Berlin Public Transport: Tickets, Passes, Prices
Berlin is large, but easy to navigate. You can explore individual neighborhoods on foot, yet longer distances require public transport. The network includes U-Bahn (underground metro), S-Bahn (city rapid rail), trams, buses and regional trains. Services usually run daily from around 4:30–5:00 am until shortly after midnight. On weekends, U-Bahn and S-Bahn operate 24 hours. Night buses and selected tram lines cover late-night hours during the week.
Tickets & Prices
Berlin uses a zone-based fare system. You pay depending on which fare zones you travel through. The most relevant zones for you are
- Zone A – Inner city including the historic centre
- Zone B – Outer city districts
- Zone C – Surrounding areas including Potsdam and BER Airport
Within Berlin, you will usually travel in zone AB. For BER Airport, you need ABC.
Berlin Public Transport Ticket & Pass Prices
Single Ride Tickets
| Ticket Type | €* | $* |
| Short Trip AB | €2.80 | $3.05 |
| Single Ticket AB | €4.00 | $4.35 |
| Single Ticket ABC | €5.00 | $5.45 |
Please note: Short trip tickets are valid for up to 3 S-Bahn or U-Bahn stops or 6 bus or tram stops. Transfers are not permitted.
Day Passes
| Pass Type | €* | $* |
| 24-Hour Ticket AB | €11.20 | $12.25 |
| 24-Hour Ticket ABC | €12.90 | $14.05 |
| 24-Hour Small Group Ticket AB | €33.30 | $36.30 |
| 24-Hour Small Group Ticket ABC | €35.50 | $38.70 |
Please note: Group tickets are valid for up to five people.
Airport Transfer – Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
BER Airport is located about 11 miles southeast of Berlin city center. For all public transport connections to the city, you need a valid ABC ticket.
| Connection | Destination |
| FEX (Airport Express) | Berlin Hauptbahnhof via Ostkreuz and Gesundbrunnen |
| RB14 (Regional Train) | Central Berlin |
| S9 (S-Bahn) | Spandau |
| S45 (S-Bahn) | Südkreuz |
| X7 / X71 (Express Bus) | U Rudow (U7) |
| X71 | U Alt-Mariendorf (U6) |
Please note: In Berlin, children under 6 travel free. Children aged 6 to 14 receive a discount of 30–40% on the adult fare, depending on ticket type.
Where to Buy & How to Validate Tickets
You can buy tickets at vending machines in U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations, at BVG ticket machines, via the BVG app, or at airport stations.
Before boarding, you must validate paper tickets in the small red or yellow stamping machines on platforms or inside buses and trams. If you use a mobile ticket, activation happens digitally in the app.
There are no ticket barriers in Berlin. Ticket inspections are random, and fines are high if you travel without a valid ticket.
Local Tip – Bus 100 and 200
For a low-cost sightseeing ride, take Bus 100. This regular city bus connects Alexanderplatz with Zoologischer Garten and passes many major landmarks, including Museumsinsel, Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and the Victory Column.
Bus 200 runs on a different route between Alexanderplatz and Zoo and also passes several important sights, including Potsdamer Platz and the Kulturforum.
Your regular AB ticket is valid with no surcharge. Expect busy vehicles during peak hours.
