Berlin-Schönefeld Airport

Berlin-Schönefeld Airport (SXF) was southeastern Berlin's main airport until October 2020, when it was integrated into the newly opened Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) as Terminal 5. The historic SXF terminal building is now officially designated BER Terminal 5.

Important: Since October 2020, all flights use the IATA code BER, not SXF. If you have an older booking or are researching historical information, this is the former Schönefeld Airport. For current travel, refer to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).

Current Status as BER Terminal 5

Terminal 5 (the former SXF) is located approximately 2 km south of BER's main Terminals 1 and 2. It operates as an overflow facility and is used selectively:

• Current use: Limited operations, primarily for seasonal charter flights and occasional overflow traffic
• Airlines: Variable based on seasonal demand; Ryanair and other low-cost carriers have used T5 during peak periods
• Check your booking: Always verify which terminal your flight departs from, as most BER flights now use Terminal 1 or Terminal 2

The terminal complex includes:

• Terminal 5.1: Former SXF main terminal building
• Terminal 5.2: Former SXF D-Pier building

Berlin Airport History

Berlin's complicated airport history is worth understanding:

• Tempelhof (THF): Closed 2008, now a public park
• Tegel (TXL): Closed November 2020, being redeveloped
• Schönefeld (SXF): Now BER Terminal 5 (limited operations)
• Berlin Brandenburg (BER): Opened October 2020, the city's primary airport

Terminal 5 (former SXF) is located 22 km (14 miles) southeast of Berlin city center (Alexanderplatz).

Travel time overview:

• S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz: 35-40 minutes
• Regional train to Hauptbahnhof: 35 minutes
• Taxi to city center: 30-45 minutes (traffic dependent)

The dedicated S-Bahn station Flughafen BER Terminal 5 (formerly Berlin-Schönefeld Flughafen) is adjacent to the terminal building.

Taxi

Licensed Berlin taxis (cream/beige colored) queue outside the terminal arrivals area.

Destination	Fare	Time
Alexanderplatz	EUR 45-55 (~USD 49-60)	30-40 min
Berlin Hauptbahnhof	EUR 50-60 (~USD 55-66)	35-45 min
Potsdamer Platz	EUR 45-55 (~USD 49-60)	30-40 min
Prenzlauer Berg	EUR 40-50 (~USD 44-55)	30-35 min

Fares are metered. Night surcharges apply between 22:00 and 06:00. No surcharge for luggage.

Uber & Rideshare

Uber operates at BER Terminal 5 with pickup at designated rideshare areas.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup outside arrivals
• Services available: UberX, UberXL, Uber Green
• Typical fare to city center: EUR 35-50 (~USD 38-55)

Alternatives: Bolt and FREE NOW are popular alternatives with comparable pricing.

S-Bahn (Urban Rail)

The S9 and S45 lines connect Terminal 5 to central Berlin from Flughafen BER Terminal 5 station.

To Alexanderplatz (City Center):

1. Walk to S-Bahn station adjacent to the terminal
2. Take S9 toward Spandau
3. Exit at Alexanderplatz
4. Journey time: 35-40 minutes

To Hauptbahnhof (Central Station):

1. Take S9 toward Spandau
2. Exit at Friedrichstraße (38 min), walk or transfer to Hauptbahnhof
3. Or take Regional Express (RE/RB) direct to Hauptbahnhof (35 min)

Ticket Type	Price	Notes
Single ticket (ABC zones)	EUR 4.40 (~USD 4.80)	Airport is in zone C
Day ticket (ABC zones)	EUR 10.00 (~USD 11)	Unlimited travel for 24 hours
7-day ticket (ABC zones)	EUR 47.50 (~USD 52)	Best for longer stays

Frequency: S9 runs every 20 minutes; Regional trains vary Operating hours: Approximately 04:30-01:00

Purchase tickets from VBB machines on the platform. Machines accept coins, notes, and cards. Validate your ticket before boarding (yellow or red validation machines).

Regional Trains

Regional Express (RE) and Regionalbahn (RB) trains provide faster connections:

Line	Destination	Time	Frequency
RE7	Berlin Hauptbahnhof	35 min	Every 30 min
RB14	Berlin Hauptbahnhof	35 min	Every 30 min
RB22	Potsdam	45 min	Every 30 min

Airport Express (FEX)

The Airport Express (FEX) runs between BER (main terminal) and Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Note: FEX serves Terminals 1/2, not Terminal 5. From Terminal 5, use S-Bahn or Regional trains, or take the shuttle bus to Terminals 1/2 first.

Terminal 5 has dedicated parking facilities.

Location	Type	Price
P5/P6	Terminal parking	From EUR 6/day (~USD 6.60)
P7	Long-term parking	From EUR 4/day (~USD 4.40)

Tips:

• Book online at berlin-airport.de for discounts (up to 30% off)
• Terminal 5 parking is often cheaper than main BER terminal parking
• Electric vehicle charging stations available

Note: When Terminal 5 is not operational, parking availability may be limited. Check the Berlin Airport website for current status.

When operational, Terminal 5 offers limited dining options compared to BER's main terminals.

Terminal 5.1 (Airside)

• Marché Mövenpick: Fresh sandwiches, salads, and hot dishes
• Coffee Fellows: Coffee and pastries
• Various kiosks: Snacks and beverages

Terminal 5.1 (Landside)

• McDonald's: Quick-service, extended hours
• Bakeries and cafes: Light meals and coffee

Tip: Dining options are significantly better at BER Terminals 1 and 2. If you have time and are traveling via shuttle, consider eating at the main terminals.

