Berlin Tickets – Explore the City by Subway, U-Bahn, and Tram

Explore the city comfortably by subway, S-Bahn and bus and save with a Berlin Tickets Welcome Card that includes public transport and discounts at tourist highlights. Find out more and purchase in the app, online or at the Berlin Welcome Card point of sale.

Single tickets are valid for two hours and there are daily, weekly and monthly passes that let you bring children and other people free. All tickets must be validated before you travel.

Public transport

If you want to use the trains, buses, trams and ferries in Berlin, buy your local public transit ticket online, in the app or at a station or Reisezentrum (travel center). A single fare is 2.90 euros for two hours of travel. Fare zones depend on your destination: zone A is the inner city inside the S-Bahn ring, zone B is most of the urban area and zone C covers the outskirts including Schonefeld Airport and Potsdam.

For subway, S-Bahn and buses, you can buy tickets directly from the driver or from the ticket machines on the platforms in six different languages. You can also purchase them with an app on your smartphone and pay with Apple Pay, PayPal or a credit card. The app offers a quick, convenient and easy way to buy tickets in Berlin.

The stations are served by a variety of bus lines, most of which run every 10 or 15 minutes during the day and 24 hours at night. You can check departure times on the website or in the app of your transport provider.

Be sure to carry a valid ticket at all times! Those who are caught without one are subject to a fine. Tickets are checked regularly by transport staff wearing plain clothes. They usually announce their presence and ask to see your ticket.

Buses

Berlin’s buses (marked with M) and trams (marked with a “T”) are a quick and inexpensive way to get around the city, and they offer a unique perspective on the city. You can buy tickets beforehand from ticket machines, at S- or U-Bahn stations, BVG ticket-sellers or on the bus. Some ticket-sellers accept credit cards, but others only take cash.

You can also purchase a 24-Hour Group Day Pass or a 7-Day Ticket, which allows one passenger unlimited travel on all public transportation services in the indicated fare zone for 24 hours or seven days, respectively. There are also single tickets, which allow two stops on a train or in the metro and three stops on buses or trams, as well as short trip tickets (Kurzstrecke). Child and student discounts are available.

The S-Bahn, which connects the main north-south routes, is a fast and efficient form of public transport, running from 4:30 am to 1:30 pm on weekdays and every 10 minutes during peak hours. The frequency slows to 20 minutes outside of the rush hour and every 30 minutes at night.

The city’s rail system, which is managed by DB, offers a wide variety of options for passengers, including local and regional trains, as well as the high-speed ICE and IC trains. You can buy tickets online, in the DB Navigator app or from a ticket machine at the station.

Trams

The tram network in Berlin is a major part of the city’s public transport system. It operates in most districts and is seamlessly integrated with the bus, U-Bahn, and S-Bahn networks. You can find the latest tram timetables online or at each stop. You can also use a variety of transportation apps to plan your journey.

Tickets for all modes of public transport are valid on the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, trams, ferries, and regional trains (RE). You can buy them from the BVG website, the DB Navigator app, at the DB Reisezentrum, or in the ticket machines at each station. The price depends on the tariff zone and the period of validity.

A single ticket is good for two hours of travel in one direction. There are also daily, weekly, and monthly passes. The prices for children, students, and apprentices are lower. In addition, you can get a discount on entry fees to many museums and tourist attractions with the Welcome Card and City Tour Card.

Most of the stations are equipped with large concourses that have banks, supermarkets, and fast food outlets. Some are also wheelchair accessible. The platform displays are very informative. When your train is arriving, you will hear a signal and the information screen will change to show it’s coming up. To make sure that the train stops at your stop, press the yellow “STOP” button near you.

Trains

Trains and subways (U-Bahn and S-Bahn) are the best way to get around. They run every 10 – 20 minutes during the day and much more frequently in the center. There are also night buses for some lines and ferries.

The trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn, and you can buy tickets online, in the DB Navigator app, at a DB Reisezentrum or in a ticket machine. Tickets are valid for all modes of public transport if they are within the appropriate zones and purchased from an official point of sale. This includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses, and ferries. It does not include intercity trains (IC and ICE).

When buying your tickets, check the zone map to make sure you’re getting the right ones for your needs. Berlin is divided into three tariff zones: Zone A is everything inside the S-Bahn ring; Zone B includes the outskirts of the city (such as Schönefeld Airport, Potsdam, and Oranienburg); and Zone C includes the Berlin Brandenburg Airport and other areas in Brandenburg.

When riding the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, remember that your ticket is only valid for two hours from the time it was stamped or purchased. If you want to continue your trip, you’ll need to purchase another ticket. Single tickets are good for only one direction, but daily, weekly, and monthly passes let you travel multiple times without paying extra. There are also kurzstrecke (short trip) tickets that let you travel a few stops.