How to Get to Berlin. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Airport & Airlines

Berlin Brandenburg Airport BER

Sole international airport serving Berlin. Located south of the city center, it opened in 2020, replacing former Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF) airports. All flights now arrive and depart from BER.

Airport Facilities

Duty-free, fashion, electronics stores.
Wide selection of restaurants and cafes, lounges.
Currency exchange, ATMs, pharmacies.

Airlines & Routes

Many European and international carriers operate at BER. Lufthansa, Eurowings, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, KLM, France's National airline, Ba, Swiss International Air Lines among them.

Direct Flights & Connectivity

Direct flights from numerous European cities.
Major hubs in North America (e.g., New York, Toronto).
Some Middle Eastern hubs (e.g., Doha, Dubai).

Seasonal Flights

Prices higher during peak summer (June-Aug) and holidays (Christmas, Easter). Also during major trade fairs (ITB, IFA). Dollar Flight Club

Price Fluctuations

Lower prices in off-peak months: November, January, February (excluding Christmas). Skyscanner

Accessibility

Airport provides accessible facilities, including ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Free Wi-Fi throughout.

Airport Transfers

Train Options

Airport Express (FEX): Direct to Hauptbahnhof (approx 30 mins, twice hourly).
Regional Trains (RE7, RB14): To Hauptbahnhof, Zoologischer Garten, Alexanderplatz (30-45 mins, twice hourly combined).
S-Bahn (S9, S45): Slower (40-60 mins), but frequent to city center.
ABC Ticket: BER Airport is in Zone C. Purchase before boarding.

Bus & Taxi Options

Rapid Buses (X7/X71) connect to U-Bahn Rudow. Night buses (N7/N60) operate.
Taxi/Ride-sharing: Stands outside terminals. Apps like Free Now and Uber. Approx €50-€60 to city center.
Allow extra time for potential public transport delays or queues.
Check flight status and terminal info before heading to the airport.

Airport Travel Tip

Purchase Tickets

Purchase your ABC public transport ticket before boarding the train or bus at the airport.

Avoid Fines

This avoids fines and creates for a smooth start to your journey.

Smooth Start

A validated ticket is critical for hassle-free travel.

Land Transportation

Train Connections & Services

Deutsche Bahn (DB) operates comprehensive train services. Berlin is a primary hub for DB.

Train Information

Main Stations: Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Ostbahnhof, Gesundbrunnen, Südkreuz.
ICE (Intercity-Express) trains connect Berlin to major German cities (Hamburg, Munich) and European capitals.
Regional trains connect to little towns within Germany.

Long-Distance Bus & Border Info

FlixBus is the dominant long-distance bus provider in Germany and Europe, with extensive connections from Berlin.

Bus Travel & Borders

Main Bus Station: Berlin ZOB (Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof) in Charlottenburg-Nord.
Border Crossing: Germany is part of Schengen. Borders with other Countries in the schengen area are operating. Carry valid ID.

Self-Driving Considerations

A valid national driving license is needed. International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended for non-EU/EEA licenses. Carry IDP with original license. DiscoverCars.com

Driving Requirements

Vehicle needs: Registration, insurance, first-aid kit, warning triangle, reflective vest (rental cars typically include).
Low Emission Zone (Umweltzone): Green sticker needed for city center. Most rental cars have this.
Road Conditions: Generally excellent, including Autobahn (some sections no speed limits, 130 km/h advisory).

Road Conditions & Safety

Road conditions are well-maintained. Road your safety is high. Adhere to all traffic laws, speed limits strictly enforced.

Driving Safety Tips

Pay attention to signs, construction zones, residential areas.
Be aware of cyclists (dedicated lanes, right-of-way).
Fines for violations can be substantial.

Sea/River Arrivals & Connections

Berlin is landlocked; no direct sea access.
Nearest major ferry ports in the north of Germany (Rostock, Kiel, Hamburg) connect to Scandinavia/Baltic.
Immigration: Occurs at first port of entry into Schengen if from non-Schengen country.

Spree River and Landwehr Canal for sightseeing boat tours within the city.
Not for intercity travel.
From ferry ports, excellent connections by train (DB) or bus (FlixBus) to Berlin.

Departure Information

Airport Departures

International Flights (outside Schengen): Arrive at BER 2-3 hours before departure for check-in, security, passport control. Schengen Flights (within Schengen): Arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure (no passport control).

Departure Procedures

Check-in (online or at airport).
Security screening.
Passport control (non-Schengen flights).

General Departure Tips

Airline tickets generally include all airport and departure taxes. You will not pay additional exit fees separately at the airport.

Station Departures & Facilities

Train/Bus: Arrive 30-45 minutes before departure.
BER Airport: Shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, currency exchange.
Train Stations (Hauptbahnhof): Shops, eateries, luggage lockers, restrooms.

Departure Reminder

Check your flight status and terminal information before heading to the airport. Allow extra time for potential public transport delays or unexpected queues, especially during peak travel periods.

How to Get to Berlin