Berlin Travel Tickets: Best Places To Buy

Berlin's efficient public transport system offers a range of options for travellers, including trains, trams, buses, and ferries. The city is divided into three fare zones: AB (central Berlin), BC, and ABC. Tickets can be purchased from official points of sale, such as ticket offices and vending machines at U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations, as well as on trams and buses. Apps like BVG, VBB, and Jelbi also offer convenient ways to buy tickets, and some apps allow for car, bicycle, scooter, and moped rentals. Tickets must be validated either at metro stations or on buses and trams, and inspections are carried out regularly by staff who may be in plain clothes.

Ticket machines at stations

Ticket machines are available at all S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations in Berlin. These machines are multilingual, offering instructions in German, English, French, Spanish, Turkish, and Polish. They are also available 24 hours a day. The machines accept coins, bills, credit cards, and Girocards. Some machines also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.

When purchasing a ticket, you will need to select the appropriate tariff zone. Berlin is divided into three zones: AB, BC, and ABC. Zone AB covers the city centre and the area up to the city limits. Zone ABC includes the surrounding area, the airport, and Potsdam Central Station.

Ticket prices vary depending on the zone and the duration of the ticket. A single ticket for zone AB costs €3.50, while zone ABC costs €4.40. These tickets are valid for one person and a two-hour journey in one direction. There are also short-trip tickets available, which allow for three stops on the S-Bahn or subway, or six stops on buses and trams. These tickets cost €2.40.

In addition to single and short-trip tickets, you can also purchase daily, weekly, and monthly passes at the ticket machines. A 24-hour ticket for zone AB costs €9.90, while zone ABC costs €11.40. These tickets allow for unlimited trips during the 24-hour period.

It is important to note that tickets must be validated before boarding. This can be done by stamping the ticket at the yellow or red boxes located on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn platforms, or inside the buses or trams.

Ticket offices

Berlin has an extensive network of ticket offices and machines where you can purchase travel tickets for the city's public transport system. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the ticket-buying process:

The S-Bahn Berlin and BVG Berlin sales points are your go-to places for buying travel tickets. These offices are conveniently located across the city, especially at the major transport hubs, and they offer a range of tickets and travel cards. You can also purchase tickets from the ticket counters available at larger stations, providing an in-person customer service experience.

The Berlin Tourist Info offices, found at the BER Airport and the main railway station, are another option. These offices specialise in serving tourists and visitors, offering not only ticket sales but also providing helpful information and assistance. You can also purchase the Berlin Welcome Card at these locations, which offers discounts on various tourist attractions.

Additionally, ticket offices can be found on-board some modes of transport. Bus drivers sell one-way and one-day tickets, and tram drivers offer similar options, although they only accept coins as payment. So, if you're planning to buy tickets on a tram, ensure you have the correct change.

On the bus

You can buy a bus ticket in Berlin by tapping your phone or credit card at the front of the bus. You can't pay with cash on the bus. You can also buy a ticket in advance via the BVG app, which is available in English and German. You can pay with a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your ticket will be valid one minute after you buy it. You will need internet access to buy tickets via the app.

If you want to buy a single ticket, you can pay the bus driver with a credit card. If you want to buy a one-way or one-day ticket from the bus driver, make sure you have the right change as they only accept coins.

Ticket machines are available at U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations. You can pay with coins, bills, credit cards and Girocards. Sometimes you can pay with Apple Pay and Google Pay. The machines are multilingual and available 24/7.

Other ways to buy tickets

You can also buy tickets at S-Bahn and BVG service points.

If you're a tourist, you can buy the Berlin Welcome Card online in advance or on-site when you arrive in Berlin. You can buy it at Berlin Tourist Info at the airport and the main railway station, among other places.

Via apps

There are several apps you can use to buy travel tickets in Berlin.

The BVG app is available in English and German. You can buy tickets for Berlin's public transport system (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses and trams) via the app. You can pay with a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your ticket is valid 1 minute after you buy it and you need internet access to purchase it.

You can also buy tickets via the VBB app, which covers travel in Berlin and Brandenburg.

The Jelbi app is another option, which is also available in English and German. In addition to public transport tickets, you can also rent cars, bicycles, scooters and mopeds with this app.

If you're travelling by intercity train (IC and ICE), you can buy a ticket via the DB Navigator app.

If you're spending several days in Berlin, you might want to consider the Berlin Welcome Card, which offers unlimited travel during your chosen time period, as well as discounts on attractions, restaurants and shops. You can buy this online in advance or on-site at one of the Berlin Tourist Info offices, which can be found at BER Airport and the main railway station, among other places.

At the airport

Berlin has two international airports: Tegel and Schonefeld. Tegel Airport is the more popular choice for travellers, while Schonefeld Airport mostly caters to charter flights. The downtown area is approximately 12 miles from the airport.

If you're looking to purchase travel tickets at the airport, there are ticket machines on the way to the train platforms, just before you go downstairs. The Berlin-Brandenburg Airport is in zone C, so be sure to purchase an ABC ticket. You can also download the BVG ticket app before your arrival in Berlin.

The Berlin Tourist Info Centre at the airport can be found in Terminal 1, Level E0, of the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). Here, you can purchase the Berlin WelcomeCard, which offers discounts for attractions in Berlin and free travel on public transport for 48 hours, 72 hours, or 5 days.

To use public transport in Berlin, you will need to purchase a ticket that covers the relevant zone(s) from an official point of sale. Berlin is divided into three fare zones: AB, BC, and ABC. Zone AB includes the urban centre of Berlin and the area up to the city limits, while zone ABC includes the surrounding areas, BER Airport, and Potsdam Central Station.

Single tickets are valid for one person and a two-hour journey through the city. They are one-way tickets, meaning you will need to purchase a new ticket for round trips or return journeys. Tickets can be purchased at multilingual ticket machines located on the platforms of S-Bahn and subway stations. These machines accept German girocards and major credit cards, as well as Apple or Google Pay digital services.

Remember to validate your ticket before boarding by stamping it at the yellow or red boxes located on the S-Bahn and subway platforms and inside buses or trams. If you are caught travelling without a valid ticket, you will be required to pay a higher fare of 60 Euros.

Frequently asked questions