Travel tips for the holidays
If you check the BER website or app in advance to find out about airport procedures, you can start your holiday feeling more relaxed. The airport operator recommends that all holidaymakers check in online in advance and follow the instructions provided by their airline.
Current waiting times for security controls are displayed to travellers in the BER app, on the website and on screens at the airport itself, so that travellers can choose the most convenient area for them. All departure gates can be reached via any security control point in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. The relevant boarding gate usually closes 30 minutes before departure.
Due to the European Entry/Exit-System (EES),there may be longer waiting times at border controls when entering or leaving the Schengen Area.
Due to high demand during the holiday season, we recommend booking a car parking space online in advance. The Kiss & Fly Deal offers those picking up or dropping off passengers a discount of more than 25 per cent on short-stay parking directly in front of Terminal 1 for the first hour. The first ten minutes remain free of charge.
parken.berlin-airport.de
More than 120 self-service kiosks are available in BER’s two terminals, where travellers can print out their baggage labels and check in their baggage themselves. Travellers flying with any of the 23 airlines participating in this service do not need to queue at the check-in counter. Those travelling with hand baggage only can proceed directly to security.
Fast Bag Drop
Security control areas 1 and 5 in Terminal 1, as well as the security control area in Terminal 2, are equipped with modern CT scanners. Passengers no longer need to remove electronic devices and liquids in containers of up to two litres from their hand baggage. To avoid further checks, travellers should bring roll-on deodorants rather than spray deodorants and empty double-walled containers, such as thermos flasks, before going through security. In the central area of Terminal 1, conventional technology is still in use. There, liquids may only be carried in hand luggage in containers with a volume of up to 100 ml each.
Security control
It is important to observe the safety regulations for security controls when packing! Power banks and e-cigarettes are prohibited in checked baggage. These may only be carried in carry-on baggage, subject to the applicable quantity limits and transport regulations. Passengers are allowed to carry only one standard lighter per person. This must be placed in their hand baggage. Lighters are not permitted in checked baggage.
- Family Entrance: The Family Entrance offers families with young children up to the age of 5, accompanied by up to two adults and any younger siblings, a separate entrance to Security Control 5 in Terminal 1.
- Checking in pushchairs: Passengers must check in their own pushchairs and buggies, which exceed a height of 25 cm when folded, at the counter for large and bulky baggage. They can borrow a pushchair free of charge from 21 stations in Terminals 1 and 2 for transport to the departure gate.
family.berlin-airport.de
Travellers holding a biometric passport from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, or the new German identity card, can use the EasyPASS automated passport control system and pass through border control more quickly when travelling to non-EU countries. This also applies to third-country nationals aged 12 and over who hold an electronic passport and a German residence permit. This is not possible with children’s passports.
EasyPass
Nationals of non-EU countries on a short stay in the European Union (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) must go through the EU’s new entry and exit procedure and should allow sufficient time for this. On arrival, passengers can pre-register at the self-service machines provided before proceeding to the border control officers at the checkpoint.
EES
The airport operator recommends checking the current traffic situation for the day of arrival on the website or via the app of the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association). There may be deviations from the regular timetable, particularly at the start and end of the day. Travellers can find up-to-date information on travelling by car on the website of the Berlin Traffic Information Centre (VIZ). There are currently a great many very disruptive roadworks on the A113.To and from the airport
Arriving passengers will find licensed taxis at the two taxi ranks – North and South – directly in front of Terminal 1 on Level E0. Ride-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt and FreeNow have a pick-up zone on the same level.
Taxi
For people with hidden disabilities, busy places like airports can be challenging. The Sunflower lanyard allows them to discreetly signal their disability. This enables staff and fellow travellers to respond with sensitivity and offer assistance, extra time, or patience as needed. This does not grant passengers priority.
Sunflower
There are a number of free drinking water dispensers in the gate and baggage reclaim areas in the security area of BER Airport.
Drinking water dispensers
Passengers can subscribe to the airport operator’s WhatsApp channel to receive information and updates about BER. WhatsApp
On request, travellers can conveniently drop off their car on the departures level of Terminal 1, directly in front of the check-in hall. The vehicle will be parked and, if requested, cleaned, and will be ready and waiting in Car Park P3 upon arrival.
Valet parking
For added comfort before departure, travellers in Terminal 1 can make use of the BER lounges. These are also accessible from Terminal 2. In addition, the airport offers a VIP service.
Lounges at BER
During the autumn half-term holidays, travellers at BER Airport can benefit from discounts and special offers. With the BER app, digital coupons can be redeemed at participating shops, restaurants and service partners.
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Travellers who haven’t yet booked a hire car can do so directly via the BER website and app and save up to 70 per cent.
