Frequently Asked Questions
Visiting Berlin? We'll be happy to answer any questions: by phone, online and in person.
- How much does it cost to travel on public transport?
- How much does the Berlin WelcomeCard cost?
- What is the route of Bus 100?
- What is Checkpoint Charlie?
- Where can I find famous film locations?
- Where was the Berlin Wall?
- Where are the best shopping areas?
- Where is the post office?
- Need a map of Berlin?
- What kinds of events take place in Berlin?
- Where can I find information on memorial sites?
- How do I get to Potsdam and the Sanssouci Palace?
- Where can I find restaurants serving Berlin cuisine?
- How do I go about visiting the Reichstag?
- How do I make a reservation for the Käfer restaurant in the Reichstag?
- Where can I book city tours?
- What kids' activities are there in Berlin?
- Where can I find a WC?
- Are there any internet cafés or free WiFi in the city?
- Scheduled Museum Visits at the Berlin Tourist Info Centres
How much does it cost to travel on public transport?
Tickets for public transport are available at all sales outlets of the BVG, Berlin's public transport company. For all of central Berlin, tariff zone AB applies. If you cross Berlin's city limits to travel to Potsdam or Schönefeld Airport, you will need a ticket for tariff zone ABC which must be validated before each journey.
Did you know? The Berlin WelcomeCard offers free travel on public transport as well as many discounts and concessions from partners around the city.
- More information about the Berlin WelcomeCard
- Berlin WelcomeCard discount partners
- The staff at the Berlin Tourist Infos will also be glad to assist
How much does the Berlin WelcomeCard cost?
Set off on a discovery tour of the German capital. The Berlin WelcomeCard is perfect for discovering Berlin flexibly and independently. This tourist pass allows free travel across the city on bus and rail plus discounts at over 200 Berlin sights and other partners.
- More information about the Berlin WelcomeCard
- Berlin WelcomeCard discount partners
- Book directly at the visitBerlin online shop
What is the route of Bus 100?
Bus 100 is a regular bus service provided by the BVG. It operates between the Zoologischer Garten in City West and Alexanderplatz in City East, passing nearly every major sight in the city. More information about Bus 100
What is Checkpoint Charlie?
Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous border crossing during the years when Berlin was divided by the Wall. After 1961, this was one of the crossings used by those travelling from West to East Berlin. The iconic sign "You are now leaving the American Sector" is world famous. For more information about Checkpoint Charlie or just take the U6 to Kochstraße.
Where can I find famous film locations in Berlin?
Berlin is Germany's film capital. The Filmpark Babelsberg is not far from the city limits. There are daily public tours of well-known film and TV sets. Other tips about filmmaking in Berlin:
Where was the Berlin Wall?
The Berlin Wall divided West and East Germany from 1961 to 1989. One of the best ways to trace the path of the former border is by cycling along the Berliner Mauerweg. On foot, the former border is best explored by walking along the longest open-air gallery in the world, the East Side Gallery between Warschauer Straße and the Ostbahnhof
Where are the best shopping areas?
From the classic style of Kurfürstendamm in City West to urban street style and second-hand fashion at Hackescher Markt, you'll find everything your heart desires. There are plenty of places to shop in the city, with something to suit everyone , including shopping centres such as the Schloßstraße in Steglitz, the Alexa at Alexanderplatz or a number of shopping arcades.
Where is the post office?
Post offices where you can send domestic and international packages and mail can be found all over the city and are easily identifiable by their trademark yellow Deutsche Post signs. For precise locations, visit the Deutsche Post website at www.deutschepost.de
What kinds of events take place in Berlin?
Berlin has three opera houses and also a variety of stages, theatres and concert halls. And so you don't miss out on anything, we've compiled a list of up-to-date tips about events all over the city.
Where can I find information on memorial sites?
Berlin is a place where a great deal of history has been made. The events of the Second World War and the division between East and West are still remembered in the German capital. Berlin's memorials, such as Hohenschönhausen , the Holocaust Memorial or the Berlin Wall Memorial offer poignant insights into historical events.
How do I get to Potsdam and the Sanssouci Palace?
With a Berlin WelcomeCard for tarif zones ABC , you can easily travel to Potsdam by bus or train (including regional trains) From the Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, you can go by public transport to Potsdam's tourist attractions—all included in the Berlin WelcomeCard pass! Famous Potsdam buildings such as the Sanssoucci Palace, the Neue Palais (New Palace) and the Holländische Viertel (Dutch Quarter) are all worth a visit.
- Everything you need to know about Potsdam
- All the palaces at a glance
- Tour suggestions for Berlin and Potsdam
Where can I find restaurants serving Berlin cuisine?
Berlin's culinary offerings are world renowned and diverse. The range includes street food, restaurants and even Michelin-starred cuisine to delight the most jaded gourmet palate. Find out more about Berlin's gastronomy and the specialities of the capital.
How do I go about visiting the Reichstag?
Visitors to the Reichstag and its glass dome need to reserve tickets in advance. This is very easy to do using the online form at www.bundestag.de. If you decide to visit at the last minute, you may still be able to register in person at the Reichstag . As part of your visit, a break in the rooftop Käfer restaurant is highly recommended. For more information about reservations
Where can I book city tours?
Berlin can be experienced in many different ways. Our experts will be happy to help you choose a walking tour or one on a Segway, by bus or on Berlin's waterways. Just call into one of the Berlin Tourist Infos throughout the city or phone the Berlin Service Center.
Where can I find a WC?
With over 400 public WC facilities, 100 of which are free of charge, throughout the city, you can use the public toilets anytime and anywhere on the move. You can find an overview of the exact locations here.
What kids' activities are there in Berlin?
For families, the Berlin WelcomeCard for tariff zone ABC is an especially good deal as it covers public transport by bus and rail for one adult and up to three children. So you can visit the Berlin Zoo , the Planetarium or a climbing forest ! For all the family-friendly things you can do in Berlin
Are there any internet cafés or free WiFi in the city?
There are lots of internet cafés across Berlin as well as hotspots and free wifi. All the available options
Scheduled Museum Visits at the Berlin Tourist Info Centres
Time slot tickets let you visit a museum at a fixed time so that you can jump the queue and go straight in. These tickets are sold for the Neues Museum, the Pergamon Museum, the TV Tower and for the exhibitions at the Martin-Gropius-Bau: Museum Island: Neues Museum and Pergamon Museum Time slot tickets are available at no charge when you purchase a Museum Pass or the Berlin WelcomeCard with the Museum Island option at Berlin Tourist Infos
Your visit to the Neues Museum will be set for admission within a specific 30-minute period; there is no limit to how long you stay in the museums. For the Pergamon Museum, a time slot is assigned automatically when you purchase a museum ticket. An additional time slot ticket is not required for holders of the three-day pass. In addition, the Berlin Tourist Info Centres has time slot tickets for the exhibitions in the Martin-Gropius-Bau. Time slot tickets for the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz For a visit to the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz, you can opt for the Fast View Ticket or the VIP Ticket, both available at the Berlin Tourist Info Centres. The Fast View Ticket offers a ride to the top of the tower at a scheduled time, a visit to the observation deck, and, if you like, the bar. The VIP ticket also includes a reservation in the Sphere restaurant at the top of the TV Tower, where the visitor will get the next available table with a view over the entire city.
