Academy for Cultural Diplomacy

The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS)

Travel to Berlin

This page explains the different transport methods available for the student to enter Germany and reach Berlin. There are several ways to do this including airplane, train and bus routes. The page 'Finding Us' on the website will explain once the student is in Berlin how to arrive at the CCDS as well as general transport information for around the Berlin.

Flights

Berlin has two main operational airports:

  • Tegel International Airport (TXL) located in the north-west of the city is the main airport for international carriers (British Airways, Air France-KLM, United, LOT, etc.) and a hub for domestic flights on Lufthansa and Air Berlin.

    Buses from Tegel International Airport operate to S+U Alexanderplatz, Hauptbahnhof (bus TXL), and S+U Zoologischer Garten (buses X9 and 109) for the standard ticket fare of €2,40. It takes around 45 minutes to get to Alexanderplatz - it is much quicker to get off at Hauptbahnhof or Zoologischer Garten and change to the S-Bahn (the bus ticket remains valid for this).

    Caution: Tegel International Airport does not have any railway station. Any indication to a Tegel railway station refers to the remote S-Bahn station, even if railway staff at stations in other cities might say otherwise.
  • Schönefeld International Airport (SXF) This airport in the southeast of Berlin is the base for most low-cost airlines (e.g. easyJet, Ryanair and Germanwings) and charter flights, in addition to traffic from Eastern Europe.

    The airport is served by the S-Bahn and by regional trains. The station is a short walk, under a covered well lit walkway opposite terminal A/B. The Express trains run to and from central Berlin (Mitte) every half hour from 5.00 - 23.30 and take approximately 25 minutes to/from Alexanderplatz; 30 minutes to/from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and 35 minutes to/from Zoologischer Garten. There are two of these every hour (look for the RB7 or RB14) and they leave the airport station at 25 minutes and 55 minutes past the hour.  There is also the option to take the S-Bahn, either the S9 or the S45. The S9 runs every 20 minutes and will take you approximately 30 minutes to/from Ostkreuz and 45 minutes to/from Pankow, while the S45 connects to the circle-line (Ringbahn) and also runs every 20 minutes.

Rail

Germany has an extensive and efficient rail network with excellent connections throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. The student can access good value for money tickets if purchased in advance. The Deutsche Bahn Website can give information on ticket prices, times and services for both German and Europe wide travel: www.bahn.de

Most international trains will stop at Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), where they can alight here, before the train will carry on to its next destination. Berlin Hauptbahnhof has excellent transport links to the rest of the city. These include numerous S bahn services, U bahn services, Bus and Tram links as well as other regional trains. To find out more about the transport network, you can use the online journey planner on the Berlin transport website: www.bvg.de

Bus and Coaches

A cheap way of travelling to Berlin is by coach. There are many companies which provide cheap and comfortable international services.

The main company is Eurolines which provides coach travel throughout Europe: www.eurolines.de

Additionally, Linienlines provides an extensive network of Intra-German bus services for low prices. www.berlinlinienbus.de

International Bus travel into Berlin will stop at the Central Bus Station (ZOB). The ZOB is located in the district of Charlottenburg, opposite the International Congress Center ICC and the exhibition grounds under the Funkturm. S bahn services, U bahn services, Bus and Tram links are easily accessible from ZOB to the rest of Berlin.