Standing in front of a Berlin ticket machine, staring at German words while a train pulls in, is a rite of passage. Here is how the BVG machine really works: English menus, the right 2026 fare, how to pay, and the one step that saves you a 60 euro fine.

The first German you hear in Berlin is a recorded voice on the train. Here is what Zurückbleiben bitte, Nächster Halt, Ausstieg rechts and Ersatzverkehr actually mean, why the S-Bahn plays that little three-note chime, and the one word that tells you the train is about to terminate.

Blue U or green S? Learn the practical difference between Berlin’s U-Bahn and S-Bahn, which ticket covers both, and how to choose your train.