How to get from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Brandenburg Gate
Cities & Metropolitan Areas · Germany · Urban & Cultural · Berlin · Berlin Brandenburg Airport · Brandenburg Gate
Landing at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and heading straight to the iconic Brandenburg Gate is easy once you decide between fast airport trains, good-value S-Bahn/RE options, express buses plus U/S-Bahn, or a door-to-door taxi or private transfer; this guide walks you through journey times, fares and clear step-by-step directions so you can be standing under the Gate with minimal stress.
At A Glance (Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Brandenburg Gate)
| Mode | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🚆 Airport Express FEX / RE / S-Bahn + S/U-Bahn | ~30–40 minutes total | Fast, good value, minimal fuss |
| 🏷️ Cost: ABC single ticket ~€4.70–5.00 one-way (standard VBB/BVG fare) | ||
| 🚈 S-Bahn S9 + Short Walk | ~40–50 minutes | Simple route, no regional trains |
| 🏷️ Cost: ABC single ticket ~€4.70–5.00 (no surcharge) | ||
| 🚌 Express/Local Bus + U/S-Bahn | ~45–70 minutes (transfer & traffic-dependent) | Budget travellers, off-peak times |
| 🏷️ Cost: ABC ticket ~€4.70–5.00 covers bus + rail | ||
| 🚕 Taxi, Ride‑hailing & Private Transfer | ~30–60 minutes (traffic‑dependent) | Door‑to‑door comfort, late arrivals |
| 🏷️ Cost: Taxi or Bolt/Uber typically ~€45–65 per car; private transfers from ~€70–90 » private transfers | alt. listings | ||
| 🚗 Car Rental / Self‑drive | ~35–60 minutes driving (plus pickup) | Road trips beyond Berlin |
| 🏷️ Cost: From ~€40–60/day + fuel and parking » compare rentals | ||
Which Option or Route Should You Choose?
- Fastest / Most Convenient: Airport Express FEX or regional train + S/U-Bahn via Berlin Hauptbahnhof or Friedrichstraße is usually the quickest and most straightforward way to reach Brandenburg Gate.
- Simplest by S‑Bahn only: S9 S‑Bahn gives you a direct ride into central Berlin with an easy change to S‑Bahn at Friedrichstraße for Brandenburger Tor.
- Cheapest: Express/local buses plus U/S‑Bahn cost the same ABC fare but make sense if you prefer staying on buses for part of the trip or are staying near those lines.
- Least Hassle / With Heavy Luggage: Taxi, ride‑hailing or private transfer takes you door‑to‑door, great after a long‑haul flight or late‑night arrival.
- Best if Driving Onward Through Germany: Car rental is only worth it if Berlin is part of a wider road trip to places like Dresden or Leipzig.
How to Book and Practical Tips
- Tickets & zones: BER lies in fare zone C; Brandenburg Gate is in zone A. For all public transport between them you need an ABC ticket (about €4.70–5.00 for a 2‑hour single) which you can buy at ticket machines in the terminal, the station, or via BVG/VBB apps.
- Valid across modes: ABC tickets cover FEX, regional trains, S‑Bahn, U‑Bahn, trams and buses within the time limit, so you can freely combine train + S‑Bahn or bus + U‑Bahn.
- Journey planners: Use the BVG or VBB apps, or simply plug your route into Google Maps (Transit) from “Flughafen BER – Terminal 1‑2” to “Brandenburger Tor” for live connections.
- Private transfers & meet‑and‑greet: If you like having a driver waiting with your name sign, compare dedicated airport transfers on GetYourGuide or Klook.
- Ride‑hailing: Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all operate at BER and in central Berlin; they’re a handy alternative to standard taxis and often slightly cheaper off‑peak.
- Luggage storage: If your room isn’t ready yet, store bags at city locations listed on Radical Storage Berlin so you can visit Brandenburg Gate luggage‑free.
- Onward trains & buses in Europe: Continuing from Berlin to Prague, Hamburg or beyond? Compare international trains and buses on 12Go or Trip.com Trains Europe.
- Where to stay near Brandenburg Gate: Look for hotels around Mitte and Tiergarten on Booking.com Berlin if you want to walk to the Gate and the Reichstag.
- Explore by bike: Once in the centre, rent a bike or scooter through BikesBooking Berlin for easy rides through Tiergarten and along the Spree.
