Berlin's public transport: How to use it

(Chapter headings below)

Berlin's public transport system is extensive, but not as hard to use as it might at first seem. Here is my guide to using it, with tips on ensuring you have the right ticket.

0:43 -- modes of transport & how to recognize stops and stations

2:20 -- boarding and exiting vehicles

3:23 -- how to read the map and find the right platform

5:02 -- overview of the tariff system

6:01 -- most important ticket types for visitors

7:48 -- where to buy tickets and how to validate them

9:51 -- if you are caught without a valid ticket

10:46 -- Berlin's airports

11:10 -- getting from Schönefeld airport into town

12:00 -- getting from Tegel airport into town

12:29 -- getting from the coach station into town

Useful links:

Music:
"Style Funk" and "Hot Swing"
Creative Commons Attribution licence

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[BerlinerStadtaffen]

As a Berliner myself I can tell you that you will get from anywhere to anywhere in the city pretty fast with public transport. There is absolutely no reason to get a car in this city as a single. And we like to complain about it but that is complaining at a pretty high level^^

[pocketdynamo]

Update: the old Tatra-trams are retired now, so as of 2021, all trams are easily accessible for people in wheelchairs.

[Croz]

I got a very good tip from a local when I took the S-Bahn from SXF. All the tourists will crowd around the first ticket machines they see which are in the middle of the tunnel, ignore them and continue up the stairs to the platform, where there are more ticket machines with usually no queue.

[xantor]

Important: The dayticket does not longer exist. It is now a 24h Ticket.

[forbi]

I'm German and I live in Berlin for about 8 months now. And I must say, this is the best summary of the public transport I have ever seen!!! I wonder why the public transportation services are not able to sum it up that well?!? Such a film should be obligatory on any flight to a german airport in order to avoid the enormous queues in front of the ticket machines ;)

[leopoldbirkholm]

First time in Berlin, I was total lost. I have bought the City Tour Card but did not know that I should stamp it. An inspector came by, saw a confused tourist and informed me that I need to stamp it. So I got away with an warning. That is good service and a good first impressive of Berlin. It was 2012 and I arrived at Schönefeeld airport. I took a short walk to the S-Bahn station, paid 3 € for a single trip to Landsberger Allé. The trip took about 45 minutes where I studied the booklet I got for City Tour Card. Public transport works very well in Berlin, but can sometime be confusing if you do not speak German. Great video! :-)

[Seegalgalguntijak]

Also, the Tram lines are being extended over to the western side more and more. Nowadays, Trams go to the Hauptbahnhof and are even planned to continue further west into Moabit, so the days when the M13 (formerly known as the 23) was the only Tram line that crossed the former border between east and west are now definitely over.

[zugiii]

I'm living in Berlin and I think you've explained everything really good!

[TheSantino]

As a Berliner it is highly satisfying to watch this video :) thank you

[ForeverDayGreen]

In general, when using public transport in Germany, the DBNavigator app is very helpful to plan your journeys as it includes almost all forms of public transport (long range coaches are missing afaik)

[TheBlcKHwK]

I have no idea why I just watched this. Neither do I live in berlin nor plan to go there in the near future.

[Melleky]

Hoooly crap, I've never seen such an accurate video about any topic. You did not forget any detail. Really well done!

[Feier_Salamander]

Nice that you reminded me that using public transportat in germany is a piece of cake.
Can you now please do a video for all of the 127 Verkehrsverbünde in germany :D

[strad]

Excellent video for my hometown for the last five years! After someone made the comment that you forgot the taxis, you did forget one real mode of public transportation in Berlin. Ferries! I've been on a couple of them and it's an interesting experience as a mode of public transport. Otherwise, I don't think I could have summarized it any better.

[MichaelAndersen_DK]

Some very good advice. I'm a huge fan of the BVG app. It's how any public transport app should be like.

[mporto]

Great video. The system is very similar in other big cities of Germany and it took me a while to figure some things out when I went to Germany for the first time. I'm glad I was never caught with a ticket without validation because at the beginning I had no idea that I had to do this.

[MichaelOglesby]

Great video! Public transport in Berlin is fantastic! Usually on time, frequent and quick.

Here are my top tips:

1. If you arrived at an airport, get a taxi to your hotel. Cost is about €20-30, but it’s quick, no hassle and better than a €60 fine if you mess up your ticket.

2. Save yourself a headache and just get a All Day Ticket, for the number of days you are in Berlin. Quick, easy and hassle free. My wife and I got two 5 Day Ticket and had no hassles. We were inspected a few times, even in a remote part of Berlin. Have a valid ticket!

[backwardmen]

Great video! Berlin has a wonderful network of public transport and it is the best the way to get around. Can't wait for this pandemic to be over so we can get out again!

[FrankHuber]

I love the way that you try to cover all the information, might be overwhelming for some. Maybe a typical day of a tourist would also be a nice way to cover things.

[timolino]

I'm not planning on going to Berlin, but I liked watching this video. xD