The VBB stands for Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg, which translates to the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association. It's the public transport authority that coordinates all public transportation services in the German capital region, encompassing both the federal state of Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg.

Here's a breakdown of what that means for residents and visitors:

• Integrated System: The VBB brings together various transport companies under one umbrella. This includes:

  • S-Bahn (suburban trains)
  • U-Bahn (subway/underground)
  • Trams (streetcars)
  • Buses
  • Regional trains (RE, RB)
  • Ferries

• Unified Fare System: One of its most significant benefits is a single, unified fare system. This means you can use a single ticket to travel seamlessly across different modes of transport and even between different cities within the VBB region (e.g., from Berlin to Potsdam or Cottbus). You don't need separate tickets for the U-Bahn and then a bus, as long as your journey is within the validity of your ticket.

• Regional Coverage: Its coverage is vast, spanning over 30,000 square kilometers and serving approximately 6 million people. It's one of the largest transport associations in Europe.

• Zones: For fare calculation, the VBB region is divided into zones, with the most common ones for Berlin being A, B, and C. Zone A covers central Berlin, B extends further into the city, and C includes areas just outside Berlin and some major Brandenburg cities like Potsdam and Oranienburg.

Essentially, the VBB makes public transport incredibly convenient and efficient for navigating Berlin and its surrounding Brandenburg region.