🚆 Option #1 — Airport Express FEX / Regional Train + S/U-Bahn (Fast & Efficient)
Fastest Good value Simple transfers
- Overview: The FEX Airport Express plus regional trains (RE, RB lines) and S‑Bahn link Flughafen BER – Terminal 1‑2 directly with Berlin Hbf, Potsdamer Platz and Friedrichstraße. From any of these, it’s just one stop on the S‑Bahn or U‑Bahn, or a short walk, to Brandenburg Gate.
- Typical journey time: ~23–30 minutes from BER to Berlin Hbf by FEX or RE, plus 5–10 minutes on S‑Bahn/U‑Bahn or walking to Brandenburg Gate.
- How to book (with price): No advance booking needed. Buy an ABC single ticket (~€4.70–5.00) from VBB/BVG ticket machines in the airport or station, or via the BVG/VBB app; this covers the whole rail journey to Brandenburg Gate within 2 hours.
- Where to change: Popular connections include:
- BER → Berlin Hbf (FEX/RE), then S‑Bahn to Brandenburger Tor.
- BER → Friedrichstraße (on some RE/RB/S‑Bahn routes), then S‑Bahn one stop to Brandenburger Tor or a ~10–12 minute walk down Unter den Linden.
- Pros: Fast and frequent, avoids traffic, runs from early morning to late evening. Cons: Can be busy at peak times; requires handling luggage on and off trains.
- Useful official info: See the latest FEX/RE/S‑Bahn details on the BVG BER page or the VBB BER overview.
Step-by-step: FEX / Regional Train + S/U-Bahn
- From arrivals, follow signs to Trains / Deutsche Bahn and walk down to the Flughafen BER – Terminal 1‑2 station beneath the terminal.
- Buy an ABC single ticket at the VBB/BVG ticket machines (English available) or via the BVG app. Validate printed tickets in the yellow validators before boarding.
- Take the next FEX Airport Express or regional train (RE/RB) toward Berlin Hbf, Potsdamer Platz or Friedrichstraße, as shown by the departure boards.
- At your chosen central station:
- For the simplest route, change at Berlin Hbf or Friedrichstraße to the S‑Bahn lines that stop at Brandenburger Tor (one stop away), or
- Walk from Friedrichstraße along Unter den Linden westwards until you reach Brandenburg Gate.
- Exit at Brandenburger Tor station and follow signs to the Gate; it’s right above the station.
Getting to the main embarking points (BER Train Station & Central Hubs)
- From terminal to platforms: The BER railway station is directly under Terminals 1–2, linked by escalators and lifts; allow ~5–10 minutes from baggage claim to the train.
- At Berlin Hbf: Follow the S‑Bahn icons to the upper platforms; trains to Brandenburger Tor are clearly signed. Look for S‑Bahn lines heading toward central/western Berlin.
- At Friedrichstraße: S‑Bahn, U‑Bahn and regional platforms are well signed; you can either ride one stop to Brandenburger Tor or simply follow Unter den Linden on foot.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚈 Option #2 — S-Bahn S9 + Short Walk (Simple, Scenic into the City)
Easy route Frequent A bit slower
- Overview: S‑Bahn line S9 connects BER with central Berlin via Ostkreuz and the city centre, reaching key hubs like Friedrichstraße. From there you can walk or hop one stop to Brandenburger Tor.
- Typical journey time: Around 45–50 minutes BER → Friedrichstraße, then ~5–10 minutes walking or one more S‑Bahn stop.
- How to book (with price): Use the same ABC ticket (~€4.70–5.00) bought at machines or via the BVG app; no reservations required.
- Pros: No need to worry about regional train platforms; S‑Bahn trains are frequent and easy to navigate. Cons: Slightly slower than the FEX/RE routes, more stops along the way.
- Useful official info: Timetables and S‑Bahn maps are available on the Berlin S‑Bahn BER page.
Step-by-step: S-Bahn S9 to Brandenburg Gate
- From arrivals, follow signs for S‑Bahn / Trains to the BER station.
- Purchase and validate an ABC ticket from the machines or via the BVG app.
- Board the next S9 toward central Berlin, checking the destination on the front display and platform boards.
- Ride until Friedrichstraße. Here you can:
- Change to the S‑Bahn line stopping at Brandenburger Tor (one stop), or
- Walk down Unter den Linden westwards for ~10–12 minutes, passing the opera house and museums until you reach Brandenburg Gate.
