Berlin operates 10 U-Bahn lines spanning 146 kilometers with 173 stations, making it the longest underground network in Germany. The system runs 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays, while weekday service operates from approximately 04:30 to 01:00, with 15-minute intervals at night. The U-Bahn connects directly to both Tegel Airport (closed November 2020) and Berlin Brandenburg Airport via the U9 line extension completed in 2020. U-Bahn stations display yellow U signs, and trains arrive every 3-5 minutes during peak hours, every 5-10 minutes during standard daytime hours.
The S-Bahn comprises 16 lines covering 340 kilometers with 166 stations across Berlin and Brandenburg. S-Bahn trains run on heavy rail infrastructure, reaching speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour between stations. The Ringbahn (S41 and S42) circles the city in approximately 60 minutes, providing orbital connectivity without entering the center. S-Bahn service typically runs from 04:30 to 01:30 on weekdays, with all-night service on weekends. The network connects to Berlin Brandenburg Airport via the S9 and S45 lines, with journey times of 20-30 minutes from central stations like Hauptbahnhof or Friedrichstrasse.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport opened on October 31, 2020, replacing Tegel and Schönefeld airports. The airport sits 18 kilometers southeast of the city center in Schönefeld. The Airport Express (FEX) train covers the distance to Hauptbahnhof in 30 minutes, departing every 30 minutes throughout the day. Regional RE7 and RB14 trains provide similar routes with additional stops. Bus services include the X7 Express Bus to U-Bahn station Rudow (18 minutes) and the X71 to U-Bahn station Alt-Mariendorf. Taxi fare to central Berlin averages 45-55 euros, with journey times of 30-45 minutes depending on traffic and destination.
The BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe) operates the city's bus network with 149 routes covering approximately 2,000 kilometers. MetroBus lines (M10, M19, M29, M41, M48, M85, among others) run 24 hours daily with 10-minute daytime intervals and 30-minute night intervals. Standard bus lines operate from roughly 05:00 to 00:30. Night buses (N1-N97) maintain service during S-Bahn and U-Bahn closures on weeknights. The 100 and 200 bus routes function as tourist circuits, passing Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building, Berlin Cathedral, and Museum Island. Real-time departure boards at major stops display waiting times, though smaller stops rely on printed schedules.
Berlin's tram network extends 193 kilometers with 22 lines, primarily serving eastern districts that comprised former East Berlin. The M1 line connects Rosenthal Nord to Mitte, crossing Prenzlauer Berg. The M10 runs from Hauptbahnhof through Prenzlauer Berg to Warschauer Strasse. Trams operate from approximately 05:00 to 00:30 on weekdays, with MetroTram lines (designated M) providing 24-hour weekend service. Trams integrate fully with U-Bahn and S-Bahn at transfer stations like Alexanderplatz, Warschauer Strasse, and Hackescher Markt. Trams display destination names on front panels and announce stops audibly inside cars.
The AB fare zone covers central Berlin and includes all major tourist sites. The BC zone extends to the outer city boundary, encompassing Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Single tickets (Einzelfahrschein) cost 3.20 euros for AB zones, valid for 120 minutes in one direction with transfers. Day passes (Tageskarte) cost 8.80 euros for AB zones, valid until 03:00 the following day. Seven-day passes cost 41.50 euros for AB zones. Children aged 6-14 pay reduced fares of 1.90 euros for single tickets and 3.10 euros for day passes. Children under six travel free. Tickets require validation in red or yellow machines on platforms before boarding. Inspectors conduct random checks with 60-euro fines for invalid tickets.
Berlin Hauptbahnhof opened on May 26, 2006, as Europe's largest two-level station with 14 platforms. The station handles 300,000 passengers daily across long-distance, regional, and local services. ICE high-speed trains depart for Munich (4 hours), Hamburg (90 minutes), and Frankfurt (4 hours). The station provides direct U-Bahn access via the U55 line (now integrated into U5) and S-Bahn access via S3, S5, S7, and S9 lines. The glass roof structure spans 321 meters in length and rises 46 meters above track level. Shopping areas occupy two floors with 80 retail outlets operating from 08:00 to 22:00 Monday through Saturday, 10:00 to 20:00 on Sundays.
Cycling infrastructure includes 620 kilometers of dedicated bike lanes marked with red pavement. The city maintains 18 long-distance cycling routes connecting Berlin to surrounding Brandenburg. NextBike and Lime operate dockless bike-sharing systems with rates starting at 1 euro per 15 minutes. Traditional bike rental shops cluster around Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and Prenzlauer Berg, charging 10-15 euros per day. Cyclists must use designated lanes where present, may ride on roads where lanes are absent, and face 20-35 euro fines for sidewalk riding. Bikes travel free on U-Bahn and S-Bahn outside peak hours (06:30-09:00 and 16:00-18:00 weekdays) with a bicycle day ticket costing 2.20 euros.
