Photo: George Frewat, Pexels
Berlin tourists: how do I find the right ticket for bus, tram, underground & S-Bahn?
Welcome to Berlin! Are you planning your next visit to Berlin? Or maybe you're already in Berlin and are wondering how to find the right ticket for your stay? In this article, we explain what you should bear in mind for your visit to Berlin by public transport!
- How do I get from A to B?
- Which fare zones are there in Berlin?
- Which ticket is right for you?
- Where can you buy your EasyCityPass Berlin?
- Validate your ticket before you start your journey!
- Traveling in Berlin without a valid ticket?
1. How do you find the shortest route within Berlin?
- BVG travel info app
- BVG website
- Timetable information on the S-Bahn Berlin
Various apps can help you find a connection. Download the BVG's Fahrinfo app onto your cell phone. Here you can enter your starting point and destination in the “Timetable” tab and various connection suggestions will be displayed. It's very practical when you're on the move. If you want to search for your connection on your computer or tablet, you can also go to the www.bvg.de website. The S-Bahn Berlin website also has a timetable information service.
Photo: Martin Pechy, Pexels
2. tariff zones: Berlin AB or Berlin ABC?
- Berlin and the surrounding area are divided into three fare zones: A, B, and C.
- Tariff zone A covers Berlin city center, including the S-Bahn ring
- Tariff zone B starts outside the S-Bahn ring and ends at the city border
- Tariff zone C covers the surrounding area of Berlin (route to and from BER airport) including the Brandenburg state capital Potsdam
To avoid making things too complicated, you should choose between tickets for the Berlin AB or Berlin ABC tariff zones. Berlin AB covers the entire city. If you are going on a trip to the surrounding area or Potsdam, you can buy a supplementary ticket for fare zone C at any time. If you are coming to Berlin by plane, you will need an ABC ticket. The airport is already outside the city limits of Berlin. (Or you can use the supplementary ticket if you don't want to stay in the Berlin area. Don't forget to get your ticket stamped - it could be expensive, as there are often checks on this route).
Photo: S-Bahn Berlin
3. How long are you going to stay in Berlin?
- 48h, 72h, 4, 5 or 6 days
Our EasyCityPass Berlin is available for 48 hours, 72 hours, 4, 5 or 6 days. Once you have bought the EasyCityPass Berlin, you don't have to keep looking for change to buy your ticket, you don't have to queue at the ticket machines and you don't have to remember that you have at least a valid ticket. Buy it, validate it (if you didn't buy your ticket on the go or online), and explore Berlin by public transport.
4. Where can I buy my EasyCityPass?
- EasyCityPass Shop
- BVG Ticket-App
- S-Bahn ticket machines, BVG ticket machines, DB ticket machines, and/or points of sale at all stations or the airport
The easiest way to buy your EasyCityPass Berlin 24/7 is via our website shop. Here you have the complete ticket selection.
If you want your ticket directly on your cell phone, use the BVG app. Download the app, click on the “Tickets” tab, and scroll to the bottom until you reach the “Tourist tickets”. Then swipe to the left and you will see the EasyCitPass Berlin ticket button. Now you can choose between 48 hours or 72 hours and the tariff zone AB or ABC.
You can buy your ticket from the S-Bahn ticket machines at any S-Bahn station. If you are looking for direct contact, use one of the many S-Bahn customer centers (e.g. Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, Hauptbahnhof, or Zoologischer Garten).
The DB ticket machines at the regional train stations in Berlin and Potsdam also sell our EasyCityPass Berlin. The DB Customer Centers at the main train station, BER Airport, or Potsdam Central Station are also looking forward to your visit if you would like to buy an EasyCityPass.
Photo: Julian Nielsen, Pexels
5. Validate your ticket before departure
- Insert the paper ticket into the validator and stamp it before starting your journey
- Not necessary for mobile and online tickets
Before you travel on public transport for the first time, you must validate and stamp your EasyCityPass Berlin. Of course, this does not apply to mobile and online tickets 😉 At all train stations, you'll find the corresponding columns, usually next to the ticket machines. There you insert the ticket into the slot and stamp it. The current date and time will then be stamped on it and the EasyCityPass Berlin is valid for the booked period. So think carefully about when you stamp the ticket so that you can use it for the booked period. If you want to visit a discount partner, the ticket must also be stamped! An unstamped ticket can be expensive (see next point).
Photo: Christina Watkins, Pexels
6. Traveling without a valid ticket
- Traveling without a valid ticket is punishable by an increased fare of € 60
If you travel in Berlin without a valid ticket and are stopped at a ticket inspection, you will have to pay a fine of currently €60. As a rule, you will have to get off at the next stop so that your details can be recorded. If you don't have any ID with you, the police will be called in to take your details. You then have 14 days to pay the fine.
Incidentally, you can no longer go to prison for this. Since December 2023, no criminal charges have been brought if you are caught driving without a ticket.