Quick answer: The cheapest way from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to Potsdam is the direct RB22 regional train: it leaves from the station under Terminal 1 roughly once an hour and reaches Potsdam Hauptbahnhof in about 47-50 minutes for a single VBB ABC ticket, which costs 5.00 EUR as of 2026. If you just missed it, ride the FEX airport express to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (4 trains per hour, about 23 minutes) and change to a train toward Potsdam; the same ABC ticket covers the whole trip. A metered taxi takes about 40 minutes and usually lands around 80-100 EUR, while a pre-booked private transfer with a fixed price starts near 95-110 EUR.
Potsdam sits about 40 kilometers west of BER by road, on the far side of Berlin. That sounds awkward, but the connection is easier than most first-time visitors expect: there is a direct train, a fast two-leg rail route through the city, and a straightforward motorway run for taxis. This guide compares every option with 2026 prices so you can pick the right one for your arrival time, luggage, and budget.
Option 1: RB22 direct train , cheapest and simplest
The RB22 regional train is the only direct rail link between the airport and Potsdam. It departs from Flughafen BER station on level U2, directly under Terminal 1. From T1 arrivals you ride the escalators down two levels; from Terminal 2 allow an extra 10 minutes for the mostly covered walk to T1 first.
- Frequency: roughly one train per hour, from around 4:00 in the morning until close to midnight.
- Journey time: about 47-50 minutes to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof.
- Useful stops: the RB22 also calls at Potsdam Charlottenhof, Park Sanssouci, and Golm, which is handy if your hotel is on the west side of Potsdam or you are headed straight to Sanssouci Park.
- Ticket: a VBB single ticket for zones ABC, 5.00 EUR in 2026. Both BER and Potsdam sit in zone C, so one ticket covers the entire ride.
Buy the ticket at the DB or VBB machines before going down to the platform, or in the DB Navigator and BVG apps. Regional trains have generous luggage space near the doors, so a big suitcase is not a problem. If you are carrying more than you can roll comfortably, see our guide to luggage storage at BER for options before you leave the terminal.
The only real weakness of the RB22 is the hourly rhythm. If a flight delay makes you miss one, waiting up to 59 minutes on a platform is no fun, and that is exactly when the second option shines.
Option 2: FEX to Berlin Hauptbahnhof, then change toward Potsdam
Since the December 2025 timetable upgrade the FEX airport express runs four times per hour between BER and Berlin Hauptbahnhof, taking about 23 minutes with stops only at Südkreuz and Potsdamer Platz. At Hauptbahnhof you switch to a regional train toward Potsdam (about 25 minutes) or the S7 S-Bahn (about 35 minutes, running every 10 minutes at daytime).
Total door-to-door time is usually 60-75 minutes, so slightly longer than the direct RB22, but departures are far more frequent and you are never stuck waiting long. The pricing is the pleasant surprise: a single VBB ABC ticket is valid for two hours of travel in one direction, so the same 5.00 EUR ticket covers the FEX, the change in Berlin, and the leg to Potsdam. Do not board an ICE or IC long-distance train with it, though; those need a separate Deutsche Bahn ticket.
For a full breakdown of the airport's rail lines, platforms, and how the FEX compares with the S-Bahn, see our BER airport train guide, which also covers the Hauptbahnhof leg in detail.
One more money note: if you already hold a Deutschland-Ticket (63 EUR per month in 2026), it is valid on the RB22, the FEX, and all S-Bahn trains, so this whole trip costs you nothing extra.
Option 3: Taxi from the rank
Taxis wait outside Terminal 1 arrivals around the clock. The drive to central Potsdam takes about 40 minutes in normal traffic, heading around the southern edge of Berlin on the A113 and A10/A115 motorways. Expect the meter to land somewhere around 80-100 EUR depending on your exact address and traffic; there is no fixed-fare deal for Potsdam, so the meter decides.
Rush hour matters here more than on the train. Between roughly 7:00-9:30 and 16:00-18:30 on weekdays the motorway ring can add 15-20 minutes and a noticeable chunk to the fare. Details on ranks, surcharges, and how Berlin taxi tariffs work are on our BER taxi page.
