Introduction

When you are traveling to Berlin for any purpose business or leisure one of the most important decisions that you have to make is how to get from the airport to the city center. Hence, in this guide, we will look at the many different modes of transport out there for your use with some helpful advice and tips now and then.

1. Taxi

Commutter convenience is an added bonus; therefore, if you don’t mind paying slightly higher charges, you can hire a taxi. There is always an option to find a taxi right outside the airport terminals to take a cab to downtown Berlin of which will generally take approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on the traffic. Just bear in mind that trishaw fares are relatively costly but for taxi, you should ask the driver the estimated cost of the fare.

Tips for Taking a Taxi

Official taxis should have an emblem reflecting the company and the license number plate.

You should tell the driver to switch on the meter or come to an agreement with him on how much he is going to charge before beginning the trip.

Always carry some money around because some taxi companies do not entertain card payment.

Only know official taxis with company logo and theme color on them and registered number plates on the car.

You should inform the driver to switch on the meter so that you pay as per the distance or negotiate with the driver to agree on a fare charge before hiring the car.

Taxis usually do not accept credit card payment, so it is advised to have some money with one at all times.

2. Public Transportation

Taking a taxi is more expensive while using public transport is cheaper, and you will also be able to go through Berlin’s efficient transport system comprises of trains, trams and buses.

2.1. Train

The airport has two train stations: Schönefeld Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Terminal. It will depend on the airport that you use and the relevant station shall be as follow; Journeys from these stations take you to distinct points in this central part of Berlin. One should buy the Berlin Welcome Card as it will allow free travelling on public transports if one is a sightseeing enthusiast.

2.2. Bus

Buses are another helpful mode of PT/bus, it is also one of the most common means of transport. That is why several bus lines exist that connect the airport and downtown area at rather cheap prices and with rather high frequency. Therefore, it is recommended to check the given route map of the buses and the frequent bus shelters before travelling.

2.3. Airport Express

Airport Express is a direct convenient mode of transport that links up Berlin Brandenburg Airport to central business district. It is more fast than other types of rail transport and make special stops at important stations such as Alexanderplatz and Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

3. Shuttle Bus

Public transport options include regular shuttle buses that transport passengers from one particular terminal to downtown hotels and other attractions. There are some shuttles provided directly by the hotels, therefore it’s worth to find out in your hotel. However, it’s also possible to select shared or private shuttle options on the Internet to get to the accommodation.

4. Car Rental

If you do not like the organized airport transfers, hiring a car at the airport is an ideal solution. Most of the car rental firms operate collection points at the airport where you can conveniently pick and drop your car. Please also note that traffic and parking conditions may make it quite difficult especially within city centres.

Tips for Renting a Car

It is cheaper to compare prices and make the bookings in advance.

Make sure that your license to drive is up to date and all relevant formalities needed while driving are in order.

There are explicitities in price differences and always preorder to have the best chance at a better price.

Make sure you have all the paper works okay and that your driver’s license is valid.

5. Ride-Hailing Services

Services such as Uber and Lyft are on the rise with many cities including Berlin being served by the companies. The use of a ride hailing app also helps you to order directly from an application on the smartphone and the car to pick you up at the airport. In fact, it is one of the useful services if you are quite familiar with this kind of service.

Conclusion

Transportation from Berlin airport to the city center is not complex, and travelers have many choices of transportation to choose from depending on their needs or(mode of transport). It doesn’t matter if you decide to get a taxi to get to the hotel or if you decide to use public transportation to explore what actually is a very efficient transportation system in Berlin, it will help to plan your transportation in advance to have a good start of your trip.