General
Overview
Berlin Hauptbahnhof is a vertical station and the primary rail hub for the city, connecting most international and domestic high-speed lines.
Transfer Options
The following transport options are available from/to Berlin Hauptbahnhof:
BVG (U-Bahn, bus, tram) and S-Bahn Berlin operate independently and can call strikes on separate days. Before travel, check BVG Traffic News for city transit and S-Bahn disruptions for rail. Taxi or Uber/Freenow are your best fallback if transit is disrupted.
Luggage Storage
Automated lockers are on the 1st and 2nd upper floors near the parking garage.
Many older station lockers still require €1 or €2 coins. While newer machines take cards, keep a few coins handy. If you prefer a human attendant, look for the staffed “Gepäckcenter” on the first floor of the station.
Visitor Cards & Transit Passes
For unlimited public transport and discounts at 180+ attractions, choose a visitor pass. You can purchase these at Berlin Tourist Info centers (located in the Hauptbahnhof lobby) or at any DB/VBB ticket machine.
- Berlin WelcomeCard: Best for sightseeing. Prices start at €26.00 (48h, Zone AB).
- Berlin CityTourCard: A budget-friendly alternative. Prices start at €22.50 (48h, Zone AB).
- Standard Tickets: A 24-Hour Ticket is €9.90 (AB) or €11.40 (ABC).
- 7-Day Ticket: The most cost-effective option for longer stays, costing €41.50 (Zone AB).
Children’s Fares
- Under 6: Free on all BVG services. No ticket required.
- Ages 6-14: Reduced fare. Single ticket: €2.50 (AB/BC zones) or €3.50 (ABC zone - needed for the airport). Reduced 24h ticket: €7.40 (AB).
- WelcomeCard / CityTourCard: Up to 3 children aged 6-14 ride free on one adult card. No separate child ticket needed - practical for families.
- Age 15+: Full adult fare applies.
Note: A single AB ticket (within the city) is €3.50.
Berlin does not support “tap-on/tap-off” with credit cards. You must have a valid ticket or app QR code. In Germany, a paper ticket is invalid unless stamped. Before boarding, you MUST insert your ticket into the small yellow or red boxes on the platform to get a timestamp. Failure to do so results in a €60 fine. App-based tickets are “pre-validated” and do not need a stamp.
Use BVG Fahrinfo as your official source for buying all mobile tickets and viewing real-time local disruptions, while relying on Citymapper for a superior navigation interface that includes “best carriage” guidance and precise station exit instructions.
NOTE: Tickets bought in the BVG Fahrinfo app are active (validated) immediately. Do not buy them until you see your train or bus approaching.
Public Transit
S-Bahn & U-Bahn
The S-Bahn (city trains) and U-Bahn (subway line U5) connect Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Friedrichstraße or Alexanderplatz in 5–10 minutes. On arrival, use the platforms on the upper level for S-Bahn or the deepest level for the U5.
- Short Trip (Kurzstrecke): If traveling fewer than 3 stops (S/U-Bahn) or 6 stops (Bus/Tram), a reduced fare of €2.40 applies.
Bus & Tram
The main bus and tram stops are at Europaplatz (North exit). The 100 and 200 bus lines are famous “tourist routes” that pass major sights for the price of a standard ticket. Trams (M5, M8, M10) also depart from here toward eastern districts.
Always enter buses through the front door and show your ticket (or QR code) to the driver. Exit through the rear doors only. Standard city buses have limited luggage space; if you have multiple large bags at the airport, the train is a much more comfortable option.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
All levels of Berlin Hbf are connected by glass elevators. The Mobility Service on the first floor provides boarding assistance. It is highly recommended to book assistance at least 24–48 hours in advance.
At Hauptbahnhof, elevators at the far ends of the platforms are often less crowded than the central ones.
Safety
Berlin is generally safe, but be vigilant in crowded transit hubs.
- The “Official” Taxi: Ignore anyone inside the terminal/station asking “Taxi?”. These are unlicensed drivers.
- The “Change” Scam: At the stations, be wary of anyone asking for help “changing a coin” for a locker or ticket machine; this is often a distraction for pickpocketing. Politely say “No” and keep walking.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
- At the Station: Visit the DB Information desk on the ground floor or report online via the DB Lost & Found Service portal.
First Aid & Pharmacies
- Pharmacy: Apotheke on Level 1 (near Europaplatz exit).
- For immediate first aid, locate the Deutsche Bahn (DB) information desks, security staff, or the station mission (Bahnhofsmission) for assistance. In case of a medical emergency, call 112 immediately for an ambulance.
Arrival
Official Taxi
Identification and Rates
Official Berlin taxis are Cream/Beige with a yellow roof sign. All use meters; there are no flat rates from the airport.
From the station, the base fare is €4.30 plus €2.10–€2.80 per km.
Taxi Stands
Ranks are at Europaplatz (North) and Washingtonplatz (South).
By law, all taxis must accept credit cards, though some drivers may claim the machine is “broken.” Confirm “Card payment?” before boarding. At the station, if your hotel is under 2km away, you can hail a taxi on the street for a €6.00 “Kurzstrecke” (Short Trip) rate, but this is not valid at official station taxi ranks.
Rideshare
Uber, Bolt, and Freenow: Drivers typically pick up at the South Entrance (Washingtonplatz) or the North Entrance (Europaplatz). Confirm your exit in the app; they cannot wait at the taxi-only ranks.
Unlike taxis, rideshare cars are standard passenger vehicles. Always check the license plate in your app against the car before entering, especially at the busy pickup zones.
Freenow is the local favorite and allows you to summon official taxis as well as private rides, providing better availability during peak hours or rain.
ATMs and Currency
Avoid the bright blue and yellow Euronet ATMs found in corridors. They charge excessive transaction fees and offer poor exchange rates. Always choose “Decline Conversion” on any ATM to let your home bank handle the rate.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
Arrival Time
For ICE (High-speed) trains, arrive 20–30 minutes early. Unlike an airport, there is no check-in or mandatory luggage screening before boarding; you walk directly onto the platform.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
There is no security checkpoint for domestic or Schengen-area trains (such as those heading to Paris or Warsaw). You simply find your platform and board.
Look for the “Wagenreihung” digital displays or paper posters on the platform. They show exactly where your specific coach (e.g., Coach 21) will stop relative to sections A, B, C, or D on the platform. This prevents a frantic sprint with heavy luggage once the train arrives.
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds for non-EU residents in Berlin are primarily processed at BER Airport customs, not directly inside Berlin Hauptbahnhof.