Lois Larson
Berlin has two airports: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport. Tegel is Berlin's oldest airport and is located in former West Berlin, about 5-8 miles from the city centre. It is the larger of the two airports in terms of passenger numbers, handling 22,000,430 passengers in 2018. Tegel is the main international airport of Berlin and acts as a hub for most major airlines. However, it only has bus connections to the city centre. On the other hand, Schönefeld is located next to the new Brandenburg Airport and is considered a low-cost hub, hosting primarily low-cost airlines. It is connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn train network, which some consider more convenient than the bus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Berlin | 2 |
| Names of the airports | Tegel Airport (TXL), Schönefeld Airport |
| Location | Tegel Airport is located in former West Berlin in Tegel, about 5-8 miles northwest of the city center. Schönefeld Airport is located outside of the B zone. |
| Transport options | Tegel Airport: bus, taxi, private transport. Schönefeld Airport: train, bus, taxi, car rental. |
| Travel time | Tegel Airport: 30-40 minutes by bus. Schönefeld Airport: 40 minutes by train, 35 minutes by taxi. |
| Ticket price | Tegel Airport: €2.30. Schönefeld Airport: €3.00 for the train, €3.40 for the bus, €40 for a taxi. |
| Airlines | Tegel Airport: Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Qatar, and many others. Schönefeld Airport: low-cost airlines. |
| Passenger traffic | Tegel Airport: 22,000,430 passengers in 2018. Schönefeld Airport: 12,725,937 passengers in 2018. |
| Terminals | Tegel Airport: 5. Schönefeld Airport: 1 (Terminal A). |
| Airport expansion plans | Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) opened on October 31, 2020. |
Explore related products
$11.99 $14.95
What You'll Learn
Tegel vs Schönefeld
Berlin has two airports: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport. Tegel is Berlin's oldest airport and is located in former West Berlin, about 5-8 miles northwest of the city centre. It is the main international airport of Berlin and is the larger of the two airports in terms of passenger numbers. In 2018, Tegel handled 22,000,430 passengers, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Tegel is well-connected to the city centre by bus, with buses departing every 10-20 minutes and taking 30-40 minutes to reach the city centre. However, it does not have an on-site railway station, which can be inconvenient for passengers with a lot of luggage or young children. Tegel offers flights with most of the world's major airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, and Qatar, providing travellers with a wide range of choices but often at a higher cost.
Schönefeld Airport, on the other hand, is located next to the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport and is considered a low-cost hub for Berlin. In 2018, the airport hosted 12,725,937 passengers. Schönefeld has the advantage of being connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn train network, with the S9 line providing direct access to the main station. The train journey takes around 40 minutes, and tickets cost €3.40. Additionally, Schönefeld has good bus links to the city centre, and it is easy to hire a car from the airport for those who want to explore the surrounding countryside.
In terms of which airport is best, it depends on your specific needs and requirements. Tegel may be a better option for business travellers or those who need to be close to the city centre. It offers more flight options, especially for long-haul destinations, and provides connections to major airlines. However, the lack of a direct train connection can be a disadvantage. Schönefeld, on the other hand, is ideal for budget-conscious travellers and those looking for low-cost flight options. It offers good public transport connections to the city centre and is easily accessible by train, bus, or car.
It's worth noting that the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) opened on 31 October, and it is now the city's central airport. With its own railway station and connections to the S-Bahn and regional trains, it offers excellent transport links to the city centre. Therefore, with the opening of the new airport, the decision between Tegel and Schönefeld may become less relevant for travellers.
Can I Use a Passport Card for Air Travel?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Babylon Berlin: Season 4 [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KjOF6t7VL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Transport options
Berlin has two airports: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport. A third airport, Berlin-Brandenburg International (BER), was set to open in 2011 but has been delayed several times due to issues with the site.
Tegel Airport
The closest airport to the city centre is Tegel Airport, which is located about 5-8 miles northwest of the city centre. The airport is only connected to the city centre by bus, with buses departing every 10-20 minutes and taking 30-40 minutes to reach the centre. Tickets can be bought from the bus driver, and an AB ticket for €2.80 can be used for up to 2 hours in a single direction. The Jet Express (TXL and X9) lines run every 10-15 minutes and take 45 minutes to reach Alexanderplatz. There are also taxi ranks in the inner ring of Terminal A at Gates 6-9 and outside Terminal C and E.
Schönefeld Airport
Schönefeld Airport is connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn, Berlin's suburban train network. The S9 line connects the airport with the Hauptbahnhof (main station) in around 40 minutes. The S45 line also runs to the city centre. Regional trains RE7 and RB14 offer a direct connection to the Hauptbahnhof in around 30 minutes. There are also taxi ranks outside the main terminal, with fares to the city centre costing around €40.
Berlin-Brandenburg International (BER) Airport
When it opens, BER Airport will be well connected to the public transport network. Airport Express and regional trains will run four times an hour from the airport station to Berlin Central Station. The S-Bahns S9 and S45 will run from the airport to the city centre. Express buses X7 and X71 will connect the airport with the Rudow S-Bahn station, which has a connection to the U7 underground line. Several bus lines will also run from the airport in various directions within Berlin.
