The Airport Express trains (FEX) provide the fastest direct public transportation from Flughafen Berlin-Brandenburg Willy Brandt (BER) to Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz, and Südkreuz in 2026 with easy connections to Mitte, Kurfürstendamm, Zoologischer Garten, and central Berlin.
Getting to downtown Berlin from Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport Willy Brandt (BER) is fastest on the Airport Express trains (Flughafen Express FEX). Four trains per hour connect Berlin Hauptbahnhof and the Airport in only 23 minutes.
In 2026, the Airport Express (FEX) trains stop only at Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz, and Südkreuz. For most travelers to central Berlin, connecting at these three stations is the best way to get to the city from the airport. The slower S9 train still follows the original route via central Berlin to Spandau and remains a good choice for destinations in East Berlin.
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 Berlin Airport Station from Arrivals
Berlin Airport Station (Flughafen BER) is in the basement of Terminal 1 (level U2). From arrivals, follow directions to the station (Bahnhof, Züge, or train pictograms). It is a short, mostly covered walk from Terminal 2.
Buy an ABC ticket from the vending machines before going to the platforms. (Paper tickets may require validation.)
Take the Airport Express (FEX), unless your destination favors the S-Bahn trains.
Travel by Flughafen Express Trains (FEX) from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in 2026
The Airport Express (FEX – Flughafen Express) trains link Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (BER) and Berlin Hauptbahnhof in 23 minutes, four times per hour from 4 am to 1 am.
The Berlin Airport Express (FEX) trains stop only at:
- Flughafen BER: the train station in the basement of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 1 (easy walk from Terminal 2).
- Berlin-Südkreuz (15 minutes): change here for S-Bahn Ring S41 and S42 trains, as well as some long-distance trains, to the south of Berlin. (It is easier to change here, but the Hauptbahnhof is a more pleasant place to spend time if a connection is missed.)
- Potsdamer Platz (19 minutes): change here to S-Bahn S1 or S2, trains to destinations in the north of the city and Oranienburg, U-Bahn U2 (e.g., to Alexanderplatz, Stadtmitte, Zoologischer Garten, and West Berlin).
- Hauptbahnhof (23 minutes): Berlin’s main central train station.
Regional Express train RE20 follows the same route as FEX once per hour (but continues past the airport to Lübbenau).
The Berlin Airport Express (FEX – Flughafen Express) uses double-decker trains with flat-floor, wheelchair access to the lower levels.
Use FEX If…
- your hotel is near Hauptbahnhof or Potsdamer Platz
- you want the simplest option
- you are arriving for the first time in Berlin
- you want the fastest trip downtown
[Note: The Berlin Airport Express (FEX) trains changed routes from 14 December 2025 — older guides may still have outdated information.]
Alternatives to the Berlin Airport Express Train
A few alternatives to the Berlin Airport express train are worth considering if it cuts out the need for an extra transfer, or if your destination is closer to a U-Bahn station:
- The slower S-Bahn S9 trains follow the traditional Berlin Stadtbahn stations to Spandau. Travel time is longer, but the S-Bahn remains handy if it cuts out the need for a transfer.
- The U-Bahn (metro U7) option is often overlooked. It is an obvious choice for Neukölln / Kreuzberg, but also many other destinations away from the main railway stations. The short bus ride between Berlin Airport and Radow U7 station is an easy transfer. The high frequency (every 5 to 10 minutes, including weekend nights) means no missed-connection stress.
- A few Intercity trains also follow the Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Airport route. They are not faster than the FEX, and standard ABC tickets are not valid. (Avoid if traveling only inside Berlin.)
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 train station at Berlin Airport is officially Flughafen BER — Terminal 1&2 was dropped from the name, as Terminal 5 is now permanently closed. Buses and trains stop only at Terminal 1. It is a short, mostly covered walk to Terminal 2.
Best Berlin Airport Train by Destination
Berlin Airport Transportation Tip:
Direct trains are usually better than slightly faster routes with multiple transfers — especially when traveling with luggage.
| Destination | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hauptbahnhof | FEX | Fastest and simplest |
| Potsdamer Platz | FEX | Direct in 19 minutes |
| Alexanderplatz | S9 | Slower but direct |
| Friedrichstraße | S9 | Avoids changing trains |
| Zoologischer Garten | FEX + transfer | Much faster overall |
| Neukölln / Kreuzberg | U7 + X7 | Often easier than central train stations |
By S-Bahn (S9 or S85) from Berlin Brandenburg Airport
The number of S-Bahn and regional trains at Berlin Airport was reduced in 2026 as the FEX trains are now very frequent and offer the fastest connections to most parts of the city.
Only two S-Bahn trains (S9 and S85) stop directly at Flughafen BER. (S45 no longer operates.) These S-Bahn trains are much slower than the Airport Express trains when traveling to Central Berlin, but could be faster when stopping at more convenient stations, especially to the east and northeast of Berlin.
Both S-Bahn trains from Berlin Airport depart three times per hour:
- S9 – S-Bahn trains run from Berlin Airport via Ostkreuz to Spandau. It stops at the traditional Berlin Stadtbahn stations, including amongst others: Ostkreuz, Ostbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, Hauptbahnhof, Zoologischer Garten, and Charlottenburg. Travel time from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof is around 50 minutes when using S9, but this direct train may offer convenience to destinations to the east of the main station.
- S85 – a new S-Bahn line that links Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BBI / BER) with Wittenau Frohnau (weekdays) and Pankow (weekends) via Schöneweide, Treptower Park, Ostkreuz (many transfer options), Frankfurter Allee, and Schönhauser Allee.
