If you land late at BER, here is the short version: until about 0:30 a.m. the FEX airport express takes you to Berlin Hauptbahnhof every 15 minutes, and two more night trains follow at 1:22 and 2:22. On nights before Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the S-Bahn line S9 also runs all night. Only between 2:22 and 4:01 is there no train at all on weekdays; then your options are the N7 night bus or a taxi (from € 58 to Alexanderplatz). If you arrive in that gap and travel on the next morning, checking into one of the terminal hotels with a 24-hour front desk is often the more relaxed choice.
Ideal for early flyers and business travellers who want maximum terminal proximity with four-star comfort.
Ideal for early-morning flyers and transit passengers who want to reach Terminal 1 in minutes without a shuttle.
The station “Flughafen BER Terminal 1-2” sits directly beneath Terminal 1. From there, the FEX airport express reaches Hauptbahnhof in about 23 minutes, running daily from roughly 4:30 a.m. to 0:30 a.m. every 15 minutes, plus night trains at 1:22 and 2:22. Even if you land around midnight or shortly after 1 a.m., you can usually still make a train into the city. Regional lines such as the RE20 also stop at BER, but at night the FEX is the most reliable connection towards the centre.
The S-Bahn line S9 (via Ostkreuz onto the east–west Stadtbahn) runs every 20 minutes during the day. On Friday/Saturday and Saturday/Sunday nights and before public holidays it operates all night at 30-minute intervals, linking BER to Berlin’s night network. On weekday nights, however, the S-Bahn pauses in the early morning hours; then only bus or taxi will help.
Trains and buses use the VBB (the Berlin-Brandenburg public transport association) fare system: BER lies in fare zone Berlin C, so you need a Berlin ABC ticket.
The BVG night bus N7 runs every night, connecting BER with the U-Bahn station Rudow (line U7) roughly every 30 minutes. On weekend nights the U-Bahn continues from there into the city around the clock; on weekday nights the N7 itself covers the route along the U7 corridor. For destinations in Mitte or the City West, allow considerably more time than with the FEX: the N7 is the cheapest but also the slowest night option.
Taxis wait in front of the terminals at any hour. The base fare is from € 4.30, plus an airport surcharge from € 1.50. For rides into central Berlin, expect from € 50 depending on your destination; the trip to Alexanderplatz costs from € 58 and takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, usually at the shorter end at night.
Two hotels stand directly at Terminal 1: the Steigenberger Airport Hotel and the IntercityHotel Berlin Airport BER Terminal 1+2, both a few minutes’ walk from the arrivals level and both with a 24-hour front desk. Checking in at 2 or 3 a.m. is no problem there. The Holiday Inn Berlin Airport Conference Centre and the IntercityHotel Berlin Brandenburg Airport Area North in the northern airport area are usually somewhat cheaper and just a few minutes away by taxi at night.
If you have an early onward flight the next morning or are travelling with a lot of luggage, a night at the airport saves you the double journey into the city and back.
| Arrival at BER | Best option |
|---|---|
| Before 11 p.m. | Everything is open: FEX (every 15 min) or S9 into the city, still frequent service |
| 11 p.m.–1 a.m. | FEX still running; S9 as well on Fri/Sat nights. If delayed or with heavy luggage: terminal hotel |
| After 1 a.m. | Check the current night train connection; N7 or taxi (from € 50) are alternatives; on Fri/Sat nights S9 every 30 min. Otherwise: terminal hotel with 24-hour check-in |
Keep in mind: from leaving the aircraft to standing on the platform, baggage claim included, 30 to 45 minutes can easily pass. If you land at 0:30 a.m., do not count firmly on catching the last FEX.
Yes. BER has a dedicated pickup zone for ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, FREENOW) at the forecourt on arrival level E0 in front of Terminal 1. The apps operate around the clock in principle, though at night you may wait longer for a driver. They are not necessarily cheaper than a taxi: rides into central Berlin usually cost from € 60 and can cost more at busy times.
No. Taxis from BER use the Berlin tariff around the clock, with no night surcharge and a base fare from € 4.30. A ride into the city therefore costs from € 55 at night just as by day, and from € 58 to Alexanderplatz. With lighter traffic, you often reach your destination a little faster at night.
At hotels with a 24-hour front desk, such as the Steigenberger Airport Hotel and the IntercityHotel right at Terminal 1, you can check in at any hour, including 2 or 3 a.m. It is wise to note a late arrival when booking so your room is not given to someone else. This matters especially for bookings made through third-party sites.
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