Getting to Berlin
There are hardly any direct flights to Berlin from overseas and, depending on the airline you use, you're likely to fly first into another European city such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris or London and catch a connecting flight from there. Berlin has three airports:
You can reach all three airports by calling the central service phone number 0180/500-0186);
Tegel (TXL) primarily serves destinations within Germany and Europe.
Schönefeld (SXF) mostly operates international flights to/from Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America.
Berlin-Tempelhof (THF) became famous as the main landing hub for Allied airlifts during the Berlin blockade of 1948-49. Today it's the main hub for domestic departures and flights to Central Europe.
Bus: Berlin is well-connected to the rest of Europe by long-distance bus. Most buses arrive at and depart from the Zentraler Omnibus-bahnhof in Charlottenburg, opposite the stately Funkturm radio tower.
Train: Until the opening of the huge new rail center (Lehrter Bahnhof) in 2002, train services to and from Berlin will remain confusing because of the extensive construction that affects several stations. Trains scheduled to leave from or arrive at one station may be spontaneously rerouted to another. Zoo Station is the main station for long-distance travelers going to and from the west.
Bicycles: Berlin is very cycle friendly, and it's a good way to get to know the city - there are specially marked bike lanes everywhere. There are also many bike rental shops.
Transfers Between the Airport and Town
Tegel Airport is only 6 km (4 mi) from the downtown area. The No. 109 and X09 airport buses run at 10-minute intervals between Tegel and downtown via Kurfürstendamm, Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten, and Budapester Strasse. The trip takes 30 minutes. If you rent a car at the airport, follow the signs for the Stadtautobahn into Berlin. The Halensee exit leads to Kurfürstendamm.
Tempelhof is linked directly to the city center by the U-6 subway line.
From Schönefeld a shuttle bus leaves every 10-15 minutes for the nearby S-bahn station; S-bahn trains leave every 20 minutes for the Friedrichstrasse station, in downtown eastern Berlin, and for the Zoologischer Garten station, in downtown western Berlin. Bus 171 also leaves every 10 or 15 minutes for the western Berlin Rudow subway station. A taxi ride from the airport takes about 40 minutes. By car, follow the signs for Stadtzentrum Berlin.
By Bus
Buses are slightly cheaper than trains. Berlin is linked by bus to 170 European cities. The Omnibusbahnhof, the central bus terminal, is at the corner of Masurenallee 4-6 and Messedamm. Reserve through DER (a state agency), travel agencies, or the station itself. For information call 030/301-8028 between 9 and 5:30.
By Car
The German autobahn system links Berlin with the eastern German cities of Magdeburg, Leipzig, Rostock, Dresden, and Frankfurt an der Oder. Speed restrictions of 130 kph (80 mph) still apply.
A car is really unnecessary in Berlin and the surrounding area. The transportation network is amazing in its efficiency and extent. Public transportation via bus, subway and train is available throughout the city and into all of the surrounding area. There are numerous connections to cities throughout Germany and the rest of Europe.
By Train
There are six major rail routes to Berlin from the western part of the country (from Hamburg, Hannover, Köln, Frankfurt, Munich, and Nürnberg). Ask about reduced fares within Germany. Some trains now stop at and depart from more than one of Berlin's four main train stations, but generally trains from the west and north arrive at Friedrichstrasse and Zoologischer Garten, and trains from the east and south at Hauptbahnhof or Lichtenberg. For details on rates and information, call Deutsche Bahn Information 030/19419).
Getting Around
By Subway
Berlin is too large to be explored on foot. To compensate, the city has one of the most efficient public-transportation systems in Europe, a smoothly integrated network of subway (U-bahn) and suburban (S-bahn) train lines, buses, trams (in eastern Berlin only), and even a ferry across the Wannsee, making every part of the city easily accessible. Get a map from any information booth. Extensive all-night bus and tram service operates seven nights a week (indicated by the letter N next to route numbers).
Bicycle
Bicycling is popular in Berlin. Although it's not recommended in the downtown area, it's ideal in outlying areas. Bike paths are generally marked by red bricks on the walkways;
The Berlin WelcomeCard entitles one person or one adult and up to three children to three days of unlimited travel as well as free admission or reductions of up to 50% for sightseeing trips, museums, theaters, and other events and attractions.
All tickets are available from vending machines at U-bahn and S-bahn stations. Punch your ticket into the red machine on the platform. For information about public transportation, call the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe 030/19449 or 030/752-7020) or go to the BVG-information office on Hardenbergplatz, directly in front of the Bahnhof Zoo train station. If you're caught without a ticket, there is a fine.
The U-Bahn
underground system is efficient and extensive; trains run from 4am to approximately 12.30am, an hour later on Fri. and Sat.
The S-Bahn
is better for getting out to the suburbs : Wannsee or Potsdam, for instance. The city bus network - and the tram system in eastern Berlin - cover most of the gaps left by the U-Bahn:
Night buses run at intervals of around twenty minutes, although the routes often differ from daytime ones; agents in the U-Bahn stations can usually provide a map.
Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed from the street or picked up at the taxi stands at major intersections, by U-Bahn stations, or in front of the larger hotels.