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Getting Around

Public Transport
Berlin has a highly integrated transport system comprising U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (commuter rail), bus, tram and ferry services, with easy connections to regional and mainline rail services. A recently created umbrella organisation, the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) co-ordinates activities among the Berlin transport providers and those of the surrounding region. The S-Bahn has a main east-west (linking the Eastern and Western city centres) a north-south axis with branch lines and an almost completed line that forms a ring around the city centre (the last stretch is set to open in 2001). It is operated by S-Bahn Berlin GmbH (website: www.s-bahn-berlin.de) and runs daily from 0500 to 0030 (the S7 runs around-the-clock at weekends).

S-Bahn Berlin GmbH has offices at S-Bahn Nordbanhof (tel: (030) 2971 9843; fax: (030) 2974 3831), and S-Bahn Alexanderplatz (tel: (030) 2972 0648). The other public transport services are operated by the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) (tel: (030) 19449 or 2562 2562 (lines are open 0600-2300); e-mail: info@bvg.de; website: www.bvg.de). There are nine U-Bahn lines, which operate 0500-0030; the U9 and U12 run around-the-clock on weekends. Bus services criss-cross the city, however, the network of 28 tram lines exists only in East Berlin. There are three seasonal and three year-round ferry services.

The BVG has an information centre in the pavilion at Hardenbergplatz in front of Bahnhof Zoo (open 0800-2200).

Tickets are priced for either two or three zones - almost all visitors will use the AB tariff. The standard fare is DM4 valid for two hours on all forms of transport. A short journey costs DM2.50 (valid for three S-Bahn/U-Bahn stops, or six bus/tram stops).

A number of passes are available. A day ticket, valid until 0300 the next day, costs DM8.70-9.90. A weekend ticket, valid from 0000 Friday until 0200 Monday, costs DM35. Seven-day tickets are valid until 0000 on the seventh day and cost DM44-52. One day small group tickets are valid for up to 5 people and cost DM21-25. A WelcomeCard is valid for 72 hours and includes reductions on many attractions and performances in Berlin and Potsdam; it costs DM32.

Taxis
Berlin's taxi fleet comprises Mercedes Benz sedans. Outside the main centres it is better to find a taxi rank than to wait and try to flag down a taxi. Taxis are also available by telephone (tel: (030) 69022 or 261 028 or 210 101 or 210 202 or 443 322). The initial charge is DM4 and the rate at which this rises depends on the time of day. Short trips of less than five minutes or two kilometres should cost about DM5 (available only when a taxi is flagged down; passengers should check with the driver to see whether this special rate applies). It is standard to tip taxi drivers, usually 5-10% of the fare.

Limousines
Chauffeur and limousine hire is available from Autovermietung MINEX (tel: (030) 857 7700; fax: (030) 8577 7070), who charge DM65-75 per hour or DM535-637.50 per eight-hour day (taxes extra). Limousine hire is also available from MC Prestige Limousine Tours (tel: (030) 262 8259; fax: (030) 262 8269) and NTT Chauffeur & Limousine Service (tel: (030) 235 0850; fax: (030) 2350 8510), who charge DM100-130 per hour.

Driving in the City
Weekday rush hour lasts from 0700 to 0900 and 1600 to 1900 (until 2300 in some of the popular nightlife districts). The one-way system can be difficult to negotiate but there are plenty of larger, two-way avenues in central Berlin which are easier to use. Parking can be problematic on Saturday, particularly in the shopping areas. Parking lots in the Ku'damm area charge DM3-3.50 for the first hour and have day rates of DM18-20.

Car Hire
All of the major car hire firms are represented in Berlin and all have multiple locations throughout the city. Some of the most central are Europcar, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 19-21 (tel: (030) 240 7900, www.europcar.com); Hertz, Budapester Strasse 39 (tel: (030) 261 1053 or (0180) 533 3535 (for international reservations), www.hertz.com), Sixt, Nürnbergerstrasse 65 (tel: (030) 212 9880 or (0180) 525 2525), and Avis, Budapester Strasse 41 (tel: (030) 261 1881, www.avis.com). Drivers must usually be over 21 years old and require a valid national driving licence. Hire charges start at DM120 per day and DM550 per week.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are plentiful in Berlin, the flat terrain and extensive network of bicycle paths make cycling in the city a pleasure. There are a number of places to hire bicycles, including Fahrradstation (website: www.fahrradstation.de), which has offices at Rosenthaler Strasse 40-41 (tel: (030) 2838 4848), Freidrichstrasse 141-142 (tel: (030) 3045 4500), Auguststrasse 29A (tel: (030) 2859 9661 and Bergmamstrasse 9 (tel: (030) 215 1566). Möckernstrasse 92 (tel: (030) 216 9177), and City Bike, Uhlandstrasse 106A (tel: (030) 861 5237; fax (030) 863 94363; e-mail: ifno@citybikeservice.de; website: www.citybike.de). Bicycle hire costs about DM30 per day or DM100 per week (insurance included).



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
GENERAL
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GETTING THERE
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GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
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