Berlin Airport to Alexanderplatz: The Easy Way

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is about 30 kilometers south of the city center. If you're heading to Alexanderplatz, whether for my walking tour, your hotel, or just to start exploring, you have a few options.

Some are fast. Some are cheap. Some are a waste of money.

Here is what a local actually recommends, with current prices and schedules. Fares checked on 16 August 2026.

Option 1: FEX Airport Express (Fastest)

The FEX (Flughafen Express) is the airport express train. It runs directly from BER Terminal 1-2 to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) in just 23 minutes. Trains depart every 15 minutes from 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM.

From Hauptbahnhof, you have two quick connections to Alexanderplatz:

S-Bahn (S5, S7, or S75), about 7 minutes, runs every few minutes. Or U-Bahn U5, about 10 minutes. Either way, you're at Alexanderplatz within 35 minutes of leaving the airport.

Cost: €5 (ABC zone single ticket). This single ticket covers the FEX plus your connection to Alexanderplatz. It is valid for two hours from purchase, so you're covered for the entire journey.

The FEX stops only at Südkreuz (14 min) and Potsdamer Platz (19 min) before reaching Hauptbahnhof. It's fast, comfortable, and has dedicated luggage areas.

Useful to know: the current BER Airport page describes the FEX route as Hauptbahnhof - Potsdamer Platz - Südkreuz - BER, with Hauptbahnhof to BER in about 23 minutes, Potsdamer Platz in about 19 minutes and Südkreuz in about 14 minutes. Until December 2026, BER notes that the airport express pattern is strengthened on this corridor, so check the live route and do not rely on old Ostkreuz or Friedrichstraße screenshots.

Option 2: S-Bahn S9 (Direct to Alexanderplatz, No Transfer)

This is the option I recommend for most visitors heading to Alexanderplatz.

The S9 runs directly from Berlin Airport to Alexanderplatz with no changing trains. The ride takes about 43 minutes, which is slower than the FEX, but you sit down once and get off at your destination. No transfers, no stress, no trying to figure out which platform to change at Hauptbahnhof.

Trains depart every 20 minutes. Same €5 ABC ticket. Same validity.

The S9 continues past Alexanderplatz through Friedrichstraße, Hauptbahnhof, Zoologischer Garten, Charlottenburg, and all the way to Spandau. So if your hotel is anywhere along that route, you can stay on the same train.

Bonus: On Friday and Saturday nights, the S9 runs all night (every 30 minutes). If you're arriving on a weekend late at night, this is your cheapest option.

Option 3: Taxi or Uber (Most Expensive)

A taxi from BER to Alexanderplatz costs roughly €60–80 depending on traffic. Uber and Bolt are similar. The ride takes 25–45 minutes.

It's comfortable and door-to-door. But for a solo traveler, it's impossible to justify when a €5 train ticket gets you there in a similar time.

When a taxi makes sense: If you're traveling with 3–4 people and splitting the fare, it's comparable to buying individual train tickets. Also worth considering if you're arriving between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM when train service is limited (except on weekends when the S9 runs all night).

The taxi rank is on the ground level of Terminal 1, directly outside arrivals. Only use the official taxi rank, and don't accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal.

Option 4: Express Bus X7 + U-Bahn (South Berlin Alternative)

This option isn't the most obvious, but it's worth knowing about.

The Express Bus X7 runs from BER Terminal 1 to U-Bahn station Rudow in about 10 minutes, departing every 5–10 minutes during the day. From Rudow, take the U7 to Hermannplatz (18 min), then switch to the U8 to Alexanderplatz (11 min). Total time: about 45–55 minutes.

This route is particularly useful if your hotel is in Neukölln, Kreuzberg, or Schöneberg, neighborhoods that are on the U7 line but not on the FEX or S9 routes. Same €5 ticket.

Quick Comparison

• FEX + transfer: ~35 min | €5 | every 15 min | fastest

• S9 direct: ~43 min | €5 | every 20 min | no transfer, easiest

• Bus X7 + U-Bahn: ~50 min | €5 | every 5–10 min | best for south Berlin hotels

• Taxi: 25–45 min | €60–80 | on demand | only for groups or late-night

Once you know how you will reach Alexanderplatz, I can build your actual arrival time, stay area and departure into one practical Berlin plan. Plan my Berlin days from arrival

How to Buy Your Ticket

You need an ABC zone ticket because BER airport is in Zone C.

