Travelling to Berlin
Berlin is easily accessible by plane, train, or car from many European and international destinations.
Below you will find practical information and links to help you plan your journey.
Arrival by Plane
Berlin is served by Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), located about 25 km southeast of the city centre. The airport is modern, efficient, and well connected to the city by train, bus, and taxi.
From Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to the city centre
1. By Train (recommended)
o Take the Airport Express (FEX) or regional trains (RE7, RB14) directly from Terminal 1–2 to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Main Station).
o Travel time: approx. 30 minutes.
o Trains run every 10–20 minutes.
2. By S-Bahn (urban train)
o Lines S9 and S45 connect the airport with various parts of Berlin.
o Travel time to the city centre: approx. 40–45 minutes.
3. By Taxi or Ride-Sharing
o Taxi stands are located directly outside Terminal 1.
o The ride to central Berlin takes around 35–45 minutes, depending on traffic.
4. By Bus
o Several express buses (e.g. X7, X71) link the airport with major transport hubs.
o Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or via the BVG app.
Arrival by Train
Berlin is a major rail hub connected to many German and European cities via Deutsche Bahn (DB).
High-speed ICE trains run regularly from:
• Hamburg (approx. 2h)
• Munich (approx. 4h)
• Frankfurt/Main (approx. 3h30)
• Cologne (approx. 4h30)
• Prague, Vienna, Zurich, and Warsaw (approx. 4–8h)
The main railway station, Berlin Hauptbahnhof, is centrally located and well connected to the city’s public transport network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, and buses).
Arrival by Car
Berlin can be easily reached via Germany’s extensive motorway network (Autobahn).
• From the west: via the A2 (Hanover – Berlin)
• From the south: via the A9 (Munich – Berlin)
• From the north: via the A24 (Hamburg – Berlin)
• From the east: via the A12 (Frankfurt/Oder – Berlin)
Within the city, please note that Berlin has an environmental zone (“Umweltzone”), where only cars with a green emissions sticker are allowed to enter. Stickers can be obtained online or at petrol stations and vehicle inspection offices (e.g. TÜV, DEKRA).
Parking is available in numerous public garages and park-and-ride locations near S- and U-Bahn stations.
Public Transport in Berlin
Berlin has an excellent public transportation system operated by BVG.
• U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (urban rail), trams, and buses operate frequently from early morning until late night.
• A single ticket (AB zone) costs approx. €3.50 and is valid for 2 hours of travel within central Berlin.
• Tickets can be purchased from machines, in BVG customer centres, or through the BVG app.