Thanks
Does anyone have any suggestions for any interesting journeys?
If you get time and are a fan of trams, head out into the eastern suburbs on S-Bahn line S3 . These are different from the BVG trams, as they are individual lines operated by private companies (but as they are part of the VBB zone, you can use a day ticket). Change at
Friedrichshagen for tram 88 (operated by SRS) - You can ride on old Tatra and Duewag trams, through suburbs and countryside. Travel to the next station on the S-Bahn at
Rahnsdorf for tram 87 (operated by Woltersdorfer Straßenbahn) where you can ride through a forest on trams dating from 1960. If you are a fan of trams, this is an absolute must. Its rare to find in Germany (or Western Europe as a whole), trams of such vintage working in ordinary service on isolated lines run by small companies.
You can see my pictures here of the Woltersdorfer trams (
https://www.flickr.com/photos/loughtonkid/albums/72157675414772202 ) and the SRS trams (
https://www.flickr.com/photos/loughtonkid/albums/72157677022348315 )
Bus 100 (Zoologischer Garten to Alexanderplatz) is great for a bit of tourism and the iconic MAN Lion's City double-deckers.
Travel a bit further to Messedamm, where you can catch vintage bus route 218 through the Grunewald forest to Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island). If I remember correctly, the route is half-hourly, but hourly it is run by ordinary BVG Mercedes Citaros, and hourly by vintage double-deckers. - check the 218 timetable on the BVG website, and it should show the vintage journeys.
As already mentioned, the U1 line is elevated, so that is a must. It is also the oldest U-Bahn line in Berlin, I think. There are so many other great things to see with Berlin's transport. I have been 3 times, and still haven't covered everything I would like.
As you're travelling into Schonefeld, you can buy a ticket there from the machines at the station, where a day ticket covers the airport. Quickest option is using the regional trains (RE). S-Bahn takes longer, as stops at more stops. There is also the option of catching the bus link to the U-Bahn (line U3), but this takes longer (if you're travelling to the centre), but is more interesting if you wanted a bus and U-Bahn.
It is probably my favourite European city for both transport and culture, so enjoy exploring!