Cars & transport in Berlin

How transport in Berlin works: what to know before you move

Berlin is one of the few European cities where living without a car is not just comfortable but economically sensible. The local BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe) network and the national operator Deutsche Bahn together form one of the densest transit grids on the continent. Even so, the question of whether to get a car remains open for many Russian-speaking expats — especially when the topics of licence exchange and the cost of car ownership in a city with paid parking come up.

Berlin public transport: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams

Berlin’s Metro consists of two complementary systems. The U-Bahn (underground, 9 lines) covers the central districts and extends westward. The S-Bahn (suburban rail, ~15 lines) reaches the outskirts, BER airport, and Brandenburg an der Havel. For those living in Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, or Neukölln, the U-Bahn and tram cover 90% of routes.

Trams operate mainly in the eastern part of the city — Friedrichshain, Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg. West Berlin has virtually no tram network. If you’re renting there, plan on using the U-Bahn or bus.

Fare zone: AB covers the entire city; ABC adds Brandenburg and BER airport.

Transit pass prices in 2026

• Single ticket (Einzelfahrschein, AB): ~3.50 €
• Day pass (Tageskarte, AB): ~€10.00
• Monatskarte (monthly pass AB): ~86–90 €
• Deutschlandticket: €29 per month — covers all public transport in the country, including Berlin. The most cost-effective option for permanent residents.

Deutschlandticket is set up online via the BVG app or Deutsche Bahn. It is linked to a bank card and can be cancelled with one month’s notice.

Buying a car in Berlin: to buy or not to buy

Owning a car in Berlin is a deliberate choice, not a necessity. Central parking costs 1–4 € per hour (Parkschein); many Kiez neighbourhoods have introduced Bewohnerparkausweis — resident parking permits (~30–65 € per year) — and without one, parking near your home legally is impossible. In some districts, the waiting list for a permit is up to 6 months.

If you need a car, look on Mobile.de and AutoScout24. A used VW Golf VI in good condition will cost around 8,000–14,000 €, newer low-mileage options run 18,000–30,000 €. Pay attention to the Hauptuntersuchung (TÜV) — the mandatory technical inspection. Buy a car with a valid TÜV of at least one year remaining.

Annual ownership costs (average):

• Kfz-Steuer (vehicle tax): €80–200 per year
• Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance): €400–900 per year
• Fuel (if you drive regularly): 150–300 € per month

Car-sharing as an alternative

In Berlin, SHARE NOW, Miles, Sixt Share, and Bolt Drive all operate. Prices start at €0.19 per minute or from €7 per hour. Perfect for an IKEA run or moving belongings. For daily use — do the maths.

Exchanging a foreign driving license in Berlin

For Russian-speaking expats, this is a separate issue entirely. Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian driving licences are not automatically exchanged for German ones — unlike, for example, EU licences.

Steps to take:

1. Register your address in Berlin (Anmeldung).
2. Go to the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde — the relevant department within the Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten (LABO). Appointments are made via berlin.de.
3. Complete a Sehtestbescheinigung (eye test) and an Erste-Hilfe-Kurs (first aid course).
4. Pass the theoretical exam (Theorieprüfung) at TÜV or DEKRA — available in Russian.
5. Pass the practical driving test (Fahrprüfung).

Exchanging a Russian license requires a full re-examination. Exception: if the license was obtained in Russia before 1992 — different rules apply; check with LABO. Total cost of the process (courses, exams, fees): 1,200–2,500 €, timeline — 3–6 months if pursued actively.

Insight: TÜV offers the theory exam in Russian — which significantly lowers the barrier. It’s better to book practical lessons through driving schools in areas with a high share of Russian speakers (Spandau, Marzahn-Hellersdorf) — instructors there speak Russian.

Comparing transport options for living in Berlin

Common mistakes

1. Buying a Monatskarte when you have a Deutschlandticket. You overpay ~€60 a month. The Deutschlandticket at €29 covers the same zones and adds the entire ÖPNV network across Germany.
2. Going to LABO without a prior appointment. Walk-in queues are not available. Appointments are online only, and the wait can be 2–3 months. Book immediately after your Anmeldung.
3. Buying a car without checking the TÜV status and history. Mobile.de lists many cars with expired TÜV. A fresh Hauptuntersuchung adds another €100–200, and if serious defects are found, the repair bill can be substantial.
4. Underestimating parking costs in the city centre. A Bewohnerparkausweis in Mitte, Kreuzberg, or Prenzlauer Berg comes with a waiting list. Without one, leaving your car near home every night runs ~€30–60 per month in paid parking.
5. Assuming your licence will be exchanged like in other countries. Russian driving licences require a full re-sit. Start the process early — before you actually need a car.
6. Ignoring the Umweltzone. Berlin is a low-emission zone. A car without a grüne Plakette (green sticker) cannot enter most of the city. Check before you buy.

What to choose

For most Russian-speaking professionals and families who have moved to Berlin, a Deutschlandticket plus car-sharing as needed covers 95% of transport needs. A car justifies itself if you live in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Spandau, or regularly travel outside the city. In central districts, a car is more of an expense than a convenience. It is worth starting the licence-transfer process in the very first month after Anmeldung: the process is lengthy, and without a German licence, car insurance will be more expensive.