Your guide to getting around Germany’s capital using the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn, or the bus.
The German capital boasts one of Europe’s most efficient and comprehensive public transport systems, weaving together a network of U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (urban railway), buses, trams, and ferries. With a rich history and a commitment to sustainability, Berlin’s transit infrastructure facilitates smooth travel across its diverse neighborhoods and attractions. Whether you want to explore the city center or the suburbs, you will reach your destination quickly, comfortably, and safely. Here is everything you need to know about Berlin’s public transport system.
Travel Zones
Berlin has three fare zones: Sub-area A is bounded by the S-Bahn ring and includes the city center. Sub-area B ends at Berlin’s city limits. Sub-area C consists of the surrounding areas of Berlin (e.g., BER airport, Potsdam, Oranienburg). If you arrive by plane, you will need to buy a ticket for zones ABC to travel to the city center. You can choose between the slower S-Bahn (about 50 minutes) or a number of trains that pass through the airport station, like RE (regional express), FEX, or IC (Intercity Trains), all about 30-40 min. Once you’re based in Berlin, the less expensive AB ticket is sufficient unless you venture outside the city. It doesn’t matter which mode of transport you choose as the price is only calculated based on which zones the tickets are valid for.
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Tickets
The best way to buy tickets is at one of the many BVG (the Berlin public transport operator) and S-Bahn sales points or at the yellow ticket machines directly at the station. Tickets are available in six languages (German, English, French, Spanish, Turkish, and Polish) and can be purchased by card or cash. The BVG app is also available for ticket purchases, and their website has a useful planning tool that displays ticket prices for respective journeys.
There are a number of ticket options (for up-to-date ticket fares and maps, visit the city of Berlin website). For short trips, you can buy Kurzstrecke (short route), which allows you to travel three stops on S-Bahn and U-Bahn or six stops by tram or bus in zone AB. It costs $2.60. If you purchase four trips in one ticket (4-Fahrten-Karte), you’ll get a discount.
The next option is Einzelfahrtschein (single ticket), which costs $3.80 for zone AB, $4.35 for zone BC, and $4.80 for zone ABC. The ticket is valid for one journey of 120 min maximum in the same direction. Stops and transfers are allowed, but a return journey is not. The four-trip ticket discount also applies.
If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing across the city, consider purchasing a one-day ticket (24-Stunden-Karte). It is valid for 24 hours and as many trips as you like. Up to three children between 6 and 14 years of age are included in this ticket. The fares are $10.75 (zone AB), $11.30 (zone BC), and $12.40 (zone ABC)
If you plan to stay long in Berlin, a seven-day ticket (7-Tage-Karte) is also available for $45.10 for zone AB.
Important: All tickets must be validated before departure by stamping them in one of the yellow or red boxes on the platforms, in buses, or on the tram. An unvalidated ticket is considered invalid in the event of an inspection. Traveling without a valid ticket results in a fine of 60 EUR ($65). Children under the age of 6 do not need a ticket.
U-Bahn
The U-Bahn, or Untergrundbahn (underground train), is the backbone of Berlin’s public transport system, with the first route opening in 1902. Today, the U-Bahn operates ten lines on a route network of 90 miles, which includes 173 subway stations. The yellow color of the trains is especially noticeable, and the symbol for the U-Bahn is a white U on a blue background. Each line is color-coded, simplifying navigation for passengers, while digital displays and announcements provide real-time information on arrivals and departures.
On weekdays, most subway lines run from around 4.00 a.m. to around 1.00 a.m., every 5 minutes during the day and every 10 minutes in the evening. On weekends, the subway runs 24 hours daily, every 10 minutes for most lines, and every 15 minutes at night.
INSIDER TIPThe U5 offers access to many of the city’s key attractions, such as the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and Alexanderplatz. To save time, consider using a short journey ticket (Kurztrecke, three stops).
S-Bahn
Alongside the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn complements Berlin’s transportation grid. Important junctions are Westkreuz, Gesundbrunnen, Ostkreuz, and Südkreuz. The S-Bahn is marked as a white S on a green background.
The S1 serves as a vital north-south link, traversing from the southwest to the city’s northern reaches. Traveling overground through Zehlendorf, Schöneberg, Mitte, and Pankow, you’ll witness the transformation from dense forests to a bustling urban landscape. En route, you’ll encounter famous landmarks like the Botanical Garden, Potsdamer Platz, and the Brandenburg Gate. Following the path of the former Wall, the S1 offers a poignant journey through Berlin’s divided and reunited history.
If you plan on leaving Berlin to see attractions in the surroundings, such as Potsdam with Sanssouci Palace or Oranienburg, the S-Bahn, with its 166 stations and 15 lines, will take you there.
On weekdays, the first S-Bahn trains depart at around 4.30 am and the last at around 1.30 am. Depending on peak times, they run every 5, 10, or 20 minutes during the day. On weekends, S-Bahn trains run 24 hours daily and every 30 minutes at night.
INSIDER TIPIf you want to experience Berlin as a panorama, take the S41 or S42, the circle line. It takes about one hour to circumnavigate the city center and gives an insight into many typical residential areas and neighborhoods.
Bus
Berlin’s bus network serves routes that are not covered by other means of transport. Double-decker buses provide good views from the upper deck. Night buses, designated with an “N” prefix, ensure 24/7 connectivity, allowing passengers to navigate Berlin’s vibrant nightlife and early morning hours with ease. S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains only run until the end of the daytime timetable. After that, night buses replace many lines. The night buses N1, N2, N3, N5, N6, N7, N8, and N9 run approximately the same routes as the subway lines at night.
INSIDER TIPFor an impromptu city tour, board the vibrant yellow double-decker #100 at Alexanderplatz. Opt for seats at the front of the upper deck to catch many sights along the journey. The route passes by notable landmarks, including the Television Tower, Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Castle Bellevue. VisitBerlin lists all the highlights of bus route 100 on their website.
Tram
Berlin’s tram network adds another dimension to its public transport landscape, offering environmentally friendly and accessible travel options. There are 22 tram lines marked with the “Tram” symbol. They run mainly in the eastern part of Berlin, where they supplement the subway network. Metrotram lines run more frequently than the normal tram lines. Trams and Metrotram lines have different timetables. In addition, the Metrotram lines run throughout the night, even on weekdays.
Ferries
BVG offers six ferry lines across the city, all of which are covered by your regular ticket. Three of the lines run year-round, and the other three are seasonal. The F10 from Wannsee to Alt Kladow departs every 60 minutes and is popular with tourists and locals alike. The journey takes about 20 min, but note that roundtrips are not allowed. The F11, one of the oldest routes and operating since 1896, departs every few minutes and runs between the districts of Baumschulenweg and Oberschöneweide. The journey only takes a few minutes but is a great shortcut for those who need to cross the Spree River.
The F12 from Grünau to Wendenschloss is heavily used and enables locals to cross the Dahme River. Information on the seasonal ferries F21 (Schmöckwitz to Krampenburg, especially popular with campers), F23 (Müggelwerderweg to Kruggasse), and F24 (Spreewiesen to Kruggasse, essentially a rowing board which can take up to 8 people and even bikes) can be found on berlin.de