Driving to Berlin Brandenburg Airport: A113, Berlin ring road and terminals

Berlin is a city of traffic jams – and for many, the way to BER leads right through this city. The airport is located in Schönefeld, just beyond the south-eastern city boundary. The A113 provides a direct motorway connection, and the Berlin ring road (A10) gives good distribution from all directions. This guide shows you the most important routes, the special features at the terminals and how to build Berlin traffic into your schedule.

From central Berlin

From the central districts, the route usually leads via the urban motorway (A100) and the A113 towards Schönefeld. The A113 takes you all the way to the airport without traffic lights. During rush hour and on Friday afternoons, however, the A100 is often congested. From south-east Berlin, depending on your starting point, you can also drive via country roads and the B96a.

From Brandenburg and further afield

If you are coming from Potsdam, Brandenburg an der Havel, Cottbus, Frankfurt (Oder) or more distant cities, you usually use the Berlin ring road (A10) to the Schönefelder Kreuz junction and switch there to the A113 towards the airport. You will find an overview by region of origin in the guide Getting to BER from the region.

At the airport: Terminal 1 or Terminal 2

Shortly before the airport, the signs split for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 2 lies north of Terminal 1; both have their own drop-off areas. If you head for the wrong terminal, you usually have to drive a loop. So check in your flight documents before setting off which terminal applies. Reminder: the former Terminal 5 (old Schönefeld) is closed – you no longer drive there. More in the guide Terminals at BER.

How to calculate your schedule

• Lead time: your airline tells you how early you should be in the terminal.
• Parking or transfer: a valet handover takes a few minutes, shuttle parking takes more time.
• Drive: normal driving time plus a buffer – more through the city, usually less via the ring road.

An example: departure at 9:10 from Terminal 1, two hours' lead time – 7:10 in the terminal. With valet you are at the meeting point at 6:55. From Charlottenburg you allow around 40 minutes of driving time in the morning, plus a 30-minute buffer: set off at 5:45. Your starting point and the traffic on the day of travel can shift this considerably.

The right address in the sat nav

The airport's address is Willy-Brandt-Platz, 12529 Schönefeld. For parking, however, you need a different one: for shuttle car parks the provider's address, for valet the meeting point from the confirmation. Many providers also want you to get in touch shortly before arrival – see the frequently asked questions about calling the provider.

Traffic jam on the A100? How to react

First inform your parking provider if you are running late. At the same time, check whether online check-in is possible, and contact the airline if time is very tight. If you regularly have to get to BER during rush hour, plan with a generous buffer or switch to less congested routes. What applies if you arrive late is answered in the frequently asked questions about arriving late.

Check before setting off

• Terminal according to the flight documents
• Address or meeting point from the parking booking
• Traffic situation on the A100, A113 and A10
• Fuel or charge level for the drive home
• Provider's phone number on your phone

Roadworks and closures

There is a lot of construction around Berlin, including on the motorways. Roadworks on the A100, on the Berlin ring road or on the access roads can lengthen the journey time. Much of the work takes place at night or at weekends, with lane closures or diversions. Check the traffic situation on the day of travel shortly before you leave and not the evening before. Navigation apps with current traffic information help you find an alternative at short notice.

Driving during major events

Berlin is a city of major events: trade fairs, concerts, sporting events and demonstrations can affect traffic in parts of the city. If you drive to BER on such days, you should allow a little more time and, if necessary, avoid routes affected by closures. A look at the traffic reports before setting off is particularly sensible on such days.

Refuelling and charging

Plan to arrive at BER with enough fuel that you can drive home without a detour after your return. For electric cars: start with a reserve that is certainly enough for the return journey, and take into account that the battery loses some charge in the cold and during a long standstill. Whether your parking provider offers charging is stated in its description.

Driving in winter

In the Berlin winter it can get icy, even if snow is less common than in the south. In icy conditions or snowfall, journey times increase considerably. Winter tyres are mandatory in wintry road conditions. On such days, plan more buffer and remember an ice scraper for your return in case your car was parked outdoors.

The drive home from BER

After landing, the route leads back via the A113 into the city or to the Berlin ring road. On Sunday evenings and at the end of the holidays the roads are often busy because many people return home at the same time. After a long flight, a short break before you get behind the wheel is worthwhile – especially if you still have to drive far into the surrounding area.

Dropping off and picking up at the drop-off area

If someone drives you to BER, they stop at the drop-off area of your terminal. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have separate drop-off areas – tell the driver beforehand where you are going. The airport's rules, which are on its website, apply to brief stops. When picking someone up, it is worth following the flight status online so that nobody waits unnecessarily. Waiting for long periods at the drop-off area is generally not intended; the airport's parking areas are suitable for the wait.

With a motorhome or trailer

If you come to BER with a large vehicle, you must plan parking particularly carefully. Multi-storey car parks have height restrictions, and not every private provider accepts large vehicles. State the vehicle type and dimensions when booking and, if in doubt, clarify beforehand whether your vehicle fits.

Car pooling

If several people you know are flying at the same time, a joint journey is worthwhile: one car, one parking booking. With shuttle parking, state the full number of people. Clarify beforehand who will collect the car on your return if you are not flying back together.

A worked example from Brandenburg

Departure at 10:40 from Terminal 2, two hours' lead time: 8:40 in the terminal. With shuttle parking you allow 40 minutes for check-in and transfer, so arrival at the car park at 8:00. From Brandenburg an der Havel via the Berlin ring road the drive takes around an hour, plus a 30-minute reserve for traffic on the ring road: set off at 6:30. If you are travelling on a Friday during the holidays, add a little more. The figures are examples; what matters are your route, the traffic situation and your provider's information.

The same applies in reverse for the drive home: the way back from BER to Brandenburg an der Havel, Cottbus or Frankfurt (Oder) also leads via the Berlin ring road, which can be very busy on Sunday evenings and at the end of the holidays. So also allow a little more time for the journey home.

In short: know the route, check the terminal, put the address from the booking in the sat nav, take Berlin traffic seriously and plan a buffer – then driving to BER will be relaxed.

Where to put the car?

The parking options are set out in the guide Parking options at BER. Whether offers can already be booked at Berlin Brandenburg Airport through Friend-Park is shown on the page Parking at Berlin Airport.