Getting Around Berlin

Find out how to walk and get around Berlin, with tips on the best way to get around the city, types of public transport tickets and advice on renting a car. The city of Berlin has a very good public transportation system for those who do not want to rent a car. The city is divided into zones: A, B and C. But unless you are going on a business trip, to Schonefeld airport or to visit a relative, zone C will not be part of your itinerary, as most of the sights are divided between zones A and B. If you want to know where the sights of Berlin are and where they are located, you will discover how easy it is to get around. Transportation is well served and is divided between the subway, bus, train and streetcar.

Public transport in Berlin

Bus and streetcar stops are identified by an “H” on a pole. Each of them has a board showing the bus routes and timetables. Trains and subways are identified by an “S” or a “U”, respectively, followed by the name of the station. These two options are due to the fact that there are two companies that operate these lines, but the price is unified so it makes no difference if you take one or the other.

Types of tickets for zones A and B

The one-way ticket is valid for all public transport and is valid for two hours from the moment you stamp it. It is valid in both cases, but once you have chosen a direction, you cannot change it. You can change public transport at will, but not direction. It costs 2.60 euros. The weekly ticket, as the name suggests, allows you to use any means of transportation for one week, as long as you validate it. It costs 28 euros. It is valid in all directions, so you can go back and forth. The one-day ticket allows you to travel in any direction, to switch from one means of transport to another or to use only one of them until 3am the next day. It costs €6.40. It is important to know that there are no turnstiles or anything else, it is up to the conscience of each person to pay the ticket, but there are always controllers who ask for the ticket to prove the payment, and if you have not paid, the fine is sure.