One of the most impressive things about German cities and Berlin is no exception to this, is the…read moreefficient and plentiful provision of public transport options Berlin is criss-crossed by well signposted and organised Deutsche Bahn railway trains, U-Bahn subway trains, S-Bahn psuedo-subway trains, trams and buses. These run reliably, are clean and run on an integrated ticketing zonal fare system. You can buy tickets for journeys within or across the fare zones (A to C), either for single journeys or as a daily travel cards and these cover all modes of transport. Just remember to validate your tickets for travel at the little validation machines on the platform The next most impressive thing about German public transport is the honesty of the travelling public. I was surprised and then shocked to find that you can just stroll onto the train platforms with passing any ticket barriersand watching travellers, people do pay for tickets. Perhaps to London's shame, I'm fairly sure that if there were no ticket barriers, a significant number of passengers would abuse the system. Some already try to do so despite the presence of ticket barriers Ostkreuz is a major interchange for a lot of S-Bahn services located in the eastern end of town. It provides another way to get to Berlin Schoenefeld Airport via the S9 line. You just need to locate the correct platform from which your service is departing and the departure boards are quite clear There are a few eateries but no toilet (I had to hold it a little til I got to the airport!). There are customer service agents with red hats to help customers but they weren't particularly helpful with regard to toilet facilities! Despite this, the station was a model of German efficiency - who needs the private sector to suck out last amounts of taxpayers' subsidy if the public sector can run such an efficient transport system?

Folks unfamiliar with the German transport system probably fall in love with it instantly. Trains…read morerun on time, busses are considerably clean, trams are modern, and subways are a vital part of every big city. This is especially true for Berlin. Public transport gets you anywhere. At Bahnhof Ostkreuz ("East cross") all the city trains (S-Bahn) come together. It is one of four major stations (Suedkreuz, Gesundbrunnen, Hauptbahnhof) and it has been re-constructed for years. It now has a full-size roof which protects you from wind and rain, some food options, and large escalators that connect the North/South-bound and the East/West-bound platforms. I remember the good old days in the 1980's when Ostkreuz was one of the bigger transit hubs in East Berlin, with the best currywurst outside the station. Now I believe there's a Doner Kebab place, among plenty of food and drink options in the neighborhood.

U-Bahn station Warschauer Straße is the final destination of the Line 1, from here it took you…read morefairly close to the River Spree, Oberbaumbrücke and the East Side Gallery, such a great sightseeing places. It got also quite nice view to the Berlin city center, if you like to see like see the whole center, this sure is a good spot. The station is also very close to the S-Bahnhof Warschauer Straße, if you need to change to this station, just need to walk about 3-5 mins, then you will reach the platform. If you like trains, here is a great spot to see the trains and railways. Inside and around the station have many different shops and restaurants. If you need something to drink or eat before you get on the train (or after), it is quite convenient to do so. Because of all the construction going around the S-Bahnhof, for awhile already. This area does look pretty messy to me. And you could see graffiti and some rubbishes everywhere, the street also seem quite dirty. It is not a good impression actually. It made the station a bit ugly. it's always full people here. They a got a small parking for bikes, but isn't big enough, so you could see bikes locks up everywhere as well. Hopefully the station will be better after the renovation.

The station itself is under renovations at the moment (Oct 2012) and there is no kiosk at the…read moremoment which is quite absurd. However, it serves my favourite underground line in Berlin (U1) which provides the best east-west connection in the city centre.

As a foreigner this train station took a few times for me before I would give it a better rating…read more It was hard to navigate the first time and the stairs and platforms were very confusing. After awhile knowing to check screens and updated paper timetables it was helpful. You may have a train somewhere, but the screen may have a different destination for your location. That can be confusing. This train station offers many amenities and options for dining before or after your arrival. Bathrooms you do have to pay for. That is always a treat with kids. Overall, a good train station option that just needs a little time if you are new to figure it out.

The review of a foreigner with limited experience doesn't mean much. But I thought I'd take a…read moremoment to say I'm favorably impressed with B-Ostbahnhof. Compared to other stops around town, this one seemed very clean, with good shopping options.

Schlesisches Tor is one of the poorer stops I used on the Berlin Metro, during my time in the…read moreGerman Capital. It is on the U1 line only, so chances are to get where you want to go, you may have to get on another tube perhaps at a station, which is on more lines. I have to start by saying the configuration of this station, only being on one line (U1) when many other stations are at least on two is disappointing. Overall as a Station, Schlesisches Tor seemed to be highly old fashioned, and even dirty and unkept with lots of homeless people hanging around the station and a high amount of graffiti, so overall it wasn't very pleasant at all. It is located fairly close to the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery so the location overall is okay if you want to see the real Berlin wall, as I recall there is around 1.6km of it still standing. The station didn't appear to have lift access, and if it did, the lift certainly was well-hidden as it does state lift access on the map, despite there being no signs for this etc. Overall, Schlesisches Tor is a poor metro station in most regards, probably one of the worst on the networks I've visited mainly down to the routes this station is located on, overall feel and cleanliness and accessibility, hence sadly warranting a single one-star rating.

Schlesisches Tor is a little worse for the wear, but it's still home station to me. There's nothing…read morequite like the sound or the sight of those trains coming around the bend. Every time I witness it, I grow a little bit more fond of Berlin.

Of all the train stations I visited while in Berlin this was the ideal; beautiful architecture due…read moreto its age. It has a shopping center district around it. Blocks away, bars, shops, restaurants with patio seating surrounds the area. This is its own tourist destination and not just a train station stop. I would not have guessed it opened in 1882. For such an old station it is not run-down nor dated - relatively clean too. The architecture is uncommon and quite amazing with lots of brickwork. What's more amazing is seeing trains going by above ground but within an enclosure!

The station opened in 1882!…read more Connection: S5 for Ostbahnhof, Ostkreuz, Strasberg Nord; S7 for Ostbahnhof, Ostkreuz, Ahrensfelde; S75 for Ostbahnhof, Ostkreuz, Wartenberg S5 for Hauptbahnhof(Central Station), Zoologischer Garten, Spandau; S7 for Hauptbahnhof(Central Station), Zoologischer Garten, Potsdam Hbf; S75 for Hauptbahnhof(Central Station), Zoologischer Garten, Westkreuz I would advise to go outside the station to check a weekly market held every Thursday and Saturday, shopping area around the Hackescher Markt square and the Hackesche Höfe