Frequently asked questions about the Berlin WelcomeCard

You buy it online and receive a voucher by email. Print it on A4 paper and bring it to Berlin: the printout is the card, and it serves as your ticket and proof of discount. There's no need to collect anything in person.

This card is the standard card: a public transport ticket in Zone AB or ABC, plus up to 50% off at more than 170 partners. The issuer, visitBerlin, also offers the Museumsinsel and All Inclusive variants with free entry; these are available via the official card website.

The card starts at 28.50 €. The price depends on zone and validity; the full table is on the Prices page.

You need Zone ABC as soon as you're travelling to BER Airport or to Potsdam, since both lie in Zone C. If you're staying within the city, AB is enough. You choose the zone when you buy; a plain AB card can't be upgraded afterwards. The AB card runs from 48 hours to 6 days, the ABC card from 72 hours to 6 days.

You validate paper tickets once before your first journey at a validator machine; online tickets with a printed start time are valid from that time without validation. The 48- and 72-hour cards then run for exactly 48 or 72 hours on a rolling basis. The 4-, 5- and 6-day cards run by calendar day, until midnight on the last day: a 4-day pass activated on Wednesday expires at 23:59 on Saturday.

You can visit each included attraction once, or redeem its discount once. The card isn't designed for repeat visits to the same attraction on the same card within the validity period.

The card is personal and non-transferable. A name is recorded on the ticket, and photo ID may be requested when you use it. So only use the card yourself.

A lost card generally can't be replaced. Keep the printout safe and save the email with your voucher so you can reprint it if needed. There's no refund for a lost card.

U-Bahn (metro), S-Bahn (suburban trains), bus, tram, regional trains and the BVG ferries within your chosen zone, unlimited for the whole validity period. The card isn't valid on long-distance trains (IC/ICE) or sightseeing buses. Details under Public transport.

Yes. The card is a full ticket within the zone it covers, so you don't need any extra bus or train tickets.

The ABC variant covers the journey to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), since it lies in Zone C - with the FEX express train in around 30 minutes, or the S-Bahn in about 40 minutes into the centre. A plain AB card doesn't cover this journey and can't be upgraded to Zone C afterwards.

Children up to age 5 always travel free in Berlin. On top of that, every card covers up to three children aged 6 to 14 free of charge on public transport. There's no discounted card for teenagers aged 15+ or for adults - one fare applies to everyone aged 6 and over.

The Berlin WelcomeCard offers discounts, not free entry: up to 50% off at more than 170 partners, from museums and sights to city tours, Spree boat trips, theatres and restaurants. See a selection on the Attractions page.

The Berlin WelcomeCard doesn't offer general fast-track access. Since the discount is redeemed at the till, you'll still need a ticket on-site - there's no priority at entry or security checks.

At Berlin Cathedral, entry is not free: cardholders book the discounted "Welcome Card" ticket instead of the regular one, around 30% off. Special cases like this are listed on the Attractions page under the relevant entry.

No. The card can't be cancelled and isn't refundable. Check the zone, validity and start date carefully before you buy.

Bring ID with you, since checks on public transport or at attractions may require proof of identity. Since the card is personal, the name on the ticket should match yours.