No hidden charges and no hidden surprises, we offer fixed price that includes all taxes, tolls, fees etc.
Worried about how to cancel the ride? No issues! Cancellation of rides is free 24 hours before the pick-up time. Applicable only for point to point bookings.
Don’t let any query remain unresolved just ring it up at our 24*7 Support and resolve all your queries easily.
Getting to or from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) involves one decision with four very different answers. The right transfer for a solo traveler arriving for a weekend break is rarely the right transfer for a business executive arriving for a Monday morning meeting, or for a family of four with five bags landing at 2:30 in the morning.
This guide covers every airport transfer option available at BER, with real pricing, actual journey times, neighborhood-specific guidance, and the specific scenarios where each option outperforms the others. By the end, you will know exactly which transfer to book before you fly.
|
Transfer Option |
Journey Time |
Cost |
24 Hours |
Door-to-Door |
|
Airport Express (FEX) |
~23 min to Hauptbahnhof |
€5.00 |
No |
No |
|
S-Bahn S9 |
~45-55 min (various stops) |
€5.00 |
Limited |
No |
|
Metered Taxi |
35-50 min |
€60-€80 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Uber / Bolt |
35-50 min |
€50-€85 (estimated) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Private Chauffeur |
35-45 min |
From €110 -€140 |
Yes |
Yes |
The Airport Express (FEX) is the most efficient way to reach central Berlin for travelers with manageable luggage and city-centre destinations.
How it works: The FEX departs from the railway station located directly beneath Terminal 1 (Level U2). It runs to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) in approximately 23 minutes, stopping at Südkreuz and Potsdamer Platz en route.
Ticket: A single Berlin ABC zone ticket costs €5.00 and covers the full journey, including any onward connections on S-Bahn, U-Bahn, or bus within Berlin.
Frequency: Approximately every 30 minutes during daytime hours.
Key limitation: The FEX does not run overnight. Services pause between approximately 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM. If you are arriving or departing during this window, the train is not an option.
Who it suits: Solo travelers, business travelers with a single carry-on, and anyone whose hotel or office is within easy walking distance of Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz, or Südkreuz.
Who it does not suit: Travelers with multiple bags, families, passengers with mobility requirements, or anyone whose destination requires a further 20-minute S-Bahn journey after arriving at the main station.
The S9 S-Bahn line also serves BER Airport and provides a different route through Berlin compared to the FEX.
How it works: The S9 departs from the same station beneath Terminal 1 and travels through Ostkreuz, Treptower Park, and other southeastern stops before reaching Alexanderplatz. It continues onward to the Ringbahn connecting other districts.
Ticket: Same Berlin ABC zone ticket as the FEX, €5.00.
Journey time: Approximately 45 to 55 minutes to Alexanderplatz, depending on stops.
Who it suits: Travelers heading to districts not directly on the FEX route, including Treptow, Neukölln, and those connecting to the Ring S-Bahn for Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, or Kreuzberg.
Berlin taxis are licensed, metered, and widely available at official ranks outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Cost: A metered taxi from BER to central Berlin typically costs €60 to €80, depending on traffic conditions and exact destination. The base fare is €4.30, with a per-kilometer rate of approximately €2.10 to €2.80. During peak traffic (weekday mornings 7:00 to 9:00 AM and evenings 5:00 to 7:00 PM), journey time and cost both increase.
Journey time: 35 to 50 minutes under normal conditions.
Available: 24 hours, including the overnight window when trains are not running.
Important: Always use the official taxi rank outside the terminal. Licensed Berlin taxis display a cream or white color scheme with a taxi sign and license plate information. Do not accept offers from drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall.
Booking by phone: Taxi Berlin operates a 24-hour dispatch service (+49 30 202020) for pre-ordered taxis.
Who it suits: Late arrivals, families, travelers with large luggage, and anyone who prefers a meter-based payment with no pre-planning.
Both Uber and Bolt operate at BER Airport. They can be booked via app on arrival or pre-scheduled before landing.
Cost: Typically €50 to €85 estimated, depending on demand and traffic at time of booking. Unlike pre-booked private transfers, pricing is not fully fixed and is subject to surge if demand is high.
Journey time: 35 to 50 minutes, similar to a taxi.
Pickup point: Uber and Bolt drivers pick up from the designated ride-hailing areas at the terminal. This is not the same as the taxi rank.
Key difference from a chauffeur service: Neither Uber nor Bolt monitors your flight for delays and adjusts automatically. If your flight is late, you will need to cancel and rebook, and pricing may have changed. There is no meet and greet in the arrivals hall.
Who it suits: Travelers comfortable with app-based booking who want a familiar interface and are flexible about exact timing.
A pre-booked private chauffeur transfer is the structured option for travelers who want a confirmed, documented experience from aircraft door to final destination.