Book a rental car
Passengers can now book eSIMs for international travel via the BER website and app. These can be activated before departure – meaning travellers are online immediately upon landing, without having to change SIM cards or incur roaming charges. Users who book via the airport’s channels receive a ten per cent discount using the discount code BER.
eSIM
Travellers can book a long-distance travel ticket for their journey to and from the airport by coach or train directly on the airport’s website or via the BER app.
Book tickets for bus and trains
Passengers can compare and book flights worldwide directly via the BER website and BER app. To this end, the airport has integrated the booking platform of the international provider Kiwi.com.
Book flights from BER
Questions and answers
We have compiled the answers to the most frequently asked questions for you. Choose a topic:
Travelling to the Airport
At BER, you can depart from or arrive at Terminals 1 or 2. Please check which terminal you will be flying from ahead of your flight.
There are two terminals at BER. Please allow sufficient time, even if you are only travelling with hand baggage. Please check the check-in and boarding times with your airline.
By car you may comfortably drive to and from the BER terminals via the A113 motorway and the B96a main road. The direct route is via the motorway A113, exit “Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg”.
The address for arriving by car is:
Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg
Willy-Brandt-Platz
12529 Schönefeld
Please also heed the on-site orientation system.
At the Berlin Brandenburg Airport, more than 10,000 parking spaces in five multi-storey car parks and on three ground level car parks are available to passengers, their escorts and greeters.
If you are travelling to BER by car, it is advisable – particularly during holiday periods and trade fairs – to book your parking space online in advance. This not only ensures you have a parking space, but often allows you to benefit from lower rates as well.
Car-sharing service operators provide their customers with special parking facilities at BER. You will find the vehicles in car park P4.
The short-stay car parks are located on two levels directly in front of Terminal 1. Terminal 2 does not have its own drop-off area for vehicles. Please use the short-stay parking facilities in front of Terminal 1 on Departures Level E1 or Arrivals Level E0.
Parking there is free for the first 10 minutes. Your number plate will be recorded in this area. It is therefore not necessary to visit a pay-at-machine within the free period. The exit barrier will open automatically in this case.
BER is excellently connected to Berlin and its environs by public transport. The airport station is located on level U2 of Terminal 1. The Airport Express (FEX) and regional train RE20 travel up to five times every hour between Berliner Hauptbahnhof (Main Railway Station), Berlin Südkreuz and the station “Flughafen BER”. The S-Bahnen (suburban trains) S9 and 85 each run every 20 minutes. The offer is complemented by other regional trains and buses.
By car, the journey from Berlin city centre to BER Airport usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your starting point and traffic conditions. Please allow plenty of time for your journey, particularly during peak hours, on public holidays and during school holidays.
If you wish to park at BER, we recommend booking your parking space online well in advance.
Travellers coming from Berlin require a ticket including tariff zone C.
If you are travelling to BER Airport by bus or train, the fares set by the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB) apply. Berlin-Brandenburg Airport is located in fare zone C.
The ‘BER Airport’ station is located directly beneath Terminal 1. From there, you can easily reach the terminal on foot via the escalators and lifts. Terminal 2 is just a few minutes’ walk away.
You can buy tickets for buses and trains at BER Airport from the red-branded ticket machines operated by the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB) on levels E0, U1 and U2. You will also find an S-Bahn Berlin service shop on level U1. Tickets can also be purchased via the S-Bahn Berlin, BVG and Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB) apps.
Yes, BER Airport can also be reached by long-distance coaches. Long-distance coaches stop at Bus Stop B in front of Terminal 1 and connect the airport with numerous towns and cities in Germany and Europe.
Bus stop B, for long-distance, coach and shuttle buses, is just a few minutes’ walk from Terminals 1 and 2. This is where all buses that are not part of the local public transport network depart – such as long-distance buses, coaches and shuttle buses to hotels, exhibition centres and car parks.
The stop for the rail replacement service is located in Airport City, right on Willy-Brandt-Platz.
Check-in
If you are flying from Terminal 1, please go to departures level E1. In the check-in hall you will find the check-in area and the security controls.
Travellers departing from Terminal 2 can get there in a few minutes on foot via arrivals level E0 of Terminal 1. Right in the entrance area you will find numerous Fast Bag Drop machines and the possibility to check in your baggage at the counter. The security controls are located on level E1.
Information on the check-in counters can be found on the display boards in the terminal, on the website and in the Berlin Airport App.
Many airlines offer the possibility of an online check-in, partially with the option of uploading travel documents beforehand. Ask your airline whether this service is offered. Many airlines offer their passengers the option of checking in their baggage themselves. To do this, use the Fast Bag Drop machines in the terminals.
With or without checked baggage: Please be at the airport in good time. Inform yourself in advance about the check-in and boarding times with your airline.
No, that is not possible.
