Bus Guide for Expats
Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) also runs the bus lines, and you’re likely to see plenty of double-decker yellow buses zipping around town. There are 150 daytime bus lines and 54 night-lines with over 10,000 stops throughout Berlin.
Metro buses are within the city centre, and have an M and a two-digit number. They vary in size depending on their routes. Express Bus lines have an X in their route number, and run through the city centre as well as out to the suburbs.
Bus stops are marked with a square white sign featuring a yellow circle with a green H.
You would usually board the bus at the front and exit from the rear doors. To signal for the bus to stop, you press the button located on a pole near the seats. Throughout the journey, stops will be announced either by an electronic voice, the driver or a digital sign at the front of the bus.
The driver will open the doors when the bus stops. If they don’t you can press the push-button located on or next to the doors. For passengers with reduced mobility or a pram, there is a specially market button with the symbol of a baby carriage on it. This will allow the doors to stay open longer and enable you to disembark more easily.
You can purchase your tickets from the bus driver, from all major train stations or most local convenience stores.
There are a number of different fares to consider:
- A single fare – valid for 2 hours – €2.10
- A daily ticket – valid until 3am the next morning – €6.10
- A short distance – valid for 3 train stops (changes allowed) or 6 tram/bus stops (changes not allowed) – €1.30
- 4 ticket single fare – each valid for 2 hours, cheaper than buying them separately – €8.00
- 7 day Pass – this allows up to three children aged 6 to 14 to travel with an Adult free of charge on Mondays to Fridays from 8pm and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. – €26.20
- Monthly Ticket – this allows up to three children aged 6 to 14 to travel with an Adult free of charge on Mondays to Fridays from 8pm and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. – €72.00
If you are traveling with your bike, you will also need to purchase a ticket for this.
Reduce fare tickets are available for students and pensioners.
Tickets purchased on buses don’t need validation as this happens at the time of purchase. Although it’s preferable to have the exact fare, the driver will be able to issue reasonable change.
At every bus stop, you will find a city map and a transportation map.
For more information including route planners, maps and additional fare information, visit the Deutsche Bahn interactive website http://bahn.de, available in English.
