The U-Bahn U7 and Express Bus X7 via Rudow offer an alternative to the fast Airport Express FEX trains when traveling from Berlin Airport to central Berlin.
U-Bahn train U7 and express bus X7 offer an alternative from Berlin Airport to many destinations on the city’s vast metro network. The U-Bahn is slower than FEX and S-Bahn trains but operates at very high frequencies and all night on weekends. To Neukölln, Hermannplatz, Mehringdamm, and some destinations in West Berlin with U-Bahn U7 stations, this simple bus-to-metro transfer at Rudow station is the best choice from the airport.
Berlin Airport Transportation: Quick Guide
All downtown Berlin ↔ Berlin Airport public transportation options cost the same — a standard ABC ticket. Select whatever service is best for your destination:
- Airport Express Trains (FEX): fastest to Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz & Südkreuz. Trains every 15 minutes.
- S-Bahn: best to East Berlin, slower but direct to Alexanderplatz, Hackescher Markt & Friedrichstraße. S-Bahn S9 runs every 20 minutes.
- U-Bahn: easy access to Berlin’s extensive metro network, but requires a short bus ride (X7) between Berlin Airport and Rudow U7. Very high frequency (every 5 to 10 minutes). Also works late at night.
Start your transfer from Berlin Airport to central Berlin only by FEX, S9, or bus X7, unless you have a very good reason not to. Any other train may add unnecessary complications.
→ Plan journeys at BVG — avoid multi-transfer suggestions whenever possible!
A private transfer directly to your destination is comfortable, especially late at night and when traveling with luggage, but it will never be cheaper than the train.
The Berlin Welcome Card is a good tourist option that includes transportation and discounts to major sights.
Berlin public transportation ticket prices in 2026: €4 for AB and €5 for ABC tickets.
How to Get to the U-Bahn and Bus X7 from Arrivals
Express buses X7 and X71 depart from outside Berlin Airport Terminal 1 on the arrivals level (E0) from stops A6 and A7. From arrivals, exit the terminal by following directions to the bus stops or taxis. (From Terminal, it is a short, mostly covered walk on the arrivals level.)
Buy an ABC ticket from the vending machines (preferred) or from the bus driver. (Paper tickets may require validation.)
Buses X7 and X71 (N7 at night) travel to Rudow U-Bahn station in less than 15 minutes, every ten minutes.
Public Transportation Map to Berlin Brandenburg Airport BER
The transportation map shows only the U-Bahn (metro) U7 that stops near the airport — many very convenient connections are possible along the line to bring travelers easily to many parts of Berlin. Changing to the airport bus at Rudow station is simple and fast.
As Schönefeld (previously BER Terminal 5 or SXF) is now permanently closed, buses X7 and X71 no longer stop here en route to Airport Terminals 1 and 2.
By U-Bahn Train U7 to Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Plans to connect Berlin’s new airport with the U-Bahn metro train network were dropped for financial reasons. However, U-Bahn station Rudow on line U7 is a short bus ride from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and a very good option for many travelers.
From Berlin Brandenburg Airport, buses X7 and X71 connect to U Rudow station every five minutes for most of the day. The bus ride is only around 10 minutes, with U-Bahn trains departing every five minutes as well. (Use bus N7 at night — twice per hour.)
Bus X7 and X71 depart from bus stops A 6-7 at Berlin Airport (Terminal 1) while the bus stop at U Rudow is directly in front of the entrance to the metro. Signposting is very clear, or follow anyone with a suitcase.
U-Bahn line U7 operates from around 4 am to midnight and longer hours on weekends.
Use U7 + X7 If…
- your hotel is in Neukölln or Kreuzberg
- you arrive late at night
- you want very frequent service
- you prefer easy metro travel over train stations
- you want to avoid changing trains at Hauptbahnhof
- you’re heading for destinations in West Berlin without S-Bahn stations
Best Destinations for U7 + X7
| Destination | Why U7 Works Well |
|---|---|
| Neukölln | Direct and very frequent |
| Hermannplatz | No train transfers |
| Kreuzberg | Easier than FEX + U-Bahn |
| Mehringdamm | Probably the best option overall |
| Bayerischer Platz | Direct metro access |
| Adenauerplatz | Simple one-line journey |
| Rathaus Spandau | Slow but higher frequency than FEX or S9 |
When is U-Bahn U7 Best from Berlin Airport
The speed and the frequency of the Airport Express (FEX) trains made it usually the best choice for traveling from Berlin Airport. Transfers to other lines are generally simple, but on a first visit to Berlin, and when traveling with luggage, direct trains may be easier even if a bit slower.
U-Bahn line U7 cuts several wide S-curves through Berlin on its way from the south to Spandau in the northwest of the city. Traveling all the way from Berlin airport to Spandau by bus and U7 takes 1h20 — the same as the less frequent direct S9 trains. U7 stops more frequently in Spandau, so you may more easily reach your final destination without a further transfer. (Travel via Berlin Hauptbahnhof on FEX trains is much faster, but of course, requires a transfer.)
