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Berlin subscription FAQ

General information about the Berlin subscription

What is the Berlin subscription?

The Berlin subscription is a subscription ticket valid for the Berlin AB fare zone and costs 29 euros per month. It allows you to use all public transport within Berlin’s city boundary. The Berlin subscription has a minimum contract period of 12 months. It is not available as a corporate ticket and you cannot take bicycles or other people with you.

What’s the difference between the Berlin subscription and the Deutschland ticket?

The Berlin subscription is valid for a minimum of 12 months and is only valid in the Berlin AB area. The Deutschland ticket, on the other hand, is valid throughout Germany and can be cancelled monthly – even in the first year. Both tickets allow you to use all public transport in Berlin; children under the age of 6 travel free of charge.

How much does the Berlin subscription cost?

The Berlin subscription costs 29 euros a month.

Are there any plans to offer the ticket on a long-term basis or is this a temporary offer?

The Berlin Senate plans to offer the Berlin subscription on a permanent basis. You can find all the latest information at the BVG-website.

Where can I use the Berlin subscription?

The Berlin subscription is only valid in Berlin fare zones A and B.

On which forms of transport is the Berlin subscription valid?

With the Berlin subscription you can use all public transport in Berlin. This means you can travel by bus, underground, tram, S-Bahn, BVG ferry, and even regional trains within the Berlin AB fare zone.

Is the Berlin subscription card valid throughout Germany?

No. The Berlin subscription is only valid in Berlin fare zones A and B. It allows you to use all public transport within Berlin’s city boundary. You will need to buy an extension ticket for fare zone C up to and including Potsdam. More information on fare zone C can be found in the overview of fare zones.

Can I use the Berlin subscription at any time of day? Are there any restrictions?

Your Berlin subscription is valid 24 hours a day. You can use it at any time of the day or night.

Can I only buy the ticket as a subscription?

You can only buy the Berlin subscription as a subscription with a minimum contract period of 12 months. After that, the subscription is automatically renewed and has a monthly cancellation period.

Can you get the Berlin subscription as a school student ticket?

The school student ticket is free in Berlin and is valid in the Berlin AB fare zone, just like the Berlin subscription. You can take your bicycle with you on the school student ticket. The Berlin subscription is only valid for you and costs 29 euros per month. The Berlin subscription is therefore not recommended as a school student ticket. If you’d still like to change, visit us at subscription online (only in German).

Can you get the Berlin subscription as a corporate ticket?

The Berlin subscription is not available as a corporate ticket.
The Deutschland ticket Job is already very inexpensive at a maximum of 34.30 euros and is valid throughout Germany.

Is there a reduced-fare option for this ticket?

The Berlin subscription costs 29 euros for everyone. This means that there are no discounts for pensioners or children. But you don’t need to meet any special requirements to buy it.

Do I get any other discounts with the Berlin subscription?

As a subscription ticket holder, you can sign up for the BVG Club and benefit from exclusive discounts.

Are there discounts for certain groups of people?

The Berlin subscription costs 29 euros a month. Unfortunately, there are no other discounts available with this ticket.

Buying the Berlin subscription

Where can I buy the Berlin subscription?

The easiest way to buy the ticket is by going to subscription online (only in German) or using one of our apps. If you can’t do that, come to one of our customer centres. You cannot buy the ticket at our ticket machines.

Is the ticket also available as a smart card/in the app?

The Berlin subscription is available as a mobile ticket or as a smart card (called a fahrCard). It is linked to your BVG customer account. This means you can easily find it in all our apps and your smart card is always up to date, even if you change your subscription.

Can I get the Berlin subscription at ticket machines?

No. The easiest way is to order it quickly and conveniently online by going to subscription online (only in German).

How do I pay for the Berlin subscription?

The amount for your Berlin subscription will be debited from your account at the beginning of each month by SEPA direct debit.

Do I pay monthly or annually?

Payment is made monthly. An annual payment is not possible with the Berlin subscription.

Can I buy the Berlin subscription for just one month?

The Berlin subscription has a minimum contract period of 12 months. This means that you cannot cancel before the 12 months have elapsed or buy it for single months.

