Getting from Berlin Airport (BER) to Berlin city center 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 €50 to €60 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 | €50 to €60 | on demand | Groups, luggage, late night |
| Ride-hail | ~40 min | €45 to €65 | 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.
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.
By taxi or ride-hail
Taxis use a meter, so expect about €50 to €60 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.
