Quick answer: The fastest way from Berlin Airport (BER) to the city center is the FEX Airport Express: about 23 minutes to Hauptbahnhof, every 15 minutes, on a single Berlin ABC ticket (€5.00) that also covers the slower S-Bahn S9 and S45. A taxi costs about €60 to €70 and takes around 40 minutes. Between roughly 01:00 and 04:00 the trains pause, so take a night bus or taxi. All trains leave from the station directly below Terminal 1; see the BER train guide for every line.
Getting from Berlin Airport (BER) to Berlin city centre is quick and inexpensive. The fastest option is the FEX Airport Express, about 23 minutes to Hauptbahnhof, running every 15 minutes on a single Berlin ABC ticket (€5.00, fare set by VBB). The S-Bahn (S9 and S45) costs the same but is slower with more stops. A taxi runs about €60 to €70 and takes around 40 minutes. BER sits in fare zone C, so any train ticket must cover zones ABC.
Compare your options
| Option | Time to center | Cost | Frequency | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FEX Airport Express | ~23 min to Hbf | €5.00 (ABC) | every 15 min | Speed to Mitte / Hbf |
| S-Bahn S9 / S45 | ~45 min | €5.00 (ABC) | every ~20 min | Cheapest; many districts |
| Regional RB / RE | ~30 min | €5.00 (ABC) | every ~30 min | Direct to some areas |
| Taxi | ~40 min | €60 to €70 | on demand | Groups, luggage, late night |
| Ride-hail | ~40 min | €60 to €80 | on demand | Door-to-door |
One ABC ticket is needed per passenger on trains; one taxi or ride-hail fare covers up to about four people.
Try it yourself: our free Berlin Airport transfer cost calculator compares the exact price and journey time of the FEX, S-Bahn, regional trains, taxi and ride-hail for your group size and time of day.
Which option should you choose?
A quick guide by situation:
- Fastest: the FEX Airport Express, about 23 minutes to Hauptbahnhof.
- Cheapest: any train, since all cost the same €5.00 ABC ticket; the S-Bahn S9 reaches the most districts.
- Going to a central hub (Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz, Südkreuz): take the FEX, which stops there directly.
- Going to Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße or City West (Zoo): take the S-Bahn S9, or the FEX to Hauptbahnhof and change.
- A group of 3 or 4 with luggage: one taxi or ride-hail can match the cost of several train tickets and is door to door.
- Landing late (about 01:00 to 04:00): the FEX has stopped for the night, so use a night bus or a taxi.
How to get from Berlin Airport to the city center by train
Trains for the trip from Berlin Airport to Berlin city center leave from the station directly below Terminal 1. Buy a Berlin ABC single from the machines or the VBB or BVG app before boarding and validate it. The FEX Airport Express runs BER to Südkreuz, Potsdamer Platz and Hauptbahnhof. The S-Bahn S9 and S45 reach more districts but stop more often.
The station sits on level U2, directly under Terminal 1, a few minutes' walk from arrivals; follow the green "Bahnhof / Trains" signs down. From Terminal 2, go to arrivals level E0 first and follow the signs across. Tickets are sold at the platform machines (with an English option) and in the VBB, BVG and S-Bahn apps; if you buy a paper ticket, validate it in the stamping machine before you board.
| Where you are going | Best train | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) | FEX, direct | ~23 min |
| Potsdamer Platz | FEX, direct | ~19 min |
| Südkreuz | FEX, direct | ~14 min |
| Alexanderplatz | S9 direct, or FEX to Hbf then S-Bahn | ~35 min |
| Friedrichstraße | S9 direct, or FEX to Hbf then one stop | ~30 min |
| Zoologischer Garten / City West | S9 direct, or regional RE | ~45 min |
All of these trips use the same €5.00 ABC ticket; what changes is the route and time, not the price.
By taxi or ride-hail
Taxis use a meter, so expect about €60 to €70 to Berlin city center. Ride-hail apps such as Uber, Bolt and FREENOW pick up at the designated point and cost a similar range, higher at peak times. For two or more people with luggage, a single car can beat buying several train tickets.
Night transport
The FEX runs roughly 04:00 to 01:00. Outside those hours, use night services or a taxi, and plan ahead if you land late, because train frequency drops overnight.
Luggage, accessibility and a safety tip
Luggage: there is no extra charge for bags on Berlin trains, your ABC ticket covers you and your luggage. The FEX has dedicated luggage areas, and the S-Bahn and regional trains have open space by the doors.
Accessibility: BER is a modern, step-free airport. Lifts connect the arrivals level to the U2 platforms, and the FEX, S-Bahn and regional trains offer level or ramped boarding with wheelchair and pram spaces.
Safety tip: use only the official taxi rank outside Terminal 1 arrivals and check that the meter is running. Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a "fixed price" ride, as those informal fares are usually higher.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the train from Berlin Airport to the city centre?
What is the fastest way from BER to the city centre?
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi from Berlin Airport?
How do I get to the city if I land late at night?
Which train goes to Alexanderplatz from Berlin Airport?
Is Berlin Airport station step-free and does it have lifts?
Useful links: Transportation from Berlin Airport to Central Station (Hbf) · Berlin Airport Train
