Germany
Berlin
A capital that wears its divided history openly. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn stitch together what the Wall once split.
S-Bahn / regional trains (RE, RB, FEX)
One VBB ticket covers S-Bahn and regional RE and RB trains, with no gates. Stamp paper tickets yourself before boarding - unstamped counts as no ticket, paid or not. The 7-day ticket was withdrawn in January 2026.
Updated on August 5, 2026
How to ride
- 1Buy a ticket at a machine or in the appThere are no ticket gates - buy a ticket for the right fare zone at a platform machine or in the official app.
- 2Stamp paper tickets before you boardPush the ticket into the yellow or red validator next to the machine. Tickets in the app need no stamping.
- 3Check the line number and final stopCheck the line number (S1 etc.) and final stop on the display - S-Bahn and regional trains share platforms at some stations.
- 4Add a ticket when you cross a zoneHeading into zone C on an AB ticket? Add an extension ticket. The same ticket also covers the U-Bahn, trams and buses.
- 5Keep the ticket until you are outPlain-clothes inspectors check tickets on trains and platforms without warning. Keep yours to hand until you leave.
Fares
Single fares3
Single ticket, Berlin AB
120 minutes in one direction from stamping - transfers free, return and round trips not allowed
4 EUR ≈ $5
Single ticket, Berlin ABC
Zone C is the ring about 15 km outside Berlin plus Potsdam; an AB ticket is enough for the city itself
5 EUR ≈ $6
Short-trip ticket (Kurzstrecke)
Up to 3 S-Bahn stops, counting skipped ones. No breaks or return trips; not valid on regional trains
2.8 EUR ≈ $3
Passes & multi-ride6
4-trip ticket, Berlin AB
3.10 euro a ride; stamp one section per person per journey
12.4 EUR ≈ $14
24-hour ticket (AB / ABC)
24 hours from stamping, unlimited rides. The ABC version is 12.90 euro; AB for up to 5 people, 35.30
11.2〜12.9 EUR ≈ $13–15
Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket (day ticket)
Up to 5 people on IRE, RE, RB, S-Bahn; invalid unless every name is written on it; from 09:00 on weekdays
36.5 EUR ≈ $42
Berlin WelcomeCard
48 hours to 6 days on S-Bahn, U-Bahn, regional trains, trams, ferries, buses; Museum Island version costs more
28.5〜63.5 EUR ≈ $33–74
CityTourCard
48 hours to 6 days, covering the same modes as the WelcomeCard; the attraction discounts differ
23.8〜59.8 EUR ≈ $28–69
Deutschlandticket (monthly)
Subscription only, always starting on the 1st of a month; long-distance ICE, IC and EC are excluded
63 EUR ≈ $73
Add-ons & fees3
Extension ticket into zone C
Add-on for crossing into zone C on an AB ticket - a single version and a 24-hour version
2.4〜5.6 EUR ≈ $3–7
Bicycle ticket
Bikes are never carried free; the single is valid 2 hours and there is a 24-hour version
2.7〜5.9 EUR ≈ $3–7
First-class upgrade (regional trains)
Added to a VBB ticket for first class on a regional train; sold only by DB Regio and ODEG
5.3〜9.3 EUR ≈ $6–11
Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026
Payment
Tap to ride There are no gates to tap - cards only work for buying a ticket at a machine
IC card No stored-value card works at S-Bahn machines; the BVG one is for BVG only
App tickets Tickets in the official apps need no stamping; validity is set when you buy
Paper tickets The default: paper from a machine, stamped by you before you board
Cash Machines take coins and 5 to 50 euro notes; fines on board are card only
Tap for where to get the app
Quick facts
Fares from
4 EUR+
Heads-up
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No ticket sales on board RE and RB trains
On a regional RE or RB train you normally cannot buy a ticket on board. Staff will only sell you one if there was no working machine or counter at your station and you report it unprompted. Buy before you board.
-
E-scooters ride the S-Bahn but not BVG lines
You can take an e-scooter on the S-Bahn and on regional trains, but BVG bans them on the U-Bahn, trams and buses - folded or not - even at the same station. Fully folded it counts as hand luggage; unfolded it counts as a bicycle and needs a bicycle ticket.