Cost: Executive sedan from €70 to €110 for the standard route to central Berlin. Premium vehicles (Mercedes V-Class, luxury sedan) range from €110 to €130. Corporate rates vary by provider and volume.
Journey time: 35 to 45 minutes, same road conditions as a taxi.
What is included that other options do not provide:
● Real-time flight monitoring: Your driver tracks your actual landing time, not your scheduled arrival. If you are delayed by 90 minutes, your driver adjusts and is still waiting when you land.
● Meet and greet in the arrivals hall: Your driver holds a name board with your name inside the terminal, beyond customs. You do not walk to a rank or wait outside.
● Fixed, pre-confirmed price: The total cost is agreed at booking and does not change, regardless of traffic or time of day.
● Choice of vehicle: Sedan for solo travelers or pairs; SUV or van for groups or passengers with significant luggage.
● Corporate invoicing: Single invoice per trip or consolidated monthly billing for business travelers.
Who it suits: Business travelers, executives, travelers with important meetings or tight schedules, families with large luggage, overnight arrivals, and anyone who wants a fully confirmed and documented ground transport arrangement.
LimoFahr provides professional chauffeur transfers to and from BER Airport, covering both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with fixed all-inclusive pricing and real-time flight monitoring.
The right transfer option depends partly on where in Berlin you are going. Here is what to expect by district.
|
Destination District |
Via FEX + U/S-Bahn |
Via Private Transfer (Est.) |
Notes |
|
Mitte (city centre) |
30-40 min total |
35-45 min |
FEX to Hauptbahnhof + short walk or U-Bahn; private is door-to-door |
|
Charlottenburg |
40-50 min total |
40-50 min |
FEX to Hauptbahnhof + S-Bahn Ring or taxi; private transfer recommended for groups |
|
Prenzlauer Berg |
50-60 min total |
40-50 min |
FEX + S-Bahn Ring to Prenzlauer Allee; private transfer is noticeably more convenient |
|
Kreuzberg |
50-60 min total |
40-50 min |
S9 to Ringbahn or FEX + U-Bahn; private transfer is competitive on time |
|
Friedrichshain |
45-55 min total |
40-50 min |
S9 via Ostkreuz is direct; private transfer is marginal gain on time |
|
Schönefeld / immediate airport area |
N/A |
10-15 min |
Hotel or office very close to BER; private transfer strongly practical |
|
Potsdamer Platz |
25-30 min total |
35-40 min |
FEX stops here; train is the fastest option for this specific destination |
Reading this table: For destinations close to Hauptbahnhof or Potsdamer Platz, the FEX is hard to beat on time and cost. For destinations in western, northern, or eastern Berlin requiring a secondary connection, the total FEX journey extends to 50-60 minutes with luggage management across two transport modes. A private transfer to the door is often faster in practice and significantly easier.
The FEX and most S-Bahn services pause between approximately 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM on weekday nights. On Friday and Saturday nights, some S-Bahn lines run through the night at reduced frequency, but the FEX does not.
If your flight lands between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM, your practical options are:
1. Pre-booked private chauffeur: The most reliable option. Book in advance, provide your flight number, and your driver will be in the arrivals hall regardless of what time you land. No train to miss, no rank queue in the dark.
2. Taxi from the official rank: Available 24 hours. Expect the standard metered fare of €60 to €80. No pre-arrangement needed, but no guarantee of immediate availability during simultaneous arrivals of multiple long-haul flights.
3. Uber or Bolt: Available overnight, but pricing may surge if multiple flights land simultaneously.
The practical recommendation for overnight arrivals: Pre-book a private transfer. The difference in cost between a taxi and a professional chauffeur narrows during overnight hours, and the certainty of having a confirmed driver waiting with your name, regardless of delay or exact landing time, has significant value when you are tired and landing in an unfamiliar city at 2:30 AM.
Most travelers focus on the arrival transfer and forget that the departure needs equal planning. The following applies to transfers to BER for departure:
Recommended arrival times at BER:
● Schengen flights (EU destinations): 2 hours before departure
● Non-Schengen international flights: 2.5 to 3 hours before departure
Peak departure periods: Monday mornings (6:00 to 9:00 AM) and Friday afternoons (4:00 to 7:00 PM) are the heaviest periods for business traveler departures. The FEX and the road approach to BER are both busiest at these times.
Early morning departures: If your flight departs before 7:00 AM, confirm your transport option the night before. The FEX does not run in the very early morning. A pre-booked chauffeur or taxi booked the evening prior is the standard recommendation.
Pre-book departure transfers early: For departure transfers via private chauffeur, book at minimum 24 hours in advance. For flights departing before 7:00 AM, book 48 hours ahead.
BER Airport has two active passenger terminals. Always confirm your terminal before arranging your transfer.
● Terminal 1: The main terminal, sitting directly above the railway station. Handles most international airlines and all transiting passengers. Your driver drops off at the T1 kerbside.
