Public Transport Guide
Berlin’s integrated public transport system (BVG) is the best way to get about – it is reliable, fast, clean, safe, affordable and operates 24 hours a day. You only require one ticket to be able to utilise all forms of transport – bus, underground train (U-Bahn) surface train (S-bahn), and trams.
Berlin is divided into three zones A, B and C. For most of your day to day travel, you will be utilising A and B as this extends to the suburbs.
There are no ticket barrier machines on the trains, however fare-dodging is not advisable. Civilian clothed ticket inspectors are a regular occurrence. If you are caught without a validated ticket, you can be fined €40 on the spot.
How to Purchase a Ticket
You purchase your tickets from yellow machines located on all train platforms, inside the trams or from the bus driver. All ticket machines have English translation, simply click on the British flag at the bottom of the screen.
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.
Machine on trams only take coins, however there will always be a machine at the station that will take a note.
Once you have purchased your ticket, you will need to validate it in the small red or yellow box. This will be next to the ticket machine. Tickets purchased on trams and buses don’t need validation as this happens at the time of purchase.
For more information including route planners, maps and additional fare information, visit the Deutsche Bahn interactive website http://bahn.de, available in English.
