Berlin City Centre: Which Airport Is Best?

what airport for berlin city centre

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is the only airport in Berlin, Germany, and is located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the city centre. There are several ways to get from the airport to the city centre, including train, taxi, bus, shuttle service, or car rental. The train is considered the best option, as it is affordable and efficient, with a travel time of about 30 to 45 minutes. Taxis are readily available outside the airport, but they can be more expensive, costing around €45-€50 for a ride to the city centre.

Characteristics Values
Name Berlin Brandenburg Airport
International Airport Code BER
Airlines British Airways, Delta, easyJet, Norwegian, Qatar Airways, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines
Direct Flights From New York City, Washington D.C.
Number of Terminals 2
Amenities Dining, shopping, hotel, kid's play area, workspace, napping cabins, currency exchange
Distance from Berlin City Centre 16.1-18.6 miles / 25.9-30 km
Travel Time by Taxi 30 minutes
Taxi Cost €45-€50, or €50-€80 depending on the source
Travel Time by Train 30-45 minutes
Train Ticket Cost €4
Travel Time by Car 1 hour

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Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)

The airport features a U-shaped main terminal building, Terminal 1, which sits between its two parallel runways. The terminal has four public levels, with the check-in area located on Level 1, housing 118 counters organised into eight clusters. Extensions have been added to the main check-in area to accommodate more check-in counters and security lanes, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for passengers.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is easily accessible by train, with a train station conveniently located in Terminal 1. The Airport Express and regional trains run four times per hour to Berlin Central Station, while the S-Bahns S9 and S45 provide direct connections to the city centre. The journey to the city centre takes approximately 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the train and traffic conditions.

For those seeking a more personalised experience, taxi services are available outside Terminal 1, offering a comfortable and direct journey to the city centre. The trip typically takes around 30 minutes, and the cost ranges from €45 to €50, depending on traffic and the time of day.

Additionally, bus services and airport transfer options are also available, providing affordable and convenient travel to Berlin's city centre.

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Train from the airport to Berlin city centre

Berlin's newest international airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), is located in the southeast of the city, around 11 miles (18km) from the city centre. The airport is well-serviced by rail, bus, taxi, and shuttles. The majority of visitors take either a regional or S-Bahn train into the city centre.

The S-Bahn is Berlin's express subway system, with two lines (S9 and S45) starting from the airport. The S9 runs along a similar route to the RE7 train, ending in Spandau. Although slower (51 minutes to Hauptbahnhof), the S-Bahn offers additional stops and runs around the clock, making it a good option for late arrivals. The S45 starts at the airport and ends at Sudkreuz, making stops in Neukolln and Tempelhof. However, it does not stop at Hauptbahnhof or other major city centre stations.

The RE7 train departs the airport once every hour and makes stops at major hubs, including Hauptbahnhof, Ostbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and Friedrichstrasse. It also continues to points west of the city centre, such as Zoologisher Garten and Westkreuz, ending in Potsdam.

The RB14 train runs along the same route as the RE7 between the airport and Hauptbahnhof but at a slightly slower pace. It also offers a direct link to Ostbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and Friedrichstrasse stations.

The FEX Airport Express train is one of the fastest ways to reach the city centre, taking about 25 minutes to get to Alexanderplatz and 35 minutes to Hauptbahnhof. It only stops at Berlin-Ostkreuz, Berlin-Gesundbrunnen, and Hauptbahnhof, running every 30 minutes from around 4 am to 11 pm for €3.30 each way.

Other train options include the RE8 and RB23 express trains and the RB14 and RB32 trains, which run to and from Terminal 5.

Tickets for the train from the airport to Berlin city centre cost €3.80 or €4 and can be purchased from vending machines or via a mobile app. It's important to validate your ticket before boarding the train to avoid fines.

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Taxi from the airport to Berlin city centre

Berlin's newest international airport, Brandenburg Airport, is located 16.1 miles (25.9 km) from the city centre. There are several ways to get from the airport to the city centre, including train, bus, taxi, or airport transfer service.

