# Berlin Airport Transfer Guide (BER) Practical guide to getting from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the city centre. FEX train, S-Bahn, taxi, and transfer options with real EUR prices. **Airport:** BER **City:** Berlin **Country:** Germany **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber **Last updated:** 2026-03-27 --- ## Main Guide ### Quick answer Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is about 25 km south of Berlin city centre. The fastest way into the city is the FEX (Flughafen Express) train, which takes 30 minutes to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main station) and costs **EUR 4.00** with an AB/ABC zone ticket. Taxis cost **EUR 45-65** to central Berlin and take 30-50 minutes depending on traffic. The airport opened in 2020 and the transport connections are well-established. 👉 AirportTransferPortal offers fixed-price transfers on this route, which removes uncertainty on arrival. --- ### What actually happens after landing BER has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles most airlines. Terminal 2 is a smaller building used primarily by low-cost carriers. Both terminals connect to the same train station, located directly below Terminal 1. For Schengen flights, there is no immigration check. You walk off the plane and head to baggage claim. For non-Schengen arrivals, passport control is usually efficient, with e-gates available for EU, EEA, and Swiss passport holders. During busy periods with multiple long-haul arrivals, expect 15-30 minutes at immigration. Baggage claim is in the lower level of each terminal. Trolleys are available. Once you collect your bags, follow signs for trains (look for the S-Bahn and FEX symbols) or taxis. The train station is well-signed from Terminal 1. From Terminal 2, there is a short covered walkway to Terminal 1 and the train station. --- ### Transport options explained honestly **FEX (Flughafen Express)** is the dedicated airport express train running non-stop to Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 30 minutes. It runs every 30 minutes during the day. You need an ABC zone ticket at **EUR 4.00**. The train station is directly under Terminal 1. **S-Bahn S9 and S45** also connect the airport to the city. The S9 runs to central Berlin (Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstrasse) in about 50 minutes. These trains are cheaper with an AB zone ticket at **EUR 3.50** if your hotel is within the AB zone. They run frequently and serve more stops. **Regional trains (RE7, RB14)** stop at the airport and connect to Hauptbahnhof and other stations. These are included in ABC zone tickets. **Taxis** line up at the rank outside both terminals. A taxi to central Berlin costs **EUR 45-65** and takes 30-50 minutes. Berlin taxis are metered and regulated. There is no flat rate to the city. **Uber and Bolt** operate at BER. Pickup is from designated areas. Fares to central Berlin run **EUR 35-55**, sometimes cheaper than taxis. Surge pricing applies during peak times. **Pre-booked private transfers** offer meet-and-greet in the arrivals hall. Sedan transfers to central Berlin cost **EUR 50-80**. Useful for groups, families, or travellers with lots of luggage. **Buses** connect the airport to various parts of the city, but trains are faster and more convenient for most travellers. --- ### Realistic pricing expectations | Destination | FEX/S-Bahn | Taxi | Uber/Bolt | Pre-booked transfer | |---|---|---|---|---| | Hauptbahnhof | **EUR 4.00** | **EUR 50-60** | **EUR 40-50** | **EUR 55-75** | | Alexanderplatz | **EUR 3.50-4.00** | **EUR 45-55** | **EUR 35-50** | **EUR 50-70** | | Potsdamer Platz | **EUR 3.50-4.00** | **EUR 45-55** | **EUR 35-50** | **EUR 50-70** | | Kurfurstendamm | **EUR 4.00** | **EUR 50-65** | **EUR 40-55** | **EUR 55-80** | | Friedrichshain | **EUR 3.50-4.00** | **EUR 40-55** | **EUR 35-45** | **EUR 50-70** | | Potsdam | **EUR 4.00** | **EUR 55-75** | **EUR 45-60** | **EUR 60-90** | Trains are dramatically cheaper. A family of four on the FEX pays **EUR 16** total compared to **EUR 50+** for a taxi. The trade-off is luggage handling and door-to-door convenience. --- ### Late night arrivals The FEX runs until approximately midnight and resumes around 4:30 AM. S-Bahn trains have similar hours but the S9 runs limited overnight service on weekends. Night buses (N7, N60) serve the airport but are slow. Taxis and rideshares operate 24 hours. If you arrive between midnight and 4:30 AM on a weekday, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is your practical option. The airport terminal stays open overnight with basic