Official app — BVG Fahrinfo (iOS) · BVG Fahrinfo (Android)
1. ALWAYS validate your paper ticket! Paper tickets must be stamped in the yellow or red validation machine on the platform BEFORE you board. No stamp = invalid = €60 fine, even if you have purchased the ticket. Inspectors do not accept excuses.
2. No automatic daily cap! Unlike London, Berlin does NOT automatically calculate the cheapest daily fare. If you take 4+ rides in a day, you must manually buy a day pass (Tageskarte AB, €11,20). Otherwise you will overpay.
3. Zone ABC for BER airport! The airport is in Zone C. Standard AB tickets do NOT work there. You need an ABC ticket (€5,00 for single trip or €12,90 day pass). This is the most common mistake tourists make.
4. Board at the front after 20:00! Buses require boarding via the front door after 20:00 (safety rule). Rear doors remain closed.
| Ticket Type | Price (2026) | Validity | When to choose? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Einzelfahrausweis AB (Single) | €4,00 | 120 min, one direction | Only 1-2 rides per day |
| Kurzstrecke (Short trip) | €2,80 | 3 stops metro/6 stops bus, 30 min | Short distances in the city center |
| 4-Fahrten-Karte AB | €12,40 (€3,10/ride) | 4 single rides of 120 min | 4-8 rides spread over multiple days |
| Tageskarte AB (Day pass) Our pick | €11,20 | 24 hours unlimited | 3+ rides per day — best deal in Berlin |
| Tageskarte ABC (Day pass) | €12,90 | 24 hours unlimited incl. airport | If you do airport + city on the same day |
Situation: You take 4 PT rides per day (hotel ↔ attractions, 2× round trip).
| Scenario | Calculation | Total Cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Single tickets only | 12 rides × €4,00 | €48,00 | Too expensive! |
| 2. 4-Fahrten-Karte | 3 × 4-trip bundle (€12,40) | €37,20 | Better, but not optimal |
| 3. Day passes | 3 × Day Pass AB (€11,20) | €33,60 | BEST PRICE! |
BER Brandenburg Airport is located 30-45 minutes from the center in Zone C. You ALWAYS need a Zone ABC ticket (AB does NOT work!).
| Option | Time | Price | Frequency | Best for... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEX (Airport Express) | 35 min | €5,00 | Every 30 min | Fastest route, direct to Hauptbahnhof |
| S-Bahn S9/S45 | 45 min | €5,00 | Every 20 min | Budget + flexible (stops more often) |
| Regional trains (RE7/RB14) | 30 min | €5,00 | Every 30-60 min | If FEX is full |
| Bus X7 + U7 | 18 min + metro | €5,00 | Every 10 min | For hotels near Rudow station |
Cheapest: S9/S45 - €5,00
Fastest: FEX - €5,00 (same price, but 10 min faster)
With day pass: Buy Day Pass ABC (€12,90) immediately if you must return to the
airport the same day or make multiple trips in the city
Berlin uses a zone system for ticket prices. For 95% of tourists, Zone AB is sufficient.
| Situation | Required ticket | Price (Single) |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist attractions (The Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie) | AB | €4,00 |
| From/to BER airport | ABC | €5,00 |
| Day trip to Potsdam | ABC | €5,00 |
| Sachsenhausen concentration camp | ABC | €5,00 |
Perfect for families or groups of friends!
Family: 2 adults + 2 children (7 and 10 years)
Individual day passes:
2 × adult day pass (€11,20) = €22,40
2 × child day pass (€7,40) = €14,80
Total: €37,20
Kleingruppenkarte:
Total: €35,30
Savings: €1,90 per day!
Berlin scores high on accessibility, but is not perfect. Lifts can sometimes be out of order (use BrokenLifts.org app!).
BrokenLifts.org shows real-time status of all 400+ lifts in Berlin PT. The app is updated every 15 minutes. On average 179 lifts are out of order per day in Germany, with 7+ days repair time. Without this app you might get stuck on platforms!
Website: BrokenLifts.org
Berlin has excellent night transport, especially on weekends! But there are important differences between Friday/Saturday and weekdays.
Metro stops around 00:30-01:00. Then catch the night buses:
| Line | Route | Parallel day line |
|---|---|---|
| N5 | Hauptbahnhof → Alexanderplatz → Eastside | ~S5/S7 |
| N42 | Zoo → The Brandenburg Gate → Alexanderplatz | ~U2 |
| N8 | Hermannplatz → Alexanderplatz → Gesundbrunnen | ~U8 |
Trams stop around 00:30. Night buses take over their routes.
Good news: Standard tickets also work at night! No extra costs.
If public transport is not running or you do not feel safe:
Berlin has excellent 5G coverage, but free WiFi in U-Bahn vehicles themselves is often still missing. An eSIM is essential to find your way in the extensive network of buses and trams.
Recommended for most travelers. Quick activation and reliable coverage across Berlin.
The perfect safety net. Get free basic data for essential apps like WhatsApp or Maps.
Best for power users. Never worry about data limits while navigating or streaming.
Don't drag your suitcases around! In Berlin there are 3 reliable options to safely store your luggage.
Safe luggage storage in local shops and hotels. Best choice for flexibility and coverage.
The 'Airbnb for luggage', working with reputable hotel chains and shops across the city.
Berlin has 10 U-Bahn lines (U1-U9 + U55).
Ringbahn S41/S42 is a circular line around the city (60 min for full ring). Useful for transfers between districts.
Berlin has 22 tram lines, especially in East Berlin.