- Once at Brandenburger Tor station or the Gate itself, follow signs to the square in front of the monument.
Getting to the main embarking points (BER S-Bahn & Friedrichstraße)
- Finding S9 at BER: Check departure boards for S‑Bahn; S9 trains are clearly labelled and use the same lower‑level platforms as other city trains.
- At Friedrichstraße: This is a major interchange; follow S‑Bahn or exit signs depending on whether you choose to ride one more stop or walk.
- Peak times: Avoid rush‑hour trains with very large luggage if possible, or stand near the doors but away from boarding areas.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚌 Option #3 — Express/Local Bus + U/S-Bahn (Budget with More City Views)
Low cost Frequent Traffic‑dependent
- Overview: Airport express buses X7 and X71 link BER with U‑Bahn stations such as Rudow (U7), where you can switch to the underground and then S‑Bahn/U‑Bahn lines heading toward the city centre and Brandenburg Gate.
- Typical journey time: ~20 minutes BER → Rudow by bus, then ~25–40 minutes by U/S‑Bahn and any additional transfers, for a total of around 45–70 minutes.
- How to book (with price): Buy a standard ABC ticket (~€4.70–5.00) from the ticket machines in the terminal or at the bus stops; this covers your whole combined bus and rail journey.
- Pros: Very budget‑friendly, runs frequently, nice city views as you approach Berlin. Cons: Slower and involves more changes than the train; subject to road traffic.
- Useful official info: See routes X7/X71 and connecting lines on the BVG Berlin Brandenburg Airport page.
Step-by-step: Bus + U/S-Bahn to Brandenburg Gate
- After arrivals, follow signs for Bus and find platforms for X7 or X71 outside Terminals 1–2.
- Buy and validate an ABC ticket at the nearby machines or via the BVG app.
- Board the X7 or X71 toward U Rudow and ride to the U‑Bahn terminus.
- At Rudow, transfer to the U7 and ride toward the city, changing onto S‑Bahn or U‑Bahn lines that serve Brandenburger Tor (for example, connect via city hubs like Yorckstraße or Mehringdamm depending on your chosen route suggested by a journey planner).
- Exit at Brandenburger Tor station and follow signs to the Gate above ground.
Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Bus Stops & Rudow)
- Airport bus bays: Clearly signed outside arrivals; timetables and electronic displays show X7/X71 departures.
- At Rudow (U7): Follow U‑Bahn signs into the station and check platform boards for trains heading toward central Berlin; use a journey planner to pick the best interchange toward Brandenburg Gate.
- Baggage tips: Try to stand near luggage areas and avoid rush hours if you have very large bags.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚕 Option #4 — Taxi, Ride‑hailing & Private Transfer (Door‑to‑Door)
Door‑to‑door 24/7 Higher cost
- Overview: Official taxis, ride‑hailing services and prebooked private transfers take you directly from BER arrivals to hotels and apartments around Brandenburg Gate and Mitte without any changes.
- Typical journey time: Around 30–45 minutes in light traffic, up to an hour at peak times.
- How to book (with price):
- Metered taxi: Join the official taxi rank outside Terminals 1–2. Expect about €50–65 to the Brandenburg Gate area depending on traffic.
- Ride‑hailing: Order an Uber, Bolt or FreeNow to the designated pickup zones shown in your app; pricing often starts around €40–60 depending on demand.
- Private transfer: Prebook fixed‑price transfers (with meet‑and‑greet) from roughly €70–90 per car via GetYourGuide or Klook.
- Meet‑and‑greet services: For a smoother arrival with an English‑speaking driver and child seats, compare Welcome Pickups or one‑way transfers on GetTransfer.
- Pros: No stairs or transfers, great with kids or lots of luggage, reliable late at night. Cons: Most expensive option; subject to traffic and any surge pricing.
Step-by-step: Taxi or Private Transfer to Brandenburg Gate
- After exiting customs, follow signs to the official taxi rank or check your ride‑hailing app for the designated pickup zone.
- If using a taxi, join the queue and confirm roughly how much the ride to “Brandenburger Tor” will cost; make sure the meter is switched on when you start.
- If you’ve prebooked through GetYourGuide, Klook, Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer, meet your driver at the agreed meeting point holding your name sign.
