This is the second part of a series about public transport in Berlin - for part 1 click here.

Moving about in a big city is very helpful when there is a more or less reliable system of public transport. Trains, especially the subway, are the best way of closing the gaps between two points. They´re almost always there, run in short intervals and aren´t stuck in traffic, there´s hardly a reason for a subway not to show up. Sometimes there is an annoying construction site, repairs or inconvenient service maintenance which interrupts a line for a while. Even though Berliners love to paint a end-of-the-world scenario in those instances, things still keep moving, mostly with a bus substituting the missing link.

Two lines of the Berlin subway system are particularly nice to use, because they´re more than just a mode of transport, they´re a way of entertainment. The U 1 and U 2 are the most Interesting arenas for exotic extroverts. Weird and globally diverse people riding along. Stations and trains being used as musical platforms, lounge areas and hip bars. No need to take along a phone for talking, reading or music. Open eyes and ears are enough to get a new set of impressions for your next conversation with friends.

There are also the quiet lines, the empty stations, places for contemplation about the mindset of planners who designed and built stations that are barren and lifeless. But then the emptiness of certain stations can be nice and solemn just like a big room in a museum.

No need to cover the ears, this station is quiet as a grave.

Way past midnight and not so quiet.

The bar is closed temporarily.

Anti scratch logos.

Sonderzug nach Pankow. A heritage train on a special service ride.

See more pics of Berlins U-Bahn and other Berlin stuff.