Berlin | How to arrive

By Air

Berlin is served by Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), which has direct connections to almost all European capitals and is served by various airlines, including low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet.

The airport is located about 25 km from the city center and is well-connected by public transport.

You can take the Airport Express (FEX) or regional trains (RE7, RB14) to Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) in approximately 30 minutes.

S-Bahn lines (S9 and S45) also connect the airport to various parts of the city.

By Train

The European rail network offers excellent connections to Berlin, making it a great option for those who prefer traveling overland and enjoying the scenery.

The main arrival station is Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station).

- Advantages: comfortable, offers the chance to see the countryside, and is a more eco-friendly option.

- Operators: Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's national railway company, operates most high-speed (ICE) trains. Services from companies like Flixtrain and night trains are also available.

- Popular routes: It is easy to reach the city by train from places like Hamburg, Munich, Prague, Amsterdam, and even London (with transfers in Brussels and Cologne).

For example, the journey from Frankfurt takes just over 4 hours on the ICE, and by booking in advance via the link below, you can pay as little as €29.00.

By Car

If you are arriving in Berlin by car, the best approach is to leave your vehicle at your hotel or at a "P+R" (Park and Ride) facility further out from the center, then take public transport into the city to avoid heavy traffic.

Some of the other major parking facilities (all marked on the map) include:

- Parkhaus Europa-Center

- Parkhaus am Kadewe

- Q-Park Fürst

- Q-Park Dom-Aquarée

- Tiefgarage Unter den Linden/Staatsoper

- Potsdamer Platz

- Am Alexanderplatz

By Bus

Although less common than trains for long-distance travel, there are bus options available from cities in Germany and other countries to Berlin.

There are several bus companies, but the largest is FlixBus; I recommend purchasing your tickets via this website.

In Berlin, FlixBus has stops at the airport, at the Berlin ZOB (Central Bus Station), and at Alexanderplatz.

Advantage: It can be the most economical option, though it offers less flexibility regarding schedules and destinations compared to trains.