How to ride public transit

While in Berlin

The main local transit agency in Berlin is BVG. They run the U-Bahn (subway) services, buses, tram service, and apparently, some ferries! (The S-Bahn subway system is operated by DB, but as explained below, you can consider it part of the same system.)

Fares

Fares within Berlin and the surrounding Brandenburg area are coordinated by VBB. A map of regional railways is available here. Fares within Berlin are based on what zones you'll be traveling in (consult the map). To travel from the airport to camp, you want a VBB-wide ticket. (7,90 EUR as of 2023).

Fare Zones

Central Berlin (Alexanderplatz, Postdamerplatz, Berlin Hbf, Ostbahnhof, Charlottenburg, etc.) are in zone A.
Outer Berlin is in zones B and C.
BER is in zone C.

Using Tickets

Regional Express (RE) services can be taken within Berlin as long as you stay within the tariff zones according to your ticket, or toward your destination if a further ticket is purchased.

Tickets can be purchased from VBB, DB, and BVG machines. If you are coming from North America, note that you might need to set a PIN on your credit card for the ticket machines to accept it. You can usually do this online through your bank. Tap-to-pay also typically works

You may buy tickets in advance. However, prior to boarding, you MUST VALIDATE YOUR TICKET by inserting it into one of the timestamping validation validation machines. These usually are vertical yellow or red rectangles with no real signs or apparent purpose. Just insert your ticket and your two hour clock begins.

DO NOT RE-VALIDATE YOUR TICKET when changing vehicles -- this will invalidate them.

Berlin uses a proof-of-payment system; there are no fare gates. However, BVG does often perform random ticket checks, sometimes with plainclothes officers. If you do not have a valid ticket, you will have to pay an extra €60 fine. You can do so online.