Cruise through the Berlin Underworld in a Subway Convertible

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  The subway tunnels are specially illuminated for the U-Bahn convertible ride.

• Interesting perspective: passage at a platform.

• Passengers of the subway convertible wave to people waiting on the platform.

• An exciting look into the underworld: A ride on the convertible subway takes participants through tunnels that are otherwise hardly used.

• There are surprised looks on most platforms when the convertible train passes by.

Normally, you don't see much on a subway ride through Berlin. But beneath the streets of the capital hide exciting insights and great stories which you can experience firsthand on an open-roofed ride in the BVG subway convertible.

One subway station used to be a potato cellar, another was a nuclear bunker for up to 3300 people. These are just two of many exciting and surprising stories that are hidden behind Berlin's subway stations. You can find out more about them on the most unusual city tour of the capital. The start and end station of the convertible tour is the Deutsche Oper subway station. The vehicle fleet consists of a battery locomotive and three platform cars, which can accommodate a maximum of 150 guests.

The Most Unusual Tour of the Capital

Before departure, all passengers are given yellow helmets and headphones. After he signal turns green, the convertible train starts to travel at around 35 km/h through the Berlin subway tunnels. The tour lasts about 2 hours, during which the BVG host will provide you with interesting facts and curiosities about the structural features and history of the Berlin subway.

Special Illuminations for the Subway Tunnel Tour

The lighting in the tunnels is switched on especially for the subway convertible. Normally, it is pitch black down here. Every now and then, blue light shows the way to the emergency exits. The ride also impressively shows the different design of the subway stations: Sometimes orange tiles adorn the walls, sometimes blue tiles, sometimes there are flat ceilings, sometimes high, sometimes the whole station is subject to a motto. Take Osloer Straße, for example, which is completely decked out in Norway's national colors.

Stories at Every Subway Station

Of course, the guide has interesting stories to tell about each subway station you pass. Take Voltastraße station, which was finished long before the line became it and then served as a potato cellar - including access for horse-drawn vehicles. Or take Pankstraße station, which was converted into a nuclear bunker. Even today, the huge swing gates can be seen along the tracks. In an emergency during the Cold War, there would have been room for up to 3340 people on the platforms here.

2 Hours on a Subway Convertible for Just over 50 Euros

After almost two hours, it's starting to get a little fresh on the open train. The wind blows strongly - especially on the section of the U9, which is built almost completely without curves and where speeds of up to 70 km/h can be reached. The coldest sections, however, are those that run under the Spree River. The water provides constant cooling. One last time through the loop tunnel, then the starting point is reached again. The next 150 passengers are already waiting on the platform. A single ticket costs €53, children under 14 and passengers with disabilities pay €38.

Tickets for the BVG Subway Convertible

The convertible rides take place weekly from the end of May to mid-October, always on Friday evenings. Tickets can be booked on the BVG website.