facilities. --- ### Families and luggage Trains are manageable with luggage outside rush hours. The FEX has dedicated luggage areas. However, navigating platforms with a stroller, multiple bags, and tired children is never easy. Lifts are available at the station but you need to find them. A taxi or transfer gives you door-to-door service and eliminates the logistics. Child seats are not standard in Berlin taxis but can be requested. Pre-booked transfers can provide child seats with advance notice. --- ### Where you meet the driver Taxis queue at the rank directly outside the terminal exits. Follow the taxi signs. Pre-booked transfer drivers meet you in the arrivals hall near the exit, holding a name sign. Confirm the exact meeting point when booking. Rideshare pickups are from designated zones near the terminal exits, marked with rideshare signage. The airport layout is logical and well-signed in German and English. --- ### Decision helper **Choose the FEX train if** you are comfortable with public transport, want the best price, and your accommodation is near a main station. **Choose the S-Bahn if** you want a cheaper ticket and your destination is on the S9 line. **Choose a taxi if** you have moderate luggage, want door-to-door service, and prefer not to navigate the train system. **Choose Uber/Bolt if** you want a slightly cheaper alternative to a taxi and are comfortable with the app. **Choose a pre-booked transfer if** you have a large group, lots of luggage, need child seats, or are arriving very late at night. 👉 This is the lowest-friction option after a long flight. --- ### Summary Berlin Brandenburg Airport has excellent train connections that make it one of the cheaper and easier airports to reach the city from. The FEX train is fast, frequent, and affordable. Taxis and rideshares fill the gap for those who want door-to-door convenience or are travelling with lots of luggage. The airport itself is modern and well-organized, making the whole process straightforward. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How do I get from BER to Berlin city centre?** The FEX train takes 30 minutes to Hauptbahnhof for **EUR 4.00**. Taxis cost **EUR 45-65** and take 30-50 minutes. Rideshares run **EUR 35-55**. **Q: What ticket do I need for the train from BER?** An ABC zone ticket at **EUR 4.00** covers the FEX and all regional trains to central Berlin. An AB ticket at **EUR 3.50** works for S-Bahn if your destination is within the AB zone. **Q: How often does the FEX train run?** Every 30 minutes during the day. The first train departs around 4:30 AM and the last around midnight. **Q: Where is the train station at BER airport?** Directly below Terminal 1. Follow the signs for trains from the arrivals level. From Terminal 2, there is a covered walkway to Terminal 1. **Q: How much is a taxi from BER to Alexanderplatz?** **EUR 45-55** by metered taxi. The ride takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. **Q: Does Uber work at Berlin Airport?** Yes. Uber and Bolt both operate at BER. Fares to central Berlin are typically **EUR 35-55**, often cheaper than metered taxis. **Q: Can I use a contactless card on Berlin trains?** Not yet for BVG/VBB tickets. You need to buy a ticket from the machines in the station or use the BVG app. The machines accept cards and have English language options. **Q: Is there a direct train from BER to Potsdam?** Regional trains connect BER to Potsdam with one change at a Berlin station, or you can take the S-Bahn. The journey takes about 60-80 minutes. A taxi costs **EUR 55-75**. **Q: How far is BER from Berlin city centre?** About 25 km south of central Berlin. Travel time is 30 minutes by train or 30-50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. **Q: Is Berlin Brandenburg Airport the only airport in Berlin?** Yes. Tegel (TXL) closed in 2020 and Tempelhof (THF) closed in 2008. BER is Berlin's only commercial airport. --- ## Additional Guides ### Arriving at Berlin Brandenburg Airport late at night **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/late-night 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**. --- ### Taxi vs private transfer vs train from Berlin Brandenburg Airport **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/taxi-vs-transfer Berlin Brandenburg Airport offers a genuine three-way choice: an excellent train connection, reliable taxis, and pre-booked transfers. The train changes the equation compared to airports without rail links. ## Side-by-side comparison to city centre | Factor | FEX train | Taxi | Pre-booked transfer | |---|---|---|---| | Price (1 person) | **EUR 4.00** | **EUR 45-65** | **EUR 50-80** | | Price (4 people) | **EUR 16.00** | **EUR 45-65** | **EUR 50-80** | | Journey time | 30 min to Hauptbahnhof | 30-50 min | 30-50 min | | Door to door | No — station to station | Yes | Yes | | Luggage handling | Self-service | Driver loads | Driver loads | | Child seats | N/A | Rarely available | On request | | Booking needed | No | No | Yes | | Runs at night | Until ~midnight | 24 hours | 24 hours | ## The train is hard to beat on value The FEX runs every 30 minutes, takes 30 minutes to Hauptbahnhof, and costs **EUR 4.00**. For solo travellers and couples heading to central Berlin, this is the obvious choice. You save **EUR 40+** and the journey is fast and reliable. The station is directly under Terminal 1 with escalators and lifts from the arrivals level. The S-Bahn (S9) takes longer at about 50 minutes to Alexanderplatz but serves more stops, which is useful if your hotel is near an S-Bahn station in eastern Berlin. ## When a taxi wins Taxis make sense when you have heavy luggage, are heading to an address far from a train station, or when the FEX has stopped running. Berlin taxis are metered, clean, and driven by licensed professionals. The ride from BER to most central locations costs **EUR 45-65**. During off-peak hours, the trip takes about 30 minutes, matching the train. Taxis also win for groups of three or four. A single taxi fare of **EUR 50** split four ways is **EUR 12.50** per person, not dramatically more than the **EUR 4.00** train ticket, and you get door-to-door service. ## When a transfer makes sense Pre-booked transfers are worth the premium for specific needs: child seats, a guaranteed vehicle type (MPV or van for groups), meet-and-greet service, or very late arrivals. The driver waits in the arrivals hall, monitors your flight, and handles luggage. For business travellers or families with young children, this convenience justifies the extra cost over a taxi. The transfer is also useful for destinations outside Berlin, such as Potsdam or locations in Brandenburg, where the taxi meter keeps running and the fare becomes uncertain. ## Bottom line Take the train if you can. It is fast, cheap, and efficient. Take a taxi if you have luggage reasons or the train is not running. Book a transfer if you need specific services that taxis cannot provide. Berlin makes the choice easy because the train option is genuinely excellent. --- ### Getting from Berlin Brandenburg Airport with kids and family **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/family-and-kids Berlin Brandenburg Airport is modern and well-organized, which helps when travelling with children. The main decision is whether to take the train (cheap and fast) or a car (convenient and door-to-door). ## Inside the airport with children The terminal is spacious with lifts connecting all levels. Baby-changing facilities are available in restrooms throughout both terminals. There is no dedicated children's play area in the arrivals zone, but the walk from baggage claim to either the train station or taxi rank is short and accessible. Trolleys are free. From Terminal 2, there is a covered walkway of about 5-10 minutes to Terminal 1 and the train station. This is manageable but adds to the journey with a stroller and bags. ## Transport for families | Option | Child seat | Luggage space | Door to door | Price to centre | |---|---|---|---|---| | FEX train | N/A | Luggage racks | No | **EUR 4.00** per adult, free under 6 | | S-Bahn | N/A | Limited | No | **EUR 3.50-4.00** | | Taxi | Rarely available | 2-3 large bags | Yes | **EUR 45-65** | | Pre-booked transfer (sedan) | On request | 2-3 large bags | Yes | **EUR 50-80** | | Pre-booked transfer (van) | On request | 5+ large bags | Yes | **EUR 70-110** | ## The train with children The FEX has dedicated luggage areas and is less crowded than the S-Bahn. Children under 6 ride free on Berlin public transport. The train station has lifts, but you need to find them, and platforms can be busy. During off-peak hours, the FEX with kids is perfectly manageable. During rush hours, it becomes stressful with a stroller and multiple bags. The main challenge is the last mile. The FEX takes you to Hauptbahnhof, but you then need to continue to your hotel by U-Bahn, S-Bahn, or taxi. With tired children, this second leg can feel longer than the first. ## Child seats in German taxis German law requires child seats for children under 12 or shorter than 150 cm. However, taxis are exempt from this requirement when used for short journeys. This means taxi drivers are not obligated to provide child seats. Most do not carry them. If you need car