In a nutshell

  • Berlin has 4 official tourist passes with very different offerings. We’ll show you which one is actually worth it for your trip to the capital.
  • For most visitors, we recommend the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive. You get access to 33 attractions, unlimited public transit across all of Berlin, and even the ride to and from the airport.
  • Only planning to see one or two sights and mostly want to soak up the city atmosphere? Then the Berlin Welcome Card Classic is your best bet — you get at least 25% off at 180 attractions plus unlimited public transit.

Which Ticket for Berlin Tourists?

Berlin has four official tourist tickets — and they’re quite different from one another. Here’s a quick overview so you can figure out which one fits your trip.

  1. Berlin Welcome Card Classic: Great for anyone who wants to explore the city at a relaxed pace without rushing between attractions.
  2. Berlin Welcome Card Museum Island: The right pick if you’re planning to visit three or four museums on Museum Island.
  3. Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive: Perfect for a stress-free weekend in Berlin. Everything is covered — you’ll save time and money without having to think twice.
  4. Berlin Museum Pass: Worth it if you want to visit three or four different museums scattered across the city.

Spoiler — Our Pick: We recommend the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive for stays of three days or more. More on that below.

TV Tower photographed from the Park Inn
From the TV Tower you get the best view of Berlin

Our Recommendation: Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive

Why is the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive our favorite?

First-timer or returning visitor, most people end up checking out around three or four attractions in Berlin.

With the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive, you can hit both the absolute must-sees and some lesser-known spots and Berlin insider tips.

And honestly, the biggest advantage isn’t always the money you save — it’s the time.

With the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive, you arrive in Berlin without a care and don’t have to worry about a thing once you’re there. You get around on public transit and skip every ticket line — just walk straight to the entrance.

That means you save a serious amount of time and can fit a lot more into your days.

To make your city trip special beyond just the sightseeing, check out our picks for the most beautiful boutique hotels in Berlin.

What's included in the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive?

Our tips for the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive
Our tips for the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive
  • Valid for 48 hours, 72 hours, 4, 5, or 6 days
  • Access to 33 attractions in Berlin, including the TV Tower, DDR Museum, and the museums on Museum Island
  • Includes one day of hop-on/hop-off bus in Berlin
  • Public transit for zones ABC (including BER Airport, Oranienburg, and Potsdam)
  • Discounts at 180 additional attractions

How much does the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive cost?

Adults 15 and olderChildren (3–14 years)
48-hour99 EUR51 EUR
72-hour119 EUR61 EUR
4-day139 EUR71 EUR
5-day159 EUR81 EUR
6-day179 EUR91 EUR

Pros and Cons of the Berlin Welcome Card

  • Great for a stress-free short trip to Berlin
  • Berlin’s most important attractions are included
  • A wide variety of sights and experiences covered
  • Children up to age 14 get a discount
  • The pass has to be printed out

How much can you save: Is the Berlin Welcome Card worth it?

In our experience, the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive is worth it if you use it for three or more days. In three days, you can cover a solid chunk of the city and visit a good range of attractions without feeling rushed.

In the table below, we’ve mapped out a typical three-day itinerary for the capital.

AttractionsRegular priceBWC* all inclusive
with public transit for 3 days
Public Transit Zone ABC (3x24h Ticket)38.70 EURincluded
Hop-on/ Hop-off Bus35 EURincluded
TV Tower28.50 EURincluded
Boat ride on the Spree (1h)21 EURincluded
asisi Panorama THE WALL
Our personal recommendation
14 EURincluded
DDR Museum13.50 EURincluded
Pergamon Museum. The Panorama12 EURincluded
162.70 EUR119 EUR

*BWC = Berlin Welcome Card

With the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive, you save just over 30 euros in our sample calculation.

Of course, the math always depends on which attractions you’re actually interested in — so the real savings will vary from person to person.

But even if you don’t save a huge amount financially, the pass is still a great choice. You won’t have to queue for tickets at every single attraction — and that alone is worth a lot.

Not sold on our selection of sights? No problem. Below we’ve listed more included attractions with their individual prices so you can quickly work out whether the pass makes sense for you.

BWC* ClassicBWC* All InclusiveRegular PriceLink to Ticket
Hop-on/ Hop-off Bus (1st day)25%Yes37.00 EUR
Ticket
Boat Tour on the Spree25%Yes21.00 EURTicket
Berlin TV Tower25%Yes28.50 EURTicket
Deutschlandmuseum25%Yes26.00 EURTicket
Alte Nationalgalerie-Yes16.00 EURTicket
Neues Museum-Yes14.00 EURTicket
Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama-Yes14.00 EURTicket
DDR Museum25%Yes13.50 EURTicket
Stasimuseum Berlin25%Yes12.00 EURTicket
German Historical Museum25%Yes7.00 EURTicket
Museum für Fotografie-Yes12.00 EURTicket
asisi Panorama DIE MAUER25%Yes14.00 EURTicket
German Spy Museum25%Yes23.00 EURTicket
Museum of Natural History Berlin27%Yes11 EURTicket
Original Berlin Walks25%Yes20 EURTicket
Gardens of the World25%Yes8.50 EURTicket
Olympic Stadium Berlin Visitor Center25%Yes11.00 EURTicket

*BWC = Berlin Welcome Card

Where can I buy the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive?

There are two ways to get the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive:

Option 1: Buy directly from the provider

  • Ticket includes public transit
  • Also available for 48 hours
  • Cannot be canceled after purchase

Buy the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive online from the provider
Option 2: Buy through GetYourGuide

If you already have a valid public transit pass, you can also buy the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive without the transit add-on.

