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Public transport

Berlin's integrated network of S-Bahn (Schnellbahn), U-Bahn (Untererdische Bahn, underground), bus, and Straßenbahn (tram, in eastern Berlin only) is run smoothly by the BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, tel. +49 30 194 49, www.bvg.de). Just remember the number or colour and end station of the U or S-Bahn line you want to use, and you’ll be navigating the labyrinth-like stations like a local.

The same tickets serve all BVG services. Vending machines at stations and on trams have instructions in English and accept coins (and on platforms, banknotes too). At larger stations there are information and sales counters. On buses, the driver can sell you a ticket. Berlin is devided into zones; nearly everything is within the central AB zone.

With a €2.30 AB Einzelticket (single ticket) you can travel one-way for up to 2 hours with unlimited transfers; it's cheaper to buy four tickets at once (4-Fahrten-Karte, €8.20). Buy a €1.40 Kurzstrecke (short distance) ticket if you want to travel up to three S/U-Bahn stops, or up to six stops by bus or tram. If you anticipate a lot of travelling, consider either the Tageskarte (day card, valid until 03:00 the next morning; €6.30) or seven-day pass (€27.20).

If you're in a group of up to five people, you can buy a Kleingruppenkarte (group day ticket, €15). The BVG, the tourist office, and some hotels sell a variety of great-value multiday city cards including the Berlin WelcomeCard and the City Tour Card (see Sights for more details). If you’re arriving in or leaving Berlin by train and your ticket says Berlin Stadtbahn, you can travel free on the elevated S-Bahn line between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof on the day of arrival/departure.

Before boarding the S- or U-Bahn, always validate your ticket by punching it in the yellow machine near the end of the platforms. On buses and trams, the machines are on board. Public transport uses the honour system, and there are regular checks by plainclothes inspectors. If you are caught without a ticket (or with an unvalidated one) you'll be fined €40 on the spot.

You can go play the night owl, as the nightime transport options are excellent and have smooth connections. All U-Bahn trains run every 15 minutes on weekend nights; on weekdays buses marked N follow the U-Bahn routes every half hour. Also, all tram and bus lines starting with M run every half hour at night.