seats for your children, a pre-booked transfer is the way to go. Specify the ages and number of children when booking. ## Strollers and heavy luggage A family of four with two large suitcases, two carry-ons, and a stroller will find a standard sedan taxi tight. Request a van taxi at the rank or book a van transfer. On the train, this amount of luggage is manageable if you have a luggage trolley to the platform and someone to help load. ## Recommended approach For families with children old enough to walk and manage their own small bag, the FEX train is excellent value and an adventure for kids. For families with babies, toddlers, or lots of equipment, a pre-booked van transfer is worth the cost. The ride is direct, the driver handles luggage, and you can request car seats. --- ### Cost from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to the city centre **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/cost-to-city Berlin Brandenburg Airport is about 25 km south of the city centre. The good news is that Berlin has excellent public transport, making this one of the cheapest airport-to-city journeys in Europe. ## Price comparison by destination | Destination | Train | Taxi | Uber/Bolt | Pre-booked transfer | |---|---|---|---|---| | Hauptbahnhof | **EUR 4.00** (FEX, 30 min) | **EUR 50-60** | **EUR 40-50** | **EUR 55-75** | | Alexanderplatz | **EUR 3.50-4.00** (S9, 50 min) | **EUR 45-55** | **EUR 35-50** | **EUR 50-70** | | Potsdamer Platz | **EUR 3.50-4.00** | **EUR 45-55** | **EUR 35-50** | **EUR 50-70** | | Kurfurstendamm | **EUR 4.00** | **EUR 50-65** | **EUR 40-55** | **EUR 55-80** | | Friedrichshain | **EUR 3.50-4.00** | **EUR 40-55** | **EUR 35-45** | **EUR 50-70** | | Kreuzberg | **EUR 3.50-4.00** | **EUR 40-50** | **EUR 30-45** | **EUR 45-65** | | Potsdam | **EUR 4.00** | **EUR 55-75** | **EUR 45-60** | **EUR 60-90** | ## Understanding Berlin transport tickets Berlin's public transport is divided into zones. The airport is in zone C. Most of central Berlin is in zones A and B. - **AB ticket: EUR 3.50** — covers most of Berlin. Works for S-Bahn from BER if your destination is within the AB zone, but technically the journey starts in C. - **ABC ticket: EUR 4.00** — covers the airport zone and all of Berlin. Required for the FEX and technically correct for any journey starting at BER. The price difference is only **EUR 0.50**, so buying the ABC ticket avoids any risk of a fine. Tickets are available from machines at the station (cards accepted, English available) or via the BVG app. ## How traffic affects taxi prices Berlin taxis are metered. The base fare is **EUR 3.90**, plus **EUR 2.00** per km for the first 7 km, then **EUR 1.65** per km after that. Waiting time in traffic adds about **EUR 0.50** per minute. During rush hours (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM), the taxi fare can be **EUR 10-15** higher than off-peak due to slower traffic on the A113 motorway and city streets. ## The budget option The train is the clear budget winner. At **EUR 4.00** per person, a solo traveller saves **EUR 40+** compared to a taxi. Even for groups, trains are cheaper. A family of four pays **EUR 16** total on the FEX versus **EUR 50+** for a taxi. Children under 6 ride free on Berlin public transport. ## Tipping Tipping taxi drivers in Germany is customary but modest. Rounding up to the nearest euro or adding **5-10%** is standard. A **EUR 50** taxi fare might warrant a **EUR 3-5** tip. There is no tipping culture for pre-booked transfers, though it is appreciated. --- ## Related Pages - [Main arrival guide](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber) - [Late night arrivals](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/late-night) - [Taxi vs transfer](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/taxi-vs-transfer) - [Family & kids](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/family-and-kids) - [Cost to city](https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/ber/cost-to-city) --- ## Check before you land 👉 This route is actively served by AirportTransferPortal with fixed-price booking available before arrival. Check real vehicles and prices before your flight. Booking takes a few minutes and ensures someone is waiting when you arrive. --- ## Operational Note This guide reflects real operational conditions, pricing ranges, and traveler experience at Berlin (BER). Transfer availability is supported by AirportTransferPortal's verified supplier network. --- ## Attribution Published by AirportTransferPortal (airporttransferportal.com), a global airport transfer marketplace operated by Funny Tourism Ltd.