City Sightseeing Berlin: HOHO Bus – All Lines (A+B) & Icebar

Berlin’s past and present come into focus from the top deck of this open-top bus. One route covers the central sights, while the second reaches East Berlin and key sections of the former Berlin Wall. You can hop off at 26 stops, then continue when the next bus arrives.

I especially like the chance to pair major sights such as Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie with less central stops such as Bernauer Strasse and the East Side Gallery. The Icebar Berlin visit with three drinks is another memorable extra, though it requires a separate timed entry and is closed Mondays.

• Two routes, two views of Berlin: The Classic Tour covers central Berlin, while the East Berlin and Wall Tour reaches Bernauer Strasse, Karl-Marx-Allee, and the East Side Gallery.
• A 24 or 48-hour pass: Use the bus as a moving city tour or as practical transport between selected sights.
• Open-top views: The upper deck gives you a clear look at Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Alexanderplatz, and Berlin’s broad avenues.
• Icebar at minus 10 degrees: See 69,000 kilos of ice and receive three complimentary drinks during a booked time slot.
• Commentary in 13 languages: Audio is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Hebrew, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Arabic, and Turkish.
• A few limits to plan around: The B-Tour runs less often, the final departures are fairly early, and Icebar admission cannot be moved to a later time.

Two Berlin routes that tell different stories

The A-Tour is the main circuit and takes about 120 minutes if you stay aboard. Buses leave Stop 1 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with service about every 25 minutes. This is the route to choose first if you want a broad introduction to Berlin.

The B-Tour takes about 60 minutes and runs from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Buses come roughly every 40 minutes. Its shorter schedule makes timing more important, but it gives you a useful look at East Berlin and several places tied closely to the Wall.

You can use both routes with the same ticket. That matters because Berlin’s major sights are spread across a large area. The bus is not simply a ride with a view. Used well, it can save you from planning every connection on your first day.

The open-top deck is the best place for photographs and big-city views, but weather will affect the experience. You may prefer the covered lower deck during rain or cold. The buses are wheelchair accessible, while pets and smoking are not allowed.

The A-Tour from Tauentzienstrasse to Potsdamer Platz

The Classic Tour begins around Tauentzienstrasse, with stops at Tauentzienstrasse and KaDeWe. KaDeWe is one of Berlin’s best-known department stores, and this area is a useful starting point for the western side of central Berlin.

From there, the bus passes Lützowplatz and reaches Potsdamer Platz, including the historic traffic-light stop. Potsdamer Platz is a good example of Berlin’s changing face. It is a modern city district, yet the route also points toward the older divisions that once cut through Berlin.

The Gropiusbau stop places you near one of the city’s prominent exhibition buildings. The route then continues to Checkpoint Charlie, one of the most famous Cold War crossing points. I would hop off here if the Wall era is a major reason for your visit, since the stop gives you time to explore rather than simply glimpse the area from the road.

The bus next reaches Gendarmenmarkt, one of central Berlin’s grand squares. Neptunbrunnen follows, then Alexanderplatz, where the city feels larger and more open. Alexanderplatz is especially useful as a place to leave the bus and connect with other sightseeing plans, though the square itself can feel more like a transport hub than a quiet historic setting.

Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, and Unter den Linden

After Alexanderplatz, the A-Tour continues to Lustgarten. This stop is valuable because it brings you close to Berlin’s museum district and the historic center. You can use it as a jumping-off point for a longer walk, though the bus ticket itself does not include museum entry.

The next stop is Unter den Linden and Friedrichstrasse. This famous boulevard leads through the heart of Berlin, and the route helps you understand how close many major sights are to one another. It is one of the places where staying on the upper deck pays off, since you can take in the scale of the avenue without worrying about navigation.

Brandenburg Gate is the essential stop. The gate has become Berlin’s best-known symbol, and it is much easier to appreciate when you have time to get off, stand back, and look at the full structure. From there, the route continues to the Reichstag, home of Germany’s federal parliament.

The Reichstag stop is another strong place to leave the bus. You get a clear exterior view from the route, but the bus does not provide entry to the building. If you have a separate visit planned, check its arrangements independently rather than assuming the hop-on hop-off ticket covers it.

