Berlin Hauptbahnhof central station glass facade
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Berlin Hauptbahnhof — ICE, S-Bahn, BER Airport Guide

8 Min Read
Berlin Hauptbahnhof

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Quick Answer

Berlin Hauptbahnhof — quick reference: ICE to Hamburg: 1h45, from €19.90. ICE to Munich: 4h sharp via ICE Sprinter, from €39.90. ICE to Frankfurt: 4h, from €29.90. ICE to Cologne: 4h15, from €29.90. EuroCity to Prague: 4h12, from €29.90. FEX (Airport Express): 30 min to BER airport, €4.40. S-Bahn lines: S3, S5, S7, S9 direct to Alexanderplatz 6 min. U-Bahn U55: now part of U5 line — direct to Brandenburg Gate + Alexanderplatz. Tram M5, M8, M10: street level. Levels: 5 floors total — long-distance ICE at upper + S-Bahn lower. Largest crossing rail station in Europe: opened 2006 — north-south + east-west tracks at right angles. Free WiFi: WIFIonICE network throughout.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof central station glass facade
Berlin Hauptbahnhof

ICE network — major German cities

  • ICE to Hamburg: 1h45, every 30 min, from €19.90 Sparpreis (saver fare).
  • ICE Sprinter to Munich: 4h sharp, every 2h, from €39.90 Sparpreis.
  • ICE to Frankfurt Main: 4h, every 1h, from €29.90.
  • ICE to Cologne: 4h15, every 2h.
  • ICE to Stuttgart: 5h30, every 2h.
  • ICE to Düsseldorf: 4h, every 1h.
  • EuroCity to Prague: 4h12, every 2h, from €29.90.
  • EuroCity to Warsaw: 5h21, 3x daily, from €29.90.
  • Nightjet (ÖBB) to Vienna: 11h45 overnight, from €29.90 seat / €69+ couchette / €99+ sleeper.
  • Nightjet to Zurich: 11h overnight, similar pricing.
  • Tickets: bahn.de, DB Navigator app, station ticket machines + counters.

FEX Airport Express to BER

  • Duration: 30 minutes Hauptbahnhof to BER Terminal 1-2 station.
  • Frequency: every 30 min.
  • Hours: 4:30am-11:30pm.
  • Price: €4.40 single (ABC zone — Berlin AB + airport C zone).
  • Operator: Deutsche Bahn (Regio) — DB tickets work.
  • VBB tickets: Berlin transit ABC ticket also valid (€4.40).
  • Platform: upper level Hauptbahnhof, signs FEX or Flughafen Express.
  • Stops: Gesundbrunnen, Ostkreuz, BER airport.
  • Cheaper than taxi: taxi BER to Hauptbahnhof €45-55; FEX €4.40.
  • Cons: FEX runs every 30 min (not 15 min like some metro lines).
  • Alternative: S-Bahn S9 + S45 also reach BER, 50 min, €4.40.

S-Bahn + U-Bahn into city centre

  • S-Bahn lower level: S3, S5, S7, S9 east-west across city.
  • To Alexanderplatz (centre): S-Bahn 6 min.
  • To Friedrichstraße: S-Bahn 3 min.
  • To Potsdamer Platz: S-Bahn 4 min via Friedrichstraße.
  • U-Bahn U5: opened December 2020 — direct from Hauptbahnhof to Brandenburg Gate (2 min), Unter den Linden (3 min), Alexanderplatz (6 min).
  • U55 line: previously connected Hauptbahnhof to Brandenburg Gate, now part of U5.
  • Tram lines M5, M8, M10: at street level.
  • Bus lines 245, 142, 147: connecting Mitte district.
  • Single ticket Berlin AB: €3.50 (2024-2025 rate).
  • Day ticket AB: €9.50.
  • Welcome Card (BVB): 48h €23, 72h €33 — unlimited transit + museum discounts.
  • Apps: BVG Fahrinfo, DB Navigator.

Station layout — 5 levels

  • Upper level (+2): long-distance ICE, EuroCity, Nightjet trains + FEX airport.
  • Street level (+0): main hall, shops, ticket counters, food.
  • Lower level (-1): shops, food court, ticket machines.
  • Lower level (-2): S-Bahn east-west trains.
  • Lowest level (-3): U-Bahn U5 to Brandenburg Gate + Alexanderplatz.
  • Elevators + escalators: abundant between all levels.
  • Bahnhofsmission: traveler aid for distressed passengers — free coffee + advice.
  • Largest crossing station Europe: opened 2006, designed by gmp architects.
  • Daily traffic: 1,500 trains, 330,000 passengers.

Services, left luggage, food

  • Left luggage (Gepäckaufbewahrung): €6 per 24h. Located lower level.
  • Free WiFi: WIFIonICE throughout.
  • DB Lounge: for first-class + BahnComfort members. Free coffee + snacks.
  • Food court: Burger King, Subway, REWE, Edeka, ALDI, McDonald’s, Asia food.
  • Pharmacy (Apotheke): in main hall — late hours.
  • ATMs + bank machines: Postbank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse.
  • Tourist info (visitBerlin): Welcome Card sales + city maps.
  • Currency exchange: Reisebank — fair rates.
  • Bike storage: 800 spaces underground.
  • Accessibility: fully step-free, elevators, tactile guidance.
  • Lost property: DB Fundservice — Bahnhofstraße counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER airport?

FEX (Airport Express) 30 min, every 30 min, €4.40 single. From upper level. Or S-Bahn S9 50 min same price. Cheaper than taxi €45-55.

ICE Berlin to Munich how long?

4h sharp on ICE Sprinter, every 2h. From €39.90 Sparpreis saver. Reservations recommended (€4.50).

Cheapest train Berlin to Hamburg?

ICE 1h45 from €19.90 Sparpreis (book 6+ weeks out). Or FlixTrain Berlin-Hamburg 2h from €9.99. ICE faster + more frequent.

Is Hauptbahnhof in centre Berlin?

Just northwest of historical centre. 6 min S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz. 2 min U5 to Brandenburg Gate. Walking distance to Reichstag.

Left luggage Berlin Hauptbahnhof?

Yes — €6 per 24h, lower level. Plus mobile-friendly lockers + manual storage. Cash + card accepted.

Nightjet Berlin to Vienna?

11h45 overnight, ÖBB Nightjet. From €29.90 seat, €69+ couchette, €99+ sleeper. Departs ~9pm, arrives ~9am Vienna Hbf.

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See also

Last reviewed: April 2026
Author: Kir Rud, Grandgo editorial
Sources consulted: official tourism authorities, government health and law publications, peer-reviewed travel references. This article is for informational purposes; for formal advice, consult the relevant authority.

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