Berlin Brandenburg Airport has ceased operations. Information on this page is provided for historical and reference purposes — do not plan travel through this airport.
Berlin, Germany
Airport for mainly low-cost flights to European destinations, plus express train to the city centre.
6 features verified at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Rude personnel. Definitely the rudest i have seen in 20 years flying. I start to remove electronics, small liquids from my bag at security. A brutally rude woman employee says 'Can you speak english' to which i respond - yes. Then, without a single word more, she says "Read the sign" pointing somewhere in the distance behind my back. I spin around for a minute while blocking the next in line to find that sign. She just repeats "Read the sign". As there is no sign anywhere near, i start walking around, looking for a monitor, a label. And after a third, and final hand gesture by the woman, i do see something. Probably 15 meters away, pass lines of people and a corridor, there are banners on a wall, stating "Keep your things inside". So this woman blocked the flow of people for probably 2 full minutes just to prove to someone that i have not paid attention on the walls posters on my way to security. Of course the people behind me did not understand what's going on. I noticed that the ladies immediately behind my back were also looking around trying to understand what they should do. I did not even get mad. This was simply so cringe of a behaviour that one is only left amazed...
Have used this airport couple of times. First time the security check wasn't very pleasant but last time it has improved. Restrooms are very small in the departure terminals. Some of the budget airlines fly to and from this airport. It has good connections to central Berlin. As this is a small airport to the shopping and dining doesn't have much choice.
The security staff is friendly, quick and detail oriented. The airport itself looks quite old and overloaded. The airport lounge is ok, nothing special but have seen worst. The the new international hanger where also wizzair starts is special.
Very few places to sit and most of the passengers have to be standing. Also no toilet at the gates. Also almost no escalators or just one going upwards. The good part is that it has smoking area and rewe with tasty cheap salad
Berlin Schönefeld Airport lies roughly 18 kilometres southeast of Berlin's city centre, in the state of Brandenburg. For decades it served as the city's primary international gateway, handling flights from across Europe and beyond. In 2020, it was largely subsumed into Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), with its terminal becoming Terminal 5. As of 2024, that terminal is closed for renovation, but the site's legacy remains important for understanding Berlin's aviation history and for connecting to the broader BER complex. Schönefeld's role as a hub for low-cost carriers and charter traffic defined its character—budget, busy, and functional.
Reaching Schönefeld from Berlin is straightforward. The airport has its own railway station, Schönefeld (bei Berlin), served by regional trains (RE7, RB14) and the S-Bahn line S9. Trains run from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main station) in around 30–40 minutes, with departures every 10–20 minutes during the day. The journey from Alexanderplatz is about 25 minutes by S-Bahn. Fares are covered by Berlin's public transport zones (ABC ticket, around €3.80 for a single trip). Buses also connect the airport to nearby towns and the BER terminals (lines 163, 164, 171). By car, the A113 and A10 motorways provide direct access. Taxis from central Berlin cost roughly €35–50 depending on traffic and destination. Ride-sharing services like Uber operate in the area.
The terminal at Schönefeld is a long, low building with a single main concourse. On arrival, passengers follow a covered walkway past the baggage claim area (two carousels) and into the arrivals hall. The atmosphere is utilitarian: concrete floors, high ceilings, and abundant signage in German and English. Departures are on the upper level. Check-in desks are arranged in rows, with a small duty-free area and a handful of shops and eateries (including a bakery and fast-food outlet) beyond security. The airport is wheelchair-accessible: ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, and a wheelchair-accessible car park are all available. There are baby-changing facilities in both the arrivals and departures areas. The security screening can be brisk but queues build at peak times—early mornings and late evenings. Power outlets are scarce, so bring a portable charger. Overall, the terminal is efficient but no-frills.
