Getting in
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport: Use the rail station beneath Terminal 1 (Terminal 2 is a short walk). The fast, sensible choice for central Berlin is FEX or RE20 to Berlin Hauptbahnhof: about 23 minutes, roughly every 15 minutes at peak times. Buy an ABC ticket before boarding—BER is in zone C; an AB ticket is not valid. The evidence package lists €5 for a single ABC ticket in 2026. Do not pay for a private airport transfer unless you have a compelling luggage or mobility reason; a taxi to central/west Berlin is roughly €60–70.
- Berlin Hauptbahnhof: The main long-distance arrival point and the best all-purpose rail hub. Use the U5 for Alexanderplatz and the eastern centre; S-Bahn lines S3, S5, S7 and S9 run across the city; M5, M8 and M10 trams cover useful eastbound routes. The building is multilayered but platforms are closer together than it looks—still allow 15–20 minutes for an unfamiliar connection.
- Berlin Südkreuz: A major ICE and regional interchange that is particularly useful for stays in Schöneberg, Kreuzberg and the south. Continue by S-Bahn or regional train rather than taking a taxi into Mitte; Hauptbahnhof is only a few stops away.
- Berlin Ostbahnhof: Useful for Friedrichshain, the East Side Gallery and eastern Mitte. Connect onward by S-Bahn; it is a more convenient arrival than Hauptbahnhof if your hotel is around Warschauer Straße, Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg east of the river.
- Berlin-Spandau: A major west-side ICE stop, handy for Charlottenburg, Olympic Stadium and Spandau itself. Take S-Bahn or U7 onward; do not assume it is central—Mitte is a substantial cross-city ride away.
- Berlin Gesundbrunnen: A major northern rail/S-Bahn/U-Bahn interchange, worthwhile for stays in Prenzlauer Berg, Wedding and northern Mitte. It is not a scenic introduction, but it is operationally excellent.