Skip to main content

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) — Airport Guide

Complete guide to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in Berlin, Germany. Find lounges, restaurants, sleep options, transport links, and jetlag recovery facilities.

Top Lounges

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Airport Guide

Lounges, food, WiFi, sleep, hotels, and transport at BER

Official website

Lounges at Berlin Brandenburg Airport

6 lounges · 4 terminals

6 lounges found

Food & Drink

5 dining options

Cafes

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Airport Coffee

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Airside Cafe

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Costa Airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Starbucks Airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Starbucks Airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal Cafe

Sleep & Rest

Rest and recovery options

Sleep Pods

Sleep pods available in the terminal.

Quiet Zones

Designated quiet areas for resting.

Showers

Shower facilities in the terminal

Shower Facilities

Showers available in the terminal.

Auto-generated: 322 routes, Germany region

Layover Tips

Making the most of your time at Berlin Brandenburg Airport

4h: With 4 hours, stay close to the airport to avoid stress. From the former SXF area (now part of BER Terminal 5, currently closed), you’d typically transfer via the BER rail station. If airside and unable to exit, focus on airport amenities: walk the terminal, grab a coffee and snack, and use lounges if accessible. If you can exit and connections allow, take the FEX or RE7/RB14 from Flughafen BER to Berlin Hbf (about 30 minutes) and enjoy a quick walk around the government quarter: see the Reichstag exterior, Brandenburg Gate, and a short stroll into Pariser Platz and Unter den Linden before heading back. Keep at least 2 hours buffer for security and boarding.
8h: With 8 hours, you can see a few central highlights. From Flughafen BER station, take FEX/RE7/RB14 to Berlin Hbf. Walk to the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Continue down Unter den Linden toward Museum Island to see the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) and the exterior of the Pergamonmuseum and Neues Museum. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant in Mitte. If time allows, hop on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz to see the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) and then return to BER by train. Always keep 2–2.5 hours for the return trip, security, and boarding.
24h: With 24 hours, you can get a strong first impression of Berlin. Daytime: From Flughafen BER, take the FEX/RE7/RB14 to Berlin Hbf and drop bags at your hotel in Mitte, Friedrichshain, or Kreuzberg. Start at the East Side Gallery to see the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. Then head to Checkpoint Charlie and the Topography of Terror for Cold War and WWII history. Walk or ride to Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (book a dome visit in advance), and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Evening: Explore Hackescher Markt or Kreuzberg (around Oranienstraße or Bergmannkiez) for dinner and bars. If staying overnight, next morning visit Museum Island (Pergamonmuseum, Neues Museum, or Altes Museum) or the Jewish Museum Berlin before heading back to BER by train with ample time for your flight.

By Layover Duration

4-Hour Layover

With 4 hours, stay close to the airport to avoid stress. From the former SXF area (now part of BER Terminal 5, currently closed), you’d typically transfer via the BER rail station. If airside and unable to exit, focus on airport amenities: walk the terminal, grab a coffee and snack, and use lounges if accessible. If you can exit and connections allow, take the FEX or RE7/RB14 from Flughafen BER to Berlin Hbf (about 30 minutes) and enjoy a quick walk around the government quarter: see the Reichstag exterior, Brandenburg Gate, and a short stroll into Pariser Platz and Unter den Linden before heading back. Keep at least 2 hours buffer for security and boarding.

8-Hour Layover

With 8 hours, you can see a few central highlights. From Flughafen BER station, take FEX/RE7/RB14 to Berlin Hbf. Walk to the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Continue down Unter den Linden toward Museum Island to see the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) and the exterior of the Pergamonmuseum and Neues Museum. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant in Mitte. If time allows, hop on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz to see the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) and then return to BER by train. Always keep 2–2.5 hours for the return trip, security, and boarding.

Overnight Layover

With 24 hours, you can get a strong first impression of Berlin. Daytime: From Flughafen BER, take the FEX/RE7/RB14 to Berlin Hbf and drop bags at your hotel in Mitte, Friedrichshain, or Kreuzberg. Start at the East Side Gallery to see the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. Then head to Checkpoint Charlie and the Topography of Terror for Cold War and WWII history. Walk or ride to Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (book a dome visit in advance), and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Evening: Explore Hackescher Markt or Kreuzberg (around Oranienstraße or Bergmannkiez) for dinner and bars. If staying overnight, next morning visit Museum Island (Pergamonmuseum, Neues Museum, or Altes Museum) or the Jewish Museum Berlin before heading back to BER by train with ample time for your flight.

