Getting Around in Berlin
Public transport in the Berlin centre is as suitably efficient as you would expect in the German capital. There’s buses, an underground network (U-Bahn), overground lines (S-Bahn and DB) and in the former east part, Trams too. All of which run like clockwork. For those wishing to enjoy the best Berlin nightlife you’ll be pleased to know that the trains run 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Alternatively cabs in Berlin aren’t too expensive either. As a general rule, the areas in the former east are easy to access from Schoenefeld Airport. They are Prenzauler berg and Mitte. The areas in the former west such as Charlottenburg, Schoeneberg, with Kreuzberg as the exception, are easier to access from Tegel Airport. There is not much in it though.
Travel tickets
A one day travel card (Tages Karte) costs €6.10 for zones A-B, and is valid on all public transport until 3am. A single ticket (Einzelfahrt) costs €2.10 for zones A-B and is valid for 2 hours in one direction so you can break your journey up. It’s also valid on all services. Please note that Schoenefeld airport is in zone C though. ABC singles cost €2.80.
'Welcome Cards', a special visitor ticket, great for a Berlin weekend. There is a 48hr and 72 hr version which cost €16.50 and €21.50 (zones A-B). Both include special discounts for tourist attractions. All tickets can be bought at stations or at selected newsagents (kiosk) near to the trains.
A travel tip in Berlin is to remember to ‘validate’ you ticket by getting it stamped in the yellow posts next to the ticket machines in the station. There are no barriers, only undercover inspector spot checks. If you’re landing at Schoenefeld airport a good tip is to buy your ticket in the newsagents, ‘Presse & Buch’ to avoid the queues of people tackling the ticket machines at the station.