Germany Guide
Berlin
Getting around
Berlin's efficient and inexpensive public transport network is run by the BVG ( 
030/194 49, 
www.bvg.de ) and looks complicated at first glance but quickly becomes easy to navigate. Fast suburban (S-Bahn) and underground trains (U-Bahn) form the backbone of the system and are supplemented on the streets by buses and trams. Trains run all night on Friday and Saturday but otherwise from 4am to around 1am when their routes are generally covered by night buses – whose numbers are prefixed by "N". Buses and trams called MetroBus or MetroTram run particularly frequently, often all night, and have numbers preceded by "M". On all services, onboard illuminated signs and announcements make finding the right stop easy.
All BVG services share the same tickets, valid for transfers between different modes of transport as well as all other services within the regional system, including buses and trams in Potsdam, Oranienburg and even Regional Express trains (marked RE) within the city limits. The network is divided into ticket zones A, B and C; a basic single ticket (Einzelticket) for Zone A and B costs €2.10, a ticket for all three zones costs €2.70. Tickets are valid for two hours and allow unlimited transfers, but not return journeys. A Kurzstrecke, or short-trip ticket, costs €1.20 and allows you to travel up to three train or six bus stops (no transfers). A day-ticket (Tageskarte; €6.30 for zones A, B and C) is valid until 3am the next morning. A seven-day ticket (Sieben-Tage-Karte) is €31.30 for all zones. Other money-saving possibilities include a small group ticket (Kleingruppenkarten) valid for a whole day's travel for up to five people (zones A, B & C €16.10), and a couple of cards that include concessionary rates at a host of attractions and discounts at participating tour companies, restaurants and theatres: the Welcome Card (€16 for 48hr, €21 for 72hr) allows one adult and three children unlimited travel, while the City Tour Card ( www.citytourcard.com ) allows unlimited travel in the A and B zones for one adult and one child (€15.50 for 48hr, €20.50 for 72hr). The main difference between the two is who their partners are. All public transport tickets are available from machines – which have an English-language option – on station platforms and on trams, but be sure to validate them by punching the ticket at the red or yellow machines before you travel; failing to do so results in €40 fines at spot checks. Bus drivers can also sell tickets, though only single and day-tickets.