Due to construction works, there is no S-Bahn service between Hauptbahnhof (Berlin's main train station) and Friedrichstrasse after 21:00 on the evenings of Sunday through Thursday! You may use the regional trains instead. Friedrichstrasse is the next stop after the main train station. The AB and the ABC tickets are also valid for regional trains (indicated by RB or RE in front of the train number). You do not need to buy extra tickets for the train!

The trains depart from platforms 11-14 on the top level of the train station. Please, refer to the information monitors for the exact platform number. We have marked the trains, their departure times from Berlin Hbf, and their arrival times at Friedrichstrasse in the two lower tables in this train schedule.

Outside the aforementioned period the S-Bahn service is operating normally and according to schedule.

Public transportation

Berlin's local public transport network consists of city train/urban rail (S-Bahn), metro (U-Bahn), buses and trams.
There are three zones: AB, BC and ABC.

You will need an AB or ABC ticket:
- AB ticket covers the whole Berlin area until the city boundary.
- Schönefeld Airport and Potsdam are outside of Berlin city boundary, i.e. in the zone C.

There are various types of tickets:
- short distance tickets -- up to 3 urban rail or metro stations (change allowed) and up to 6 bus or tram stations (no change)
- single tickets
- daily tickets
- 7-day tickets
- and some more.

We recommend a 7-day ticket:
- for zones AB: 30€
- for zones ABC: 37.20€ (if you plan to go to the Schönefeld Airport and/or to Potsdam)

With this ticket, on Saturdays, Sundays as well as on working days between 20h and 3h, you can bring with you one adult person and up to three 6 to 14 years old kids.

buying tickets:
Tickets can be purchased at multilingual ticket machines on the platforms of S-and U-Bahn stations. In buses, fares are paid to the bus driver, in trams at machines inside the trains. In larger stations the S-Bahn and BVG provide ticket counters.

validation of tickets:
Before the journey starts tickets must be validated by stamping them at the yellow or red boxes on the platforms, in buses or trams. In case of inspection, a ticket that is not stamped is invalid.

fare evasion:
Anyone caught without a valid ticket must pay a higher fare of 60€. Even people who forgot to stamp their ticket must pay the fine. Note: Ticket inspectors are dressed in plain clothes and will not make any exceptions for tourists. Those who get caught have to show an ID, otherwise the police will be called.

Stops closest to the HU Berlin building:
- S-Bahn: "S+U Friedrichstrasse" (lines S5, S7, S75, S1, S2, S25)
- U-Bahn: "U Französische Strasse" (line U6)
- Bus: "Staatsoper" (lines 100, 200)
- Tram:"Universitätstrasse" (lines 12, M1)

How to arrive from Tegel Airport:
- bus line TXL to "S+U Hauptbahnhof"
- change to S-Bahn (platform 15), lines S5, S7 or S75 to "S+U Friedrichstrasse"
- ~10 minutes walk

* or by a taxi (for about 20-25€)

How to arrive from Schönefeld Airport:
- direct train (RE7 or RB24) to "S+U Friedrichstrasse"  or
 S-Bahn S9 to "S Ostkreuz" + change at Ostkreuz to S5, S7 or S75 to "S+U Friedrichstrasse"
- ~10 minutes walk 

* or by a taxi (for about 40-45€)

useful links:

Humboldt University of Berlin on the map:
HU Berlin, Unter den Linden 6

Berlin Public Transport:
BVG web page
BVG mobile app

Weather

Summer in Berlin can have many faces, from rainy and windy ~15°C to sunny and hot ~40°C.
Check the weather forecast 2-3 days before the trip, for example here: Berlin weather forecast

Safety

Berlin is generally a safe city.
Nevertheless:
- be aware of pick-pocketing
- do not sign any papers, petitions or similar offered by random people at the street / in the public transport.

Bicycles

Berlin is very convenient for bicycles - it has a very good infrastructure and it is predominantly flat.
There are several bicycle renting places close to the conference venue.
For planning a route from place A to place B (via C): Berlin By Bike
It is also possible to take a bicycle in marked cars of S-Bahn, U-Bahn and tram. However, an additional bicycle ticket has to be purchased.