Local Transport in Berlin

Thread Tools
 
Old Apr 12th, 2018 | 11:05 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Local Transport in Berlin

Is a Global Eurail Pass valid for travel on the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, trams and ferries in Berlin or only on the S Bahn?

Thank you
Floridacouple is offline  
Old Apr 12th, 2018 | 11:09 AM
  #2  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Only on S-Bahns and only technically on S-Bahns that link main train stations which would be most you'd want to use.

For lots on Global Eurailpasses and conditions, etc check www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com - Berlin has day transport passes that are cheap - you would of course only use the pass if it is a consecutive-day pass or on the days you are using the pass to get to Berlin or leave - otherwise not nearly cost effective on flexipasses to use a day - even to Potsdam (Eurails valid on that S-Bahn line IME).

This is from Rick Steves site: Posted by Laura
Rick Steves' Europe
The rule for S-Bahn coverage in Berlin is that you're only covered when traveling between the train stations. S-Bahns in other German cities don't have this restriction (but U-Bahns, city buses, etc. still are not covered). I assume that you're using a consecutive-day version of the Global pass, so nobody's counting how many trains or travel days you use within the activated period. If you had a flexipass, you would only take advantage of the S-Bahn coverage on the same day that you also take longer, more expensive train rides.

Last edited by PalenQ; Apr 12th, 2018 at 11:42 AM.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 12th, 2018 | 01:38 PM
  #3  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
https://www.berlin.de/en/public-transportation/

Unless have consecutive-day pass or use flexipass on day of arrival or exit then other options are cheaper than burning a day on a pass.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 12th, 2018 | 01:41 PM
  #4  
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Conversation Starter
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44,624
Likes: 3
The railpass is, as Pal has said, good on the S-Bahn because the S-Bahn is operated by the German national railroad.
Dukey1 is online now  
Old Apr 12th, 2018 | 01:49 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
But again Berlin is the only German city that restricts use of S-Bahns to traveling between DB (German Railways) train stations.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2018 | 08:01 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
I am thinking of a 1 month Global Pass as we will be in Europe for 30 days. We will not be traveling by train every day and I do need to consider the expense vs convenience, but...

Is this good for 30 consecutive days or only, e.g, the month of September?

And, just to confirm - in Berlin this pass may be used on any S prefaced line and I will need to purchase a separate ticket/pass to use the U Bahn or Bus lines.

As always, thanks for your advice.
Floridacouple is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2018 | 08:47 AM
  #7  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
one month could be 28, 30 or 31 days.

No not any S-prefaced line but ones linking DB train stations. These will be most of ones you're taking probably. I always boarded any S-Bahn train without thinking as I did not know of this technicality until recently. Would not worry about it.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2018 | 08:58 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Hmmm. I take this to mean that a 1 month pass is only valid for a specific month. My trip will be spread over September and October, so if I bought a one month pass in September it would not be vaild for travel in October. Is that correct?
Floridacouple is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2018 | 09:06 AM
  #9  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
No- if you buy a pass you can activate it within six months of issuance (I believe that's the time line) in Europe at any train station and then the one-month period starts - do it today on Apr 13 and you pass would expire at midnight of Apr 12 - could use it all day Apr 12 til midnight.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2018 | 09:20 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Ahh. Thanks for the clarification.
Floridacouple is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2018 | 09:25 AM
  #11  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
If you have any questions about a pass and want an expert to talk to give the folks at BETS-European Rail Experts a call - I've used Byron there for years for buying passes and IME he'll expertly answer any questions even if not buying! And wait until buying as you may see specials for fall travel pop up - a day or two free or something thrown in.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2018 | 12:13 PM
  #12  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
There is one main S-Bahn line in Berlin that is Uber useful to tourists - the one between ZooDB staion and new Cental Station (Hauptbahnhof) and Friderchstrasse and Ost Bahnhof stations -just about every landmark in central Berlin is along that -like Reichstag, Brandenberg Gate, Unter den Linden, and Alexanderplatz.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2018 | 08:51 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Thanks so much for the helpful information and advice. We've not traveled in Central Europe before, so it's all new to me.
Floridacouple is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2018 | 12:56 PM
  #14  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Now for the question I'm surprised no one has asked - are you sure you need a 1-month consecutive-day Global Eurailpass? Sometimes some individual or few-country passes are better - like the European East Pass valid in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Austria and Hungary - much cheaper per day of travel or a Global Felxipass if staying in bases like Berlin some days where a pass is of limited value unless doing day trips.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2018 | 03:43 PM
  #15  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,709
Likes: 1
Why do you think you need a pass at all? It is often cheaper to buy actual tickets - ahead of time for specific trains, but if you know your itinerary, so what? And Eastern European trains are often cheap enough a pass is seldom cost effective even if you don't buy ahead.

See: https://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-...pass-guide.htm
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Apr 14th, 2018 | 03:56 PM
  #16  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
But if going first class as I prefer as do some others and wanting flexibility to chose which trains once there the pass could be a good deal if not the cheapest way around. So cost-effectiveness depends on what fares you are comparing them to. But that said most folks are not doing enough train travel to merit passes but again those like me who like to travel a lot even from bases by train and 1st class, etc could be great.
PalenQ is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pbal
Europe
33
Jan 4th, 2017 09:39 AM
chosebinne
Europe
5
Feb 7th, 2016 08:50 AM
stasut
Europe
4
Oct 9th, 2015 12:42 PM
jamikins
Europe
9
May 1st, 2008 01:57 AM
nervios
Europe
8
Jun 5th, 2006 05:02 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -