Arriving & Getting Around
1. Airports
Berlin has two main airports, but getting into the city centre
from each of them is relatively easy.
From Berlin SCHÖNEFELD Airport Code SXF
Easyjet and Ryan Air fly to Berlin Schonefeld
Schönefeld is situated approximately 18 km south-east of the
city centre. This is the old East Berlin Airport where most charter
flights arrive. The easiest way to get into town is by the Airport
Express trains RE4 and RE5, which will get you to the Ku'damm (Berlin
Zoo Train Station) in around 30 minutes.
From Berlin TEGEL Airport Code TXL:
Air Berlin flies to Berlin Tegel
Tegel is a convenient, recently revamped, passenger-friendly airport
in the north-west of the city, approximately 8 kilometres from the
centre. To get into central Berlin by bus, take the 109, X9. Bus
connections are located just outside the airport terminal.
The X9 Express Bus runs every 10 minutes from 4.52 am – 10.58
pm h and goes direct to Berlin Zoo Train Station (journey time approx.
20 minutes).
Bus no. 109 will also take you to Berlin Zoo Train Station from
4.54 am – 10.54 pm.
2. Berlin Zoo Train Station (Bahnhof)
Bahnhof Zoo is the main station for trains to western Germany,
and Western Europe including Frankfurt(Main), Munich, Hamburg &
Amsterdam. Offers a range of after hours shopping possibilities.
3. City Centre
Berlin has an excellent public transport system, divided into three
zones (ABC) and run by the local transport authority, the Berliner
Verkehrs-Betriebe (BVG). It comprises two urban railways and numerous
bus and train routes. Tickets can be bought from station foyers
or from vending machines on platforms and are interchangeable for
the U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (railways.) You must validate
the ticket before boarding a train.
The 24-hour ticket (Tageskarte) and the weekly ticket (7-Tageskarte)
allow unlimited travel on the entire BVG (trains, buses, trams –
even the ferry from Wannsee to Kladow). The weekly ticket covers
unlimited travel during any seven-day period from validation until
midnight on the seventh day. Alternatively, the Berlin-Welcome-Card
entitles one adult and up to three children aged 6-14 to free BVG
travel for three days as well as reductions on sightseeing trips,
museums, theatres and other attractions.
The best way to get your bearings upon arriving in Berlin is to
sign up for a city tour. The cheapest one is on the top deck of
the regular number 100 bus, which passes most of the major sights.
Alternatively, the Insider Tour is a three-and-a-half-hour guided
walk conducted in English. Also, lots of boats run up and down the
River Spree – the commentary is in German, but the journey
is relaxing enough.
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