Berlin for wheelchair users – mobility in the city

Exploring Berlin by wheelchair

The accessible path is the goal – after all, your Berlin trip should be as easy and convenient as possible. Sightseeing on broad pavements with dropped kerbs. Wheelchair-friendly transport to accessible stations – and if nature calls, also to the nearest accessible toilet.

Here, you can find out which media and services are available specifically for wheelchair users – as well as other visitors with limited mobility.

Your 8 key mobility options in overview:

The Mobidat database – multilingual and accessible information
The BVG webpage (also in English) to plan your public transport routes
The Wheelmap online map to check accessibility in your direct vicinity
Free mobility assistance services for buses and trains – unique in Europe
Explore Berlin by wheelchair and taxi
Accessible toilets in Berlin
Disabled parking
Repair service for wheelchairs

The Mobidat database – accessible and multilingual

The Mobidat database offers information on accessibility and on-site conditions at Berlin sights, restaurants, hotels and other venues. The database is also very useful for visitors with limited mobility. The site is maintained and updated by the non-profit association Albatros. Information is provided at present in German, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Turkish and, in part, in Polish.

Out and about with Berlin’s public transport services (BVG)

Most U-Bahn (tube) stations, the entire S-Bahn (city railway) network as well as the BVG fleets of buses and ferries are all wheelchair accessible. There are only two exceptions: the 218 excursion route, since this is sometimes served by vintage buses, and the F24 ferry, which is a rowing boat.

The BVG buses are all fitted with extendable wheelchair ramps so, where necessary, drivers can assist passengers to board. In the generous multifunctional areas on BVG double-deckers, there is space for two wheelchairs. These double-deckers also service the popular 100 and 200 bus lines.

Trams can be accessed via a ramp or wheelchair lift at the first or second door. There are large pictograms leading you to the right door where the Passenger Assistant can help you.

Key helpers for your mobility:

Accessible route planner for all BVG public transport services
Current traffic news
Faulty elevators
brokenlifts.org also provide information on whether elevators at tube and city railway stations are working properly
If you prefer, you can also ask the BVG Call Center hotline on +49 (0)30 19 449 about accessible Berlin routes
You can find even more answers to Barrierefrei unterwegs on the BVG website.

Barrier-free sightseeing at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

How accessible is the area around you? Check the Wheelmap online map!

On Wheelmap.org, you can find your location and see at a glance the wheelchair accessible places in your direct vicinity, from stations to theatres, restaurants, shopping centres and much, much more... Three categories of locations are marked on the online map – fully wheelchair accessible, partially wheelchair accessible or not wheelchair accessible.

Our tip: Using the Wheelmap.org mapping function, visitBerlin and the non-profit organisation Sozialhelden have compiled a neighbourhood tour through Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Mitte for Berlin visitors who are wheelchair users.

Free mobility assistance services for buses and trains – unique in Europe

When travelling across the city on the BVG or S-Bahn transport services, Berlin visitors who have limited mobility or are wheelchair users can ask to be accompanied for free by a mobility assistant guide from the VBB transport association (Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg). The guide will collect you from your hotel, accompany you to your destination and, if you wish, accompany you back again. This service is available across the entire city of Berlin from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

Pre-booking requested: at least one day and at most 7 days in advance.
Booking: by phone on +49 (0)30 – 34 64 99 40 or online www.vbbonline.de

Explore Berlin by wheelchair and taxi

There are various providers of wheelchair taxis in Berlin to help you travel around the city more conveniently. There are also companies such as Joachim Ganz Taxi and Bus Operator which are specialised in services for people with disabilities and offer sightseeing tours by taxi for wheelchair users.

Accessible toilets in Berlin

In Berlin, the Wall company provides around 200 toilets which are all wheelchair accessible. The Mobidat database also includes a list of all wheelchair accessible toilets including their conditions of use. On the official website of the federal state of Berlin, you can find a list of Wall City accessible toilets as a downloadable pdf. The list, available in German, is sorted by city districts.

Disabled parking in Berlin

If you are visiting Berlin by car , you have around 1300 public disabled parking spaces available. To use these spaces, you need a parking permit specifically for people with disabilities with an “aG” or “Bl” mark.