Starting Sunday, December 14, 2025, getting to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is set to become significantly faster and easier. After years of construction, the upgraded Dresdner Bahn railway line is now operational, enabling a major improvement in airport rail service.
Faster to Berlin Airport
The most significant change is the new route for the Airport Express (FEX), which will now travel directly between central Berlin and the airport, drastically cutting travel times.
🚆 Key Improvements at a Glance
| Connection | New Travel Time | New Frequency | Key Stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) → BER | 23 minutes (before 39 min) | Every 15 min (FEX) | Direct to airport via Potsdamer Platz, Südkreuz |
| Berlin Südkreuz → BER | 14 minutes | Every 15 min (FEX) | Direct to airport |
| Potsdamer Platz → BER | 19 minutes | Every 15 min (FEX) | Direct to airport via Südkreuz |
| Eastern Berlin (Ostkreuz) → BER | Direct connection | Every 30 min (RB24/RB32) | Lichtenberg, Schöneweide |
| Cottbus / Lübbenau → BER | ~50 min from BER (RE20) | Hourly (RE20) | Königs Wusterhausen |
The New Airport Express (FEX)
The FEX is the centerpiece of the new service. Instead of its previous indirect route, it will now run up to four times per hour on the new, direct Dresdner Bahn tracks.
This creates a high-capacity link between BER and Berlin’s three major rail hubs:
- Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station): 23-minute journey
- Berlin Südkreuz: 14-minute journey
- Berlin Potsdamer Platz: 19-minute journey
Together with the new hourly RE20 regional train, this means there will be up to five direct trains per hour connecting these central stations with the airport.
Improved Connections Across Berlin and Brandenburg
The upgrade benefits more than just the city center. Several new and improved services will enhance connectivity for other districts and the surrounding state of Brandenburg:
- For Eastern Berlin: The regional lines RB24 and RB32 now run directly to the airport, offering two connections per hour from stations like Lichtenberg and Ostkreuz.
- For Northeastern Berlin: A new S-Bahn line, the S85, will connect the airport with the northeastern ring line. It will run every 20 minutes to stations like Pankow (on weekends) or Frohnau (on weekdays).
- For Brandenburg: The new RE20 provides a direct link from cities like Lübbenau and Cottbus to BER. The RB22 continues to connect Potsdam with the airport.
Important Note for North Berlin Travelers: With the new FEX route, the previous direct connection from stations like Gesundbrunnen is temporarily suspended. A replacement S-Bahn service (S15) is planned but not expected until Spring 2026. Until then, the fastest option from northern districts is to take any train to Hauptbahnhof, Potsdamer Platz, or Südkreuz and transfer to the new, frequent FEX.
Faster Journeys from Across Germany
The faster connection to Berlin’s main rail hubs also shortens travel times for passengers coming from other German cities. With easier transfers to the frequent FEX or RE20, overall journey times are reduced.
Significant time savings include:
- Leipzig and Erfurt: Nearly 30 minutes faster.
- Hanover: Over 35 minutes faster.
- Hamburg: Nearly 30 minutes faster (once track upgrades between Hamburg and Berlin are completed, expected in early 2026).
Furthermore, direct Intercity (IC) train services from Dresden (approx. 1.5 hours) and Rostock (approx. 2.5 hours) to BER have been restored.
Practical Information for Your Trip
- Tickets: A standard single ticket from central Berlin to BER is an ABC ticket, as the airport is in fare zone C. Tickets must be purchased before boarding.
- At the Airport: The train station “Flughafen BER” is located directly underneath Terminal 1 on level U2. From here, you can reach Terminal 1’s check-in hall in minutes. For Terminal 2, go to the arrivals level (E0) and follow the signs.
- Booking: For long-distance rail travel to the airport, tickets can be booked via the airport’s website, the DB Navigator app, or other rail booking platforms:
The completion of the Dresdner Bahn marks a major milestone, finally providing Berlin with the fast and frequent airport rail link it was promised. For both residents and visitors, reaching BER is now a quicker and more convenient part of the journey.