How do I get from the airport to Berlin?

Berlin has one commercial airport. Berlin Brandenburg (BER) opened in October 2020 after nearly a decade of construction delays. It replaced both Tegel and Schönefeld. The train station sits directly beneath Terminal 1-2, one level down from arrivals. Follow the red DB signs. The FEX airport express departs roughly every 30 minutes and reaches Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 30 minutes, with stops at Ostkreuz and Gesundbrunnen. A single ABC ticket costs €4.40 (about $5.10 at the current exchange rate). Buy it from the red DB machines on the platform level, or use the BVG app. Paper tickets must be validated before boarding. Stamp yours in the yellow boxes on the platform. The FEX runs from about 4:30am to 11:30pm on most days.

If the FEX timing doesn't line up, the S9 covers a similar route but makes all local stops. It takes about 50 minutes to reach Alexanderplatz. The S45 heads south to Südkreuz in roughly 25 minutes, which tends to be more useful if your hotel is in Schöneberg or Kreuzberg. Regional trains RE7 and RB14 also stop at BER and reach Hauptbahnhof in times comparable to the FEX. All of these run on the same €4.40 ABC ticket. Mind you, the Deutschlandticket at €58 per month covers every local and regional train in Germany. At 3 rides a day, you break even on it by day 5.

After the last FEX departs around 11:30pm, taxis line up at the rank outside Terminal 1. A metered ride to Alexanderplatz or Friedrichstraße tends to land between €45 and €55. Night surcharges apply after 10pm. Berlin taxis run on meters by law, so refuse any flat-rate offer from a driver who approaches you inside the terminal. Bolt and Uber both operate in Berlin, but late-night pricing often pushes their fares above the taxi meter. For late arrivals, BVG runs night bus service between BER and central Berlin through the early hours. The fare is still €4.40, and the ride takes about 50 minutes. Slower, yes. But €50 cheaper than a cab.

One thing that catches first-timers at BER. There are no turnstiles. Berlin's transit runs on an honor system, and you can walk onto any platform and board without showing a ticket. Plainclothes inspectors patrol frequently, and the fine for riding unvalidated is €60 on the spot. The BVG app activates your ticket digitally, so there's nothing to stamp. That tends to be the easier option if your phone has data. On a June afternoon, the underground platform at BER stays cool compared to the warm, sticky terminal building above. A filter coffee from the stand on platform level runs about €3.