martin2345uk
Established Member
I'm going to Berlin next weekend, Friday to Sunday, and wondered if anyone knew the best ticket to buy so I can travel around the city for those days...?
-
Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Best way to get around Berlin these days?
- Thread starter martin2345uk
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
I would suggest buying 24hour tickets valid in the AB, BC and ABC zones (depending on what combination of zones you need). There's a zonal map here. It's also valid on Trams and Buses within the relevant zones.
When I was in Berlin a couple of years ago the easiest way to buy a ticket I found was in the DB Navigator app. Where you will want to go to Transport Associations, then Berlin & Brandenburg, then Select ticket before choosing Berlin and which zones you need a ticket for. You'll get an e-ticket to show on your phone. If there's a group of you then then up to five people can travel using a small group ticket. If you do buy a paper ticket make sure you validate it using the machines on the trains/trams/buses/etc!
When I was in Berlin a couple of years ago the easiest way to buy a ticket I found was in the DB Navigator app. Where you will want to go to Transport Associations, then Berlin & Brandenburg, then Select ticket before choosing Berlin and which zones you need a ticket for. You'll get an e-ticket to show on your phone. If there's a group of you then then up to five people can travel using a small group ticket. If you do buy a paper ticket make sure you validate it using the machines on the trains/trams/buses/etc!
306024
Established Member
Don’t forget the 9 euro ticket. Here’s the link on the Berlin transport website:
https://www.bvg.de/en/tickets-tariffs/9-euro-ticket/faq-9-euro-ticket-eng
martin2345uk
Established Member
That 9 euro ticket seems too good to be true? I can buy that and travel anywhere within Berlin all weekend..?!
306024
Established Member
All of Germany if you keep to slow trains! Yes just study the FAQs in that link to be sure for Berlin but its true. Used one just last week in Northern Germany, it was even valid on two narrow gauge steam lines. Trains were busy but only one I saw was impossible to board.
Just buy at the first ticket machine you see, write your name on the ticket where it says and away you go.
Should just add, ticket isn’t valid on ICE, EC, IC or IR coded trains, so don’t use those for travelling across Berlin, but the S Bahn where the ticket is valid pretty much replicates that.
Last edited:
Machines also all tend to have a big "9 euro ticket" button on the front page as well.
Definitely your best bet. There's very few exclusions apart from long distance services so you can pretty much travel to your hearts content.
Definitely your best bet. There's very few exclusions apart from long distance services so you can pretty much travel to your hearts content.
The one thing that I believe catches some visitors out is that, unlike say London, in addition to buying the 24 hour ticket from the vending machine, you then have to insert it in the canceller at the platform entrance the first time you use it as well, which stamps the start time on it, as it does on regular single tickets, otherwise it's invalid if not yet stamped.
The last time I was in Berlin there was a sudden ticket examination by undoubtedly the most dishevelled-clothed non-Germanic appearance person you can imagine boarding shambolically, who as the doors slammed shut suddenly snapped to attention, whipped out their identity card, and commanded "Alles Fahrkarte bitte"
. Caught one straight away. No quarter given.
If you pass by Friedrichstrasse station on the north side outside, go and say hello to this little group for us all, will you please :
The last time I was in Berlin there was a sudden ticket examination by undoubtedly the most dishevelled-clothed non-Germanic appearance person you can imagine boarding shambolically, who as the doors slammed shut suddenly snapped to attention, whipped out their identity card, and commanded "Alles Fahrkarte bitte"
. Caught one straight away. No quarter given.If you pass by Friedrichstrasse station on the north side outside, go and say hello to this little group for us all, will you please :
Nicholas Winton - 19 May Google icon
The Google homepage image today (Tuesday 19 May 2020) commemorates Nicholas Winton's 111th birthday. He was the organiser of the Kindertransport, which brought children out of Germany, Czechoslovakia, etc to Britain in 1938-9, just before the start of WW2. Most came via Hook-Harwich, and...
www.railforums.co.uk
306024
Established Member
Regarding stamping the ticket, that is true if the ticket fits the machine. My 9 euro ticket was twice the size with no space for a stamp, and no ticket examiner looked for a stamp either.
By the way there’s a Kindertransport statue at Hoek van Holland now, and another coming to Harwich soon.
By the way there’s a Kindertransport statue at Hoek van Holland now, and another coming to Harwich soon.
Taunton was referring to the Tageskarte.
The 9 Euro ticket doesn't need to be validated, but you do need to write your name on it and you may need to show ID to ticket inspectors.
The normal 24 hour ticket for Berlin is €8.80 for zone AB or €10 for zone ABC, so unless you are in Berlin for less than 24 hours, definitely go for the 9 Euro ticket.
The normal 24 hour ticket for Berlin is €8.80 for zone AB or €10 for zone ABC, so unless you are in Berlin for less than 24 hours, definitely go for the 9 Euro ticket.
martin2345uk
Established Member
So I get that it's not valid on the intercity/express trains; would it be valid on the Regional trains from Berlin Brandenburg airport into the city centre?
