Getting around Berlin with kids
Public transport is the way to move a family around Berlin. One ticket covers S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses and ferries, and most of what you want sits in fare zones A and B. The figures below come from BVG and the airport operator.
- Under 6
- Ride free on all BVG transport
- Ages 6 to 14
- Reduced fare: €2.50 single AB (adult €4.00)
- 24-hour ticket
- €11.20 AB, covers 1 adult + up to 3 children 6-14
- Step-free U-Bahn
- 86% of stations, per BVG
- Buses and trams
- All have ramps; buses barrier-free since 2009
- Strollers and prams
- Carried free of charge
- Airport train
- FEX to Hauptbahnhof about 23 min, every 15 min
- Airport fare
- Zone ABC single: €5.00, ages 6-14 €3.50
Children's fares
Children under 6 travel free. From 6 to 14 they pay the reduced fare, which is €2.50 for a single ticket in zones AB against €4.00 for an adult.
The 24-hour ticket
A 24-hour ticket costs €11.20 in zones AB and is valid for one adult and up to three children aged 6 to 14. For two adults with children that is often cheaper than singles by the third ride. A small-group version for up to five people starts at €35.30.
Strollers
Baby carriages travel free. BVG says 86% of U-Bahn stations are step-free, all buses and trams have ramps, and all buses have been barrier-free since 2009. Check the station before you go, because the remaining ones mean stairs.
From the airport
The station at BER is under Terminal 1. The Airport Express (FEX) takes about 23 minutes to Hauptbahnhof and 19 to Potsdamer Platz, and runs every 15 minutes from 4 am to 1 am. The S9 runs every 20 minutes. You need a zone ABC ticket: €5.00, or €3.50 for ages 6 to 14.
Validate your ticket
Paper tickets must be stamped in the yellow or red boxes before you travel, and app tickets must be activated. If you are checked without a valid ticket, the inspectors hand you a penalty form.
Nights and rush hour
The U-Bahn runs all night at weekends and night buses replace it during the week. BVG suggests avoiding 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm if you can, which matters with a stroller.
Checked against the operators' official pages: Oct 5, 2026