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Berlin Local Transit

My wife and I are coming into Berlin for a three day weekend starting this Friday. I’m trying to figure out what’s the best deal in most convenient for our local transit, including getting from the airport to our accommodations in Kreuzkölln on the Paul Lincke Ufer.

The host recommended taking the FEX to Ostkreuz, and then an Uber. Does that sound like a good approach? If I do that, should I add a Zone C pass to another day pass?

I downloaded the BVG app, but I must say I’m thoroughly confused by the various options. From experience are any of the city passes or tour cards worth it for 72 hours? Or should we just buy individual tickets as we go? And I suppose if it passes the way to go, we will each need our own on each phone, right? One thing to consider is that our departure from Berlin flight is at 9 AM so we might have to take an Uber to go back to the airport. Thanks for any suggestions and tips!

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I stayed not too far from Paul-Linke-Ufer a couple years ago. I took the S45 to Sudkreuz, then the bus to where I was staying near the Admiralbrucke, but depending on the amount of luggage you have, the bus might be a hassle.

Every time I've been to Berlin I've bought a BVG multi-day pass. The first time I bought it as part of the visitor's card. I did not get my money's worth out of it, so since then I have bought a Sieben-Tage-Karte, ABC zones, from the BVG ticket machine in the baggage claim area at BER. I only want to buy a ticket one time, so the multi-day worked for me. I don't care if I'm paying a little more than I need to.

Besides the trip from and to the airport, I usually go into Zone C on every trip anyway. If you are planning to go to Potsdam, you'll need a Zone C ticket.

And yes, each of you will need your own ticket, whether on your phone or paper. Count on your tickets being checked. Every time I'm there mine are checked several times, and sometimes more than once a journey. If you get a paper ticket at BER, you will validate it on the platform before you board, and then you're good.

Only you can decide if you'll use a visitor's pass enough for it to pay for itself.

Have you put your trip from BER to your lodgings into google maps and looked at the options?

The last time I needed ride share in Berlin, which was in late 2022, there was no Uber. I used the Free Now app, which summons a taxi. Someone else who has needed rideshare more recently can chime in as to whether that has changed.