Berlin
How to get around efficiently with clear cost comparisons.
You'll find that navigating Berlin's transport system can be overwhelming at first, but most newcomers quickly adapt to the efficient U-Bahn network, which has 10 lines covering the inner city. For short trips under 3km, consider using Nextbike or Lime e-scooters, which cost 1 to unlock and 0.15-0.20 per minute. Watch out for the environmental zone driving restrictions in the city center, where only vehicles with a green emission sticker are allowed. To avoid bike theft, use two locks, including a heavy Kryptonite D-lock. Most newcomers are surprised by the limited tram network, which only operates in former East Berlin. To get started, download the BVG app today to plan your routes and buy tickets for Berlin's public transport system.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Kreuzberg · Experience date Nov 25, 2025
I use Nextbike for commutes under 3km — €1 to unlock then €0.15/min. Lime e-scooters are everywhere too. Both cheaper than U-Bahn for short distances and parking is easy.
Kreuzberg · Experience date Jan 2, 2026
Berlin's U-Bahn has 10 lines (U1–U9, with U55 merged into U5 in 2020). Key lines for expats: U2 (Ruhleben to Pankow — crosses east-west through Charlottenburg, Zoologischer Garten, Alexanderplatz, Prenzlauer Berg), U8 (Wittenau to Hermannstrasse — north-south through Wedding, Gesundbrunnen, Mitte, Neukölln), U5 (Berlin Hbf to Hönow — crosses Alexanderplatz to Friedrichshain and beyond). U-Bahn runs every 5–10 minutes during peak hours, every 15 minutes off-peak and weekends. All-night service on weekends (Nachtlinien, Friday/Saturday nights).
Charlottenburg · Experience date Dec 30, 2025
Berlin has one of Europe's highest urban bike theft rates. Protect your bike: use two locks — a heavy Kryptonite D-lock through the rear wheel and frame to a fixed object, plus a secondary cable lock. Lock in well-lit, busy areas. Register your bike's serial number at berlin.de/labo (police bike registry). Bike theft insurance: many German household contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) plans cover bikes for 30–50 EUR extra/year. If your bike is stolen: file a Strafanzeige at the police with the serial number — necessary for insurance claims.
Mitte · Experience date Nov 14, 2025
Friday and Saturday nights the U-Bahn runs all night. Weekdays last trains are around 00:30 then take night buses (N lines). Google Maps works well for routing, or use the BVG app.
Mitte · Experience date Dec 11, 2025
Berlin S-Bahn connects outer suburbs and provides the Ringbahn (S41/S42 — the circular line connecting major districts). Key for expats: S-Bahn to BER airport (S9 or S45 to Berlin Südkreuz, then RE7 to BER, or S45 directly to BER in 45 minutes from Ostkreuz). Ringbahn: clockwise S41 and counter-clockwise S42 connect Wedding, Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, Neukölln, Tempelhof, and Charlottenburg without going through Mitte. Covered by Deutschlandticket. Frequent: every 5–10 minutes. Known for technical issues — check BVG app for disruptions.
Kreuzberg · Experience date Feb 13, 2026
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) connections to city: S45 S-Bahn from BER Terminal 1-2 to Ostkreuz (35 min, covered by Deutschlandticket) and onward throughout Berlin. S9 is the alternative route. FEX (Flughafen-Express): faster express train to Berlin Hbf and Spandau (4.50 EUR surcharge on top of Deutschlandticket). Regional Express RE7/RB14: to Berlin Hbf and Westkreuz. Taxi/rideshare: 50–80 EUR to central Berlin. BER is well-connected — public transport is recommended over taxis for most destinations. Note: old Tegel Airport (TXL) is now closed, Berlin has one airport only.
Mitte · Experience date Mar 23, 2026
Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains between Berlin and other German cities: ICE (high speed, Berlin to Munich 4 hours, Berlin to Hamburg 1:45 hours, Berlin to Frankfurt 4 hours). Book at db.de or DB Navigator app. Prices: 29.90 EUR Sparpreis (advance purchase, seat specific) or 100+ EUR flexible. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for the 29.90 EUR Sparpreis — they sell out. Deutschlandticket covers only regional RE/RB trains — not ICE/IC. For commuters: Bahncard 25 (subscription, 62 EUR/year) gives 25% discount on all DB tickets including ICE.
Mitte · Experience date Mar 5, 2026
Berlin's night transit: U-Bahn and S-Bahn operate all night on Fridays and Saturdays (Nachtlinien — every 15 minutes). Monday–Thursday nights: U-Bahn stops around 12:30am, replaced by Nachtbus network (N1–N97 routes). Tram lines continue 24 hours in east Berlin. BVG app shows night routes. All covered by Deutschlandticket. Berlin's nightlife is world-famous — the transit system is designed around it. After midnight on weekends: U-Bahn platforms at Schlesisches Tor, Warschauer Strasse, and Alexanderplatz are busy with club-goers.
Neukölln · Experience date Dec 2, 2025
Berlin's tram network operates entirely in former East Berlin — Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte, Friedrichshain, Lichtenberg, Weißensee, and Marzahn. No trams in west Berlin (Charlottenburg, Schöneberg, Neukölln). Key lines: M10 (Prenzlauer Berg to Friedrichshain — very useful, passes through Mitte), M4/M5/M6 (from Alexanderplatz to outer east Berlin). Tram is covered by BVG ticket (Deutschlandticket). Often faster than U-Bahn for short distances in east Berlin. Runs 24 hours on most major lines.
Charlottenburg · Experience date Mar 25, 2026
Berlin has several car-sharing services for occasional car use without ownership. MILES: largest fleet, free-floating (leave anywhere in the zone), 0.30–0.45 EUR/minute or day rates from 29 EUR. ShareNow (BMW/MINI): similar pricing, slightly smaller fleet. Sixt Share: also operating. All require: driving license, credit card, app registration. Coverage zone: MILES covers most of Berlin within the ring. Useful for IKEA trips, outer district visits, or when bikes and transit aren't convenient. Parking costs are included in the rate — a significant advantage in Berlin where parking is expensive.