How to Get Around Berlin by Subway, Bus, and Ferry

Berlin has a very large historical center, so it is not recommended to walk between the various areas of the city, as monuments, museums, and other attractions are spread out over several kilometers. Therefore, those who stay in the German capital for a few days must use public transport to get around quickly. The printable map of central Berlin will help you navigate better before and after your departure. Berlin has an excellent public transport system made up of subway, light rail, buses, and trams. This page provides you with essential information about lines, schedules, and ticket prices for all forms of transport in Berlin.

The subway is the most convenient, fast, and economical way to move from one part of the city to another. Berlin has 9 subway lines identified by the letter U, which stands for U-Bahn. The lines are color-coded, as you can see in the Berlin subway map.

OPERATING HOURS

The subway typically runs from about 5 AM to 1 AM, but on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights) and nights before holidays, the subway also runs at night. On other nights, the subway stops and is replaced by an efficient bus system that follows the same routes and is indicated by the same numbers. See the bus section below. During peak hours, there is a train every 3-5 minutes, while at night the wait does not exceed 20 minutes. For ticket information, please read the paragraph at the bottom of the page.

SURFACE RAIL

Berlin has a very efficient surface rail system made up of 15 lines color-coded and indicated by the letter S, which stands for S-Bahn. The S-Bahn has the same schedules as the subway and is the fastest way to get around over short distances. For ticket information, please refer to the bottom of the page. The lines are color-coded, as you can see in the Berlin subway map.

The efficient yellow bus service is ideal for getting around at night from Monday to Thursday, when the U and S subways are not in operation. The night bus lines travel in the same directions as the subway and are indicated by the letter N. Line U1, for instance, is replaced by line N1, and so forth. For ticket information, please read the following section.

Berlin is divided into three zones: A, B, and C. Zone A includes the historical center and areas within the urban area. Zone B is the first suburban area, while Zone C goes beyond Berlin and includes Potsdam. Zone A is where all the attractions are concentrated. The most economical way to get around Berlin is the Berlin Welcome Card, which allows unlimited use of all public transport for 48 hours, 72 hours, 4, 5, or 6 days, depending on the card. All the information is available on the Berlin Welcome Card page. Also, here are all the details about single tickets and how and where to purchase them. Please note that tickets purchased in Berlin allow travel on all public transport: subway, buses, and trams.

SINGLE TICKET

The single ticket is valid for 2 hours and costs $2.30. It must be validated before boarding the bus and cannot be used to return to the starting point.

DAILY TICKET

Valid for 24 hours from validation and allows unlimited travel within zone AB. Costs $6.90

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased at ticket counters in the subway, at ticket vending machines near the stops, or directly from the driver (bus only).

You might not think about it, but Berlin is a city of water with 6 ferry services that allow you to explore the city from a different perspective. You can access them with the same tickets as other forms of transport or with the Berlin Welcome Card.

The Berlin Welcome Card is the official tourist card of Berlin. It allows free travel on the capital's public transport, discounts at all major museums and attractions, and in participating shops. More information can be found on the page dedicated to the Berlin Welcome Card.