Free WiFi is available throughout Terminal 5.

Detail	Information
Network name	Free Airport WiFi / BER Free WiFi
Registration	Accept terms (email required)
Time limit	Unlimited
Coverage	All terminal areas

Quality: Adequate for browsing and email. Speed can be variable during peak times.

SIM card vendors are limited at Terminal 5. For better options, consider:

At Terminal 5 (When Available)

• Press shops: May stock basic prepaid SIMs
• Vending machines: Occasionally available

Better Alternatives

• BER Terminal 1: Telekom, Vodafone, O2 shops available
• Berlin city center: More competitive pricing at electronics stores (Saturn, MediaMarkt) or supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl)

Typical Prices

Provider	Price	Data
Telekom	From EUR 10 (~USD 11)	Varies by plan
Vodafone	From EUR 10 (~USD 11)	5G available
Aldi Talk	From EUR 8 (~USD 9)	Budget-friendly

Important: German law requires SIM card registration with passport. Bring your passport and provide a German address (hotel address works).

ATMs are available in Terminal 5 arrivals and departures areas.

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall (landside)
• Main check-in hall (landside)
• After security (limited)

Major German banks represented: Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse, Commerzbank.

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange counters (Reisebank) are available when the terminal is operational. Airport exchange rates are typically unfavorable (3-8% worse than market rates).

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw euros from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Use Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Pay directly with card (widely accepted in Berlin)

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Shopping at Terminal 5 is limited compared to BER's main terminals.

Duty Free (When Operational)

• Basic duty-free shop in departures (non-Schengen flights only)
• Products: Alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, chocolates

Other Shops

• Press and travel essentials: Books, magazines, travel accessories
• Souvenirs: Berlin-themed gifts

Tip: For serious shopping, use BER Terminals 1 or 2, which have extensive retail options including fashion, electronics, and luxury goods.

Lounge options at Terminal 5 are very limited.

Available Lounges

When Terminal 5 is operational with significant flight activity:

• Airport Business Lounge: May be available for Priority Pass holders and premium cabin passengers
• Check current availability with your airline or Priority Pass app

Alternatives

• BER Terminal 1 Lounges: Lufthansa lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and other options available
• If connecting through Terminal 5, consider arriving early to use Terminal 1/2 lounges before shuttling to Terminal 5

Hotels near Terminal 5 cater to travelers needing airport proximity.

Near Terminal 5

Holiday Inn Berlin Airport Conference Centre

• 5-minute drive from Terminal 5
• 4-star hotel with conference facilities
• From EUR 90/night (~USD 99)

Best Western Premier Airporthotel Fontane

• 10-minute drive from Terminal 5
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center
• From EUR 80/night (~USD 88)

At BER Main Terminal

For more options with direct terminal access:

Steigenberger Airport Hotel Berlin

• Connected to BER Terminal 1
• 4-star with restaurant and spa
• From EUR 130/night (~USD 143)

Hampton by Hilton Berlin Airport

• Short walk from Terminal 1
• Modern, affordable option
• From EUR 95/night (~USD 104)

Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, known for its history, vibrant culture, nightlife, and diverse neighborhoods.

Getting to the City Center

From Terminal 5:

• S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz: 35-40 minutes (EUR 4.40 / ~USD 4.80)
• Taxi to Mitte: 30-40 minutes (EUR 45-55 / ~USD 49-60)

Top Attractions

Attraction	Travel Time from T5	Highlights
Brandenburg Gate	45 min by S-Bahn	Berlin's iconic landmark, reunification symbol
Reichstag	45 min by S-Bahn	Parliament building with glass dome (free, book ahead)
Museum Island	40 min by S-Bahn	UNESCO site with 5 world-class museums
East Side Gallery	30 min by S-Bahn	Largest remaining section of Berlin Wall
Checkpoint Charlie	35 min by S-Bahn	Famous Cold War crossing point
Mauerpark	50 min by S-Bahn	Sunday flea market and karaoke

Berlin Neighborhoods

• Mitte: Historic center, museums, landmarks
• Kreuzberg: Multicultural, nightlife, street food
• Prenzlauer Berg: Cafes, boutiques, family-friendly
• Friedrichshain: Alternative scene, clubs, East Side Gallery
• Charlottenburg: Elegant, shopping on Ku'damm

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Quick trip to Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag area via S-Bahn
• 6-hour layover: Add Museum Island or a walk along Unter den Linden
• 8+ hour layover: Explore Kreuzberg, visit East Side Gallery, enjoy a currywurst

Berlin Specialties

• Currywurst: Sliced sausage with curry-ketchup sauce (try Curry 36 or Konnopke's)
• Döner Kebab: Berlin's famous Turkish-German street food
• Berliner Weisse: Sour wheat beer with fruit syrup
• Schnitzel: Classic German breaded cutlet
• Spätzle: Swabian egg noodles (popular side dish)

Practical Tips

• Berlin WelcomeCard: Discounts and unlimited transit from EUR 25 for 48 hours
• Cash: Many smaller restaurants, bars, and shops still prefer cash
• Sunday closures: Most shops closed on Sundays; supermarkets at train stations are exceptions
• Nightlife: Berlin's clubs typically don't get busy until after midnight and stay open well into the morning
• Tipping: Round up or add 5-10% at restaurants; not expected at counter service