Airport Metro Guide

Berlin Airport (BER) Metro & S-Bahn Guide 2026

How to get from Berlin Brandenburg (BER) to central Berlin via FEX express, S-Bahn S9/S45, regional trains, and U-Bahn connections. Costs, times, and which option fits your destination.

Quick Answer

BER is 26 km southeast of central Berlin. FEX (Flughafen Express) is the fastest — Hauptbahnhof in 30 min, €4.40, every 30 min. S-Bahn S9 is the most frequent — Friedrichstraße in 40 min, €4.40, every 20 min, 24-hour weekend service. Both stop at Ostkreuz for U-Bahn transfers. No direct U-Bahn (metro) at BER — connect via Friedrichstraße U6 or Alexanderplatz U2/U5/U8.

FEX + S-Bahn S9 — stops on the map

FEX stops only at Ostkreuz, Gesundbrunnen + Hauptbahnhof. S9 stops at every station shown. Both depart from the same BER platform.

Transport Options from BER

FEX (Flughafen Express)

€4.40 (AB zone)•~30 min to Hauptbahnhof

Direct express, every 30 min. Stops: Ostkreuz → Gesundbrunnen → Hauptbahnhof. The fastest BER → central option.

S-Bahn S9

€4.40 (AB zone)•~40 min to Friedrichstraße

Runs via Adlershof, Ostkreuz, Treptower Park, Ostbahnhof, Friedrichstraße, Westkreuz. Every 20 min, 24/7 weekend service.

S-Bahn S45

€4.40 (AB zone)•~30 min to Südkreuz

Goes north to Südkreuz only — useful if your hotel is south Berlin. Every 20 min.

Regional trains (RE7, RB14, RB22)

€4.40•~35 min to Hauptbahnhof

Deutsche Bahn regional trains running BER → Hauptbahnhof via Ostkreuz. Less frequent (every 60 min) but comfortable.

Bus X7 + U-Bahn U7

€3.50•~50 min to Hermannplatz

Express bus to Rudow U7 terminus, then U7 metro. Cheaper but slow. Useful only for South Neukölln destinations.

Taxi / Uber

€55–80•40–60 min to Mitte

Fixed fare option available (~€55 from BER to Mitte). Uber Black/X work. Slow in rush hour — train is always faster.

Routes by Berlin Area

Area	Method	Time	Cost
Mitte / Brandenburg Gate	FEX to Hauptbahnhof + 10 min walk	~40 min	€4.40
Alexanderplatz	S9 direct	~45 min	€4.40
Kreuzberg / Friedrichshain	S9 to Ostbahnhof / Warschauer Str.	~45 min	€4.40
Prenzlauer Berg	FEX to Gesundbrunnen + tram	~50 min	€4.40
Charlottenburg / Zoo	S9 to Charlottenburg	~75 min	€4.40
Potsdam	Regional Express RE7 direct	~55 min	€8.50

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest train from BER to Berlin Hauptbahnhof?

The FEX (Flughafen Express) is the fastest — direct from BER Terminal 1-2 to Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 30 minutes for €4.40 (AB tariff). It runs every 30 minutes, stopping only at Ostkreuz and Gesundbrunnen. The S9 S-Bahn is similar price but takes ~40 minutes with more stops. For evening business arrivals, FEX is the no-brainer.

Does BER have a metro (U-Bahn) connection?

No direct U-Bahn (metro) at BER. The closest U-Bahn is U7 at Rudow, accessible via Bus X7. For most travellers, the S-Bahn S9 + transfer to U-Bahn at Friedrichstraße (U6) or Alexanderplatz (U2/U5/U8) is the right move. BVG's integrated S+U+Bus+Tram system means one ticket covers your full journey to any U-Bahn stop.

How much is a single ticket from BER to central Berlin?

A single AB-zone ticket (covering BER and all central Berlin) is €4.40 — buy from the orange BVG machines on the BER train platform. The ticket is valid 2 hours including transfers to U-Bahn, tram, or bus. Day tickets (AB) are €10.60 — better value if you're making 3+ journeys. Validate by stamping at the yellow box on the platform before boarding.

How safe is BER station at night?

Very safe. BER train station has 24/7 lighting, active BVG security, video surveillance, and consistent passenger volume from overnight long-haul arrivals. S9 runs 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights. The FEX stops at 22:30 — use S9 or regional trains for late arrivals.

Is there left-luggage at BER?

Yes — left-luggage facilities are at Terminal 1, level E0 (arrivals level) near the InfoPoint. Open 06:00–22:00. Cost is €5–10 per piece per 24 hours depending on size. Useful for layovers between BER flights or if you want to explore Berlin during a long stopover. Schönefeld old terminal (T5) is closed.

Can I get to BER from western Berlin (Charlottenburg) easily?

Yes — take S9 from Spandau / Westkreuz / Charlottenburg eastbound to Ostkreuz (about 45 min), then change to S9 again or stay on the same line continuing to BER. Total journey ~70 min for €4.40. The alternative is to take any S-Bahn east to Ostkreuz then change. Avoid changing at Hauptbahnhof if going to BER — it adds 15-20 min.

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