The city operates no metro-wide e-scooter ban as of 2024. Lime, Tier, and Voi maintain fleets of shared e-scooters with rates of 1 euro to unlock plus 0.25-0.30 euros per minute. E-scooters follow bicycle lane regulations, prohibited on sidewalks with 15-euro fines for violations. Maximum speed limits reach 20 kilometers per hour by law. Parking occurs in designated zones marked by app geofencing; improper parking incurs 15-25 euro fines plus potential company fees. E-scooters require users aged 14 and older with no helmet requirement by law.
Taxis display cream-colored paint with roof-mounted illuminated signs. Base fares start at 4.50 euros, with per-kilometer charges of 2.30 euros for the first seven kilometers, then 1.65 euros thereafter. Airport surcharges do not apply at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Taxis wait at ranks outside major stations including Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, Zoologischer Garten, and Friedrichstrasse. Phone booking through companies like Taxi Berlin (030-202020) or Würfelfunk (030-210101) adds no surcharge during standard hours. Credit card payment requires passenger request before journey start, as not all taxis carry card readers. Tipping rounds up to the nearest euro or adds 5-10 percent for longer journeys.
Uber operates in Berlin with UberX, UberGreen, and Uber Comfort tiers. Drivers must hold taxi or rental car licenses following 2019 regulatory changes. Base fares start lower than traditional taxis at approximately 3 euros, with per-kilometer rates of 1.50-2 euros depending on demand surge pricing. Bolt provides similar ride-hailing services with prices averaging 10-15 percent below Uber rates. Free Now (formerly MyTaxi) aggregates traditional taxi bookings with ride-hailing options. Apps display upfront pricing before confirmation, accepting payment through stored cards only.
Car rental agencies concentrate at Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Hauptbahnhof, with major companies including Sixt, Europcar, Avis, and Hertz. Daily rates start at 30-50 euros for compact cars, 60-90 euros for mid-size sedans. German or international driving licenses suffice for EU citizens; non-EU licenses require International Driving Permits for stays exceeding six months. Berlin maintains a Low Emission Zone (Umweltzone) covering the S-Bahn ring, requiring green emission stickers (Umweltplakette) displayed on windshields. Stickers cost 5-10 euros from registration offices or gas stations. Driving without valid stickers incurs 100-euro fines.
Street parking operates via automated pay stations accepting coins and cards, with hourly rates of 1-3 euros in central districts. Blue parking zones require parking discs displaying arrival times, limiting stays to 30-120 minutes without payment. Parking garages charge 2-4 euros per hour, with daily maximums of 20-30 euros. The Parkopedia app maps available spaces and compares garage rates in real time. On-street parking restrictions apply during weekly street cleaning, posted with specific weekday time windows. Vehicles parked during cleaning hours face 15-euro tickets plus towing fees of 200-300 euros.
The Ringbahn circles Berlin in both directions with S41 running clockwise and S42 running counterclockwise. One complete loop takes approximately 60 minutes with 27 stations. Trains depart every 5 minutes during peak hours, every 10 minutes during off-peak daytime hours. The Ringbahn intersects with nearly all U-Bahn lines and most S-Bahn lines, functioning as the primary transfer orbit. Major interchange stations include Westkreuz (connecting to western suburbs), Ostkreuz (connecting to eastern suburbs and Berlin Brandenburg Airport), Südkreuz (connecting to long-distance trains), and Gesundbrunnen (connecting to northern routes). Ringbahn stations serve both local neighborhoods and transfer passengers, making them consistently busy throughout operating hours.
Walking represents a practical option within central Berlin districts. Alexanderplatz to Brandenburg Gate measures 2.5 kilometers, achievable in 30 minutes. Brandenburg Gate to Hauptbahnhof covers 1.3 kilometers, walkable in 15 minutes. The city maintains wide sidewalks averaging 2-4 meters in central areas, with pedestrian crossings marked by white stripes and controlled by traffic signals. Pedestrians face 5-euro fines for red-light crossing (Rotlichtverstoß). Sidewalk cycling prohibition means pedestrians encounter bikes only at marked shared paths. Major streets like Unter den Linden and Friedrichstrasse provide continuous sidewalk coverage. Smaller streets in residential areas sometimes lack sidewalks, requiring pedestrians to walk on road edges.
Museum Island sits 500 meters east of Brandenburg Gate, accessible via S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt (5-minute walk) or U-Bahn U5 to Museumsinsel station. The East Side Gallery stretches 1.3 kilometers along Mühlenstrasse, reached via S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Warschauer Strasse. Charlottenburg Palace lies 7 kilometers west of Brandenburg Gate, served by U-Bahn U2 to Sophie-Charlotte-Platz (10-minute walk) or bus M45 to Schloss Charlottenburg stop. The Reichstag Building stands 800 meters northwest of Brandenburg Gate, with direct walking routes through Tiergarten park or via S-Bahn/U-Bahn to Bundestag station. Checkpoint Charlie sits at Friedrichstrasse and Zimmerstrasse, accessible via U-Bahn U6 to Kochstrasse.