Schönefeld itself is a small town in Brandenburg, distinct from Berlin's urban bustle. Its most notable feature is the airport, which was built in the 1930s as a military airfield and later expanded by East Germany's national airline, Interflug. After reunification, Schönefeld became Berlin's main commercial airport, taking pressure off the smaller Tegel and Tempelhof. The area around the airport is largely flat, dotted with industrial parks, logistics centres, and open fields. For travellers with time to kill, a short walk or bus ride takes you to the village centre of Schönefeld, where you'll find a small church, a few shops, and a restaurant serving hearty Brandenburg cuisine. More rewarding is a trip into Berlin itself—the S-Bahn ride from Schönefeld to the city centre passes through Neukölln and Kreuzberg, two districts known for their multicultural food scenes and street art. History enthusiasts can visit the nearby Berlin-Hohenschönhausen memorial (former Stasi prison) or the German Museum of Technology in Kreuzberg. The airport's evolution from a Cold War hub to a low-cost carrier base to part of a modern mega-airport is a microcosm of Berlin's own transformation.
The airport terminal at Schönefeld (BER Terminal 5) is currently closed for renovations until further notice. All passenger operations have moved to the new BER terminals 1 and 2, which are about 1.5 kilometres away. Shuttle buses run between the Schönefeld train station and BER's main terminal, or you can walk in about 20 minutes along a marked path. For accessibility, the shuttle buses are wheelchair-friendly. The official BER website (berlin-airport.de) provides real-time updates on the reopening of Terminal 5. If you are flying out of Berlin, always check which terminal applies to your airline—most flights now use Terminal 1. One concrete piece of advice: avoid the overpriced taxis at the arrivals rank; instead, use the S-Bahn or a pre-booked ride-share to save money.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Der Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg verfugt uber zwei Terminals. Die Terminals 1 und 2 befinden sich zwischen zwei parallel angelegten Start- und Landebahnen, die aufgrund des seitlichen Abstandes von 1.900 Meter unabhangig voneinander betrieben werden konnen.
Discover Schonhagen Airport in Trebbin, Germany. A small airstrip serving general aviation, flight training, and recreational flying south of Berlin.
Complete guide to Flugplatz Neuhardenberg, a general aviation airfield in Brandenburg, Germany. Includes transport, terminal details, and local attractions near Berlin.
Airport Neuhardenberg und die Region - hier kreuzen sich die transeuropaischen Verkehrswege Der Airport Neuhardenberg ist die grosste Infrastruktureinrichtung des Landkreises Markisch-Oderland. Der Flugplatz Neuhardenberg mit seiner 2.400 x 50 m Runway und 230 Hektar Gewerbeflachen, davon 45 Hektar mit direkter Vorfeldanbindung, eignet sich hervorragend als ServiceAirport fur die Hauptstadtregion. Profitieren Sie von der Nahe zur deutschen Hauptstadt mit dem kurzesten Weg via Neuhardenberg zum internationalen Airport BER.
Complete guide to Flugplatz Gransee, a small general aviation airfield in Gransee, Brandenburg. Find location, access, facilities, and regional travel tips for pilots and passengers.
Wikipedia
More about Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Wikipedia
More about Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Der Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg verfugt uber zwei Terminals. Die Terminals 1 und 2 befinden sich zwischen zwei parallel angelegten Start- und Landebahnen, die aufgrund des seitlichen Abstandes von 1.900 Meter unabhangig voneinander betrieben werden konnen.
Discover Schonhagen Airport in Trebbin, Germany. A small airstrip serving general aviation, flight training, and recreational flying south of Berlin.
Complete guide to Flugplatz Neuhardenberg, a general aviation airfield in Brandenburg, Germany. Includes transport, terminal details, and local attractions near Berlin.
Airport Neuhardenberg und die Region - hier kreuzen sich die transeuropaischen Verkehrswege Der Airport Neuhardenberg ist die grosste Infrastruktureinrichtung des Landkreises Markisch-Oderland. Der Flugplatz Neuhardenberg mit seiner 2.400 x 50 m Runway und 230 Hektar Gewerbeflachen, davon 45 Hektar mit direkter Vorfeldanbindung, eignet sich hervorragend als ServiceAirport fur die Hauptstadtregion. Profitieren Sie von der Nahe zur deutschen Hauptstadt mit dem kurzesten Weg via Neuhardenberg zum internationalen Airport BER.
Complete guide to Flugplatz Gransee, a small general aviation airfield in Gransee, Brandenburg. Find location, access, facilities, and regional travel tips for pilots and passengers.