Berlin airport transfers from BER to the center
Berlin Brandenburg Airport serves the city from the south-east. Rail is usually the simplest way into central Berlin, but the best service depends on your hotel's nearest station. Compare the full journey, including any change, before boarding. A taxi is useful for bulky luggage or an arrival after convenient rail connections have finished.
The airports
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
- about 25 km south-east, roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on destination and transport
Every way from the airport to Berlin
| How | Airport | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrainFEX airport express | BER | about 30 minutes to central Berlin, depending on the stop | A quick rail journey with a useful onward connection |
| TrainRegional trains | BER | about 30 minutes to the center on a suitable service | Hotels near a station served by a direct train |
| TrainS-Bahn | BER | about 40 minutes or longer, depending on your destination | Destinations that suit the S-Bahn stopping pattern |
| TaxiOfficial airport taxi | BER | about 40 to 60 minutes, with longer journeys in traffic | Heavy luggage or a direct journey to your door |
How each one works
Train: FEX airport express
Follow signs to Flughafen BER station beneath Terminal 1 and check the departure board for FEX services and their stops. Buy a ticket covering zones A, B and C for central Berlin. Follow any validation instructions before boarding and compare the arrival station with your hotel connection.
Train: Regional trains
Use Flughafen BER station and check the destination and stopping pattern on the live departure board. Regional services can provide another useful route into Berlin. Buy a ticket covering your whole journey, including zone C at the airport, and confirm that your ticket is valid on the chosen train.
Train: S-Bahn
Follow airport signs to the railway station and use the journey planner to select an S-Bahn connection to your hotel's nearest stop. Buy a ticket covering zones A, B and C. Check whether it needs validation, and keep it available for inspection throughout the journey.
Taxi: Official airport taxi
Follow signs to the official taxi rank outside arrivals rather than accepting offers inside the terminal. Give the driver your hotel's full address and confirm accepted payment methods before departure. The road journey varies with traffic and the district you are traveling to.
Arriving late or leaving early
For a late landing, check the live journey planner after collecting your luggage. Rail connections vary by hour and planned works, so do not assume your daytime route still runs. If the wait or changes are impractical, use the official taxi rank. For an early departure, check the first workable connection the evening before.
Before you land
- BER is in zone C. A ticket covering only central Berlin's zones A and B does not cover the whole airport journey.
- Enter your hotel's exact address in the journey planner. The quickest train into Berlin may still require an inconvenient onward change.
- Check airport walking directions if using Terminal 2, and allow additional time to reach the station beneath Terminal 1.
Berlin airport transfers from BER to the center
Which airport should I use for Berlin?
BER is Berlin's passenger airport. Check your terminal on the booking confirmation and follow the airport's current directions for reaching the railway station or taxi rank.
What is the best train from BER?
Choose the service that gives the simplest journey to your hotel. FEX and regional trains can be quicker into the center, while an S-Bahn connection may suit your destination better.
Can I use a zones A and B ticket from BER?
No. BER is in zone C, so your ticket must cover the airport as well as your destination. Check extension rules if you already hold a city ticket.
Should I book a taxi before landing?
You can use the official airport taxi rank after arrival. If you arrange a transfer in advance, confirm the meeting point, luggage allowance and arrangements for a delayed flight.