Ferry services operate on Spree River and Wannsee lake as part of the BVG network, accepting standard tickets. Line F10 connects Wannsee S-Bahn station to Kladow, crossing the Havel River in 20 minutes. Line F11 runs from Krughorn to Alt-Schmöckwitz, serving southeastern waterways. Line F12 operates between Oberschöneweide and Wilhelmstrand. Ferries run approximately every 30 minutes during daytime hours, ceasing around 21:00 most days. The routes primarily serve commuters in outer districts but provide scenic alternatives for tourists visiting Wannsee or Müggelsee areas.
Real-time transit information displays at all major stations, showing minute-by-minute arrivals. The BVG Fahrinfo app provides journey planning with live delay notifications and alternative routing. Google Maps integrates full Berlin transit data with accurate scheduling and platform information. DB Navigator covers S-Bahn and regional trains with nationwide connections. Physical maps appear inside all trains and at station platforms, displaying the full network in color-coded lines. Tourist information centers at Brandenburg Gate, Hauptbahnhof, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport distribute free paper maps including U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and major bus routes.
Accessibility features include elevators at 132 of 173 U-Bahn stations as of 2024, with ongoing installation at remaining locations. All buses operate low-floor designs with hydraulic kneeling systems and ramps. Trams built after 2010 feature step-free boarding, though older trams serving eastern routes retain steps. S-Bahn stations provide elevators at 140 of 166 locations. The BVG website and app mark wheelchair-accessible routes with symbols. Audio announcements operate on all U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains, with visual displays showing current and next stops. Guide dogs travel free without restriction. Wheelchair users receive 50 percent fare discounts with Schwerbehindertenausweis (severe disability ID).
Tourist group tickets (Kleingruppen-Tageskarte) cover up to five people for 25.50 euros in AB zones, valid until 03:00 the following day. The Berlin WelcomeCard offers unlimited transit plus discounts at museums and attractions, costing 23 euros for 48 hours, 33 euros for 72 hours, 45 euros for four days, 55 euros for five days, or 63 euros for six days. The CityTourCard provides similar benefits at 17.90 euros for 48 hours or 25.90 euros for 72 hours. Cards activate upon first validation and count calendar days rather than 24-hour periods. Museum Island Pass combines entry to five museums with AB zone transit for 29 euros, though this primarily functions as a museum ticket rather than transport pass.
Traffic congestion peaks between 07:30-09:30 and 16:30-19:00 on weekdays, particularly on A100 ring motorway and major arteries like Bundesallee and Frankfurter Allee. Average speeds drop to 15-20 kilometers per hour on affected routes during peak periods. The city government has implemented car-free zones on Friedrichstrasse between Leipziger Strasse and Französische Strasse since August 2020, restricting vehicle access permanently. Similar pedestrian zones exist around Alexanderplatz and along portions of Unter den Linden during specific hours or permanently.
Winter weather between December and February occasionally disrupts surface transit. S-Bahn tracks receive priority clearing, maintaining most service during snowfall under 10 centimeters. U-Bahn operates underground for most routes, remaining unaffected by weather. Buses face delays of 10-30 minutes during snow or ice conditions. Tram service reduces frequency or suspends during severe ice, as overhead power lines ice over. The BVG and S-Bahn Berlin issue service alerts via apps, websites, and station announcements during weather disruptions.
Hauptbahnhof handles international connections to Amsterdam (6 hours 20 minutes via ICE), Paris (8 hours via ICE), Warsaw (5 hours 30 minutes via EuroCity), and Prague (4 hours 30 minutes via EC). Night trains operate to Vienna (12 hours), Zurich (12 hours), and Stockholm (19 hours via ferry connection). Ticket prices vary by booking time and class, with advance ICE tickets to Munich starting at 17.90 euros, walk-up tickets reaching 130-150 euros. Ostbahnhof serves additional routes to Eastern Europe. Südkreuz provides southern connections and some ICE departures.
Mobility apps beyond BVG Fahrinfo include Jelbi, which integrates car-sharing (ShareNow, Miles), bike-sharing (NextBike, Donkey Republic), e-scooters (Lime, Tier, Voi), and ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Free Now) into one interface. Users compare prices and availability across services, booking through single app payment. ShareNow operates 3,400 vehicles across Berlin, charging 0.31-0.39 euros per minute with daily maximums of 49-79 euros depending on vehicle class. Miles charges 0.79-0.99 euros per kilometer with no time-based fees. Cars may be picked up and dropped off anywhere within the operational zone covering most of the AB fare area.