  • Ticket without public transit
  • Can be canceled up to 24 hours before your visit
  • Only available for a minimum of 72 hours
  • Does not include public transit

Buy the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive through GetYourGuide

Alternative Tourist Tickets in Berlin at a Glance

Berlin has four different tourist tickets in total.

This table breaks down the key differences between each option.

BWC* ClassicBWC* All Inclusive
Our Recommendation
BWC* Museum IslandMuseum Pass Berlin
PriceFrom 28.50 EURFrom 99 EURFrom 59.50 EURFrom 32 EUR
Validity48 hours, 72 hours, 4, 5, or 6 days48 hours, 72 hours, 4, 5, or 6 days72 hoursValid for 3 days
Included AttractionsNoneMore than 33 attractions5 museums on Museum IslandMore than 30 museums
Additional DiscountsDiscount for 180 attractionsDiscount for 180 attractionsDiscount for 180 attractionsNo additional discounts
Hop-on/Hop-off Bus25% discountYes, for 1 day25% discountNo
Public Transit Zone ABYesYesYesNo
Public Transit Zone ABC (Incl. BER Airport)OptionalYesOptionalNo
Link to PassTo the PassTo the PassTo the PassTo the Pass

*BWC = Berlin Welcome Card

Berlin Welcome Card Museum Island vs. Berlin Museum Pass

Planning to visit some museums in Berlin? Then one of the two dedicated museum passes is worth a look.

Option 1: Berlin Welcome Card Museum Island

If you’re focused on the museums on Museum Island, this card is a solid pick. It offers excellent value, since a public transit ticket (for three days) is already included.

  • From 54 euros including public transit (choice between fare zones AB or ABC)
  • Includes entry to all five museums on Museum Island
  • Valid for three days
  • At least 25% off at 180 additional attractions in Berlin
  • Only covers the five museums on Museum Island

Buy the Berlin Welcome Card including Museum Island online
Option 2: Berlin Museum Pass

The Berlin Museum Pass gets you into 30 different museums across the city. Beyond Museum Island, you can also visit the Jewish Museum, the Neue Nationalgalerie, and the Museum of Photography, among others.

The Museum Pass does not include a public transit ticket. A separate transit pass will run you a little over 30 euros for three days.

The Berlin Museum Pass is worth it if you’re planning to visit three or four different museums during your trip.

  • From 32 euros without public transit
  • Access to 30 different museums
  • Valid for three days
  • No public transit included

Buy the Berlin Museum Pass online

Questions and Answers about the Berlin Welcome Card

Where can I buy the Berlin Welcome Card? Are there sales locations in Berlin?

You can either buy your ticket online in advance or pick it up at one of the many sales outlets across the city. You’ll find a full list of locations on the provider’s website.

You can also buy the Berlin Welcome Card at ticket machines at all U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations.

To avoid wasting precious sightseeing time, we’d recommend buying online before you arrive.

Can I use my Berlin Welcome Card as a mobile ticket?

No — the Berlin Welcome Card doesn’t work as a mobile ticket. You’ll need to print your ticket on standard A4 paper. Your ticket is valid from the time shown on it.

If you buy your ticket from a vending machine, you’ll need to validate it once in the U-Bahn or S-Bahn before your first journey.

Is there an app for the Berlin Welcome Card?

No, there’s no dedicated app for the Berlin Welcome Card. However, when you purchase the card, you receive a detailed CityGuide (2024 edition) packed with information on tours and attractions in Berlin.

What is the difference between fare zones AB and ABC?

Fare zone AB covers the city area of Berlin. Fare zone ABC extends to Potsdam, Oranienburg, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) — and with the ABC ticket, you can also ride regional trains.

Is a hop-on/hop-off bus ticket included in the Berlin Welcome Card?

With the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive, you can ride the hop-on/hop-off bus for 24 hours, getting on and off as many times as you like. Just show your printed card when you board.

With the Berlin Welcome Card Classic and the Museum Island version, you get a 25% discount on 24- or 48-hour hop-on/hop-off tickets from these operators: City Circle, City Sightseeing, and Big Bus. You can grab your discounted ticket online, on the bus, or at tourist information centers.

How long is the Berlin Welcome Card valid?

The 48-hour and 72-hour versions of the Berlin Welcome Card have a rolling validity period.

Example: If you buy a 48-hour Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive starting Friday, 02/02 at 5:00 PM, it’s valid until Sunday, 02/04 at 4:59 PM.

If you go with the 4, 5, or 6-day version, the card is valid from your selected arrival day through midnight on the last day.

Example: A 4-day card starting on Monday is valid through Thursday at midnight.

Which major attractions are NOT included in the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive?

In our view, almost all of Berlin’s most important attractions are covered by the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive. The main exceptions are the Reichstag and the Victory Column. You can buy the Victory Column ticket directly on-site.

Visiting the Reichstag and its famous dome is always free. You’ll find everything you need to know in our article Tips for Visiting the Reichstag & Reichstag Dome.

From what age do children need their own ticket?

Children aged 15 and older need their own ticket. With each adult pass — whether the Classic or All Inclusive — up to three children between the ages of 6 and 14 can travel for free.

Which tourist pass is best for families?

If you’re planning to visit Berlin with kids, we’d also go with the Berlin Welcome Card All Inclusive. It includes some genuinely great activities for children.

Our family favorites:

  • SeaLife Berlin
  • Berlin TV Tower
  • Boat tour on the Spree

Heads up: Our Berlin Welcome Card article is updated regularly. That said, things can occasionally change without notice. It’s always a good idea to double-check the terms and included attractions before you commit to buying one of the passes. Thanks!