This is how public transport works in Berlin

travel-blogger-kevinBy Kevin / 5 min. read

In this blog you will discover how public transport in Berlin works. Which tickets are available and what it costs. This should help you make the right choice during your visit to Berlin.

this-is-how-public-transport-works-in-berlin
This is how public transport works in Berlin

Public transport in Berlin has two major advantages: it is cheap and gets you where you want to be quickly. Use the underground (S-Bahn / U-Bahn), bus or tram to discover the Berlin hotspots.

Public transport zones

Public transport in Berlin is divided into three zones: A, B and C. With a zone A and B ticket it is possible to visit almost all of Berlin. Zone C are mainly the places just outside Berlin, such as Potsdam.

Zone A

The city center of Berlin up to and including the S-Bahn (city train)

Zone B

Outside the S-Bahn (Urban Rail) ring to the city border. Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) falls in zone B.

Zone C

Area of ​​Berlin (about 15 km around the city of Berlin). This includes the city of Potsdam. The other airport, Berlin Schönefeld (SFX), falls in zone C.

The public transport zones Berlin

Buy the right public transport card

Public transport in Berlin is very affordable and ideal for exploring the city. At an S-bahn or U-bahn, a ticket for public transport can be bought at a machine. A major advantage is that an OV ticket is valid for the bus, metro (S-bahn and U-bahn) and the tram.

Below are the different tickets that can be used in public transport in Berlin.

Berlin WelcomeCard

The BerlinWelcomeCard excellent choice for your visit to Berlin if you go 3 days, love museums and other activities.

  • 72 hours of free public transport throughout Berlin
  • Free visit to the Museum Island
  • Up to 50% discount on many museums and activities in Berlin

With the Berlin WelcomeCard you receive a discount of more than 25% on more than 200 attractions in Berlin. This includes public transport in Berlin.

  • € 20.00 - WelcomeCard 48 hours - Zone A and B.
  • € 23.00 - WelcomeCard 48 hours - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 29.00 - WelcomeCard 72 hours - Zone A and B.
  • € 32.00 - WelcomeCard 72 hours - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 46.00 - WelcomeCard 72 hours - Zone A and B + Museum Island
  • € 48.00 - WelcomeCard 72 hours - Zone A, B and C + Museuminsel
  • € 34.00 - WelcomeCard 4 days - Zone A and B
  • € 37.00 - WelcomeCard 4 days - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 38.00 - WelcomeCard 5 days - Zone A and B
  • € 42.00 - WelcomeCard 5 days - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 43.00 - WelcomeCard 6 days - Zone A and B
  • € 47.00 - WelcomeCard 6 days - Zone A, B and C.

Short distance (Kurzstrecke)

If you only need a few stops by public transport, a Kurzstrecke ticket is perfect for you. It is a ticket for a short distance by bus or metro. The Kurzstreck card is valid for six bus stops or three stops on the U or S bahn.

  • € 1.70 - Short distance (Kurzstrecke) - 6 bus stops or 3 metro stops

Reduced (6 to 14 years)

  • € 1.30 - Short distance (Kurzstrecke) - 6 bus stops or 3 metro stops

One way (Einzelfahrschein)

With an Einzelfahrschein ticket you can travel unlimited public transport through Berlin for 2 hours. Switching is free from bus to S- or U-bahn. Driving back and forth with an einzelfahrschein is not allowed.

  • € 2.80 - One way (Einzelfahrschein) - Zone A and B.
  • € 3.10 - One way (Einzelfahrschein) - Zone B and C.
  • € 3.40 - One way (Einzelfahrschein) - Zone A, B and C.

Reduced (6 to 14 years)

  • € 1.70 - One way (Einzelfahrschein) - Zone A and B.
  • € 2.20 - One way (Einzelfahrschein) - Zone B and C.
  • € 2.50 - One way (Einzelfahrschein) - Zone A, B and C.

Day ticket (Tageskarte)

A day ticket is activated when the ticket is purchased and is valid until 3am.

  • € 7.00 - Day ticket (Tageskarte) - Zone A and B.
  • € 7.40 - Day ticket (Tageskarte) - Zone B and C.
  • € 7.70 - Day ticket (Tageskarte) - Zone A, B and C.

Reduced (6 to 14 years)

  • € 4.70 - Day ticket (Tageskarte) - Zone A and B.
  • € 5.10 - Day ticket (Tageskarte) - Zone B and C.
  • € 5.30 - Day ticket (Tageskarte) - Zone A, B and C.

Group ticket (Kleingruppen-Tageskarte)

The Kleingruppenkarte is very favorable for a group ticket. This card can travel up to a maximum of 5 people.

  • € 19.90 - Group ticket (Kleingruppen-Tageskarte) - Zone A and B
  • € 20.60 - Group ticket (Kleingruppen-Tageskarte) - Zone B and C.
  • € 20.80 - Group ticket (Kleingruppen-Tageskarte) - Zone A, B and C.

CityTourCard Berlin

With the CityTourCard you receive up to 15% discount on various attractions in Berlin. Public transport is free with this card through Berlin.

  • € 16.90 - Berlin CityTourCard 48 hours - Zone A and B.
  • € 18.90 - Berlin CityTourCard 48 hours - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 24.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 72 hours - Zone A and B.
  • € 26.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 72 hours - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 30.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 4 days - Zone A and B
  • € 33.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 4 days - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 34.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 5 days - Zone A and B
  • € 37.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 5 days - Zone A, B and C.
  • € 38.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 6 days - Zone A and B
  • € 41.50 - Berlin CityTourCard 6 days - Zone A, B and C.

Traveling through Berlin by public transport

There are three different public transport modes in Berlin. I have listed which they are for you. You can find the different modes of public transport here:

Berlin Metro (S-Bahn and U-Bahn)

In Berlin there are two different subways. The two are U-Bahn and S-Bahn. The difference between the two is that the U-Bahn mainly runs underground and the S-Bahn above ground.

With the underground you can quickly and easily to the hotspots of Berlin, such as: Alexanderplatz, Potsdamerplats, Kurfürstendamm or Friedrichshain.

Bus in Berlin

The buses in Berlin run regularly and can be used well if you want to walk a little less in Berlin. It easily takes you to KaDeWe or the Brandenburg Gate.

Tram in Berlin

Trams also run in Berlin. These trams are only available in a number of districts. Using the tram in these parts of Berlin is an excellent option. You see the environment and it helps you to get to places quickly.

Plan your public transport journey

Plan the route on the BVG website. Enter the place of departure and arrival and it will calculate the best route by public transport in Berlin. You can think of this website as the 9292 of Germany.