Three ways to buy:

BVG app (recommended). Download "BVG Fahrinfo Plus" before your trip. Buy the ticket on your phone and it validates automatically. No machines, no stamping, no risk of forgetting. The app works in English.

Ticket machines on the platform. Yellow machines at the BER train station. They accept cards and cash. Select "ABC" single ticket (€5). But, and this is crucial, you must validate (stamp) your paper ticket before boarding. Look for the small yellow or red validation boxes on the platform. An unvalidated ticket is treated the same as no ticket, and the fine is €60. For a full explanation of how this works, read my post on ticket validation on Berlin trains.

Berlin WelcomeCard. If you're planning to use public transport heavily during your stay, the Berlin WelcomeCard (ABC zone) includes airport transfer and unlimited travel for 48h, 72h, or longer. Available online or at the airport tourist info desk.

What NOT to Do

• Don't take a random bus. The regular bus connections from BER to the city center are slow and require multiple transfers. The only bus worth considering is the Express Bus X7 to Rudow (mentioned above).

  
  

• Don't buy tickets from strangers. If someone approaches you in the terminal or on the platform offering tickets, ignore them. Use the official BVG machines or the app.

  
  

• Don't forget to validate. If you buy a paper ticket from a machine, you must stamp it before boarding. An unvalidated ticket = no ticket. The fine is €60. No exceptions for tourists.

  
  

• Don't assume the platform will be obvious. BER's train station is on level U2 beneath Terminal 1. Follow the signs to "Bahnhof" or the train symbol. The FEX and S9 depart from the same station, so check the departure board for the correct platform.

For a complete breakdown of Berlin's transport system, zones, tickets and the honor system, check my guide on how to use Berlin public transport like a local.

What About Getting Back to the Airport?

The same options work in reverse. But timing matters more on the way back, and you don't want to miss a flight.

The rule of thumb: Take your expected train travel time, add 15 minutes for reaching the platform at BER and finding your terminal, and add another 15-minute buffer.

For a 7:00 AM flight requiring a 5:30 AM arrival at the terminal, you'd want to board the FEX at Hauptbahnhof no later than 4:50 AM. The first FEX departs around 4:00 AM.

If your flight is before 5:30 AM, you're in taxi territory.

You can check current departure times on the BER airport public transport page.

Saving Money on Your First Day

Your €5 ABC ticket is valid for 2 hours, long enough to get from BER to Alexanderplatz with time to spare. But if you plan to keep traveling after you arrive, consider buying a Tageskarte (day ticket) for zones ABC instead. It costs €12.90 and gives you unlimited travel for the rest of the day.

If you're staying multiple days, a 7-day pass or Berlin WelcomeCard might be better value. For a full cost comparison, check what things actually cost in Berlin in 2026.

If you land tired, late, with luggage or before your hotel room is ready, the transport ticket is only one part of the first-hour decision. In that case, use the free advice here for the route, or use my Berlin First-Day Rescue Plan if you want a paid first-hour decision for the whole airport/train/hotel/luggage problem.

And don't forget: staying hydrated after a flight is important, especially in summer. Berlin has over 240 free drinking fountains, so check my guide on where to find free drinking water in Berlin.

My Recommendation

For most visitors heading to Alexanderplatz: take the S9.

One train. No transfers. €5. You'll be at Alexanderplatz in 43 minutes. Sit down, watch the city unfold through the window, and arrive relaxed.

If you're in a rush, take the FEX to Hauptbahnhof and connect from there. You'll save about 10 minutes.

Either way, you'll be at Alexanderplatz within an hour of landing.

For the next step, my practical Berlin guides to Berlin plug adapters and charging, lost property in Berlin, and the BER airport departure checklist can help with the next practical detail.

You're at Alexanderplatz. Now What?

Once you arrive at Alexanderplatz, my free walking tour meeting point is right at the World Clock. You can't miss it. It's the large rotating clock in the center of the square.

My free walking tour covers 11 stops and 16 places from Alexanderplatz to Hackescher Markt. 800 years of Berlin history. Tip-based, no fixed price. Just get yourself to Alexanderplatz and I will take care of the rest.

Book your free spot at berlinwalk.com

📍 Starts at Alexanderplatz, World Clock

⏱ ~2 hours | 🚶 ~3 km | 💰 Free (tip-based)

Follow me on Instagram: @berlinwalkingtour