Taking a bike on a bus, train, tram and ferry (in Berlin)

If you're British you know certain things about trains.

1. They're f*kin expensive

2. They don't really run on weekends

3. You can't take your bike on them (unless it's a bloody Brompton)

Now, if you move to Germany - then you learn some different things, like the fact that most of the trains can be used for as little as 49euro per month and - you can take your bike with you almost everywhere!

Travelling through Germany on a regional train with a bike

First off - we need to get to know the different types of transportation within Berlin:

1. ICE trains - fast things that go to different cities

2. Regional trains - semi-fast things that mostly run to the towns surrounding Berlin

3. S-Bahn - not fast but get as far as out of Berlin as Potsdam or Strausberg.

4. U-Bahn - trains that are underground, and also over ground but that's not the point...

5. Trams - mostly in the East ('cos the Americans wanted more cars in the West)

6. Busses - you'll see them everywhere, they connect lots of places.

7. Ferries - yes Berlin has 6 ferry routes!

You can take your bike on everything except busses. Although using a tram with a bike can be a pain.

What do you need to take your bike on public transport in Germany?

For most trains, you'll just need to buy a bike ticket the cost of which can depend on the State you're in and the distance you want to go. If you're travelling on the ICE / IC or other intercity trains however, you need to get a reservation.