Berlin U-Bahn – Lines, Tickets & Best Connections

Berlin U-Bahn train at an underground station with yellow carriage
The U-Bahn is Berlin’s underground grid: fast, frequent, and the simplest way to link major sights with neighborhood hubs.

Berlin’s U-Bahn is the go-to for quick cross-city travel. Trains run every few minutes, stations are well signed, and transfers to S-Bahn, tram and buses are straightforward at central nodes.

Use AB/ABC tickets (or a Berlin WelcomeCard) and always check live departures in the BVG app — construction and weekend patterns can affect frequency and interchange.

Is the U-Bahn right for you?

  • Fast & frequent: Core lines run every 3–5 minutes at peak.
  • Sightseeing made easy: U2 (Zoo ↔ Alex), U1/U3 (west–east), U5 (Museumsinsel ↔ East).
  • Night service: Weekend through-service on many lines; late alternatives via night buses.
  • Tickets & zones: AB for city; ABC adds outskirts/airport with rail legs.
  • Accessibility: Many stations with elevators; check the BVG app for outages and level access.

Quick Overview

  • Coverage: U-Bahn forms the inner-city grid and links major hubs with fast interchanges to S-Bahn & tram.
  • Frequency: Core lines every 3–5 min at peak; 5–10 min evenings/weekends (line-dependent).
  • Wayfinding: Clear numbering U1–U9. Good sightseeing axes: U2 (Zoo–Alexanderplatz), U1/U3 (west–east), U5 (Museumsinsel–East).

The U-Bahn Lines (what each one’s for)

  • U1 / U3

    Historic elevated line across Kreuzberg and into the west. Great for a first glimpse of Berlin’s cityscape.

  • U2

    One of the most useful sightseeing lines: Zoo ↔ Alexanderplatz via Potsdamer Platz, Museumsinsel, and Unter den Linden.

  • U5

    East–west connector: Hönow ↔ Hauptbahnhof, passing Alexanderplatz, Rotes Rathaus, and Museumsinsel.

  • U6

    North–south axis from Alt-Tegel to Alt-Mariendorf, with stops at Friedrichstraße, Stadtmitte, and Checkpoint Charlie.

  • U7

    Longest line (31 km) across the city — useful for Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and Spandau connections.

  • U8 / U9

    U8 links Gesundbrunnen ↔ Neukölln (great nightlife access). U9 serves the western axis from Zoo ↔ Steglitz.

Best U-Bahn Lines for Sightseeing (quick wins)

  • U2: Zoo ↔ Alexanderplatz via Potsdamer Platz, Stadtmitte, Museumsinsel — covers Berlin’s central highlights.
  • U5: Hönow ↔ Hauptbahnhof via Alexanderplatz, Rotes Rathaus, Museumsinsel — East–West backbone.
  • U6: Tegel ↔ Mariendorf with stops at Friedrichstraße, Stadtmitte, Checkpoint Charlie — great for history walks.
Tip: Combine one sightseeing stretch with short tram or bus hops for maximum coverage in a day.

Planning Tools

  • BVG app: live U-Bahn departures, platform changes, diversions & mobile tickets.
  • Station displays: next trains, disruptions, elevator status at many hubs.
  • Network & zone maps: check AB/ABC before travel; save the offline U-Bahn map.
  • Google/Apple Maps: fine for rough routes — always confirm timing in the BVG app.
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