In contrast to the other trains, the S-Bahn trains may stop at S Schönefeld (bei Berlin) station (previously Flughafen BER Terminal 5, which is now permanently closed). If using the wrong station, simply take the next train (the fare is covered) and note that Waßmannsdorf S-Bahn station has no links to the airport.
Use the S9 Instead of the FEX If…
- your destination is near Alexanderplatz
- you want to avoid changing trains
- your hotel is in East Berlin
- you prefer direct trains over slightly faster connections
Walking between Schönefeld (former Terminal 5) and the other terminals is not possible. Terminal 5 is no longer in use — all passenger flights arrive and depart from Berlin Airport Terminals 1 or 2. All ground transportation departs from Terminal 1, which is a five-minute, mostly covered walk from Terminal 2.
When is the S-Bahn Better than the Berlin Airport Express FEX Trains?
Both the Airport Express (FEX) trains and S-Bahn S9 trains connect Berlin Airport and Hauptbahnhof. The price is the same and both trains run frequently, but follow different routings.
The easier transfer to your final destination should be the most important factor. Direct is usually better than fast, and one transfer is better than two. Transfers may require walking, stairs, finding the next train, and possibly missed connections. Luggage adds hassle — most stations have elevators or escalators (but probably at the other end of the platform from where you’ve just exited a long train!)
For S-Bahn stations to the east of Hauptbahnhof (including Friedrichstraße, Hackescher Markt, and Alexanderplatz), the comfort of the direct S9 trains probably outweighs the few minutes saved when using the Airport Express plus a transfer to a new train.
For example, from Berlin Airport to top destinations in central Berlin:
- Berlin Hauptbahnhof: FEX — 23 minutes, 4 times per hour (or S9 — 50 minutes, 3 times per hour)
- Alexanderplatz:
- Direct: S9: ~43 minutes, 3 times per hour.
- With transfer: ~32 minutes via Potsdamer Platz (FEX plus U-Bahn U2), or ~35 minutes via Hauptbahnhof (FEX plus RE / S-Bahn)
- Zoologischer Bahnhof:
- Direct: S9: ~56 minutes, 3 times per hour.
- With transfer: ~36 minutes via Potsdamer Platz (FEX plus U-Bahn U2), or ~35 minutes via Hauptbahnhof (FEX plus RE / S-Bahn)
BVG often lists more than 12 connections per hour between Berlin Airport and Alexanderplatz, taking less than 45 minutes. However, sensible travelers stick to the FEX or S9 — missing a connection here will cost you 5~10 minutes; on more complex routings, it could be up to an hour.
Best Transportation from Berlin Airport by Area
Berlin Airport Transportation Tip:
Direct trains are usually better than slightly faster routes with multiple transfers — especially when traveling with luggage.
The simplest option is usually to leave Berlin Airport on the FEX train and change at the Hauptbahnhof for other destinations in Berlin. Change already at Potsdamer Platz to the U2 (or S1 & S2 for northern Berlin). Use the direct S9 for stops east of the Hauptbahnhof. Other routings may save a few minutes but add complications and uncertainty.
| Berlin Area | Best Option | Change at: |
|---|---|---|
| Hauptbahnhof & Government District | FEX direct (23 min) | |
| Potsdamer Platz | FEX direct (19 min) | |
| Alexanderplatz | S9 direct (or FEX + U2) | Direct (or Potsdamer Platz) |
| Friedrichstraße | S9 direct (or FEX + S1/2) | Direct (or Potsdamer Platz) |
| Checkpoint Charlie | FEX + U2 | Potsdamer Platz |
| Unter den Linden & Brandenburger Tor | FEX + U5 | Hauptbahnhof |
| Kreuzberg / Neukölln | U7 + X7 | via Rüdow |
| Zoologischer Garten & Kurfürstendam | FEX + transfer | U2 at Potsdamer Platz / S-Bahn at Hauptbahnhof |
| Spandau | FEX + regional train | Hauptbahnhof |
| Potsdam City | Direct regional train |
Other Public Transportation Options from Berlin Airport
For most travelers, trains are the easiest, fastest, and cheapest transportation to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), especially as the fare is a standard ABC Berlin public transportation ticket. The stations in Berlin have many connections to other forms of public transportation to get passengers to their final destinations.
Maintenance and construction on Berlin railway lines are seemingly constant and endless. It is worth being aware of alternatives, especially the U-Bahn trains plus a short bus ride, which are often good alternatives to many places in Berlin, further away from the main Airport Express stations.
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 FEX Train FAQ
What is the fastest train from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to central Berlin?
The FEX Airport Express trains are the fastest public transportation from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to central Berlin. FEX trains connect Berlin Hauptbahnhof and BER in around 23 minutes.
Which stations does the FEX Airport Express stop at?
In 2026, FEX Airport Express trains stop only at Flughafen BER, Berlin-Südkreuz, Potsdamer Platz, and Berlin Hauptbahnhof.
Is the S9 train better than the FEX from Berlin Airport?
The S9 train is slower than the FEX but can be more convenient for destinations in East Berlin, such as Alexanderplatz and Friedrichstraße, because it avoids changing trains.
Which ticket is needed from Berlin Airport to downtown Berlin?
A standard Berlin ABC public transportation ticket is valid on FEX Airport Express trains, S-Bahn trains, U-Bahn trains, buses, and most regional trains between Berlin Brandenburg Airport and central Berlin.
Where is the train station at Berlin Brandenburg Airport?
Berlin Airport Station (Flughafen BER) is below Terminal 1 on level U2. It is connected to Terminal 2 by a short indoor walk.
Is the U-Bahn useful from Berlin Airport?
The U7 plus X7 bus connection is often a convenient alternative from Berlin Airport, especially for destinations in Neukölln and Kreuzberg. The route runs very frequently, including late at night.