Back at BER Airport: how to collect your car after your trip

The last stage of every trip begins with touchdown on the runway in Schönefeld. A few more steps are needed before you are sitting in your own car again. If you know them, you save time and nerves – especially after a long flight or a late landing. Here you will learn how collection at BER works with valet and shuttle parking.

From the gate to the exit

At BER you leave the aircraft via a jet bridge or by bus. From Schengen countries you go straight to baggage reclaim. From non-Schengen countries – such as the United Kingdom, Turkey or long-haul destinations – you pass through passport control first. After baggage reclaim comes the customs exit. Allow time for these steps before you ask the provider to come to the meeting point.

Get in touch – but at the right time

Some providers want a call as soon as you have landed, others only once you have your luggage. Still others have the car ready based on the flight number. Follow the instructions in your confirmation. In the event of significant delays you should also get in touch; see the frequently asked questions about a delayed return flight.

Valet: the car comes to the meeting point

The driver brings your car to the agreed meeting point near the terminal. Whether you arrive at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 may matter for the meeting point – check the details in the confirmation. You get the key, take a quick look around the car and drive off. More: Valet parking at BER.

Shuttle: back to the car park

With shuttle parking, you go to the provider's pick-up point and take the shuttle to the car park. There you get into your car. In the evening the service may be less frequent, so a quick call is worthwhile. More: Shuttle parking at BER.

The two-minute check

• Walk around the car, compare with the handover photos
• Mileage and fuel or battery gauge
• Interior: is everything still there that you left?
• Raise anything unusual immediately on site

Why this is important is explained in the guide Vehicle handover at BER.

If something goes wrong

If the car is not ready or the provider cannot be reached, try again using the number in the confirmation. For Friend-Park bookings, our support will help you; see also the frequently asked questions about a provider who cannot be reached.

Special cases on your return

Lost luggage: Report the loss to the airline or at the baggage desk before leaving the secure area. Let the parking provider know that it will take longer.

Diversion to another airport: Inform the provider immediately. You may not get to BER until the next day – in that case additional parking days will be charged.

Car won't start: After a long period of standing, the battery may be weak. Ask the provider whether they can give you a jump start, or call your breakdown service.

Driving home

From BER you take the A113 towards the city centre or to the Berlin ring road. After a long flight, a short break before setting off is worthwhile. For late landings, the tips in the guide Late arrival at BER will help.

Arriving shortly before the night-time restrictions

At BER, a night flight ban generally applies during the core period between midnight and five o'clock. Many return flights therefore land late in the evening, often in quick succession. For the return of your car this means: it can be busier at passport control, at the baggage belts and at the providers' meeting points than you would expect late in the evening. Allow a little more time and only contact the provider once you have your luggage. In the event of severe delays, a flight may in exceptional cases be diverted – then inform the provider of the new situation immediately.

Going to the car by train?

A special case: sometimes someone travels to BER by train to collect a car parked there, for example for relatives. This is only possible by arrangement with the provider, who must know the person collecting the car. The station beneath Terminal 1 is a good starting point for this; from there you go to the meeting point or the shuttle stop.

Customs on your return

If you are returning from outside the EU, you pass through customs after baggage reclaim. Duty-free allowances apply to goods you bring with you. If you exceed them, you must use the red exit and declare them, which takes time. Factor this into the moment you contact the parking provider.

Returning with family

After a family holiday, everyone is tired, the luggage is heavier and the children just want to go home. So organise the return with a clear division of roles: one adult collects the suitcases from the belt, the other stays with the children. Only when everything is there do you contact the provider. With valet, the car waits at the meeting point; put the children in first, then load up. With a shuttle, the driver usually helps with loading. More tips in the guide to BER with family and luggage.

Collecting bulky luggage

Pushchairs, skis, golf bags or bike cases are often not issued on the normal baggage belt but at a separate bulky luggage counter. After landing, look out for the signs or ask the staff. Allow a few extra minutes for this before contacting the parking provider.

If you land earlier

If your flight lands significantly earlier than planned, call the provider and ask whether the car can be made ready earlier. Many providers can arrange this if they know in good time. Without a call, you may otherwise have to wait until the booked time.

The drive home from Schönefeld

From BER, the A113 leads back towards the city centre; the Schönefeld interchange connects with the Berlin ring road. In the evening the roads are usually clear, but busier on Sundays and at the end of the holidays. Adjust your seat and mirrors before setting off, briefly check the traffic situation and drive off well rested.

If something doesn't work out

If the car is not ready or the provider cannot be reached, stay calm and proceed step by step. Call the number from the confirmation and at the same time send a message with your flight number, terminal and location. Check whether a second contact option is given. If that does not help, contact our support for a booking via Friend-Park. The frequently asked questions about a provider who cannot be reached also give advice. The situation is usually cleared up with the first call, for example because the meeting point has moved due to the terminal.

Collection by relatives

If another person is to collect the car, this must be agreed with the provider beforehand. Enter the name of the person collecting in the notes field of the booking and give them the booking number and handover photos. Without prior agreement, a reputable provider will not hand over a vehicle to third parties – this also protects you.

The first drive after the return

Drive the first few kilometres attentively and look out for warning lights or unusual noises. If you notice something later, contact the provider promptly and describe the problem precisely. That way questions can best be cleared up while memories are fresh.

Returning from a winter holiday

If you return from a ski holiday or a long-haul trip in winter and your car was parked outdoors, you may find it iced over. An ice scraper and a hand brush in the boot will then save time. Check whether the windscreen wipers are frozen before switching them on, and scrape all windows completely clear. After a long period standing in the cold, the battery may be weak; if in doubt, ask the provider for a jump start. Allow correspondingly more time for the drive home in icy conditions.

This way, returning to BER becomes a calm end to your trip, even in winter.

Checklist

• Confirmation with telephone number to hand
• Arrival terminal known
• Contacted the provider at the right time
• Car briefly checked

Everything about parking at Berlin Brandenburg Airport – and whether offers can be booked via Friend-Park – can be found on the page Parking at Berlin Airport.