Instruction how to use Berlin's public transport ticket machines
Why visitors find two different ticket machines in Berlin
Berlin's pubic transport is operated by two providers; therefore visitors will find two different ticket machines.
Tip: You can buy tickets also via BVG mobile app but be aware not to buy them until you need them (start of public transport journey) because the electronic ticket validation (time stamp) happens when you buy mobile tickets.
- Yellow BVG operates U-Bahn (subway), buses, trams and ferries
- Red S-Bahn Berlin operates the S-Bahn trains
Tip: You can buy tickets also via BVG mobile app but be aware not to buy them until you need them (start of public transport journey) because the electronic ticket validation (time stamp) happens when you buy mobile tickets.
Step-by-step instruction
This step-by-step instruction allows to purchase two day tickets for AB fare zone from a ticket machine of Berlin public transport. The how-to at the both machines is illustrated in the picture series below.
- Activate dialogue by touching the screen. German language start window will appear.
- Choose English as language.
- Choose day ticket AB for transport within Berlin city limits. Choose ABC day tickets for journeys beyond city limits, e.g. to Potsdam, Schönefeld or Oranienburg.
- Add further tickets either by increasing number of tickets (yellow machine) or just buy next ticket on top (red).
- Pay by entering cash or proceeding card payment.
- Take out printed tickets and payment confirmation.
- Validate / stamp tickets in close standing machine before (!) entering a train. When traveling by bus or tram first validate immediately after embarking the vehicle.
BVG ticket machineStatus: Sept. 2018.
Photo: station "U Stadtmitte". |
S-Bahn ticket machineStatus: Sept. 2018.
Photo: station "Hauptbahnhof" (main station). |
Answers to user questions
How do you know to buy a BVG or S-Bahn ticket?
As written at top of page it does not matter. With one ticket you can use all means of transport in a fare zone.
I read somewhere that validating a day ticket more than once makes it void and we will be penalised. is it true?
Yes. Day tickets need to be validated only once before first journey of the day. A second validation stamp will void the ticket.