Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [115]
BUYING & USING TICKETS
Bus drivers sell single tickets and day passes, but all other tickets must be purchased before boarding, either from orange vending machines (with instructions in English) located in U- or S-Bahn stations or from any kiosk or shop bearing the BVG logo.
Tickets must be stamped (validated) at station platform entrances. The on-the-spot fine for getting caught without a valid ticket is €40.
FARES & TICKETS
The network is divided into fare zones A, B and C, with tickets available for zones AB, BC and ABC. Unless you’re venturing to Potsdam or Schönefeld airport, you only need the AB ticket, which is valid for two hours. The short-trip ticket (Kurzstreckenticket, €1.30) is good for three stops on any U-Bahn or S-Bahn or six on any bus or tram. The group day pass is valid for up to five people travelling together. Children aged six to 14 qualify for reduced (ermässigt) rates, while kids under six travel for free.
BUSES & TRAMS
Buses run frequently between 4.30am and 12.30am. From Sunday to Thursday, night buses take over in the interim, running roughly every 30 minutes. Buses N2, N5, N6, N8 and N9 follow more or less the routes of the U2, U5, U6, U8 and U9. Nightline route maps are available from BVG offices and are also displayed on station platforms.
Trams only operate in the eastern districts. The M10, N54, N55, N92 and N93 offer continuous service nightly.
S-BAHN & REGIONAL TRAINS
S-Bahn trains make fewer stops than U-Bahns and are therefore handy for longer distances, but they don’t run as frequently. They operate from around 4am to 12.30am and all night on Friday, Saturday and public holidays.
Destinations further afield are served by Regionalbahn (RB) and Regionalexpress (RE) trains. You’ll need an ABC or Deutsche Bahn ticket to use these trains.
U-BAHN
The most efficient way to travel around Berlin is by U-Bahn. Trains operate from 4am until about 12.30am and throughout the night on Friday, Saturday and public holidays (all lines except the U4).
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Taxi
You’ll find taxi ranks at airports and major train stations and throughout the city. At night, cabs often line up outside theatres, clubs and other venues.
Flag fall is €3.20, then it’s €1.58 per kilometre up to 7km and €1.20 for each kilo-metre after that. Taxis can also be ordered on 443 322, 210 202 or 263 000. There are no surcharges for night trips but bulky luggage costs an extra €1 per piece.
For short hops you can use the €4 Kurzstreckentarif (short-trip rate), which entitles you to ride for up to 2km. You must flag down a moving taxi and request this special rate before the driver has activated the metre. If you want to continue past 2km, regular rates apply to the entire trip.
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Brandenburg
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Information
Getting Around
POTSDAM & HAVELLAND
POTSDAM
Orientation
Information
Sights
Tours
Festivals & Events
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
BRANDENBURG AN DER HAVEL
Orientation
Information
Sights & Activities
Tours
Sleeping
Eating
Getting There & Around
SPREEWALD
Getting There & Around
LÜBBEN
Sights & Activities
Sleeping
Eating
LÜBBENAU
Sights & Activities
Sleeping & Eating
COTTBUS
AROUND COTTBUS
EASTERN BRANDENBURG
BUCKOW
Orientation & Information
Sights & Activities
Sleeping & Eating
Getting There & Away
FRANKFURT AN DER ODER
Orientation & Information
Sights
Sleeping & Eating
Getting There & Around
NORTHERN BRANDENBURG
SACHSENHAUSEN CONCENTRATION CAMP
Sights
Getting There & Away
RHEINSBERG
Information
Sights
Activities
Sleeping & Eating
Entertainment
Getting There & Around
LOWER ODER VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Orientation & Information
Activities
Sleeping
Getting There & Around
CHORIN
NIEDERFINOW
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Although its land surrounds bustling Berlin, the Brandenburg state of mind is as far from the German capital as Shangri-La. It’s a quiet, gentle state with vast expanses of unspoilt scenery, much of it in protected nature reserves. Its