Oversized or special baggage refers to items that, due to their dimensions or nature, cannot be automatically sorted via the baggage handling system.
Special baggage includes, amongst other things, wheelchairs, golf bags, surfboards, bicycles, skis, parasols, diving equipment/diving rucksacks and animals in transport crates that have been registered for carriage. Please check with your airline before travelling regarding restrictions on dimensions and weight, as well as any registration requirements or charges for the carriage of oversized and special baggage.
The counters for oversized and special baggage are located in the immediate vicinity of the check-in counters in Terminals 1–2.
At BER, passengers can check themselves in and check their baggage on their own. Several airlines offer this service, either for baggage check-in only or additionally for boarding pass printing. For automated baggage check-in, passengers of these airlines are asked to check in online in advance.
In the video we explain how Fast Bag Drop works.
If you have missed your flight, please contact your airline or tour operator directly. They will be able to provide you with information on possible rebookings, alternative flights and the terms and conditions applicable to your ticket.
BER Airport does not have access to bookings and is therefore not able to make any rebookings or issue refunds.
Check-in or baggage drop-off the evening before departure is only offered at BER by selected airlines. You should therefore check with your airline in advance.
Check with your airline for check-in and boarding times. Allow plenty of time for check-in and boarding, as well as security controls and the walk to your gate.
Yes, at BER you can leave your baggage and personal belongings at the baggage-storage facility for a fee. This is located in the Service Centre on Level U1 in Terminal 1.
Security Check & Hand Baggage
In general, passengers can use any security control in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. All departure gates are accessible from the security controls in both terminals.
- We are gradually equipping BER Airport with new screening technology for hand baggage.
- Currently, security areas 1 and 5 in Terminal 1 and the security area in Terminal 2 are equipped with new security technology, known as CT scanner.
- The other control areas 2 and 4 in Terminal 1 still have conventional control technology.
In Terminal 2, you will find the security control on level E1. From here, you walk over a bridge to the departure area.
In general, passengers can use any security control in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. All departure gates are accessible from the security controls in both terminals.
Passengers are requested to proceed directly after check-in and baggage check to the security control with the shortest waiting times and to have their boarding pass already at hand. You can see which security control is the least busy on the display boards (next to the flight boards) in the airport building itself, on the website and in the BER App.
Here you will also find information about the waiting time at the security control in Terminal 2.
Please check with your airline. This also applies to size and weight.
Before you travel, find out about security checks at BER.
You can help to make things quicker and more relaxed at the security control. Good preparation is the be-all and end-all.
There is no place in your hand luggage for certain items (e.g. weapons, sharp items such as razorblades, scissors or tools and blunt instruments such as baseball bats).
Hold & special baggage
Certain items may not be carried neither in your hand baggage nor in your checked baggage. Furthermore, some items may only be carried in hand baggage or only in checked baggage.
You can have your luggage stored at the Service Center in Terminal 1. In addition, you can have your luggage wrapped in plastic at the Service Center on level U1 and you will also find the lost property office here for items you have lost at the airport.
Bulky baggage is baggage that cannot be sorted automatically by the baggage conveyor system due to its dimensions or nature. The counters for large and bulky baggage are located in the immediate vicinity of the check-in counters in Terminals 1 and 2.
Prams & buggies that exceed 107 x 24.5 cm when folded are also considered large and special baggage and must be handed in at the large baggage check-in after check-in.
Airside
In Terminal 1 our market place with an adjacent food court is located directly behind the security checkpoint. More than 40 shops and stops invite you to promenade, find inspiration, go shopping and have a relaxing bite to eat. Further such opportunities are also to be found at the gates and in the North and South Piers. In Terminal 2 you will also find service facilities, shops and cafés in front of and behind the security control.
Follow the signs on-site to find your way to your flight gate.
Our colleagues from our passenger information service will be pleased to offer you further assistance. They may be found in Terminal 1 on the arrivals level in the passage leading to departures, on the departure level (check-in hall) and in the market place behind the security checkpoint. Passengers checking in at Terminal 2 enter the gate area of Terminal 1 via a bridge after passing through security control.
For departures to Non-Schengen destinations, allow extra waiting time for passport control.
Travellers to Israel and the USA are advised to go to the gate early. As part of the enhanced security measures, passengers wishing to fly to these countries must go through a second security check, for which more time must be allowed. This second security check opens two hours and closes 30 minutes before departure time.
Arriving passengers
Baggage reclaim for arriving passengers is located in front of the exits from the security area. In Terminal 1 on arrivals level E0, in Terminal 2 on the ground floor. Follow the signs to baggage claim.
The relevant baggage belt is displayed on the monitors in baggage claim as well as in the flight overview of the respective flight on the website and in the app.
