Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
BER opened in 2020, replacing both Tegel and Schönefeld. It has two terminals — T1 (main) and T5 (former Schönefeld, low-cost carriers). The train station is directly below T1.
FEX (Airport Express) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof: €3.80, 30 min. S9/S45 S-Bahn trains also connect to the city (€3.80, 45-55 min). Trains run from the station directly under the terminal.
Bus X7 to U-Bahn Rudow (€3.80, 10 min), then U7 to central Berlin. TXL bus to Alexanderplatz (€3.80, 40 min).
Berlin taxis are metered and honest. Airport to center costs €40-55. Germany has strict taxi regulations — scams are virtually nonexistent.
Kiwitaxi — Good German driver network. Fixed prices from €35 to central Berlin. Transparent pricing with vehicle photos.
GetTransfer — Bids from €28 to central Berlin. Cheaper than metered taxis for this 25 km route.
Read full GetTransfer review →
Uber works in Berlin but operates through licensed taxi partners. FreeNow is also popular. Both work at BER.
FEX train (30 min to Hauptbahnhof, from €3.80 with Berlin ABC ticket) is excellent and the recommended option for solo travelers. S-Bahn S9/S45 also connects to the city.
BER is far from everything: Unlike the old Tegel airport (which was right in the city), BER is 25 km south. Budget extra time for your first day, especially if meeting people.
AB vs ABC zones: BER is in zone C. The FEX train requires an ABC ticket (€3.80). If you've already bought an AB day pass for Berlin sightseeing, you'll need an extension ticket (€1.90) for the airport zone.
Late-night arrivals: After midnight, only the S9 train runs (every 20 min). Night buses N7 and N7X connect to central Berlin but take 60+ minutes. A pre-booked transfer is the most comfortable late-night option.
Payment in Germany: Germany is more cash-oriented than you'd expect. Many restaurants and shops don't accept credit cards. Have €50-100 in cash when you arrive — you can withdraw from airport ATMs.
| Service | Price range | Standout feature | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | €40–58 | In-terminal meet-and-greet, free child seats | Check price → |
| Kiwitaxi | €32–48 | Wide vehicle selection, transparent pricing | Check price → |
| GetTransfer | €25–40 | Bidding system — often cheapest | Check price → |
| intui.travel | €28–42 | Shared transfers, budget groups | Check price → |
Prices for a sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. See our full comparison for Berlin for detailed pricing by route.
Currency: EUR (€). ATMs are available in all airport terminals.
Language: German (excellent English widely spoken) Having your hotel address saved on your phone (screenshot or Google Maps pin) is always helpful for drivers.
Tipping: Rounding up by 5-10% is customary in Germany.
Safety: Berlin is safe. BER taxis are metered and honest — expect €45-55 to central Berlin.
SIM / connectivity: German SIM cards from O2, Vodafone, or Telekom at BER. EU roaming free for EU residents.
Tip 1: The FEX train is fast (30 min), cheap (€3.80 with ABC ticket), and runs every 30 min. Best option for solo travelers.
Tip 2: Berlin is spread out — specify your exact destination. Distances within Berlin can add significantly to transfer time.
Tip 3: BER is Berlin's only airport since Tegel closed. It's well-organized with clear transfer pickup zones.
Tip 4: For groups of 3+, a pre-booked transfer is comparable in price to multiple train tickets.
See how Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi, GetTransfer, and intui.travel compare for Berlin airport routes.
Compare all 4 services for this city →Traveling through the region? Check our airport transfer guides for these nearby cities:
Travel tip
Don't forget mobile data abroad — compare eSIM providers for your destination and stay connected from the moment you land.