Can anyone buy the Berlin subscription or are there any special requirements?

In principle, anyone can buy the Berlin subscription, but you must have an account with a European bank to be able to pay by SEPA direct debit.

Information for new customers

When do I need to buy the Berlin subscription to get it for the current month?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to buy a Berlin subscription for the current month. It must always be purchased by the 20th of the previous month.

When do I need to buy the Berlin subscription to get it for the next month?

If you don’t yet have a BVG subscription, you must order one by the 20th of the current month in order to be able to use your Berlin subscription from the 1st of the following month. Your new subscription will only be valid from the new month, regardless of whether you have a smart card or a mobile ticket.

What do I do if I have not yet received my Berlin subscription?

If you receive a new chip card and it does not arrive on time, please buy one-way tickets in the meantime and keep the originals. You can contact us about your missing ticket via our chatbot under the topic "Travelcards & tickets" and request a refund for your replacement tickets.

How do I switch from chip card to cell phone ticket and vice versa?

If you selected the chip card when you ordered your new Berlin travelcard and would like to switch to a mobile ticket during the 12-month contract period, you can easily do so via Abo Online. Please note that the online media change is temporarily not possible. It is not possible to switch from a cell phone ticket to a chip card during the current contract period.

By when do I have to buy a new subscription so that I can use it from next month?

You must always buy a new subscription online by the 20th of the previous month. If you want to switch to the Berlin subscription after the 20th of the previous month, you can do so in person at one of our customer centres. If you want to start at a later date, you can also easily switch online.

Information for existing customers

How can I switch from another ticket to the Berlin subscription?

You can easily switch from another BVG subscription to the Berlin subscription. However, the switch only takes effect on the 1st of the following month. Visit us at subscription online (only in German) and manage your subscriptions yourself in ‘Change/cancel subscription’.

If you need any help, our customer centres are here to assist.

What is the deadline for switching to the Berlin subscription?

If you want to switch from another subscription to the Berlin subscription, you must order one by the 20th of the current month in order to be able to use your Berlin subscription from the 1st of the following month. Your new subscription will only be valid from the new month, regardless of whether you have a smart card or a mobile ticket.

Can I pause my subscription for a month or more?

No. The minimum contract period is always 12 months.

What should I do if I have not yet received my Berlin subscription?

If you still have a smart card from an old BVG subscription and have registered an account with us, you will not receive a new smart card. Your new Berlin subscription will be added to it and valid during inspections.

How and where can I cancel? Can I only cancel online, or can I also go to a customer centre?

You can manage your subscription yourself online by going to subscription online (only in German) and "Abo bearbeiten/kündigen". The Berlin subscription can only be cancelled after a minimum contract period of 12 months; you can switch to another subscription at any time. If you need any help, our customer centres are here to assist.

When do I need to cancel for the following month?

During the first year of your Berlin subscription, you can cancel at any time with effect at the end of the minimum contract period of 12 months. After that, you can cancel your Berlin subscription with effect from the following month.

Can I switch from a smart card to a mobile ticket and vice versa during the contract period?

If you want to switch from a subscription (smart card) to the Berlin subscription mobile ticket, you can easily do this via subscription online (only in German) and select the mobile ticket. This is valid for 12 months. To be able to use the mobile ticket from the 1st of the new month, you must switch to the Berlin subscription by the 20th of the current month.

Unfortunately, it is not possible for existing customers who have already switched to the Berlin subscription to change the carrier medium (smart card or mobile ticket) during the 12-month contract period.

What should I do if I lose my ticket?

If you lose your Berlin subscription smart card (fahrCard), please report the loss immediately at one of our customer centres. A new fahrCard will be issued and the old one will be cancelled. There is a charge of 10 euros for the replacement.

Transferability and who/what you can take with you

Can the Berlin subscription be used by someone other than myself?

No, the Berlin subscription is personalised and can only be used by the ticket holder. It’s not transferable to other persons.

Can I take other people, a dog, or a bicycle with the Berlin subscription?

You cannot take bicycles with you, but you can take a dog; children under the age of 6 are free of charge in the AB fare zone.