Hotel Schönefeld: Staying at the Former SXF (Now BER)
Last checked: August 2026
Schönefeld Airport (SXF) no longer exists as an airport of its own: when Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) opened at the end of October 2020, the old airport was absorbed into it, briefly operating as Terminal 5 before being taken out of service in 2021, permanently since late 2022. The town of Schönefeld is still very much there, and it remains one of the largest hotel clusters around BER. So searching for a “hotel in Schönefeld” makes perfect sense: from these hotels you can reach today’s Terminal 1 in approx. 8–15 minutes.
Key takeaways
- Schönefeld Airport (SXF) ceased to exist in October 2020; the former Terminal 5 has been out of service since February 2021 and will stay closed for good. All flights use BER Terminals 1 and 2.
- The town of Schönefeld remains a hotel hub: B&B, ibis budget Schönefeld, Campanile, Holiday Inn, the niu Pax, Moxy and IntercityHotel Area North are all located there.
- To Terminal 1: S9/S85 from Schönefeld (bei Berlin) station in approx. 8 minutes, taxi approx. 10 minutes.
- Since 1 January 2026, the municipality of Schönefeld levies a 7.5 percent accommodation tax on the net room rate.
From SXF to Terminal 5 to permanent closure
The timeline in brief: on 31 October 2020, Berlin Brandenburg Airport “Willy Brandt” (BER) opened. The neighbouring Schönefeld airport was integrated into BER as Terminal 5, and the SXF code disappeared from booking systems. As early as February 2021, Terminal 5 was mothballed due to low passenger numbers during the pandemic; in November 2022 the airport company decided to keep it closed for good. Since December 2023 the railway station has carried its old name “Schönefeld (bei Berlin)” again. All flights now use Terminals 1 and 2; a flight “from Schönefeld” always means BER.
Which hotels are in Schönefeld today?
The hotels from the SXF era are still there and now serve BER. In the municipality of Schönefeld (including the Waltersdorf district) you will find, among others, these properties:
| Hotel | Location | Getting to Terminal 1 |
|---|---|---|
| IntercityHotel Berlin Airport Area North | Alt-Schönefeld, near the S-Bahn station | approx. 15 min (S-Bahn + walk) |
| Holiday Inn Berlin Airport - Conference Centre | Hans-Grade-Allee | approx. 10–15 min (taxi, S-Bahn) |
| Holiday Inn - the niu, Pax Berlin Airport | Hans-Grade-Allee | approx. 10 min (taxi/bus) |
| Campanile Berlin Brandenburg Airport | Hans-Grade-Allee | approx. 10 min (taxi/bus) |
| Moxy Berlin Airport | Schönefeld, approx. 3 km | approx. 5–10 min (shuttle, bus 263/741) |
| B&B Hotel Berlin-Airport | Kienberger Allee business park | approx. 10 min (bus 263/741, taxi) |
| ibis budget Berlin Airport Schönefeld | Waltersdorf district | approx. 10 min (taxi/car) |
Just across the state boundary on the Berlin side (Bohnsdorf), you will also find the ibis Berlin Airport and the ibis budget Berlin Airport, both close to the Grünbergallee S-Bahn station. Prices span a wide range: B&B Hotel Berlin-Airport starts from approx. 60 euros, Moxy Berlin Airport from approx. 75 euros, IntercityHotel Berlin Airport Area North from approx. 70 euros and the Holiday Inn from approx. 90 euros per night.
From Schönefeld to Terminal 1
The fastest option is the S-Bahn: from Schönefeld (bei Berlin) station, lines S9 and S85 (each every 20 minutes) run via Waßmannsdorf to the station directly beneath Terminal 1; the ride takes approx. 8 minutes. The station is a few minutes’ walk from the IntercityHotel Berlin Airport Area North. From Waltersdorf, bus 736 runs to the terminal (until approx. 9:30 pm), bus 744 stops at the Holiday Inn but only runs as far as S Schönefeld station, and the Moxy offers a paid hotel shuttle (approx. 3.50 euros per ride). A taxi takes about 10 minutes from most Schönefeld hotels. For connections from central Berlin, see our guide Getting to BER.
Accommodation tax: 7.5 percent since January 2026
Since 1 January 2026, the municipality of Schönefeld has levied an accommodation tax of 7.5 percent on the room rate excluding VAT. It applies to all accommodation providers in the municipality, including the hotels listed above; exemptions include children under 16 and medically necessary stays. On an 80-euro room, that adds approx. 5–6 euros per night, usually charged with the hotel bill. Hotels on Berlin territory, such as the two ibis properties in Bohnsdorf, charge Berlin’s own overnight tax instead.
Who should stay in Schönefeld?
Schönefeld is the right choice if you want to stay cheaper than directly at the terminal and accept a short transfer in return. For very early departures, our guide Early Flight from BER helps you decide and also covers the walkable alternatives Steigenberger Airport Hotel and IntercityHotel BER Terminal 1+2. If you are travelling by car, the guide Park, Sleep & Fly at BER compares suitable packages, for example at the IntercityHotel Berlin Airport Area North or the Holiday Inn. And if a hotel is not worthwhile for a short stopover, the Overnight at BER guide explains the terminal rules, NapCabs and the Room of Silence.
Frequently asked questions on this topic
My booking still says Schönefeld Airport (SXF). Am I flying from the right airport?
Yes. The former Schönefeld Airport (SXF) has been part of BER since 2020, and the SXF code was replaced by BER. Older tickets, maps or bookings may still say "Schönefeld", but they always mean today's BER. Check-in and departure are handled at Terminal 1 (for some airlines also Terminal 2); the old Terminal 5 is closed.
How do I get from a hotel in Schönefeld to BER Terminal 1 early in the morning or at night?
On weekend nights (Fri/Sat and Sat/Sun), the S9 runs around the clock, approx. every 30 min, from Schönefeld (bei Berlin) station to Terminal 1 in about 8 min. On weeknights the S-Bahn pauses for a few hours; a taxi then reaches the terminal in approx. 10 min, and some hotels such as the Moxy offer a paid shuttle. Night buses N7 and N7X stop at Terminal 1, but not directly at every hotel.
What is on the site of the old Schönefeld Airport (Terminal 5) today?
The former Terminal 5, the old Schönefeld Airport, has been out of service since February 2021 and stays permanently closed. On the site, the airport company is planning a new commercial quarter (working title "Quartier SXF 2.0") with offices, businesses and event spaces; as of 2026 the project is in the planning and marketing phase. It makes no difference for your flight: all flights use Terminals 1 and 2.