- Drive via the city’s ring roads or urban routes into the centre; journey planners and drivers will typically pass key landmarks before reaching the Brandenburg Gate area.
- Because the immediate area around the Gate is partly pedestrianised, your driver will drop you at a nearby curb, usually along Pariser Platz or Straße des 17. Juni—just a short walk to the monument.
Getting to the main embarking points (Taxi Rank & Pickup Zones)
- Airport taxi ranks: Located directly outside terminal exits; avoid unsolicited drivers inside the terminal and follow official signage instead.
- Ride‑hailing zones: Uber, Bolt and FreeNow apps will show the nearest pickup point; allow a few extra minutes at busy times.
- Payment & tips: Most taxis accept card; it’s still wise to carry some euros for tips or if a card terminal is unavailable.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚗 Option #5 — Car Rental / Self‑drive (For Wider Road Trips)
Flexible Ideal for exploring Parking challenges
- Overview: If Berlin is just one stop on a broader Germany or Central Europe road trip, picking up a rental car at BER might make sense. You can drive into the city, park near Brandenburg Gate or your hotel, then continue to cities like Dresden, Leipzig or Hamburg.
- Typical journey time: Around 35–60 minutes BER → Brandenburg Gate by car, depending on traffic and where you park.
- How to book (with price): Reserve ahead via Booking.com Car Rental at BER, where daily rates often start around €40–60 for a small car, plus fuel, insurance and any parking charges.
- Parking near Brandenburg Gate: The immediate area is largely pedestrian; look for underground garages or on‑street paid parking zones within a 5–10 minute walk.
- Pros: Complete flexibility for day trips and onward travel, no need to lug bags through stations. Cons: City traffic, paid parking and low‑emission zones mean a car is unnecessary if you’re only visiting central Berlin.
Step-by-step: Car Rental and Drive into the City
- Prebook your car via Booking.com Car Rental (BER) to lock in your preferred vehicle and pickup time.
- After landing, follow signs to Car Rental, present your documents and collect your keys and parking bay number.
- Exit the airport following signs toward Berlin Zentrum, using your GPS to route toward Brandenburg Gate or your accommodation in Mitte.
- Navigate into the central zone, paying attention to speed limits, bus lanes and environmental zones; head for a nearby car park or legal street parking.
- Park, secure your vehicle and walk through the Tiergarten or along Unter den Linden until you reach Brandenburg Gate.
Getting to the main embarking points (Rental Desks & Car Parks)
- Rental desk locations: All major rental brands have counters in the terminal complex, with cars in the adjacent multi‑storey car parks linked via lifts and walkways.
- City driving tips: Berlin is generally driver‑friendly but busy; avoid peak hours if you can and always check for parking zone signs.
- Winter considerations: In colder months, ensure your rental includes appropriate tyres and allow extra time for de‑icing and slower traffic.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
FAQ (Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Brandenburg Gate)
How long does it take to get from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Brandenburg Gate?
By train (FEX, regional trains or S‑Bahn plus a short S/U‑Bahn hop), most journeys take around 30–40 minutes. Buses plus U/S‑Bahn usually take 45–70 minutes, while taxis and private transfers typically take 30–45 minutes in light traffic and up to an hour at rush hour.
What is the cheapest way to travel between BER and Brandenburg Gate?
The cheapest way is to use public transport with an ABC ticket (roughly €4.70–5.00). This one ticket is valid for up to two hours and covers the Airport Express FEX, regional trains, S‑Bahn, U‑Bahn, buses and trams on your route to Brandenburg Gate.
Do I need to buy a separate ticket to change from train to S‑Bahn or U‑Bahn?
No. As long as you have a valid ABC ticket (or a day/longer pass) and you are within its time limit, you can freely change between FEX/RE/RB trains, S‑Bahn, U‑Bahn, buses and trams without buying a new ticket.
Is it better to take a taxi than public transport if I have luggage?
It depends on your budget and energy level. Berlin’s trains and buses are fairly luggage‑friendly with low floors and designated spaces, so many travellers use public transport even with suitcases. A taxi or private transfer is more comfortable and fully door‑to‑door but costs significantly more than an ABC ticket.
Can I combine my airport transfer with a short Berlin tour?
Yes. Several private transfer providers offer orientation rides or quick sightseeing detours on the way into the city. You can browse such options under airport transfers and city introductions on GetYourGuide or through selected listings on Klook.