The Berlin U-Bahn is the cities’ underground train system (Subway). It is comprised of over 170 stations over 10 separate lines. During weekdays, trains come every 3-5 minutes depending on the time and line. Train frequency on the weekends is generally 10 minutes between trains.
U-Bahn image courtesy of ubahn.co – Photographing every U-Bahn station in Berlin
Although there are no barriers to enter a subway station, each rider must be in possession of a valid ticket. The BVG has plainclothes ticket inspectors that check tickets on the trains, buses and trams all day. If you are caught without a valid ticket, you will be required to pay 60 Euro on the spot.
When you purchase a normal ticket from a machine inside a U-Bahn or S-Bahn station, these tickets must be then validated inside a small yellow box on the platform. The validation machine stamps the date and station on your ticket. You only have to validate your ticket one and only if it says so on the ticket (see
A normal 2.70 Euro ticket
picture above).
Important to know
- Subway station signs in Berlin are always blue and usually contain “U” in the name.
- Once your train arrives, do not stand in front of the doors. Stand to the side until everyone that wants to get off the train does so, then you may enter.
- Single tickets (Einzelfahrausweis) are one way only, you must purchase a separate return ticket if needed.
- Although stations contain no barriers, you must have a valid ticket to ride the subway.
- Hold on. Some subway lines are over a hundred years old and rides can be a bit bouncy.
The U-Bahn is a great way to comfortably navigate around Berlin at a reasonable cost. Because the U-Bahn is included in the VBB (Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg) tariff system , tickets purchased in an underground station are also valid for other types of public transportation in Berlin. For more information, see our public transportation guide.