Late arrival at BER Airport: how to get your car back at night

Many return flights only land at BER late in the evening – after a day on the beach, a change of planes in another city or a delay. Then all that matters is getting home as quickly and safely as possible. Whether that works is often already decided when you book your car park. This guide shows what you should look out for with late arrivals at Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

Precautions when booking

With a late return flight, the question is not when you depart but when you arrive back. Read in the offer description until what time the provider returns vehicles and whether it can still be reached after that time. Plan with the actual time you arrive at the meeting point, not with the landing time. You will find selection criteria in the guide Choosing a parking service at BER.

Between landing and the car

At BER, the aircraft taxis to its parking position; sometimes you are taken to the terminal by bus. For flights from non-Schengen countries, passport control follows. Then baggage reclaim and customs. Late in the evening, sometimes only a few counters are open, and sometimes several aircraft land at the same time. It is better to allow a little more time and contact the provider when you have your luggage – unless the confirmation specifies a different time.

Valet late in the evening

With valet, your car is brought to the meeting point. You save yourself the transfer and are quickly on your way home. Check the vehicle briefly – even in the dark, a look around with your phone torch is worthwhile. More on this in the guide Vehicle handover at BER.

Shuttle late in the evening

With shuttle parking, you depend on the provider's timetable. In the evening, some shuttles run less frequently or on call. Call in good time and clarify exactly where the shuttle stops – at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Details in the guide Shuttle parking at BER.

Delay, diversion, cancellation

If your flight is delayed by hours or you land at another airport, inform the provider as early as possible. Additional parking days may be incurred. What applies in such cases is answered by the frequently asked questions about a delayed return flight and the frequently asked questions about a cancelled flight.

Provider cannot be reached?

Late in the evening it can happen that nobody answers immediately at the provider. Try again after a few minutes and check whether the confirmation lists a second number or a messenger contact. At the same time, write a message with your flight number and arrival terminal. For bookings via Friend-Park you can contact our support; the frequently asked questions about a provider who cannot be reached give advice.

Getting home safely

• First take a breath, have a drink, then set off.
• If possible, take turns driving.
• Plan a break for longer journeys into Brandenburg.
• At night, watch out for roadworks and closures on the A113 and A10.

The night flight ban at BER and what it means for you

At BER, a night flight ban generally applies during the core period between midnight and five in the morning. For travellers this has a practical consequence: many return flights are scheduled to land late in the evening before midnight. If an aircraft is severely delayed, in exceptional cases it may no longer be able to land in Schönefeld and is diverted to another airport – in which case you may not get to your car until the next day. For parking this means: with late return flights, allow for this possibility, save your provider's number and inform them immediately if a diversion looks likely. Additional parking days are then likely, and the provider needs to know that you will not arrive as planned.

Typical waves of arrivals in the evening

Because many holiday airlines schedule their last rotations so that they are back before the night-time restrictions begin, several aircraft often arrive in quick succession between around 21:00 and 23:30. During this time, passport control, baggage belts and the parking providers' meeting points are busier than you would expect late in the evening. So do not plan on an empty terminal. If you land in this wave, it is best to contact the provider only once your suitcase is actually off the belt – then your arrival at the meeting point can be estimated realistically.

What a diversion means in practice

If your flight is diverted, the airline usually organises the onward journey, for example by bus or by flight the next day. For your car, what mainly changes is the time of collection. Keep the airline's message to hand, inform the parking provider of the new expected arrival time and clarify how the extra time will be charged. For a booking via Friend-Park you can also get in touch via the contact form. Claims relating to the diversion itself are to be made against the airline.

Who should pick you up late

Some travellers prefer to be picked up after a late return flight rather than drive themselves. This is easily possible at BER – those picking you up can wait in the arrivals level and use the airport's parking areas for the waiting time. In that case, however, your own car must not have been at the airport beforehand. If your car is already with the provider, combining a pick-up with a later vehicle return is only possible by arrangement and usually costs additional parking days.

Light, tiredness and the A113

The A113 is usually clear in the evening, so the drive into the city is quick. This in particular tempts some people to set off quickly even though they are tired after a long day of travel. Take five minutes at the car: adjust your mirrors and seat, start the satnav, drink some water. For longer journeys into the surrounding region, a short stop at the first service area is worthwhile. Better to be home ten minutes later than overtired on the motorway.

Valet late in the evening at BER

Valet shows its strength especially in the evening wave of arrivals. Instead of waiting at a shuttle stop with many other passengers, you go to the agreed meeting point where your car is made ready. The prerequisite is that the provider works at that time and that you get in touch at the right moment. Ask when booking whether the provider tracks flights or whether you should call – both options are common. If you land after 23:00, it is also worth asking how long the provider will wait for you if necessary.

Shuttle late in the evening at BER

A shuttle also works well in the evening if the timetable suits. Some providers then run on call, others at fixed times. Clarify beforehand exactly where the pick-up point is at your arrival terminal and keep your phone ready. If several aircraft land at almost the same time, the first shuttle may be full – with a little composure and a short message to the provider, this is usually resolved quickly.

In short

Because of the night flight ban, late arrivals at BER are usually concentrated before midnight. If you know your provider's return times, report delays and possible diversions early and set off rested, you will get home well even late in the evening.

And one more tip for everyone who regularly returns late: make a note of the typical time from landing to the car for your provider. After two or three trips you will know exactly when to get in touch – and late evenings at BER lose their terror.

This way, even a long day of travel at BER ends calmly and predictably.

If you follow this advice, you do not need to worry about your own car when landing in Schönefeld shortly before midnight.

Checklist

• Return times checked before booking
• Flight number in the booking
• Provider's telephone number saved
• Arrival terminal known
• Drive home planned without overtiredness

The entire procedure after landing is explained in the guide Returning: collecting your car at BER. You will find offers with suitable opening hours – as soon as partners are affiliated – on the page Parking at Berlin Airport.