Taking a taxi from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin city centre is a convenient option, offering a personalised experience. Taxis are available 24/7 at designated ranks outside the airport. The taxi stand for Terminal 1 is on level E0, while passengers arriving at Terminal 2 need to go to the ground level of Terminal 1 to catch a taxi. You can also book a taxi in advance or when you exit the airport using apps like SIXT or Uber. The taxi fare from the airport to the city centre is metered and typically ranges from €45 to €75, depending on traffic and your destination. The journey usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes, but the travel time can vary depending on traffic conditions.

If you prefer a more affordable option, you can consider taking the train or bus, with tickets costing around €4. These options offer multiple stops throughout the city and take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Additionally, you can opt for an airport transfer service, which provides a comfortable and hassle-free experience with a fixed price.

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Berlin's city zones

Berlin's newest international airport, Brandenburg Airport, is an excellent gateway to the German capital. The airport is located around 16 miles from the city centre, and there are four main ways to make the journey.

Firstly, you can take a train from the station in Terminal 1. This is the most affordable option, with tickets costing €4, and the journey takes around 30-45 minutes. The FEX Airport Express and the RE8 regional line will take you to Alexanderplatz in around 25 minutes and to Hauptbahnhof in 35 minutes. The airport is in zone C, so you must buy an ABC ticket.

Secondly, you can take a taxi, which costs around €45-€50, although prices may vary depending on traffic and the time of day. Taxi services such as Uber and FreeNow are available, and you can also book an airport transfer service, which offers a more personalised experience.

Thirdly, you can take the bus. This is another affordable option, and there are multiple stops along the way.

Finally, you can rent a car at the airport. There are kiosks for different car rental companies, and a large parking space for ride-share cars.

Berlin is divided into three fare zones: AB, BC, and ABC. Zone AB includes the city centre of Berlin and the area up to the city limits, while zone ABC includes the surrounding area, Brandenburg Airport, and Potsdam Central Station. Zone BC reaches from outside the S-Bahn ring to the city limits. Tickets for zone AB cost €3.80 (regular) or €2.40 (reduced), while zone ABC tickets cost €4.70 (regular) or €3.40 (reduced).

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Berlin's former airports

Berlin's current sole international airport is Berlin Brandenburg Airport "Willy Brandt" (IATA: BER, ICAO: EDDB). However, Berlin has had several former airports, including:

Berlin Schönefeld Airport

Berlin Schönefeld Airport (IATA: SXF, ICAO: EDDB) was founded in 1934 and served as the airport for East Berlin during the Cold War. It closed in 2020, with the old terminal and one of the runways becoming part of Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The airport was located in Brandenburg, with the former northern runway (shut down in 2007) crossing the city and state boundary.

Berlin Tegel Airport "Otto Lilienthal"

Berlin Tegel Airport (IATA: TXL, ICAO: EDDT) was the former main airport of Berlin and, prior to that, West Berlin. It was built during the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and served as a hub for Air Berlin until the airline's collapse in 2017. Tegel Airport closed in 2020 and was formerly Germany's fourth busiest airport, with over 24 million passengers in 2019.

Berlin Tempelhof Airport

Berlin Tempelhof Airport (IATA: THF, ICAO: EDDI) was an iconic airport that opened in 1923 and closed in 2008. It served as West Berlin's lifeline during the Soviet Blockade and has since become the city's biggest park.

RAF Gatow

RAF Gatow (IATA: GWW, ICAO: EDBG) was a former Royal Air Force military airbase located in the district of Gatow in southwestern Berlin. The airbase closed in 1994, and the site is now home to an Air Force Museum.

Johannisthal Airfield

Johannisthal Airfield, located 15 km southeast of Berlin between Johannisthal and Adlershof, was Germany's second airfield. It opened in 1909 and de facto closed in 1952, officially closing in 1995.

Frequently asked questions

The best way to get from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the city centre is by train. The airport features a train station in Terminal 1 that connects you directly to Berlin city centre. The S-Bahn and the U-Bahn will get you all around the city to sites such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, the Tiergarten, and the Natural History Museum.

A taxi from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin City Centre costs around €45-€50. However, prices may vary depending on traffic and time of day.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is located 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Berlin city centre.

It takes approximately 30 minutes by taxi from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin city centre. However, the travel time may vary depending on traffic conditions and the exact location of your destination. By train, it takes 30 to 45 minutes.

There are four options for getting from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin city centre: airport transfer service, taxi service, bus, and train.

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