Large and special baggage (e.g. buggies) is issued at the separate large baggage claim. This is located in the centre of baggage claim near the baggage reclaim area in Terminal 1 and behind baggage belt C3 in Terminal 2.
You forgot something on the plane? Your baggage has not arrived? Do you want to make a complaint about damage? Then contact your airline or the company it has contracted.
Escorts & Greeters
To bring or pick up passengers to the airport, 300 parking spaces are available directly in front of the Terminal 1. Due to the automatic license plate recognition no ticket is needed. Inform yourself as to access, characteristics and prices of our Kiss & Fly short-stay car park.
Alternatively, more than 10,000 parking spaces in five multi-storey car parks and on three ground level car parks are available to escorts and greeters at the Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The route leads via the arrivals level of Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.
The arrivals level of Terminal 1 is located underneath the departures level with its check-in hall. Follow the signs for Terminal 1-2, Ankunft / Arrivals. There are no parking facilities in front of Terminal 2. However, the terminal is only a few minutes' walk from Terminal 1.
The departure level of Terminal 1 is located above the arrivals level. Follow the signs for Terminal 1-2, Abflug / Departures. There are no parking facilities in front of Terminal 2. However, the terminal is only a few minutes' walk from Terminal 1.
Restaurants in the public area of BER. The visitors’ terrace also offers a great spot from which to watch the goings-on on the apron. Free Wi-Fi is also available in the terminal.
When parking, please note the applicable rates and maximum parking times for the respective car parks.
Unforeseen circumstances
The authoritative and most up-to-date information on the status of your flight is available from your airline or tour operator. BER Airport displays flight times and status updates in the terminals and on the BER website and app based on the official information provided by the respective airlines. As flight status information can change rapidly in certain situations, there may occasionally be delays in the transmission of information between the airline and the airport. In all cases, the information provided by your airline should be considered definitive.
Your airline or tour operator is responsible for the operation of your flight and should be your primary point of contact in the event of delays, cancellations, rebookings, refunds, or questions regarding baggage and passenger services.
BER Airport provides the infrastructure required for flight operations but is not able to make decisions regarding individual flights.
In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, please contact your airline or tour operator directly. They will be able to provide information on rebooking options, alternative flights and any assistance that may be available to you.
Please contact your airline or tour operator directly. They can advise whether rebooking or an alternative travel arrangement can be offered.
Please refer to the information provided by your airline or tour operator. As long as your flight has not been cancelled, you should allow sufficient time for travel to the airport, check-in, security screening, passport control (where applicable) and boarding.
Please contact your airline or the relevant tour operator directly. They will be able to provide information on rebooking options, alternative travel arrangements and any refunds that may be available.
BER Airport and its service providers work to ensure that runways, aprons and other airport infrastructure can continue to operate safely, even in adverse weather conditions. In addition, aircraft may need to be de-iced before departure.
During periods of severe or extreme weather, airport operations may take longer than usual. In some cases, the number of aircraft that can take off or land may be significantly reduced. Your airline is responsible for deciding whether a flight will operate, be delayed or be cancelled. As the airport operator, BER has no influence over this decision and only publishes the information provided by the airline.
The decision to cancel a flight rests solely with the airline. As the airport operator, we have no influence over this decision and only publish the information provided by the airline.
BER flight information is provided by the airlines. As information is processed from different systems, there may occasionally be delays in updates being displayed. In all cases, the information provided by your airline should be regarded as authoritative.
Please contact your airline or tour operator before incurring any additional expenses. As a general rule, it is advisable to keep all receipts and supporting documents.
If check-in and baggage drop are open, you may check in your baggage as usual. We recommend that you always keep important documents, medication, valuables and charging devices in your hand luggage. If your flight is subsequently cancelled, your checked baggage will be returned to you.
The baggage will be offloaded and returned to the baggage reclaim process. Please contact your airline’s baggage tracing or baggage services desk for assistance with collecting your baggage.
As long as your flight is still scheduled to operate, please proceed through security screening in good time. Once in the departures area, you can check the flight information screens for details of your boarding gate. A wide range of shops, restaurants and services is available for your convenience after security screening.
If possible, wait before proceeding through passport control. Once you have passed through passport control or used the eGates, you are formally considered to have left the Schengen area. If your flight is subsequently cancelled, returning to the public area may involve additional administrative procedures.
Please contact your airline’s baggage services desk in the baggage reclaim area. They will be able to advise you when and where your baggage can be collected.
Any alternative travel arrangements, rebookings or replacement transport will be organised by your airline or tour operator. Please contact them directly for information about the travel options available to you.
Please contact your airline’s baggage services desk in the baggage reclaim area, or report the loss online if your airline offers this service.
A list of airline contact details is available on the airport website.
The airport provides a traveller website, a mobile app and an AI-powered telephone hotline through which you can access information.
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