General
Overview
Berlin Ostbahnhof is the primary gateway for trains heading East to Poland (Warsaw/Krakow). It is the most convenient hub if you are staying in the Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg neighborhoods.
Transfer Options
The following transport options are available from/to Berlin Ostbahnhof:
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
The automated luggage lockers are located in the East Tunnel on the ground floor.
Visitor Cards & Transit Passes
For unlimited public transport and discounts at 180+ attractions, choose a visitor pass. You can purchase these 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
The S-Bahn (S3/S5/S7/S9) runs every few minutes from Ostbahnhof to Alexanderplatz/Hauptbahnhof. The platforms are directly accessible from the main station hall.
Bus
Several bus lines stop directly outside Ostbahnhof. Check the BVG app for the best connection to your destination.
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
Berlin Ostbahnhof is generally accessible, with elevators and ramps available to all platforms. The Mobility Service provides boarding assistance daily (06:00–22:30). It is highly recommended to book assistance at least 24–48 hours in advance.
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 is located in the main shopping arcade on the Ground Floor.
- 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 Ostbahnhof, the base fare is €4.30 plus €2.10–€2.80 per km.
Taxi Stands
The taxi rank is located at the main entrance on Straße der Pariser Kommune.
Rideshare
Uber, Bolt, and Freenow: Exit the station via the South Entrance (Stralauer Platz). Drivers pick up in the short-term parking lot (P1 - Am Ostbahnhof) directly outside the station doors.
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
Security Controls
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds for non-EU residents in Berlin are primarily processed at BER Airport customs.