Getting from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the City: Our Stress-Free Guide

Landing at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) after a long flight, the last thing you want is to stress about how to actually get into the city. While we usually drive to Berlin from Denmark, we've helped countless friends and family navigate this journey when they fly in, and trust us – there's definitely a right way and several more expensive, more complicated ways to do it.

BER opened in 2020 and sits about 27-30 km south of Berlin's city center. While that might sound far, we've learned that getting to places like Alexanderplatz or Hauptbahnhof is actually surprisingly straightforward once you know the system.

After researching every transport option for friends and family who fly into Berlin (and occasionally testing them ourselves when we've had flight connections), we've figured out the absolute best approach for different situations. Here's what actually works when you're arriving by plane.

Why We Always Recommend the Train

We're going to cut straight to it: take the train. Every single time.

We used to research every possible transport option for visitors, weighing pros and cons of different ways to get into the city, but after helping so many people make this journey, the train wins hands down. It's affordable, reliable, and honestly faster than sitting in traffic during busy periods.

The airport train station is located below Terminal 1 on level U2. If you land at Terminal 2 (which happens sometimes), it's just a 5-10 minute walk – follow the clear signage, and you'll be fine. We've done this walk with full luggage when helping friends, and it's totally manageable.

Here's what makes the train system brilliant: all trains from BER connect directly to major central stations like Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and Ostkreuz. No transfers, no complications, no getting lost in an unfamiliar subway system.

The Money Part (That Actually Makes Sense)

Berlin's public transport covers the airport through their zone system – BER is in zone C, while the city center sits in zone A. You need an ABC ticket, which costs €4.70 for adults and €3.20 for children aged 6-14.

We always buy tickets through the BVG app or DB Navigator app on our phones because it's faster and you can do it while walking. But if you prefer the traditional route, ticket machines at the station have English options and are pretty intuitive.

Critical detail that we always tell people about: If you buy a paper ticket, validate it before boarding! Those little yellow machines aren't just decoration – use them. We learned this from watching other travelers get fined €60. Digital tickets through the apps are automatically validated, which is another reason we always recommend them to friends.

The Smart Money Move

If you're planning to use public transport during your Berlin stay (and you definitely should), get the Berlin WelcomeCard ABC version. It includes unlimited transport plus discounts on attractions, and crucially, it covers your airport transfer. https://www.getyourguide.dk/berlin-l17/berlin-welcomecard-med-lommerejseguide-t6045/?partner_id=3GLPWXE&utm_medium=online_publisher

We always recommend buying this online before traveling to skip the queues at the airport. It's one of those small planning moves that makes the whole trip smoother from the moment you land.

What About Other Options?

Taxis and rideshares exist, obviously. They'll cost you €45-60 to get to the city center, and during rush hour, you might sit in traffic for an hour. We've recommended this to friends when they had way too much luggage or were feeling fancy, but honestly, the train is usually faster.

Buses are another option, but they take longer and aren't necessarily cheaper. The train gets you there in about 30 minutes to most central locations – hard to beat that.

Real-World Tips from Our Experience

Timing: Trains run frequently throughout the day, but we always check the BVG app for real-time updates. Sometimes there are delays or service changes, and it's better to know in advance than stand around wondering where your train is.

Luggage: Berlin trains are luggage-friendly. Don't stress about stairs – there are elevators, and most trains have good space for suitcases.

Language: Everything is available in English, from ticket machines to apps to announcements. Berlin's transport system is very tourist-friendly.

Peak times: If you're arriving during rush hour (7-9 AM or 5-7 PM), the trains might be crowded, but they're still your fastest option. Weekend mornings are particularly pleasant for this journey.

Train Type	Route and Stops	Travel Time to City Center	Frequency	Best For
FEX (Airport Express)	BER → Ostkreuz → Gesundbrunnen → Hauptbahnhof	30-35 min to Hauptbahnhof; 20-25 min to Ostkreuz	Every 30 min (approx. 04:00-23:00)	Fastest option to central stations; double-decker with luggage space. From 2025, routes via Südkreuz and Potsdamer Platz for even shorter times (approx. 20 min to Hauptbahnhof).
RE7/RE8	BER → Ostkreuz → Ostbahnhof → Alexanderplatz → Friedrichstraße → Hauptbahnhof → Zoo (continues to Potsdam)	26-32 min to Alexanderplatz/Hauptbahnhof	Every 30-60 min	Great for eastern/central areas like Alexanderplatz; direct without transfers.
RB14/RB23	BER → Ostkreuz → Ostbahnhof → Alexanderplatz → Friedrichstraße → Hauptbahnhof → Zoo (continues to Spandau/Potsdam)	28-36 min to Alexanderplatz/Hauptbahnhof	Every 30-60 min	Similar to RE7 but slightly slower; good for western areas.
S-Bahn S9	BER → Treptower Park → Ostbahnhof → Alexanderplatz → Friedrichstraße → Hauptbahnhof → Zoo → Spandau	44-50 min to Alexanderplatz/Hauptbahnhof	Every 20 min (24/7 on weekends)	More stops; ideal if your hotel is near smaller stations or for late arrivals (runs 24/7 on weekends).
S-Bahn S45	BER → Neukölln → Hermannstraße → Tempelhof → Südkreuz	40 min to Südkreuz	Every 20 min	Best for southern areas like Neukölln; often requires a transfer to reach the center.

The Bottom Line

Getting from BER to Berlin city center doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. The train system works incredibly well, costs less than €5, and gets you directly where you need to go.

We've researched shuttle services, compared rideshare prices, and even looked into all the transport options for the many friends who've visited us in Berlin. But every time, we come back to the simple truth: buy an ABC ticket, take the train, and you'll be in the city center in 30 minutes.

Save your money and energy for the actual Berlin experience. The city has so much to offer once you get there, and the train gets you there ready to explore rather than stressed about transport.

Pro tip: Download the BVG app before you land, and check for any service updates. Berlin's transport system is reliable, but like anywhere, occasional disruptions happen, and it's better to know ahead of time.

https://www.getyourguide.dk/berlin-l17/berlin-welcomecard-med-lommerejseguide-t6045/?partner_id=3GLPWXE&utm_medium=online_publisher