Germany
Berlin
A capital that wears its divided history openly. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn stitch together what the Wall once split.
BVG Bus (Metrobus M / Expressbus X / Nachtbus N)
BVG buses went cashless in September 2024: buying on board means tapping a card or phone on the driver's reader - that tap buys a ticket, not tap-to-ride. The same operator's trams are the exact opposite: coins only.
Updated on August 5, 2026
How to ride
- 1Get a ticket for the right zone before you reach the stopBuy at a U-Bahn station machine, an agency, or in the BVG app. Cash works at the machines and agencies only.
- 2Buying on board means the front doorIf you buy as you board, use the front door and tap a contactless card or phone on the driver's reader.
- 3Stamp a paper ticket as you boardSlide a pre-bought paper ticket into the on-board validator as you get on. App tickets need no stamp.
- 4Keep the ticket until you are offInspections are random and unannounced. Keep the ticket on you until you leave the bus and show it on request.
Fares
Single fares2
Single ticket (Berlin AB / ABC)
120 minutes, one direction. Transfers allowed, return and circular trips not. AB covers the city
4〜5 EUR ≈ $5–6
Short-trip ticket (Kurzstrecke)
Up to six bus stops, no transfers. On X (express) lines, stops the bus skips still count
2.8 EUR ≈ $3
Passes & multi-ride5
4-trip ticket (Berlin AB)
Works out at 3.10 euro a ride; stamp one section per person per trip
12.4 EUR ≈ $14
24-hour ticket (Berlin AB)
Unlimited rides for 24 hours from stamping; up to three children aged 6-14 ride free with you
11.2 EUR ≈ $13
24-hour small group ticket (up to 5 people, AB)
One ticket covers up to five people, so it is the straightforward choice for a group of three or more
35.3 EUR ≈ $41
Berlin WelcomeCard 48h
28.50 for the city (AB), 34.50 for ABC including the outskirts and BER airport. Also sold for 72h to 6 days
28.5〜34.5 EUR ≈ $33–40
CityTourCard 48h
23.80 for AB, 27.60 for ABC. Fewer discount partners than the WelcomeCard, and cheaper for it
23.8〜27.6 EUR ≈ $28–32
Add-ons & fees1
Zone C add-on (Anschlussfahrausweis)
Lets an AB ticket holder make one trip into zone C. The 24-hour version costs 5.60 euro
2.4 EUR ≈ $3
Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026
Payment
Card payment on board VISAMastercardMaestro
Tap on the driver's reader at the front door - it buys a ticket, not tap-to-ride
IC card BVG's rechargeable card works on board; anonymous and topped up with cash
App tickets Buy in the BVG app and activate it before you board
Paper tickets Pre-bought paper tickets go into the on-board validator as you board
Cash Not accepted on board at all - buy in advance at a station machine or an agency
Tap for where to get the app
Quick facts
Hours
M lines 24/7, N lines at night
Frequency
M lines ~10 min, N lines ~30 min
Fares from
4 EUR+
Heads-up
-
Express lines count the stops they skip
On an X (express) line, a short-trip ticket counts the stops the bus drives past without stopping toward its six-stop limit. Miscount and the ticket is treated as invalid, which means the 60-euro penalty fare.