Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Willy Brandt) has been the sole airport serving the German capital since October 31, 2020, when it simultaneously replaced the two former city airports of Tegel and Schönefeld, located approximately 18 km south-east of Berlin's city center, on the site of the former Schönefeld airport.
Its opening, delayed by almost a decade from original plans, was long a national issue in Germany; today it is fully operational and among the principal airports of Central Europe.
How to get to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Willy Brandt)
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to BER
Parking near Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Willy Brandt)
A multi-level parking garage is located right next to the terminal.
They are video-monitored; tiered rates without reservation: 5 euros up to 15 minutes, 11 euros up to 30, 17 euros up to 45, 23 euros up to 1 hour, then 23 euros per additional hour up to a daily cap; the Premium P1/P2 garages, 100-200 meters from Terminal 1, reach up to 70 euros/day. Booking online significantly reduces the cost compared to the standard rate.
How to get to Berlin from BER
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Willy Brandt)
The main car rental companies are present with their own desks in the arrivals area.
Visitors from the European Union do not need an IDP: a driving license, passport, and credit card are sufficient.
Hotels near Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Willy Brandt)
BER airport area
About 7-8 km from the terminal, 8 minutes by car or taxi; the nearest S-Bahn station is a 25-minute walk, so a taxi is the better choice.
Best for: short or overnight stopovers, when you don't want to depend on trains or traffic
- The shortest distance from the terminal among the properties on this list
- Indoor gym and snack bar open late for anyone arriving outside normal hours
- Industrial area among warehouses, nothing within walking distance for the evening
- The nearest S-Bahn station is too far to walk: a taxi is always needed
Adlershof
Direct S-Bahn S9 or S45 to the BER terminal in about 18 minutes, with no changes.
Best for: those who want a fast, direct connection to the terminal without staying right in the center
- Direct, fast rail connection to the terminal, with no changes
- A science and technology district with restaurants and daytime life, not just a dormitory area
- Far on foot from the historic center's tourist sights
- Quiet evenings, designed more for those who work here than for those visiting Berlin
Recommended hotels
Mahlow
By car, a few kilometers from Terminal 5 (the closest) and over 10 km from the main Terminals 1-2; there are no direct rail connections, so a car or taxi is needed.
Best for: those traveling for work or conferences who want event rooms, a sauna and a gym in the hotel
- Thirteen event and conference rooms for up to 500-1,000 people
- Wellness area with sauna, jacuzzi and gym open around the clock
- Reviews point to the distance from urban public transport
- No direct rail connection with the airport or the city
Central Berlin
The FEX takes 20 minutes to Central Station, with a departure every 15 minutes for most of the day; from there it's just a few minutes by S-Bahn or tram to the historic center.
Best for: those who want to visit Berlin, not just pass through the airport
- Museums, nightlife and restaurants within walking distance
- FEX every 15 minutes to the terminal, running almost all night
- Getting back to the airport always takes the FEX or a taxi, never just a few minutes like on the outskirts
- Different parts of the center vary a lot in standard: check the exact address carefully
Recommended hotels
- Telegraphenamt Former 1910 telegraph office reopened as a hotel in 2022, a few minutes' walk from Museum Island and Hackescher Markt. View availability
- Schillinger-Berlin am Tempelhofer Feld In the Schillerkiez neighborhood in Neukölln, a few steps from Tempelhofer Feld park, with self check-in access at any hour. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 4
- with Priority Pass
- 1
- paid entry
- from €36
- earliest opening
- 05:00
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The main terminal (1) is integrated with the former Schönefeld terminal (now Terminal 5), reserved mainly for low-cost carriers and connected to the main terminal by a shuttle service.
Always verify which terminal your flight departs from. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at least 2-3 hours early.
Map of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Willy Brandt)
Frequently asked questions
Q. Does Berlin still have two airports, Tegel and Schönefeld?
No: since October 31, 2020, Berlin's only airport has been BER (Berlin Brandenburg), which simultaneously replaced both Tegel and the old Schönefeld, both now closed to civil traffic.
Q. Why did opening BER take so long?
Construction ran nearly a decade behind the original schedule, becoming a national case in Germany over technical and site-management problems; today the airport is fully operational.
Q. How do you get to central Berlin from BER?
By RegionalBahn in about 30 minutes, the fastest option, or by S-Bahn S9/S45 in about 45-50 minutes, cheaper but with more stops.
Q. Is BER built on the site of one of the old airports?
Yes, on the site of the former Schönefeld airport, whose infrastructure and ICAO code EDDB it partly reuses.
Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?
Lounge Tegel (T1).
Q. How much does lounge access cost without a business class ticket?
The lowest entry price is €36, at Lounge Tegel (T1).
Q. What time does the first lounge open?
At 05:00: Lounge Tegel (T1) and Lounge Tempelhof (T1).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
