Our new ride.
I expected this to be the hardest transition on our adventure, but it has turned out to be the easiest. We chose to do the monthly subscription to get around Berlin which costs us about €65 per person per month (roughly $72). Students under the age of 18 have a free unlimited pass. With our subscription, we are each able to bring one adult and up to four children after 8pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and holidays for no additional cost. Definitely a welcome trade from having maintenance on a car, a monthly payment and gas expenses.
There is the U-Bahn line (underground), S-Bahn line (stadt or city, or as we like to use the “s” for street) and the M-Bahn (metro) used for trams and buses. The U is used for travel within the city whereas the S brings people from the outside in or the inside out. Thanks to technology, you can just plug in your destination address on your map app and it will suggest the best routes, which lines to take, and show a complete breakdown of stops and pick-up times. The old-fashioned way is of course always an option but that would require actually reading a map and understanding the direction you are trying to go. I have to give credit to Robert since he’s awesome at not looking at his phone. He also knows which end of the tracks we should stand on to be closest to the exit we need despite the numerous transfers, stairs and turns we take underground.
The stops themselves have digital signs counting down the next two trains arriving. The bigger stations have staff-attended food kiosks where you can grab something to eat (pastries, sandwiches) or drink (coffee, beer) while you are on the go. Some stations are small with nothing to them, some have cool tiled walls and some you just want to get out of as soon as you can.
As far as the actual train itself, it’s always unpredictable. A newer model could arrive with fancy screens inside and a better seating layout or you can get an older or more vintage one. Sometimes the lines will run late and therefore be packed or some will suddenly not run as far as you need it to and a quickly improvised detour plan is needed.
While each ride is pretty monotonous, there are some unique cases you’ll come across. People trying to squeeze in with their bicycles or strollers, people running to get through before the door closes, people tuning the world out with loud headphones or entertainers hopping on for a couple stops to serenade you with music hoping to make a couple euros. Or on the flip side, you’ll have rides where someone is releasing toxic fumes that no one is sitting by or beggars that will put a cup in front of you hoping you’ll throw in any spare change you have.
It amazes me how well the honor system works here. The ticket machines are self-service, and the only transit employee is the driver. There are rare instances where ticket controllers randomly jump on your train to make sure everyone is paying their way. Anyone caught without a ticket knows they are getting off at the next stop with the controller and getting fined. Big time. The fine is a full month’s rate which is hefty compared to the couple of euros the offender could have paid going one way.
It can be quite entertaining watching people plead their case to try and get out of it or seeing others run to the next car and sneak off at the next stop. It’s also not uncommon to see young children (as young as SIX) traveling by themselves and mastering the routes. No one bothers them or ever questions where they came from or where they’re going.
There are unwritten “rules” of etiquette daily commuters follow (or don’t). Putting your bag on the empty seat beside you is ok but moving it when someone needs a seat is expected. Stepping out of the train to let others get out at their stop because you are blocking the door reduces the risk of getting yelled at.
“Hauptbahnhof’s”, or Central Stations, are the biggest hub in any European city. This is a connection point where different modes of transportation intersect. Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof consists of five floors and is complete with restaurants, shopping and grocery stores. Picture a shopping mall, but then picture it with trains running through it at all different levels.
The availability of public transportation pretty much everywhere in Europe makes exploring different cities and countries so much easier. The only worry is learning how to navigate the various local lines and costs, but it is much more efficient than having to get a rental car and deal with unfamiliar road rules and signs. It’s also pretty effective. We’ve now done our share of traveling around Europe and I have to admit that although Berlin’s trains aren’t necessarily in the best shape, they are pretty punctual and the lines/routes are pretty easy to understand.
While I originally dreaded giving up my car when moving here, I now dread the day we move back to the states knowing we’ll lose such an awesome resource. The thought of monthly insurance, car payments and weekly gas expense sounds so unpleasant. Until then, we’ll just have to make sure we travel even more to ensure we enjoy the amazing European public transportation to the fullest.
Such a different way of life! It’s so awesome you have the opportunity to experience it!