Getting There & Away

Transport options to/from the airport

tips: Buy an ABC day pass if you’re making multiple trips including the airport; it’s often cheaper than single tickets. Always validate paper tickets once before your first ride to avoid fines. Keep extra time when returning to BER, as platforms can be busy and trains occasionally delayed. For short stays, choose accommodation near major hubs like Berlin Hbf, Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, or Ostbahnhof to simplify airport transfers. Taxis and ride-hailing services are available at BER but cost significantly more than trains. Cycling is popular in Berlin; many hotels and shops rent bikes, and there are dedicated lanes on most main streets.
from_airport: Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF) has been integrated into Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER); the former SXF terminal area is now BER Terminal 5, which is currently closed. All regular passenger traffic uses BER Terminals 1–2. From Flughafen BER station beneath Terminal 1–2, frequent FEX, RE7, and RB14 trains run to Berlin Hbf in about 30 minutes. S-Bahn lines S9 and S45 connect BER with the city’s S-Bahn ring and key hubs like Ostkreuz and Südkreuz. Regional trains and the Airport Express are usually the fastest and most convenient options for reaching central Berlin.
public_transit: Berlin’s BVG network combines U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (suburban rail), trams, and buses. Most central sights lie in zones A and B; BER is in zone C, so you’ll need an ABC ticket when traveling to or from the airport. Tickets are time-based (e.g., 2-hour, day, or multi-day passes) and must be validated before travel on platforms or inside trams/buses. The S-Bahn is ideal for cross-city trips, while the U-Bahn covers dense inner-city routes. Night buses and some U-Bahn lines run late or all night on weekends. Apps like BVG Fahrinfo or Deutsche Bahn Navigator help plan routes and show real-time departures.
airportCoordinates: [object Object]
googleMapsLinksAdded: true

Local Dining

Food areas and local cuisine near the airport

Food Areas

Kreuzberg (around Oranienstraße and Bergmannkiez)

Trendy district with a mix of Turkish eateries, vegan spots, burger joints, and bars, great for casual dining and nightlife.

Mitte (Hackescher Markt and Torstraße)

Central area offering everything from modern German bistros to international cuisine, plus many cafes and cocktail bars.

Prenzlauer Berg (around Kollwitzplatz and Helmholtzplatz)

Leafy neighborhood packed with brunch cafes, bakeries, and relaxed restaurants, popular with families and young locals.

Friedrichshain (Simon-Dach-Straße and Boxhagener Platz)

Lively area with budget-friendly restaurants, bars, and late-night snack options, especially appealing to younger travelers.

Charlottenburg (Kurfürstendamm and Savignyplatz)

West Berlin’s classic dining area, with traditional restaurants, upscale eateries, and long-established cafes near Ku’damm.

Local Cuisine Recommendations

Zur letzten Instanz

Berlin’s oldest restaurant, serving classic German dishes like Eisbein (pork knuckle) and Königsberger Klopse in a historic setting near Alexanderplatz.

Max und Moritz

Traditional Berlin pub-restaurant in Kreuzberg offering hearty German fare, including currywurst, schnitzel, and regional beers.

Curry 36

Famous snack stand in Kreuzberg known for Berlin’s signature currywurst and fries, ideal for a quick, authentic street-food stop.

Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap

Legendary street stall near Mehringdamm serving loaded döner kebabs with grilled vegetables; expect queues but many consider it worth the wait.

Markthalle Neun

Historic market hall in Kreuzberg with rotating food stalls, local produce, and popular Street Food Thursday events featuring global and German specialties.

Services

Airport amenities and facilities

Spa

5 locations

Medical

Medical services available

Currency & ATM

Currency exchange

Luggage Storage

Storage available

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this airport

Yes, Berlin Brandenburg Airport has sleep pods available. These private rest spaces are ideal for recovering from long flights or overnight layovers.

Flying through BER?

Search routes and compare jetlag recovery scores

Search flights

Berlin City Guide

Explore flights, hotels, attractions, and layover tips for Berlin.

BER Airport (BER) Guide — Lounges, Food, Sleep… | Aerobase