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Berlin Welcome Card and the transportation in Berlin, Germany

September 6, 2024

Travels & Escapades
The Berlin Welcome Card is a popular tourist pass that provides visitors with a convenient way to explore Berlin and its surrounding areas while saving money on public transportation and entry to various attractions. It is an excellent choice for those who plan to see a lot of the city and make use of public transit.

Key Features of the Berlin Welcome Card

1. Unlimited Public Transport: The Berlin Welcome Card includes unlimited travel on Berlin’s public transportation network, which consists of the U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (urban rail), trams, buses, and regional trains. The card is available for different zones:
- AB Zone: Covers central Berlin, including the most popular tourist sites.
- ABC Zone: Extends to Potsdam, Berlin Schönefeld Airport, and surrounding areas, making it ideal if you plan to visit attractions outside the city center like Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam.

2. Discounts on Attractions: The card offers discounts of 25% to 50% on over 200 attractions, tours, and experiences, including museums, galleries, boat tours, sightseeing buses, and restaurants. Some of the key attractions with discounts include:
- Museum Island (Museumsinsel) museums
- Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm)
- Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)
- Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)
- Boat cruises on the Spree River
- Various guided tours and experiences

3. Free Guidebook: Every Berlin Welcome Card comes with a detailed guidebook (available in multiple languages) that includes maps, insider tips, sightseeing recommendations, and information about discounts. It also contains suggested itineraries to help you make the most of your visit.

4. Validity Period: The card is available for different durations, typically ranging from 48 hours to 6 days, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your stay and sightseeing plans.

Types of Berlin Welcome Cards

- Standard Berlin Welcome Card: Covers public transportation and discounts on attractions.
- Berlin Welcome Card All-Inclusive: In addition to all the benefits of the standard card, the All-Inclusive version provides free entry to over 30 popular attractions, such as the Berlin TV Tower, Madame Tussauds, and Legoland Discovery Centre. It also includes unlimited hop-on-hop-off bus tours.

Pricing

The cost of the Berlin Welcome Card varies depending on the duration (48 hours to 6 days) and the selected transport zones (AB or ABC). For example:
- 48-Hour Card (AB Zone): Around €24–€25.
- 72-Hour Card (AB Zone): Around €34–€36.
- 5-Day Card (AB Zone): Around €48–€51.

The All-Inclusive card is more expensive but offers free entry to selected attractions.

Where to Buy the Berlin Welcome Card

- Online: You can purchase the Berlin Welcome Card online through the official Berlin tourism website or authorized resellers.
- At the Airport: Available at tourist information desks in Berlin airports (Tegel and Schönefeld).
- At Train Stations: Major train stations such as Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and Zoologischer Garten have ticket counters and machines where you can buy the card.
- Hotels and Tourist Information Centers: Many hotels and tourist information centers in Berlin also sell the Berlin Welcome Card.

How to Use the Berlin Welcome Card

- Activate the Card: The card is valid from the time you first use it on public transport. You must validate the card by stamping it at a ticket validation machine before your first journey.
- Show the Card for Discounts: Present your Berlin Welcome Card at participating attractions, tours, or restaurants to receive discounts.

Is the Berlin Welcome Card Worth It?

The Berlin Welcome Card can be an excellent value if:
- You plan to use public transportation frequently.
- You want to visit several of the city’s main attractions and take advantage of discounts.
- You prefer convenience and flexibility during your stay in Berlin.

Tips for Using the Berlin Welcome Card

- Plan Your Itinerary: Check the guidebook or the official website to see which attractions and services are included, and plan your itinerary accordingly to make the most of your discounts.
- Consider Your Zones: Choose between the AB and ABC zones based on the locations you plan to visit. If you intend to go to Potsdam or Schönefeld Airport, opt for the ABC zone.
- Take Advantage of Discounts: Use the card's discounts to experience a variety of activities, such as sightseeing tours, museum visits, and dining.
Travels & Escapades
Transportation in Berlin

Berlin has a well-developed public transportation system that includes trains, trams, buses, and ferries, making it easy to navigate the city and explore nearby areas.

1. U-Bahn (Subway) and S-Bahn (City Train)
U-Bahn (Subway): Operated by the BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe), the U-Bahn consists of 10 lines covering the city center and surrounding areas. It typically runs from 4:30 AM to 1:00 AM, with a 24-hour service on weekends.
S-Bahn (City Train): Operated by Deutsche Bahn, the S-Bahn connects Berlin with its suburbs and surrounding areas. The S-Bahn runs from 4:30 AM to 1:30 AM on weekdays and operates 24 hours on weekends.

2. Trams
The tram network primarily serves East Berlin, with 22 lines operating throughout the city. Trams run from approximately 4:30 AM until midnight, with night trams covering the most popular routes outside these hours.

3. Buses
Berlin has an extensive bus network, including regular buses and express buses that connect various parts of the city. Night buses (marked with an "N") run when the U-Bahn is closed.

4. Ferries
Berlin’s public ferry service operates on several routes across the city's waterways, providing scenic transportation options.

5. Bicycles
Berlin is a bike-friendly city with numerous bike lanes and bike-sharing services, such as Nextbike and LimeBike, making it easy to rent a bicycle and explore the city.

6. Taxis and Ride-Sharing
Taxis are widely available, and ride-sharing services like Uber and Bolt are popular alternatives.

7. Berlin Welcome Card
The Berlin Welcome Card offers unlimited travel on public transportation within Berlin and the surrounding area (zones ABC) and discounts on various attractions and tours.

8. Hop on Hop off city sightseeing bus form 25EUR to 51EUR

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Updated on September 22, 2024

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