Transportation

Getting to Berlin by plane, by train or by bus? Here are some travel tips which can be helpful to find your way in Germany's capital city.

Already in Berlin? Scroll down lower on this page for information about moving around the city via public transportation or taxi.

Getting to Berlin by Plane

From overseas, there are hardly any nonstop flights to Berlin. Foreign visitors fly depending on the airline normally to another airport (eg Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, and London) and from there take a connecting flight. Berlin has two airports: Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF).

Berlin Tegel TXL

Tegel is a convenient and passenger-friendly airport with easy-reach services, only 11 km north-west from the city center.

→ Website
→ Service Hotline: +49 1805 000186

Public Transportation:
→ Bus 109, 128, X9, TXL
Note that the TXL bus will take you straight to Alexanderplatz.

Schönefeld SXF

The Schönefeld airport is the second of Berlin’s two international airports. Schönefeld Airport is situated approximately 18 km south-east of Berlin's city centre.

→ Website 
→Service Hotline: +49 1805 000186

Public Transportation:
→ Airport Express: RE7 and RB14 trains run every 30 minutes
→ S-Bahn: S45, S9
→ Bus: X7, 162, 163, 171, 734, 736, N60, N71.
Note that an ABC zone ticket must be purchased if travelling to/from Schönefeld Airport. More info under: Public Transportation in Berlin (below)

Getting to Berlin by Bus

Regularly-departing long-distance buses provide a good connection with other European countries. Most start and end of the central bus station (ZOB) in Charlottenburg.

Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof am Funkturm ZOB

The Central Bus Station ZOB Berlin is located in the western district of Charlottenburg, opposite the International Congress Center ICC and the fairground under the radio tower. ZOB bus lines and long-distance buses run to destinations in Germany and Europe.

Masurenallee 4-6
14057 Berlin-Charlottenburg
→ Website

Public Transportation: 
→ Bus: 104, 139, 218, 349, M49, X34, X49
→ S-Bahn: Bahnhof Messe-Nord/ICC S41, S42, S46 
→ U-Bahn: Bahnhof Kaiserdamm station U2

Berlin Linien Bus

Berlin Linien Bus connects Berlin and other German cities, and has more than 300 destinations in Germany and Europe. National coach services (start in Berlin) cost between 9€ and 33€ one way / per person. International coach services (start in Berlin) cost between 22€ and 44€ one way / per person.

→ Website
→ E-mail
→ Service Hotline: +49 69 7903-501

Eurolines / Deutsche Touring

For information on bus routes, connections and fares, please contact your travel agent or a representative of Euroline or German Touring. You can book tickets online.

→ Website Euroline
→ Website Eurolines / Deutsche Touring
→ E-mail
→ Service Hotline: +49 69 7903-501

Getting to Berlin by Train

Berlin Hauptbahnhof / Main Station

Berlin Central Station is located close to the government district in central Berlin. The Berlin Hauptbahnhof is also a regional train station and has direct connection to the Berlin S-Bahn network, through which one can reach Alexanderplatz in 10 minutes.

Europaplatz 1
10557 Berlin-Moabit

Public Transport: 
→ U-Bahn: Washingtonplatz/ Hauptbahnhof U55
→ S-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof S5; S7, S75
→ Bus: M85, TXL, 120, 123, 142, 147, 245, N20, N40

Berlin Alexanderplatz

The Alexanderplatz station at Berlin Alexanderplatz in Mitte is one of the main transport hubs of the city with numerous lines of the S-Bahn, underground, tram and several regional lines and point of departure for the TXL airport bus to Tegel Airport.

Dircksenstraße
10178 Berlin-Mitte

Public Transport: 
→ S-Bahn: S5; S7, S75
→ U-Bahn: U2, U5, U8

Berlin Ostbahnhof

The Berlin Ostbahnhof train station is located in East Berlin, in the Friedrichshain neighbourhood. It simultaneously functions as a main train station, local train station, and S-Bahn station. From Ostbahnhof, S-Bahn trains run via Friedrichstrasse and Alexanderplatz. The central Hauptbahnhof train station can be reached from Ostbahnhof in 10 minutes.

Koppenstr. 310243
Berlin-Friedrichshain

Public Transport: 
→ S-Bahn: S3, S5, S7, S75
→ Bus: 140, 240, 347, N40 

Getting to Berlin by Rideshare

A popular way to travel, ridesharing is also economical. Here are a few suggested websites:

→ mitfahrgelegenheit.de
→ mitfahrzentrale.de
→ carsharing-berlin.de

Getting Around Berlin

Public Transportation

For a map of the Berlin’s public transportation system (BVG), and to plan your journey, visit bvg.de. Festival locations are located within the AB zone, and are accessible via S-Bahn, U-Bahn, busses or tram. Note that an ABC zone ticket must be purchased if travelling to/from Schönefeld Airport.

Day tickets are priced at 6,70 € (valid until 3:00 the following day). We recommend a 7-day pass, valued at 28,80€, for those staying the week. Single trips cost 2,60 € (AB zone).

Here we have provided all the major route networks for download.
→ S- and U-Bahn railway network
→ Light-rail-system (Tram)

Taxis

Berlin is serviced by around 7,000 taxis. Here are two of the largest call centers:
Taxi Funk Berlin: + 49 (30) 44 33 22
Quality Taxi: + 49 (30) 26 30 00

Rates
In the urban area of Berlin passengers must pay the fare according to the taximeter. Individual price agreements with the driver are permitted only for journeys outside the city (except Schönefeld Airport).

→ Regular rate: 3,20€
→ Cost per kilometer for the first seven kilometers: 1.65 €
→ Kilometer price from seven kilometers: 1.28 €
→ Waiting time: 25.00 € for one hour (applies to traffic delays)
→ Short distance rate (Winketarif): The short distance rate is valid only if the taxi is stopped in the street. This rate allows you to travel up to two kilometers for only 4€. The "Winketarif" does not apply to ordered taxis or taxi stands.