Berlin Transportation Guide – U-Bahn, S-Bahn & Getting to Berlin

The fastest option into the city. The FEX reaches Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 30 minutes; the S-Bahn S9 takes around 45 minutes and stops at more stations including Ostbahnhof and Alexanderplatz. Runs frequently throughout the day.

Several bus lines connect BER to the city. The X7 and X71 reach U-Bahn connections quickly. Buses are included in your standard Berlin ABC zone ticket — no surcharge needed.

Taxis from BER to central Berlin cost roughly €40–55 depending on destination and traffic. Taxis queue outside Terminals 1 and 2. Uber and Bolt also operate from BER — often slightly cheaper.

Your AB zone ticket is not valid from BER — you need an ABC zone ticket (or the FEX ticket). Buy at machines before boarding. Validate before entering the platform — Berlin uses an honour system with random checks.

High-speed ICE trains connect Berlin to Hamburg (1h 45min), Frankfurt (4h), Munich (4h), and Cologne (4h 30min). Book in advance via DB (bahn.de) for the best fares — early-bird tickets can be significantly cheaper.

Direct overnight and daytime trains connect Berlin to Warsaw (6h), Vienna (8h), Prague (4h 30min), Amsterdam (6h), and Paris (8h via Brussels). Eurostar and Nightjet services are expanding — worth checking for car-free travel across Europe.

Europe's largest railway station on multiple levels. U55 and U5 U-Bahn lines, S-Bahn lines S3, S5, S7 and S9, and numerous tram and bus connections all operate directly from the station. Luggage storage, restaurants, and a pharmacy are all on-site.

The Berlin metro map covers all connections from Hauptbahnhof. The Deutschland-Ticket (€49/month) covers all regional trains and local transport within Germany — excellent value for multi-city trips.

FlixBus dominates the European coach market and operates extensive routes to Berlin from across Germany and neighbouring countries. Eurolines and national operators also serve major routes. Comfortable coaches with WiFi and USB charging on most routes.

The Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof (ZOB) is located in Charlottenburg near the ICC and Messe Berlin, directly at the U2 U-Bahn station Kaiserdamm. Well-signposted and easy to navigate. Lockers and a café on-site.

Berlin is well-connected via the A10 ring motorway (Berliner Ring) and major autobahns from all directions. Important: Berlin has an Umweltzone (low emission zone) covering most of the city centre — your vehicle must display a green environmental sticker (Umweltplakette). Obtain one before entering.

BlaBlaCar connects drivers and passengers on shared long-distance journeys. A sociable and cost-effective option, especially from cities like Leipzig, Dresden, Frankfurt, or Hamburg. Check the app for available rides — prices are typically well below rail fares.

Central Berlin (Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg) has paid parking zones with limited availability. Park-and-Ride options at outer U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations are far cheaper. For most visitors, leaving the car outside the city and using public transport is strongly recommended.

Berlin is part of the EuroVelo long-distance cycling network and has excellent bike paths throughout the city. Cycling in from nearby Brandenburg or along the Oder–Neisse cycle route is a genuine option for the adventurous. Once in Berlin, the city's flat terrain makes cycling one of the best ways to get around.