● Terminal 2: Primarily serves low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air, and others). Located adjacent to T1 but with a separate departure entrance. Confirm T2 with your driver at booking.
The railway station is beneath T1 only. If you are departing from T2, note that you cannot board the FEX from a T2 entrance. You either walk through T1 (short connection) or arrange road transport to the T2 kerbside directly.
|
Your Situation |
Recommended Transfer |
|
Solo traveler, hand luggage only, hotel near Hauptbahnhof |
FEX train (€5.00, 23 min) |
|
Couple with 2 suitcases, Mitte hotel |
FEX + short taxi, or private transfer |
|
Family of 4 with large luggage |
Pre-booked private transfer (van/SUV) |
|
Business traveler, morning meeting, suit + laptop bag |
Pre-booked chauffeur (fixed price, meet and greet) |
|
Overnight arrival (1 AM to 4 AM) |
Pre-booked chauffeur or taxi |
|
Budget traveler, no luggage pressure |
FEX or S9 (€5.00) |
|
Group of 5 or more |
Private van or minivan transfer |
|
Early morning departure (before 7 AM) |
Pre-booked chauffeur or taxi (booked night before) |
|
Corporate traveler needing an invoice |
Professional chauffeur service with corporate account |
|
First time in Berlin, unfamiliar with transport |
Pre-booked transfer: simpler, no navigation required |
It depends on the method. A Berlin ABC zone train ticket (FEX or S9) costs €5.00 per person. A metered taxi from BER to central Berlin typically costs €60 to €80. Uber and Bolt usually estimate €50 to €85, though pricing varies with demand. A pre-booked private chauffeur transfer starts from approximately €70 to €110 for an executive sedan, with group vehicles (van, SUV) running from €110 to €130.
The FEX train takes approximately 23 minutes from BER to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. The S9 S-Bahn takes approximately 45 to 55 minutes to Alexanderplatz. By road (taxi, Uber, or private transfer), the journey to central Berlin takes 35 to 50 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Peak hours (7:00 to 9:00 AM and 5:00 to 7:00 PM) on weekdays add 15 to 25 minutes to road-based transfers.
The cheapest option is the FEX Airport Express or S9 S-Bahn, both covered by a single Berlin ABC zone ticket costing €5.00. The FEX reaches Hauptbahnhof in 23 minutes. For multiple passengers sharing the cost, a private transfer can become competitive with a taxi on a per-person basis while offering door-to-door convenience.
Yes. The airport railway station is located directly beneath Terminal 1 at Level U2. The Airport Express (FEX) runs to Potsdamer Platz, Südkreuz, and Berlin Hauptbahnhof in approximately 23 minutes. The S9 S-Bahn also departs from the same station and covers a broader range of city stops. Trains do not run overnight between approximately 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM.
Professional chauffeur and private transfer drivers meet arriving passengers inside the public arrivals hall at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, immediately beyond the customs exit. The driver holds a name board with your name. You do not go to an external rank or kerbside. Always confirm which terminal your flight is arriving at when booking, as T1 and T2 have separate arrivals areas.
Yes. All professional chauffeur and private transfer services covering BER accept advance online bookings. You provide your flight number, arrival terminal, and destination when booking. Your provider monitors your flight in real time and adjusts the driver's schedule to your actual landing time. For standard transfers, booking 24 hours in advance is sufficient. For early morning departures, large groups, or peak travel periods, book further ahead.
With a pre-booked professional chauffeur service, flight delay is handled automatically. The provider monitors your flight number in real time and adjusts the driver's schedule to your actual arrival time. You do not need to call or notify anyone. With a taxi, you join the rank queue whenever you arrive. With Uber or Bolt, you book when you land, and pricing at that point reflects current demand rather than your original estimate.
Yes, licensed Berlin taxis are safe and regulated. Always use the official taxi rank outside Terminals 1 and 2. Licensed taxis display a cream or white livery, a roof sign, and a license plate number. Do not accept offers from individuals who approach you inside the arrivals hall without a rank ticket. The Taxi Berlin dispatch service (+49 30 202020) also allows you to order a taxi by phone for a more structured arrangement.
For Schengen international flights (within the EU), arrive at least 2 hours before departure. For non-Schengen international flights (including the UK, USA, and other non-EU destinations), arrive 2.5 to 3 hours before departure. If you are departing during peak periods (Monday mornings or Friday afternoons) or during major Berlin events, allow additional time for road traffic on the approach to BER.
Always confirm your arrival or departure terminal when booking your transfer. Terminal 1 is the main hub and sits directly above the railway station. Terminal 2 serves primarily low-cost carriers including Ryanair and Wizz Air. Your boarding pass or booking confirmation shows your terminal. Pass this to your transfer provider at the time of booking to ensure your driver is at the correct arrivals entrance.
Searching for your ride…
Comparing prices from our partners. This can take a few seconds.