For many other stops, traveling may be faster using U7 rather than transferring from the FEX. Major stops on the U-Bahn U7 line with important transportation connections include, amongst others (minutes from Radow), Johannisthaler Chaussee (6), Neukölln (13), Hermannplatz (18), Mehringdamm (23), Yorckstraße (26), Kleistpark (28), Bayerischer Platz (30), Fehrbelliner Platz (34), Adenauerplatz (37), Wilmersdorfer Str (38), Jungfernheide (44), Jakob-Kaiser-Platz (45), and Rathaus Spandau (57).
Up to Mehringdamm, the U7 would always be my first choice. Further along the line, the ease of reaching your final destination on U7 may still outweigh the longer travel time. You only save 10 minutes with two extra transfers if you make both connections and don’t spend 11 minutes trying to find your way.
Check travel recommendations at BVG for your specific destination and exact travel date. I recommend favoring ease of travel over the absolute shortest journey time. The high frequency of U7 (every 5 to 10 minutes) also cuts out any connection stress.
Other Buses from Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Bus X71 to Alt Mariendorf (U-Bahn U6) is mostly useful to reach Rudow (U7). The new routing of the Airport Express made FEX trains a better option to reach U6 stations than this bus.
Several further buses are available from Berlin Brandenburg Airport, but these are only of interest to local travelers.
For long-distance and intercity buses, Flixbus provides cheap transportation directly from the airport to many destinations in Germany and Poland. Flixbus sometimes offers spectacularly good deals if booked well in advance.
For most travelers, and especially foreign tourists, the Airport Express train to Berlin Hauptbahnhof and the city center is the best transportation from Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
2026: Berlin Public Transportation Bus and Trains Ticket Prices
Berlin public transportation prices in 2026 are as follows:
| Berlin Transport Ticket Prices in € | AB (2026) | ABC (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Prices in € | AB (2026) | ABC (2026) |
| Single: | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| 24-Hours | 11.20 | 12.90 |
| 24-Hours (Group of 5) | 35.30 | 37.70 |
| Berlin Welcome Card 72h | 37.50 | 42.90 |
| Deutschland Ticket Monthly Subscription | 64.00 | 64.00 |
Note: Single tickets are valid for 120 minutes, transfers are allowed, but no return or circular journeys. A Kurzstrecke (€2.80) is valid for 3 train or 6 bus stops — no transfers or journey interruptions. AB is central Berlin, while ABC covers the larger Berlin area, including travel to the Airport, Potsdam, and Oranienburg.
Transportation from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in 2026
All public transportation options from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to downtown Berlin require an ABC ticket — €5 in 2026. Many further deals and passes offer savings.
- The Airport Express (FEX) trains or S-Bahn S9 trains are the best option for most travelers.
- The U-Bahn train plus bus X7 is worth considering for destinations not close to an S-Bahn station.
- Use direct trains or buses to Potsdam (City) from Berlin Airport.
- 🚖 Check private transfer prices — direct and convenient when traveling late night or with luggage.
Note: Berlin Airport train routes and schedules changed drastically from mid-December 2025 — some guide still have outdated information.
[BER Terminal 5 (previously Schönefeld SXF) closed permanently — all airport transportation stop only at Terminal 1; short walk to Terminal 2.]
Berlin Airport U7 and X7 FAQ
Is U-Bahn U7 useful from Berlin Brandenburg Airport?
U-Bahn U7 and express bus X7 are often the best transportation choice from Berlin Brandenburg Airport for destinations such as Neukölln, Hermannplatz, Kreuzberg, and parts of West Berlin.
How do I reach the U-Bahn from Berlin Airport?
Express buses X7 and X71 connect Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 1 with Rudow U-Bahn station in around 10 to 15 minutes. Buses depart from stops A6 and A7 outside the arrivals level.
Which ticket is needed for U-Bahn U7 and bus X7 from Berlin Airport?
A standard Berlin ABC public transportation ticket is valid on U-Bahn U7, buses X7 and X71, S-Bahn trains, FEX Airport Express trains, and most public transportation between Berlin Airport and central Berlin.
Does the U-Bahn run all night from Berlin Airport?
U-Bahn U7 operates all night on weekends. During the night, bus N7 provides airport connections between Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Rudow station.
Is the U-Bahn faster than FEX Airport Express trains?
FEX Airport Express trains are usually faster to central Berlin. However, U-Bahn U7 may be easier and sometimes faster overall for destinations directly on the U7 line because fewer transfers are required.
Which Berlin neighborhoods are easiest to reach using U-Bahn U7?
U-Bahn U7 works especially well for Neukölln, Kreuzberg, Hermannplatz, Mehringdamm, Bayerischer Platz, Adenauerplatz, and other destinations on the U7 metro line.