P Binnersley
Member
- Joined
- 30 Dec 2018
- Messages
- 436
Yes, but there are some trains to Berlin Airport which have both IC and RE numbers. The 9 euro ticket is NOT valid on these as they are operated by DB intercity (and should have white coaches with a red band). DB Regional trains are all red. Stick to red DB trains and you will be OK.
Yeah, it'd be valid on those services.
The regional service you'll likely want is branded "FEX".
martin2345uk
Established Member
Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful!
Jamesrob637
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 5,242
Trabant 
Triddle
Member
The Kindertransport memorial is on the south side of Friedrichstraße station. On the north side you find the GDR-era Tränenpalast exit hall were passengers queued for checks when leaving East Berlin (now a museum, free entry, definitely worth a visit!)
Berlin is ace for rides. The main line rail line through the centre is a great way to see the city. Some nice S-Bahn stations. My favourite is Hackescher Markt.
Find the bits of u-bahn that are on viaduct. Eastern bit of U1/U3 and the northern bit of U5. Quite fun where the lines transition from overground to underground. Nollendorfplatz station different!
Dont forget the extensive tram network in the north of the city. And the buses can offer a nice short cut rather than a long way round by rail.
On a more sombre note look for Stolperstein set in the pavements. Small brass plaques commemorating people who disappeared in the Nazi times.
Look also for the rows of cobbles set in the roadways with some brass plaques saying Berliner Maur - berlin wall. I walked from ostbanhof to Potsdammerplatz along the wall route some years ago. I found the memorial to Peter Fechter not far from Checkpoint Charlie. Shot by the E Germans and left to die in agony.
Find the bits of u-bahn that are on viaduct. Eastern bit of U1/U3 and the northern bit of U5. Quite fun where the lines transition from overground to underground. Nollendorfplatz station different!
Dont forget the extensive tram network in the north of the city. And the buses can offer a nice short cut rather than a long way round by rail.
On a more sombre note look for Stolperstein set in the pavements. Small brass plaques commemorating people who disappeared in the Nazi times.
Look also for the rows of cobbles set in the roadways with some brass plaques saying Berliner Maur - berlin wall. I walked from ostbanhof to Potsdammerplatz along the wall route some years ago. I found the memorial to Peter Fechter not far from Checkpoint Charlie. Shot by the E Germans and left to die in agony.
Whoops! Quite right. Sorry. It's in Georgenstr. as the photo in the link.
Rail interest is in the Deutsches Technikmuseum, equivalent of our Science Museum, near U-Bahn Gleisdreieck, which is actually located on the grounds of the old steam loco sheds, and still has the multiple roundhouses with a full range of past German locos, so if you never saw a V200 diesel-hydraulic, which inspired the WR Warships, or a Kriegslok 2-10-0, they are all there. It's a good general technical museum into associated areas as well. Allow half a day. Incidentally, Gleisdreieck is a fascinating multi-level U-Bahn station, especially the upper level; contrary to the U-Bahn concept, both levels are above ground, U1 at right angles over U2, and you can get good photo shots of their trains from adjacent streets.
LSWR Cavalier
Established Member
Gleisdreieck, track triangle, is there anything triangular about it?
I recommend the Schoenberger Suedgelande, a rail yard that was unused for decades, now a half-wild nature reserve with lots of railway stuff still visible, access from S-Bahn Priesterweg or Suedkreuz, small entry charge.
The Innenring S-Bahn is good, and most of the Aussenring has passenger trains, with several changes you can orbit Berlin from outside.
I recommend the Schoenberger Suedgelande, a rail yard that was unused for decades, now a half-wild nature reserve with lots of railway stuff still visible, access from S-Bahn Priesterweg or Suedkreuz, small entry charge.
The Innenring S-Bahn is good, and most of the Aussenring has passenger trains, with several changes you can orbit Berlin from outside.
There was when it was built and named. There were subsequent extensions added (and a few bits of the triangle abandoned).
Reminiscent of the initial "Delta Junction" on the DLR.
BahrainLad
Member
- Joined
- 3 Aug 2015
- Messages
- 312
Another vote for the Tränenpalast here, and also the Stasi Museum in the old HQ.
I found the DDR Museum a bit kitschy and jokey, which was a shame. Still interesting though.
In normal non-€9-ticket times the BVG app is super easy to buy a AB or ABC daily pass which you show when asked. Even has Apple Pay integration.
I found the DDR Museum a bit kitschy and jokey, which was a shame. Still interesting though.
In normal non-€9-ticket times the BVG app is super easy to buy a AB or ABC daily pass which you show when asked. Even has Apple Pay integration.
Cloud Strife
Established Member
- Joined
- 25 Feb 2014
- Messages
- 1,819
Yes, thoroughly recommended. One interesting piece of information is that they were still carrying out rather detailed exit customs checks there until late April 1990 or so, and exit identity controls were dropped a couple of days before 1st July 1990.
- Status