Berlin Getting Around

Getting around Berlin

Berlin is a large city and seeing the major sights involves a fair amount of travel. Fortunately, getting around is easy thanks to an efficient integrated transport system that includes buses, trams, the U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (local trains). One ticket is valid on all public transport, and tickets must be validated in machines before travel. Berlin is divided into zones A, B and C, but most visitors will not travel beyond A and B. Daily, weekly and monthly tickets are available, and day passes are valid until 03.00 the next day. The Berlin Welcome Card is valid for 3 days and offers unlimited travel for an adult and three children, as well as museum and theatre discounts.

Getting from Berlin Airport

The city has 3 important airports. Tegel Airport is 5 miles north west of the city centre, and is easily reached by buses with connections to the underground and the S-Bahn. The X9 goes to the West Centre in 15 minutes. Taxis take about 20 minutes to the city centre. The best way to Tempelhof Airport is underground line 6 or by bus. Many low-cost airlines operate from Schoenefeld Airport, which is well served by a variety of trains and buses.

Underground

The Berlin underground is called the U-Bahn. Tickets can be bought from ticket offices or machines on the platform, which give change and have information in English. You must validate tickets in special machines before boarding the first train of your journey. 9 U-Bahn lines are open between 0600-0000, plus some limited night services.

Trams

Trams are a popular way of getting around East Berlin, and are fast and efficient and operate around 30 routes.

Train

The city's commuter trains, or S-Bahn, are a good way to make longer journeys between the two city centres. The impressive, new, glass-roofed Hauptbahnhof train station is the largest in Europe, and worth a look, even if you are not travelling by train.

Bus

Most visitors to Berlin will probably find the U-Bahn and trams more useful than buses, but buses will take you to parts of the city not served by train. Tickets can be bought from the driver. Night buses serve most parts of the city and run when the trains have stopped.

Taxis

Cream-coloured taxis are easy to find and are always metered. Hailing a taxi in the street is cheaper than calling for a taxi. There is a minimum fare and a tip of up to 10% is expected. Bicycle taxis called velotaxis operate in some areas of Berlin.

Cycling

Cycling is popular, well developed and enjoyable, as the city is largely flat. West Berlin, in particular, has plenty of cycle lanes and you can take a bicycle on many trains. Renting a bicycle is easy.

Ferry

Ferries cross Berlin’s lakes and connect Kladow with Wannsee.

Tours

Tour buses are a good way of covering longer distances and making the journey from West Berlin to East Berlin, particularly if you are staying in the west and time is short. Berlin has a good selection of walking tours in English.