Berlin Commuter Saga
Hallo, fellow travellers to Berlin! It’s officially Day 1 of 6 here in Berlin and let me tell you, it was quite an adventure! Here's a rundown of my experience and some helpful tips to make your trip smoother.
I started my journey on a Friday morning, flying from Paris Orly to Berlin Airport via Transavia. I pre-checked my luggage online, which saved me from the long lines at the check-in counter. I only had to print my luggage tag and deposit it in the self-check-in machines. With time to spare, I grabbed a quick snack at Eric Kayser in the airport.
The flight was a comfortable 1 hour and 30 minutes, but the seats were a bit cramped. Unfortunately, the pilot and crew announcements were incomprehensible as they spoke too fast over the microphone. Nonetheless, they were accommodating throughout the trip. We arrived at Berlin Airport just 3 minutes behind schedule at 3° C with some slush welcoming us to Deutschland.
After following the signs to the baggage claim area, I took advantage of the ticket and ATM machines located right there (red machines labelled VBB (Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg, a German transport association). I got my single journey ABC Zone ticket to Berlin (the Berlin airport or Flughafen is located at Zone C) for 3,80 EUR and researched the best way to get to my Airbnb. My friend D who has been living in Germany for more than five years suggested taking either FEX (Flughafen or Airport Express) or SBahn (a rapid transit railway system in and around Berlin) to get to the city center. I decided to take the FEX, but I couldn't find the signs! Instead, I followed my instincts and found myself on the Deutsche Bahn (DB) platform. Thanks to B’s heavy influence on me, who is a train enthusiast, I somehow deduced that DB might be the carrier of the FEX service.
Arriving at the station, my Parisian logic didn't quite decode that the train that I had my eye on was the actual FEX because there was the absence of the following: typical train gates where you need to validate your ticket to access the platforms and trains and a screen indicating all trains departing from that station. Then, on the tiny screen flashing Berlin HBF (shorthand for Hauptbahnhof - central station), I saw that a white and red train was parked near it, so I thought to take this one. Worst case scenario, I’d end up in Berlin Central Station and take it from there. I entered the already cramped entrance to the train filled with commuters but found myself in a comfortable and spacious seat next to a pretty German lady. Still unsure if I was in the right train, let alone the right direction, the train engine started to hum when I realized that I failed to validate my ticket. I decided to pair my instincts from travel, and internet search with an inquiry from my train seatmate, who seemed to me as a frequent traveller to Berlin, if not a local. She politely told me that there were no validation machines inside the train and that I needed to have it validated from the platform. She also suggested I buy my tickets through the app (VBB, DB or BVG) or pray that no controller checks on today's tickets, or just explain my predicament.
I thanked her. Her smile and kind instructions were a relief. I have three stops until I make my connection to the city train or bus that should take me to my lodging. On the second stop, Berlin Ostkreuz, my train seatmate bid me goodbye and I thanked her again for her help. Little did I know, I was just on the second leg of my misadventure. The train didn't proceed after passengers alighted, contrary to my expectations. While on a prolonged halt, an announcement in German was made. It turned out that the train stopped there, and everyone had to get off. Great, no problem, no rush, I'll just alight the train and see where the next one arrives. Alas, I couldn't find a master train list or screen on site, and the signages and indications seemed a bit confusing for such a huge hub. I tried to decipher which train to take using my incomplete itinerary and stumbled upon S42 Ring. On the screen, I saw a partial list of its stops and recognized two that seemed familiar to me. I realized that those two stops were either where I needed to take a transfer or where I could get off. Trusting my gut feeling and some previous research that I couldn't cross-check, I settled for that train, with only two minutes to spare before I could be accused of fraud for not having a validating ticket. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a ticket validation machine on the long platform, so I hoped fate would spare me an excruciating encounter with the train patrol.
During my ride, two uniformed men settled for a spot in front of me, and I tried to appear knowledgeable and honest. However, my wild imagination was already playing scenes where they would impose a fine for not validating my ticket. Those seconds from the last stop to my actual stop felt like I was being warped in a black hole. Finally, the train stopped at my destination, and I was relieved to get off safely.
Now I had to find my way to my accommodation on foot. As I looked for the pedestrian crossing, I couldn't find any stoplights or pedestrian lines that I was used to seeing. I was surprised to learn that Berlin has its unique way of representing the little red/green man at the stoplight, and the abundant white or yellow lines for pedestrian crossing were only two faint lines from end to end. It took me a while to figure this out, but when people started crossing and cars halted, I followed suit.
After a six-minute walk, I finally made it to my accommodation, which was well-designed and well-equipped. I was also greeted by a cheerful receptionist, Nina. I decided to watch German Spongebob Squarepants to lift my mood after my adventure and to combat the gloomy weather. Later, I headed out for a mini-adventure to the grocery store, which I'm saving for another day's story.
Back from the grocery store, I had an hour to kill before meeting up with friends D&K. So, I took that time to catch up on my correspondents and finish a few last tasks for work. The rest of the night with D&K felt like home. We had dinner at this ramen place-splash-Korean-Noraebang (Karaoke) called ULT Ramen. By midnight, I was reunited with B, who had his own adventure with the Berlin train saga, despite our many instructions.
In spite of the confusion and the lack of signage, I managed to reach my destination safely. It was one heck of a ride, but it made my trip to Berlin more memorable. So, if you're planning to travel to Berlin, make sure to take note of the following:
Take the FEX or SBahn to get to the city center (other options are the RB trains)
Validate your ticket before getting on the train.
Don't be afraid to ask for help from locals or fellow travellers.
Be prepared to encounter confusing signage and indications.
Lastly, trust your instincts and enjoy the ride!
We’re looking forward to discovering more about Berlin and its many perks, its undeniably rich history and vibrant culture. I hope this anecdote will help you plan your trip better and make the most of your time in Berlin, especially spare you the stress of the first-timer Berlin Commuter Saga.. Gute Reise!