Berlin Trams (Straßenbahn) – Lines, Tickets & Easy Routes

Berlin tram (Straßenbahn) in yellow-red livery moving through the city
From the historic heart of East Berlin to fast cross-town spines, trams (Straßenbahn) connect neighborhoods with frequent, street-level service.

Berlin’s tram network is the most intuitive way to move across the eastern half of the city and into the inner ring. Frequent stops mean short walks, big windows mean easy city views, and transfers to U-Bahn and S-Bahn are simple at major hubs.

Use AB/ABC tickets (or a Berlin WelcomeCard) and check live departures in the BVG app — headways vary by time of day and planned works.

Is the tram right for you?

  • Street-level & scenic: Easy hop-on/hop-off with frequent stops along busy boulevards.
  • Great connectors: Strong links around Alexanderplatz, Ostkreuz, Landsberger Allee, Hackescher Markt.
  • Night service: Many corridors run late; check the app for weekend through-service.
  • Tickets & zones: AB for city; ABC for outskirts/airport combinations with rail.
  • Accessibility: Mostly low-floor; platforms vary — look for level boarding icons on stop signs.

Quick Overview

  • Coverage: Trams (Straßenbahn) are densest in former East Berlin and the inner ring; strong links around Alexanderplatz, Ostkreuz, Prenzlauer Berg.
  • Frequency: MetroTram M-lines run often; other lines thin out late evenings and on Sundays.
  • Wayfinding: Line numbers + M (MetroTram = frequent). Stops are close together — plan short hops and easy transfers to U-/S-Bahn.

The Tram Types (what each one’s for)

  • MetroTram (M-lines)

    High-frequency day & night service on main boulevards. Great for reliable, short-interval rides without checking timetables.

  • Regular Tram

    Standard coverage lines into neighborhoods, with frequent stops and easy transfers to S- & U-Bahn.

  • Historic Trams

    Occasional heritage trams run on selected routes for special tours and events — more for atmosphere than commuting.

  • Night Tram

    When trains stop, N-prefixed trams keep the eastern half of Berlin moving, especially on weekends and holidays.

  • Articulated Tram

    Longer vehicles with more space at peak times. Used on busy MetroTram corridors like M4, M5, and M10.

  • Low-Floor Tram

    Modern trams with step-free entry, easier boarding for wheelchairs, strollers, and luggage.

Best Tram Lines for Sightseeing (quick wins)

  • M1: Prenzlauer Berg ↔ Mitte via Hackescher Markt, Museumsinsel, Unter den Linden.
  • M4: Alexanderplatz ↔ Weißensee, direct link through central shopping and residential areas.
  • M10: Prenzlauer Berg ↔ Kreuzberg via Friedrichshain, East Side Gallery, Warschauer Straße.
Tip: Take a tram out, hop off for a stroll, then connect to U-/S-Bahn back — easy sightseeing loops.

Planning Tools

  • BVG app: live departures, mobile tickets, and service alerts.
  • Stop displays: real-time arrivals and diversion notices.
  • Google/Apple Maps: good for rough planning; always confirm in the BVG app.
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