Berlin BER airport to city centre — trains, buses, taxis and what to avoid
What is the best way to get from BER airport to Berlin city centre?
Take the Airport Express FEX train (30 min to Hauptbahnhof, €4.80 AB ticket) or the S9 S-Bahn (45-55 min, same ticket). Both run from the terminal directly to central Berlin stations. Licensed taxis are metered and typically cost €40-55 depending on destination; avoid unmarked drivers offering flat rates at arrivals.
Quick answer: The Airport Express FEX reaches Berlin Hauptbahnhof in 30 minutes on a standard AB zone ticket (€4.80 single). Taxis cost €40-55 metered — legitimate, but not faster during peak hours. Ignore anyone approaching you in arrivals offering a fixed-price ride.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER, IATA code BER, official name Willy Brandt Berlin Brandenburg International Airport) opened in October 2020, replacing the old Tegel and Schonefeld airports after a nine-year delay that became a minor national embarrassment. The result is a functional, if unremarkable, modern airport with decent public transport connections to the city.
The direct train options from BER
The airport railway station sits directly beneath Terminals 1 and 2, accessible by lift and escalator from the arrivals hall. Two train services leave from the same platforms:
Airport Express FEX The FEX is the faster of the two options. It runs as a limited-stop express service, calling only at BER Terminal 1-2, BER Terminal 5 (the old Schonefeld station, useful for some budget airlines), Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hauptbahnhof, and Berlin Gesundbrunnen. Journey times:
- BER to Ostbahnhof: 28-30 minutes
- BER to Hauptbahnhof: 32-35 minutes
- BER to Gesundbrunnen: 40-42 minutes
Frequency: every 30 minutes throughout the day and early evening.
S9 S-Bahn The S9 serves more stops, making it useful if you’re heading to Treptower Park, Schonefeld, or other intermediate stations. To central Berlin it takes 45-55 minutes to stations including Alexanderplatz, Ostbahnhof, and beyond. Frequency: every 20 minutes.
For most visitors heading to Berlin Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, or Charlottenburg, the FEX is the cleaner choice. For destinations along the S9 route or if the FEX timing doesn’t work, the S9 is a perfectly valid alternative.
The AB zone ticket — what it costs and how to buy it
Both the FEX and S9 are covered by a standard Berlin AB zone ticket. BER airport is within the AB zone, which is the standard zone covering all of Berlin proper.
Ticket prices (2026):
- Single (Einzelfahrschein AB): €4.80
- Day ticket (Tageskarte AB): €9.90
- 7-day ticket (7-Tage-Karte AB): €36.00
Buy from BVG (blue/yellow) or DB (red) machines at the platform level beneath the terminal. Machines accept card and cash. The BVG app (iOS/Android) sells digital tickets that activate immediately. A QR code displayed on your phone is accepted by inspectors.
No need to buy in advance — tickets are readily available at the machines. The machines have an English-language interface. Select “1 Zone AB” or “Tageskarte AB” as appropriate.
Important: The Berlin ABC ticket (which covers Potsdam, as described in the Berlin to Potsdam day trip guide) is not needed for the airport journey unless you’re connecting onward to Potsdam.
Getting oriented at BER
BER has two main terminals:
- Terminal 1 (T1): The main terminal, used by Lufthansa, Ryanair, easyJet, and most carriers
- Terminal 2 (T2): Opened in 2022 for overflow capacity; adjacent to T1
- Terminal 5 (T5): The old Schonefeld terminal, a separate building 10 minutes by shuttle bus or one S9 stop away. Used by Wizz Air and some Ryanair routes. Check your ticket carefully if flying budget — if it says “SXF Terminal 5,” you’re at a different location.
The railway station is beneath T1 and T2. For T5, the S9 stops at the separate Schonefeld station (listed as “BER Terminal 5” on FEX). Arrivals from T5 should take the S9 rather than the FEX.
Taxi from BER to Berlin — what to know
Licensed Berlin taxis are metered white cars with a rooftop “TAXI” sign. They queue at the designated taxi rank outside the arrivals exit. In 2026, fares from BER to central Berlin destinations typically run:
- To Berlin Mitte (Alexanderplatz, Unter den Linden): €42-55
- To Prenzlauer Berg or Friedrichshain: €40-50
- To Charlottenburg or Schoneberg: €50-65
- To Kreuzberg: €38-48
Typical journey time: 40-60 minutes in normal traffic. In morning rush hour (7-9am) or evening (5-7pm) expect significantly longer. The FEX takes exactly 30 minutes regardless.
The taxi surcharge rule: Berlin licensed taxis charge a fixed rate of €0.80/km within the city. There is a starting fee (currently €3.90) plus luggage. The total is always metered — no negotiation needed or appropriate.
The taxi scam at BER arrivals — what to watch for
This is the most consistent tourist trap at BER. Unlicensed drivers position themselves inside the arrivals hall holding signs or approaching passengers directly with offers like “Taxi to Berlin, €40 flat rate.” These are not licensed taxis. Problems include:
- No meter — the “flat rate” often rises once you’re in the car
- No insurance or regulatory oversight
- Some drivers add on “luggage fees” or “motorway tolls” not agreed upfront
- Disputes with these drivers have no consumer protection recourse
The licensed taxi rank is outside the building. If you want a taxi, walk past anyone approaching you inside and follow the “TAXI” signs to the outdoor queue. The yellow-and-black “TAXI” sign on the car roof and the Berlin coat-of-arms (a black bear on a white shield) on the door are the indicators of a legitimate cab.
Rideshare apps (Bolt, FreeNow, Uber) are a legitimate alternative if you prefer not to queue at the taxi rank. Follow the app’s designated pickup point — it will be a specific zone outside the terminal.