The western loop, from Hauptbahnhof to Kurfürstendamm

The bus then goes to Hauptbahnhof, Berlin’s main railway station, before reaching the Siegessäule, or Victory Column. The route gives you a useful sense of Berlin’s broad ceremonial roads and open spaces.

Next comes Zoo and Elefantentor, followed by Café Kranzler and Kurfürstendamm 236. This section returns you to the western city center, with stops suited to anyone interested in Berlin’s shopping streets and classic west-side districts.

The full A-Tour takes two hours, but you should not treat that as a promise that every bus journey will take exactly two hours in all traffic conditions. The practical value comes from choosing a few stops rather than trying to see everything in one circuit.

My advice is to make one complete ride early in your visit. Stay aboard, listen to the commentary, and note the stops you want to revisit. Then use the rest of your 24 or 48 hours for focused hop-offs.

The B-Tour and Berlin’s Wall story

The Trendy East Berlin and Wall Tour starts at Rotes Rathaus, near the Neptune Fountain. This route is shorter, but it covers places that the central circuit does not reach.

It continues to Oranienburger Strasse and Krausnickstrasse, then to Bernauer Strasse at Café Bar Central. Bernauer Strasse is especially important for understanding how the Berlin Wall affected ordinary streets and families. The route includes Mauerpark at Bernauer Strasse 45, giving you two nearby points connected with the Wall’s former path.

The B-Tour then returns toward Alexanderplatz, stopping at the Park Inn Hotel. From there it travels along Karl-Marx-Allee, with the Computerspielemuseum listed as a stop. This section offers a different view of former East Berlin, away from the polished landmarks most first-time visitors know.

The final stops are the East Side Gallery at Mercedes-Benz Arena and Ostbahnhof. The East Side Gallery is one of the most recognizable remaining stretches of the Wall, covered with murals. I would make this a priority if you want photographs and a direct connection to Berlin’s divided past.

Because the B-Tour runs every 40 minutes, missing a bus costs more time than it does on the A-Tour. Check the timetable before getting off, particularly if you plan to connect with the Icebar booking or another fixed appointment.

What the audio commentary adds

The ticket includes audio commentary in 13 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Hebrew, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Arabic, and Turkish.

This is not the same as having a personal guide who can answer questions or adjust the pace. It is better viewed as background information while you look at the city. That format works well on a first circuit, when you want context without committing to a long walking tour.

The commentary also helps connect scattered sights. Berlin can seem like a collection of separate neighborhoods until you understand how the Wall, government district, old royal center, and divided east and west fit together. Still, keep your attention on the streets as well as the narration. The views are a major part of the ticket’s value.

A very cold stop at Icebar Berlin

Icebar Berlin is the unusual add-on. The bar is kept at minus 10 degrees, and its interior contains about 69,000 kilos of ice. You can expect ice sculptures and a short, theatrical change of scene after touring the city in an open-top bus.

Three drinks are included. A bartender’s recommendation of nougat vodka has received particular praise, so it may be worth asking about if it is available during your visit. The experience is more about the setting and novelty than a long evening at a bar.

You receive a timed entry to Icebar. Arrive on time because later admission is not guaranteed, and this part of the ticket is non-refundable. Opening hours are Tuesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight. Last admission is one hour before closing, and the bar is closed Mondays.

This schedule affects how you plan the bus. The final A-Tour departure from Stop 1 is 3:30 p.m., and the final B-Tour departure is 4:30 p.m. If you book the Icebar for early evening, leave enough time to finish your selected bus route and reach the bar. The supplied information does not state the exact Icebar meeting point, so check the booked option carefully.

Is $48 good value for your day?

At $48 per person, the ticket makes the most sense if you use the bus for more than one circuit or combine several hop-offs with the Icebar visit. A single ride around the A-Tour is unlikely to justify the full price on its own.

For a first day in Berlin, the value is easier to see. You get a city overview, access to two routes, audio in your choice of 13 languages, and entry to Icebar with three drinks. The 48-hour option is especially useful if you prefer short sightseeing sessions rather than racing from stop to stop.

