34903GER
Facts and Free Time
TRANSPORT
U and S Bahn
For practical purposes there is no difference between U and S lines.
Operates 04.00 – 01.00. On weekends U1 and U9 run around the clock.
Berlin is divided into 3 zones: A is the centre, B is the suburbs. C is outside the city limits, including Berlin-Brandenburg Airport. In practice, apart for airport arrivals, you will therefore only ever need tickets for A/B.
Fares
Kurzstrecke € 2.60 (Max 3 stops on U-Bahn/6 on bus/tram)
Zones A and B € 3.80
Zones A, B and C € 6.10
1 day pass A and B € 10.60
4 single tickets (A and B) € 11.60
Ticket is valid for two hours from start of journey. During this time you can transfer and use the buses. Up to 14 years old there is a reduction (Ermässigungstarif).
There is also a group ticket, valid for up to five people travelling together for one day (for 24 hours from the time of validation). €33.30 for zones A and B.
Buses
Buses are part of the BVG system. The same tariffs apply as for the U and S Bahn except that the Kurzstrecke ticket is valid for 6 bus stops. There is a night bus service running every 20 mins on selected routes. Tickets for U and S-Bahn can be purchased from any U/S Bahn station. Bus tickets from the driver (only single tickets). Multiple trip tickets from U/S Bahn stations.
Taxis
Licensed to carry three passengers. Tip 10%.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Brochures and maps
Berlin Tourist Information: Europa Centre
Sells city maps for €0.50
There is also a tourist information office at the airport and a booth at Alexanderplatz. You may be able to get free publications from your hotel.
The official guide `Berlin Cultural Programme’ contains an acceptable city map. U and S Bahn maps are obtainable from main ticket booths.
Publications
Tip, Berliner Zeitung, Der Tagesspiegel, Berliner Morgenblatt.
The above are available from newsagents.
Berlin-Berlin, Berlin Aktuelles Programm available from Tourist Information.
MUSEUMS
See Yellow Pages for information on prices, opening times, etc.
Museums are often closed on Mondays.
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie Tells the history of the Wall. The exhibition includes curiosities linked with escape to the west. Open until 10 pm.
U-Bahn: Kochstrasse.
Martin Gropius Bau Large temporary exhibitions plus main sections of the Jewish Museum and German Fine and Applied Art. Closed Tuesday.
U-Bahn: Kochstrasse, Hallesches Tor, Anhalter Bahnhof.
Deutsches Historisches Museum Great new museum on Unter den Linden with a permanent exhibition and temporary items. U-Bahn: Alexanderplatz.
Dahlem Big cultural complex with several museums, including the famous Painting Gallery (Rembrandt’s Man with the Golden Helmet, Durer, Cranach, Holbein, Giotto, Boticelli, etc). U-Bahn: Dahlem-Dorf.
Jewish Museum Much lauded museum designed by American star architect Daniel Libeskind; history of Jewish life in Germany through the present day. Daily 10 – 8, closed on Jewish holidays. Lindenstrasse 9-14, not far from Checkpoint Charlie. U-Bahn: Hallesches Tor
Käthe Kolwitz Museum Woodcuts, drawings and prints. A woman’s pacifist artistic expression spanning two World Wars.
U-Bahn: Kurfurstendamm.
Bodemuseum On Museum Island. Egyptian, Early Christian and Byzantine Art. U-Bahn: Friedrichstrasse.
Pergamon The main hall containing the world famous Pergamon Altar (and the north wing) is closed for renovations until 2027. The south wing of the museum is closed until 2037.
Alte Nationalgalerie 19th century European Art. On Museum Island.
Closed Monday.
Neues Museum Newly-renovated, includes Nefertiti and other Egyptian exhibits, on Museum Island.
Neue Flugel (New Wing) of Charlottenburg German romantic and French 18th century painting. U-Bahn: Sophie Charlottenstrasse
NB. Entrance to these last three museums is covered by the same group ticket as the Pergamon.
THINGS TO DO
Visit the Zoo. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten.
Ascend the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) at Alexanderplatz.
Charlottenburg Palace. U-Bahn: Sophie-Charlotten Platz.
Guided tours available up to 4.30pm. Thursdays until 8pm.
Climb the Siegessäule in the Tiergarten.
Visit the Olympic Stadium – renovated for World Cup 2006.
Visit the Gedächtniskirche, the World War Two memorial church with wonderful stained glass from Chartres.
Visit the new Mauermuseum in Bernauerstrasse
See the Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe by the Brandenburg Gate, plus the nearby Gypsy and Gay Memorials
Hire Bikes in Tiergarten. Mikes Fat Tire Bike Co. by Zoo entrance.
SHOPPING
In the West try the Ku’damm from Adenauer Platz to the Europa Centre and from Tauentzienstrasse to Wittenbergplatz. KaDeWe, Europe’s largest department store is there, and the food hall is quite an experience.
In the East try Friedrichstrasse or Hackescher Markt and the area South of Unter den Linden.
There is a great flea market on 17 Juni Strasse at weekends until 3.30pm.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Hard Rock Cafe – Ku’damm 224 on the corner with Meinekestrasse.
The Ku’damm is lively at night and there are several large cafes. The area around the Gedächtniskirche can be a bit dodgy at night though.
The Fernsehturm at Alexanderplatz stays open until 12pm. (1am in summer) but it is expensive and the view is better during the day than at night.
The Checkpoint Charlie Museum stays open until 10 pm.
In the summer there are frequent open air Jazz and Rock concerts in the Tiergarten (check the listings).
Tickets from the Theaterkassen for evening performances, concerts,
theatres, etc may be bought at:-
Berlin Ticket in KaDeWe
Wertheim (Ku’damm)
City Center, Ku’damm 16
Die Erste, Unter den Linden 36
Theaterkasse in Europa Center and many others.
Cinemas especially at Potsdamer Platz may show films in English. Check listings.