Option 4: Pre-booked private transfer
A private transfer costs a little more than a street taxi but removes the two things travelers dislike most after a flight: fare uncertainty and finding the driver. You get a fixed price confirmed in advance (from around 95-110 EUR for a standard sedan to Potsdam as of mid-2026), a driver who tracks your flight and waits if you are late, and a meet-and-greet in the arrivals hall. For families with car seats, groups of three or four sharing the cost, or arrivals after midnight when the RB22 has stopped, it is usually the most sensible choice. You can compare current prices for your exact date in our transfer cost calculator.
Option 5: Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow
Ride-hailing apps operate at BER from designated pickup points; follow the app's directions rather than the taxi signs. To Potsdam the app price typically undercuts the metered taxi somewhat, though surge pricing after a wave of late-evening arrivals can erase that advantage quickly. Treat the apps as a price check against the rank rather than a guaranteed saving, and compare both before you commit.
At a glance: BER to Potsdam in 2026
| Option | Time | Cost (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RB22 direct train | 47-50 min | 5.00 EUR (ABC) | Budget, no changes |
| FEX + change at Hbf | 60-75 min | 5.00 EUR (ABC) | Just missed the RB22 |
| Taxi (metered) | ~40 min | ~80-100 EUR | Door to door, no booking |
| Private transfer | ~40 min | from ~95-110 EUR | Fixed price, night arrivals, families |
| Uber / Bolt / FreeNow | ~40 min | varies, often under taxi | App users, price checking |
Arriving late at night?
This is the one scenario where Potsdam gets genuinely tricky. The last direct RB22 leaves the airport close to midnight, and after that public transport toward Potsdam thins out to slow night connections through Berlin. If your flight lands after 23:00, plan on a taxi, a ride-hailing app, or ideally a transfer booked in advance, since a pre-booked driver will wait even when the flight slips past 1:00. Our guide to arriving at BER late at night covers which services are still running hour by hour.
Which option should you pick?
Traveling solo or as a couple with normal luggage, arriving at a civilized hour: take the RB22, and nothing else comes close on value. Missed it by a few minutes: FEX to Hauptbahnhof and change, same ticket. Landing late, traveling with small children, or splitting the cost three or four ways: book a transfer with a fixed price and let someone else worry about the motorway. The 5 EUR train and the 100 EUR car both get you to Sanssouci; the right answer depends entirely on when you land and who is with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Berlin Airport to Potsdam?
Yes. The RB22 regional train runs directly from Flughafen BER station (level U2 under Terminal 1) to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof roughly once an hour, taking about 47-50 minutes. It also stops at Potsdam Charlottenhof, Park Sanssouci, and Golm.
How much is the train ticket from BER to Potsdam in 2026?
You need a VBB single ticket for zones ABC, which costs 5.00 EUR as of January 2026. One ticket covers the whole journey, including the two-leg route via Berlin Hauptbahnhof, because it is valid for two hours in one direction.
How much does a taxi from BER to Potsdam cost?
Expect around 80-100 EUR on the meter for the roughly 40-minute drive, depending on traffic and your exact address in Potsdam. There is no fixed taxi fare for this route. Pre-booked private transfers offer a fixed price from about 95-110 EUR.
Does Uber work from Berlin Airport to Potsdam?
Yes. Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow all serve BER from designated pickup points outside the terminals. App prices to Potsdam are often somewhat below the metered taxi fare, but surge pricing during busy arrival waves can change that, so compare before booking.
What if I land after midnight?
The last direct RB22 leaves close to midnight. After that, realistic options are a taxi from the rank, a ride-hailing app, or a pre-booked transfer whose driver monitors your flight and waits for delayed arrivals. Night public transport toward Potsdam exists but is slow and involves changes.
Is the Deutschland-Ticket valid for this trip?
Yes. The Deutschland-Ticket (63 EUR per month in 2026) covers the RB22, the FEX, and all S-Bahn trains on this route, since they are regional services. It is not valid on ICE or IC long-distance trains.
About the author
Lena Hoffmann is the Berlin Airport editor of this guide. She has been covering BER since its opening in 2020, test-riding its trains, buses, and transfer routes, and keeping the price tables honest. She lives in Berlin and passes through the airport most weeks.
