Berlin Brandenburg Airport explained

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER) is the commercial airport for Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. It opened in 2020 and took over the traffic of the city's older airports, Tegel and Schönefeld. Flights go mostly to European cities and leisure destinations, with a smaller number of long-haul services.

Location south-east of Berlin

BER is not inside Berlin itself. It sits in Schönefeld, in the state of Brandenburg, just beyond the city's south-eastern edge. Fast rail links make the journey to the centre straightforward, and the A113 motorway has its own exit for the terminals.

Terminals at Berlin Brandenburg Airport

Passengers use two terminals. Terminal 1 is the main building, a large U-shaped hall between the two runways that handles most airlines, including long-haul flights. Terminal 2 is a simpler building next door, used mainly by some low-cost carriers, and it shares the same airside area as Terminal 1. The railway station is directly beneath Terminal 1.

Airlines and routes from Berlin

Low-cost and leisure airlines carry a large share of passengers. Carriers based here or flying frequently include easyJet, Eurowings and Condor, while Lufthansa connects BER with its Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Many other European and Middle Eastern airlines fly in too. Check your booking for the terminal, as it depends on the airline.

Getting from BER to central Berlin

• Airport Express (FEX): runs from BER Airport station to Berlin Hauptbahnhof via Südkreuz and Potsdamer Platz, taking around 25 minutes.
• S-Bahn: line S9 links the airport with many parts of the city.
• Regional and InterCity trains: also stop at the airport station.
• Express buses: such as the X7, which connects with the U7 underground line at Rudow.

Seeing Berlin

From the airport it is easy to reach landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and the remaining stretches of the Berlin Wall. Potsdam, with its palaces and gardens, is also within easy reach by train.

Tips for Berlin Brandenburg Airport

Buy a public transport ticket that covers the airport zone before boarding the train. Flights outside the Schengen area use a separate level in Terminal 1, so allow time for passport control. Compare Berlin flights and book on Traveloka.