FAQs
Berlin has an extensive and well-developed network of public transport that includes underground and light-rail trains as well as buses and trams. Whether you're looking to explore the city center or the outer districts, you can get there easily, comfortably and safely by using public transportation.
What is the best way to get around Berlin? ›
Public Transportation
Berlin has an extensive S-Bahn (urban rail) and U-Bahn (subway) network that connects all corners of the city. Trains are frequent and reliable, making them an excellent choice for getting around quickly. Don't forget to grab a map at any station to familiarize yourself with the routes.
How to pay for public transit in Berlin? ›
Tickets for public transport can be purchased at the multilingual ticket machines located on the platforms of S-Bahn and subway stations. On buses, fares are paid to the bus driver, on trams at the ticket machines inside the trains. In larger stations, the S-Bahn and the BVG also provide ticket counters.
What is the difference between U-Bahn and S-Bahn? ›
The U-Bahn, commonly understood to stand for Untergrundbahn ('underground railway'), are conventional rapid transit systems that run mostly underground, while the S-Bahn or Stadtschnellbahn ('city rapid railway') are commuter rail services, that may run underground in the city center and have metro-like characteristics ...
Is Berlin a walkable city? ›
In conclusion, Berlin is indeed a highly walkable city, offering a fantastic opportunity to explore its diverse neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and hidden gems.
Is it easy to get around Berlin without speaking German? ›
Even now, it's alarmingly easy to live and work in Berlin as a non-German speaker. Way too easy, in fact. However, if you don't make an effort to learn at least enough German to be polite, then you consign yourself to an expat bubble and miss out on the full breadth of the Berlin experience.
Is the subway free in Berlin? ›
While public transportation in Berlin is not free, it is a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective way to navigate the city. By familiarizing yourself with the ticket options and planning your trips accordingly, you can make the most of Berlin's excellent public transportation system.
Is Uber available in Berlin? ›
In Berlin, Uber provides five ride options: UberX, UberXL, Premium, Green and Taxi. With UberX, UberXL, Premium and Green, you can arrange a trip with an Uber driver-partner. With Taxi, you can arrange a trip with a regular taxi driver, with pricing at the official taxi rates.
How to travel in Berlin as a tourist? ›
How to travel to Berlin
- Fly to the Berlin Brandenburg airport. ...
- Intercity buses are often cheaper than planes or trains. ...
- Use Rome2Rio, Omio, Bahn.de or Google Maps to find a train route. ...
- Most parking spaces in the centre cost 1€ to 4€ per hour. ...
- You can also park outside the city and take the train to Berlin.
Can you drink tap water in Berlin? ›
Answer: Yes!! Germany has some of the best quality drinking water in the world, so it is completely safe to drink from a faucet. Berlin's tap water is sourced from groundwater that is naturally purified and further treated through Berlin's water treatment facilities [1].
Ironically, S-Bahn's S is not easy to name, it may stand for Schnell-Bahn ('rapid rail') or Stadt-Bahn ('urban rail'; not to be confused with Berlin Stadtbahn, a railway line through Berlin on which some Berlin S-Bahn lines run, or Stadtbahn, the German term for light rail).
What food to try in Berlin? ›
10 Best Local Dishes from Berlin
- Currywurst. Enjoy a fast-food staple. ...
- Königsberger Klopse. Try German meatballs. ...
- See also. 10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Berlin. ...
- Wiener Schnitzel. Taste an Austrian specialty. ...
- Eisbein. Get a piece of ham hock. ...
- Döner Kebab. Try out a German/Turkish hybrid dish. ...
- Kartoffelpuffer. ...
- Senfeier.
What does Bahn mean in German? ›
railroad, railway, train, station streetcar, tram railroad line, railway line.
Can you use same ticket for S-Bahn and U-Bahn? ›
In terms of area, the VBB is one of the largest transportation networks in Europe. This makes mobility easy because the same ticket can be used within the entire transportation system, including the S-bahn, U-Bahn, tram, metro bus, and ferry.
What does S-Bahn mean? ›
S-Bahn is an abbreviation of Schnellbahn or Stadtschnellbahn (city rapid rail), and, as the name suggests, is the fastest form of public transportation. It is a kind of urban-suburban rail system and serves a wider metropolitan region, linking the suburbs and commuter regions with the city centre and main rail station.
Is public transport in Berlin free? ›
While public transportation in Berlin is not free, it is a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective way to navigate the city. By familiarizing yourself with the ticket options and planning your trips accordingly, you can make the most of Berlin's excellent public transportation system.
Does Berlin have Uber or Lyft? ›
In Berlin, Uber provides five ride options: UberX, UberXL, Premium, Green and Taxi. With UberX, UberXL, Premium and Green, you can arrange a trip with an Uber driver-partner.
Which German city has the best public transport? ›
Berlin's efficient public transport system, operated by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) and Deutsche Bahn (German rail), comprises the U-Bahn (underground, or subway), the S-Bahn ('city' rail), buses, and in the eastern half of town, trams.
Is Berlin hard to get around? ›
Berlin's public transport system is easy to use once you understand a few things about it. For shorter distances, walking or cycling could be an option, but this won't work well for longer distances or if you're visiting Berlin during a rainy spell or in the cold Berlin winter.