Boston Airport: A Sprawling Transportation Hub's Size
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Berlin Alexanderplatz (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X4NeCunZL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Location and proximity to the city centre
Berlin has two airports: Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport. Tegel Airport is the larger of the two airports in terms of passenger numbers, having handled 22 million passengers in 2018, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Tegel is located in former West Berlin, about 5-8 miles northwest of the city centre. Although Tegel is geographically closer to the city centre, it is only connected to the city centre by bus. The bus from Tegel takes 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic, and departs every 10-20 minutes.
Schönefeld Airport is located outside the B zone and is connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn, Berlin's suburban train network. The S9 line connects Schönefeld with the Hauptbahnhof (main station). The train is considered to be far more convenient than the bus, and tickets are only slightly more expensive. The journey takes around 40 minutes, and trains depart every 20 minutes. There are also regional trains (Airport Express) that make the journey with the fewest stops. These run from 4 am to 11 pm and take about 20 minutes to reach Alexanderplatz, 30 minutes to Hauptbahnhof, and 35 minutes to Zoologischer Garten.
In addition to the S-Bahn and regional trains, Schönefeld Airport also offers good bus links into central Berlin. There are several bus lines that take passengers into the city centre, as well as various express buses.
Therefore, in terms of location and proximity to the city centre, Schönefeld Airport seems to be the better option, especially for those who prefer to travel by train. However, Tegel Airport is also relatively close to the city centre and provides regular bus connections.
Airport Security: Background Checks or Just Baggage Scans?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines and destinations
Berlin is served by Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), which connects the German capital to central transport corridors across Europe. The airport features two parallel runways, allowing for simultaneous instrument approaches. During the winter, airlines fly from BER to more than 130 destinations.
Major operators at Terminal 1 include easyJet, the Lufthansa Group, Condor, Aegean Airlines, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and Qatar Airways. Lufthansa operates an airport lounge at the north end of the main pier (gate B20), which is also open to passengers of its alliance partners. An airport-operated lounge is located at the south end of the main pier (gate A20) and is contracted by most of the non-Star Alliance carriers operating from T1. The south terminal contains nine single-storey jet bridges (gates A30–A38). The north pier features a minimalist design to meet the demands of low-cost carriers and has no jet bridges, only boarding gates (B30–45) with direct apron access.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport also has its own railway station, located directly under Terminal 1, providing easy connections to S-Bahn and regional trains. Additionally, several bus lines connect the airport to the city centre, and various express buses are also available.
Prior to the opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Berlin was served by Tegel Airport (TXL) and Schönefeld Airport (SXF). Tegel was the closest to the city centre, but it only offered bus connections to the city. In contrast, Schönefeld Airport offered a train connection to the city centre. However, both airports have now transitioned to Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which serves as the city's central airport.
Shower Availability at Barcelona Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Airport facilities and lounges
Berlin has two airports: Tegel Airport and Schönefeld Airport. A third airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, was set to open in 2011 but has been delayed several times due to issues with the construction.
Tegel Airport
Tegel Airport is the older of the two airports and is located about 5-8 miles northwest of the city centre. It is the main international airport of Berlin, serving most major airlines and offering flights to European and international destinations. The airport has five terminals and is quite small and often crowded. To get to the city centre from Tegel, you can take a bus or a taxi. There is also a lounge at Tegel Airport called the BER Lounge Tegel, which offers a stylish and relaxed atmosphere with catering and conference room facilities. The lounge can be accessed by purchasing a pass online or at the airport, and it costs €36 per person.
Schönefeld Airport
Schönefeld Airport is located outside the B zone and is considered a low-cost hub for Berlin. It is connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn train network, with the S9 and S45 lines offering a 40-minute journey. There are also regional trains available, which take about 20-35 minutes to reach various locations in the city. Similar to Tegel, you can also take a taxi from Schönefeld, which costs around €40. There is no specific information available about lounges at Schönefeld Airport, but there are likely to be some options available.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) operates through Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with food concessions located both landside and airside. There are lounges available at this airport, including the Tempelhof lounge, which offers panoramic windows and a relaxed atmosphere with dining and conference room facilities. The lounges can be accessed by purchasing a pass or using a lounge membership program, with prices ranging from €30-35 per person.
Overall, all three airports in Berlin offer a range of facilities and lounges to cater to travellers' needs. The best airport to fly into will depend on your specific requirements and preferences for facilities, lounges, and transportation options.
Gowanda, NY: Airport Accessibility and Travel Options
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Tegel Airport is the closest airport to the city centre, but it only offers bus connections to the centre.
Schönefeld Airport is connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn, Berlin's suburban train network. This is considered more convenient than the bus connections at Tegel Airport.
Tegel Airport is a good option for business travellers as it is the closest to the city centre and offers more long-haul flights.
Schönefeld Airport is a hub for low-cost airlines and has good connections to the city centre, making it a good option for budget travellers.
