{"id":1765,"date":"2021-01-22T06:36:40","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T11:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelsizerobot.com\/?p=1765"},"modified":"2021-01-22T06:36:42","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T11:36:42","slug":"berlin-transportation-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelsizerobot.com\/berlin-transportation-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Transportation in Berlin 101: How to Get Around in Germany’s Capital"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Berlin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I’ve been living on and off in Berlin for about five years now. Let’s call it a total of two and a half. One thing I’ve become a master at in this time is navigating around this monstrous city efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of all the forms of transportation a city could possibly have, Berlin has all of them. Ok maybe not all<\/strong> of them; I haven’t seen a tuk-tuk driving around lately, but to be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if I did. There is no shortage of ways to get around, no matter if you’re a tourist or a local, you have plenty of options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we’re not only talking about public transportation here, we’re also talking about ridesharing, ride-hailing, ride-pooling, e-scooters, bikes, taxis, and even walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let’s quickly go over some basics, then get into the details on the types of transportation, the pros and cons of each, and the various options you have within each type of transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since most of this stuff has been covered to death and is super easy to research, I’ll just go over the basics quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berlin is big. No, not London or Tokyo big, but it’s big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Split up into three zones, with Zone A being within the Ringbahn<\/a> (the main part of the city, where most visitors won’t go further than,) Zone B, which could be called “Outside of the Center”, and Zone C, which I would call “The Outskirts”:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Berlin’s Tariff Zones<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, you most likely won’t be leaving Zone A as a visitor, except to come in from the airport. Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) is in Zone C. The beloved Tegel Airport (TXL) was closed down in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let’s get into the public transportation system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Transportation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Image Source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Public transportation in Berlin is generally very good, and thankfully, a very popular way to get around the city, whether you’re in Zones A, B, or C. The public system is mostly run by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, or BVG<\/a>, as you’ll see it written around town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is how I get around Berlin most of the time. Unless I’m in a hurry, too hungover to cope with it, it’s too late, or I’m in a weird area, it’s public transport for me unless it’s nice weather out (in which case I’m bicycling).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: <\/strong>If you get checked by a controller and don’t have a ticket (or it’s not validated), you will get a fine. Currently that fine is at a “no joke” \u20ac60 if you get caught. Playing the “Stupid Tourist” Card is very unlikely to work, so fare-evade at your own risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operating Hours & Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overall the operating hours of public transport is good in Berlin, but there are a few things to note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the weekends from Friday to Sunday, all transportation runs 24 hours (except the U4 and U55, but you probably won’t be using those anyway).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the week, the S-Bahn and U-Bahn run until about 1-1:30 am and start up again around 4 am. So if you’re at a party and just miss your last train home, feel free to stick around another few hours and head back at 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you could catch a replacement night bus, which is the same name as the U-Bahn routes except with an “N” replacing the “U” and follows (generally) the same route. That is, the N8 night bus will follow roughly the same route as the U8 when the U8 isn’t in service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trams typically run 24 hours, but make sure to double check where it’s going at night, as sometimes they take an atypical route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Buy a Public Transport Ticket?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You have a few options on where you can buy tickets for transportation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticket Machines<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In every station and tram, you’ll find a touch-screen ticket machine that says “Fahrkarten”, “Fahrscheine”, or “Fahrausweise”. You can change the language by tapping the little flag icon on the touchscreen. You can pay with cash, some cards, and now even Apple or Google Pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the S-Bahn they’re usually red and look something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Berlin<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For the U-Bahn, they’re yellow and look more like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Berlin<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To complicate things even more, the tram ticket machines are on the tram itself and look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Berlin<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

All of these machines will print out any short-term tickets for you. That is, any time period under a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important Note:<\/strong> You must<\/em> validate your ticket before entering the train, bus, or tram. As I mentioned, if you get controlled and you have a ticket but it’s not validated, you will get fined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are little validation machines usually next to the ticket machines that look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Berlin<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Just stick the arrow end of the ticket into the slot and wait for it to stamp your ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apps or Mobile Phones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yes, Germany has finally gotten with the times and now allows you to buy tickets on your mobile device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is an official app simply called “BVG” which also gives you decent directions using the public transportation routes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n