Bus options from BER
If you’re heading to the southern or eastern parts of the city, or want to avoid any train connection, buses offer an alternative:
Bus X7: BER Terminal 1-2 to U-Bahn Rudow (U8 line). About 20 minutes. From Rudow, the U8 connects to Hermannstrasse, Boddinstrasse, Leinestrasse, and north to Alexanderplatz (total journey approximately 50-55 minutes). Good option for Neukolln.
Bus X71: BER to Zossener Strasse (near Mehringdamm, southern Kreuzberg). About 40-45 minutes direct, but limited frequency. Check the BVG app for departure times before relying on this.
Bus 163: A slower local bus connecting BER Terminal 5 (Schonefeld) to various stops. Not recommended for central Berlin.
All buses use the same AB zone ticket as the trains.
Rideshares and car hire at BER
Rideshare apps: Bolt tends to have the most consistent coverage at BER. Uber and FreeNow also operate. Pickup zones are marked in the respective apps and are separate from the taxi rank — typically on the ground floor outside arrivals. Fares to central Berlin are usually €30-45, comparable to or slightly cheaper than a taxi, but subject to surge pricing.
Car hire: Available from the usual operators (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise, Avis) at counters on the arrivals level. However, driving into Berlin centre has complications — parking is expensive, many central areas have restricted access, and the BVG public transport network covers virtually everywhere you’ll want to go. See the full Berlin car rental guide for a realistic assessment of whether renting makes sense.
Practical checklist for the BER to city journey
- Download the BVG app before landing — allows ticket purchase without queueing at machines
- The platform is directly beneath Terminals 1 and 2 — follow “S-Bahn / Train” signs downward
- FEX departs every 30 minutes; check the departure board for the next service
- Validate paper tickets at the yellow stamp machines on the platform before boarding — digital BVG tickets do not require separate validation
- Inspectors (Kontrolleure) check tickets regularly on the FEX — fines for travel without a valid ticket are €60
- If staying near Alexanderplatz: S9 may be more convenient (no change required)
- If staying near Hauptbahnhof: FEX is slightly faster and more direct
- For Schonefeld Terminal 5 passengers: look for the S9 to “Berlin” at the Schonefeld station
Connecting to other Berlin stations
From Hauptbahnhof, you can connect to the U55/U5 U-Bahn to Alexanderplatz and Hbf connections, or S-Bahn lines S5, S7, S75 east-west. From Ostbahnhof, direct connections to Friedrichshain (walking distance) and the S-Bahn ring.
If your accommodation is in Charlottenburg or the western city, take the FEX to Hauptbahnhof and then the S5 or S7 westbound to Zoologischer Garten or Savignyplatz.
For a full overview of the Berlin public transport network — zones, apps, weekly tickets — see the Berlin public transport guide.
Frequently asked questions about Berlin BER airport to city centre
How long does it take to get from BER to Berlin city centre?
The Airport Express FEX takes about 30 minutes to Berlin Hauptbahnhof and 37 minutes to Berlin Ostbahnhof. The S9 S-Bahn takes 45-55 minutes to central Berlin stations including Treptower Park, Ostbahnhof, and Alexanderplatz. Both trains depart from the airport railway station directly beneath Terminals 1 and 2.What ticket do I need for the train from BER to Berlin?
A standard Berlin AB zone ticket covers BER airport. A single (Einzelfahrschein AB) costs €4.80. A day ticket (Tageskarte AB) costs €9.90. Buy from BVG or DB machines on the platform level beneath the terminal — no need to buy before arriving at the airport.How do I find the BER train station?
Follow signs for "S-Bahn" or "Train" from either terminal. The underground station is directly beneath Terminals 1 and 2 — walk down one or two levels from arrivals. Signs are in German and English. The journey from arrivals to the platform is about 5-8 minutes on foot.How much does a taxi from BER to Berlin cost?
Licensed taxis from BER to central Berlin (Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Charlottenburg) typically cost €40-55 depending on traffic and destination. The fare is metered — there is no fixed rate. Budget 45-70 minutes in normal traffic, longer during rush hour.Are there taxi touts at BER airport?
Yes. Unlicensed drivers approach passengers in the arrivals hall offering flat rates. These are unmetered, unregulated, and often significantly more expensive than official taxis. Official Berlin taxis queue outside the terminal at designated taxi ranks — white cars with a "TAXI" rooftop sign and a Berlin coat-of-arms decal. Do not accept rides from people approaching you inside the building.Is there a direct bus from BER to central Berlin?
Bus X7 runs from BER to U-Bahn station Rudow (U8 line), journey 20 minutes, connecting to central Berlin in another 25-30 minutes via U-Bahn. Bus X71 runs to Zossener Strasse. These are slower overall than the train but useful if staying in Neukolln or southern Kreuzberg. The AB zone ticket covers all these options.Can I take a rideshare from BER airport?
Bolt, FreeNow, and Uber operate from BER. Pickup zones are separate from the taxi rank — follow app instructions for designated pickup points. Fares are often comparable to taxis for longer distances. Surge pricing can apply during busy periods. These are legitimate options but factor in potential wait time in the designated pickup zone.What is the FEX and how is it different from the S9?
The FEX (Flughafen Express) is a dedicated airport express train running nonstop between BER and central Berlin stations. It calls at BER Terminal 1-2, Berlin Ostbahnhof, Berlin Hauptbahnhof, and Berlin Gesundbrunnen. Journey time to Hauptbahnhof is approximately 30 minutes. The S9 is a standard S-Bahn making more stops including Schonefeld (the old airport station). Both use the same AB zone ticket. FEX runs every 30 minutes; S9 runs every 20 minutes.