The bus can also reduce the effort of crossing between central Berlin, the western districts, and East Berlin. That convenience matters in a city where the sights are not all within one compact old town.

The main value question is your sightseeing style. If you enjoy walking, public transport, and building your own route, you may find the ticket less useful. If you want a simple orientation ride with easy access to major sights, the price is more reasonable.

Timing your 24 or 48 hours

Start early enough to use the routes while they are operating. The first listed departure on both tours is 9:30 a.m. The A-Tour finishes its Stop 1 departures at 3:30 p.m., while the B-Tour continues until 4:30 p.m.

A practical plan looks like this:

• Use the A-Tour for your first full overview.
• Hop off at Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, or Alexanderplatz.
• Use the B-Tour for Bernauer Strasse and the East Side Gallery.
• Reserve Icebar for a separate timed visit, preferably after your bus sightseeing.

The ticket is valid for either 24 or 48 hours, depending on the option selected. Do not assume the hours work like two calendar days. A 24-hour ticket is best started in the morning if you want a full day of use.

Mobile and printed paper vouchers are accepted. The meeting point can vary with the option booked, so confirm the starting point before setting out.

Who will get the most from this experience?

I would recommend this tour to a first-time visitor who wants the city explained while seeing a large number of landmarks. It also suits families and mixed-age groups because you can stay on the bus when walking feels tiring, then choose only the stops that appeal to everyone.

The experience works well for anyone with limited time. The two routes cover much more ground than a short central walking tour, and the open-top deck gives you a quick sense of Berlin’s scale.

History-minded visitors should focus on Checkpoint Charlie, Bernauer Strasse, the Wall route, and the East Side Gallery. The Icebar adds a lighter, more playful stop, but it will not appeal to everyone. Some people will find a frozen bar memorable, while others will prefer to spend that evening in a conventional Berlin pub.

You should think twice if you dislike fixed departure schedules or prefer detailed personal guiding. The commentary is recorded, and the B-Tour’s 40-minute frequency requires patience.

Booking, cancellation, and access

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you delay payment. That flexibility applies to the general booking terms, but Icebar entry itself is non-refundable once booked and cannot be guaranteed after the assigned time slot.

Wheelchair access is available. Smoking and pets are not permitted on the activity.

Should you book the Berlin bus and Icebar?

Book it if you want a broad first look at Berlin, value easy transport between distant sights, and like the idea of adding an unusual evening stop. The strongest plan is the 48-hour option, since it gives you time for both routes without turning the city into a timetable exercise.

For a shorter visit, the 24-hour pass still works if you begin early and choose your stops in advance. Keep the Icebar appointment separate from the busiest part of your bus day.

I would not book it solely for one loop around the city. I would book it for the combination: Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag on the Classic Tour, Bernauer Strasse and the East Side Gallery on the B-Tour, then three drinks in a bar made from 69,000 kilos of ice. That is a varied introduction to Berlin, with enough freedom to choose your own pace.

FAQ

How long is the hop-on hop-off ticket valid?

The ticket is available as a 24-hour or 48-hour pass, depending on the option selected.

How many bus routes are included?

Two routes are included: the Classic Tour, also called the A-Tour, and the Trendy East Berlin and Wall Tour, also called the B-Tour.

How long does the Classic Tour take?

The Classic Tour takes about 120 minutes when completed as a full circuit.

How long does the East Berlin and Wall Tour take?

The B-Tour takes about 60 minutes as a full circuit.

How often do the buses run?

The A-Tour runs about every 25 minutes. The B-Tour runs about every 40 minutes.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

Audio commentary is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Hebrew, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Arabic, and Turkish.

What does the Icebar ticket include?

Entry to Icebar Berlin and three complimentary drinks are included.

When is Icebar Berlin open?

Icebar is open Tuesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight. It is closed Mondays. Last admission is one hour before closing.

Can I enter Icebar Berlin late or change the time?

Icebar entry is tied to a booked time slot. Admission later than that time is not guaranteed, and the Icebar ticket is non-refundable.