If your flight lands at BER between midnight and 4:30 AM on a weekday, your transport options shrink significantly. Here is what actually works during those hours.
What stops running
The FEX (Flughafen Express) runs its last service around midnight and resumes at approximately 4:30 AM. The S-Bahn S9 follows a similar schedule on weekdays, though on Friday and Saturday nights it runs through the night at reduced frequency (roughly every 30 minutes). Regional trains (RE7, RB14) do not run overnight.
What keeps running
Night buses N7 and N60 serve BER airport overnight. The N7 connects to Rudow (U7 metro station area) and the N60 runs to Adlershof. These are slow and indirect for reaching central Berlin, often taking 60-90 minutes with transfers.
Taxis operate 24 hours. There is always a taxi available at the rank, though the queue may be shorter than during the day. Wait times of 5-15 minutes are normal after midnight. Fares are the same as daytime; Berlin does not have a night surcharge on metered taxis. A ride to central Berlin costs EUR 45-65.
Uber and Bolt work around the clock, but driver availability drops significantly after 1 AM. Surge pricing is common, and fares can reach EUR 50-70 to central Berlin. Sometimes no drivers are available at all, leaving you stranded with an app and no ride.
Pre-booked transfers are the most reliable late-night option. The driver is confirmed for your specific arrival time and will wait even if your flight is delayed. Prices run EUR 55-85 for a sedan to central Berlin.
Late night cost comparison
| Option | Availability | Cost to centre | Reliability | |---|---|---|---| | Night bus | All night | EUR 4.00 | Runs but slow | | Taxi | All night | EUR 45-65 | Usually available | | Uber/Bolt | Unpredictable | EUR 40-70 | Surge pricing likely | | Pre-booked transfer | Guaranteed | EUR 55-85 | Driver waiting for you |
The terminal overnight
BER stays open overnight. You will not be locked out if your transport is delayed. However, most shops and restaurants close by 11 PM. There are seating areas, toilets, and free WiFi. If you have a very early morning connection, some travellers sleep in the terminal, though it is not designed for this.
Practical advice
If you know your flight arrives after midnight, book a transfer in advance. The peace of mind of having a confirmed driver waiting is worth the modest premium over a taxi. If you prefer to chance it with a taxi, you will almost certainly find one, but do not count on rideshare apps working reliably at 2 AM. On Friday and Saturday nights, the S9 runs through the night and is your cheapest option at EUR 3.50.