you need BC, and if you’re going from A to C or C to A you need ABC. If you’re on one of our tours your guide will make sure you have the right ticket. They’ll even help you buy it at the machine. We know it’s confusing, don’t worry.

How do I buy a ticket myself?

You can buy tickets at many kiosks in town, or from ticket machines on train platforms. There are no ticket barriers, so just enter the station and look for a machine.

If you’re a fully signed up member of the 21st Century the most convenient way to buy tickets is using the BVG app, which is thankfully available in English.

Click here to download the BVG app for iOS

Click here to download the BVG app for Android

If you need a transport ticket for one of our walking tours and you’re still a bit confused then you can just ask your guide, who will gladly help you out!

Stamp your ticket!

If you bought a physical ticket you need to stamp it before you travel. There are little red or yellow boxes on train platforms, usually next to ticket machines, where you can stamp them.

Only stamp your ticket once! Don’t do it each time you travel!

Digital tickets count as “stamped” (validated) already.

What happens if I get caught without a ticket?

Plain clothes ticket-checkers might be aboard your train! If you’re caught without a ticket you will get a €60 on the spot fine, and a lot of harsh glares from the locals (to be honest you might get those glares anyway, Berliners are like that).

What about the bus and tram?

Remember the whole system uses the same tickets. You can buy your ticket on the tram, from a shop, on the app, and use it wherever you need to. Buses and trams are a little trickier to work out where you’re going, so I recommend using the mapping app on your phone to make sure you know where you’re going. There are clear visual and audio announcements for each stop on both the bus and tram networks.

Potsdam 30.jpg — Image courtesy of Jonathan Whitlam

Can I get on a boat with my ticket?

OMG, yes you can! Even a lot of Berliner’s don’t know this, but there are a couple of ferries you can go on with your regular public transport ticket. My favourite is in the B Zone and carries you across the beautiful Wannsee lake to the little town of Kladow. Pop over, grab a beer or a bite to eat from the restaurant, and zip back. Ferries are every hour.

Bonus: the Berlin public transport authority is hilarious

The BVG have a long-running ad campaign where they basically just make fun of how “terrible” their world-class transport system is (hey, I grew up in the countryside, I think it’s amazing). There are a lot of great moments to choose from, but my favourite is when they ran a well-produced video campaign attempting to get the BVG UNESCO World Heritage accreditation.

The video has subtitles in English. Who said the Germans don’t have a sense of humour?