Berlin’s connections to the world

Berlin, August 2026 Berlin is a cosmopolitan city – and easily accessible from all over the world. The German capital benefits from its central location in Europe and excellent transport links by rail, air and within the city itself. International rail links, direct intercontinental flights from BER Airport and a dense inner-city transport network ensure short journeys and a comfortable arrival and departure. Whether by train from neighbouring European countries, by night train across the continent or via international flight connections: Berlin is very well connected both nationally and internationally.

International rail connections strengthen Berlin's role as a hub

Berlin Central Station is Europe’s largest junction station and a key hub for national and international rail traffic. Around 300,000 travellers and visitors use it every day. There are direct day and night services from Berlin’s long-distance stations to numerous European cities – including Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Copenhagen and Warsaw. This places Berlin on key European east-west and north-south routes.

Since December 2024, a daily ICE service has been running between Berlin and Paris without the need to change trains. The journey from city centre to city centre takes around eight hours, offering an attractive alternative to air travel.

Since March 2026, the Dutch rail operator GoVolta has been supplementing the existing service between Berlin and Amsterdam with three further direct services per week.

Since 1 May 2026, a partnership between Deutsche Bahn (DB), Danish State Railways (DSB) and Czech Railways (ČD) has been connecting the three capital cities of Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen. Two pairs of trains run daily on the route all year round; the journey time between Berlin and Copenhagen is around seven hours. This further strengthens Berlin’s position as a hub for north-south rail travel in Europe.

Connections to Central and Eastern Europe have also been significantly expanded. Since the timetable change in December 2025, seven return services have been running daily between Berlin and Warsaw – at approximately two-hourly intervals. Direct EuroCity services to Wrocław and Kraków, as well as new overnight EuroCity services towards Przemyśl and Chełm, further strengthen Berlin’s position as a hub between Western and Eastern Europe.

Culture Train: When a journey becomes a cultural experience

The Berlin–Poznań–Warsaw Culture Train is a prime example of how international rail links can facilitate encounters and cultural exchange beyond mere transport. To mark the 35th anniversary of the town twinning between Berlin and Warsaw, as well as the German–Polish Neighbourhood Treaty, it will operate on eight selected journeys from 24 September to 10 October 2026.

To this end, in cooperation with PKP Intercity and DB Fernverkehr, a dedicated cultural carriage will be attached to the regular EuroCity service between Berlin and Warsaw. More than 32 bilingual events will take place on board – including readings, concerts, film screenings, performances, workshops and discussions. In this way, the cultural exchange begins whilst the train is still in motion, bringing people from Germany and Poland together in conversation.

The Culture Train has been connecting Berlin and Wrocław since 2016 and, with more than 1,500 journeys and around 140,000 passengers, has already demonstrated how sustainable mobility, culture and international cooperation can intertwine. In 2026, this successful concept will once again be rolled out on the route via Poznań to Warsaw. The cultural programme on board is free of charge; all you need is a valid train ticket and a booking. Further information on the Culture Train.

More and more visitors are deliberately choosing to travel to Berlin by train, particularly on routes with journey times of up to ten hours, where it is increasingly seen as a sustainable and comfortable alternative to flying. According to visitBerlin’s ‘Quality Monitor 2023/2024’ study, 50 per cent of all visitors travelled to Berlin by train, an increase of six percentage points compared with previous years. 

Travel while you sleep: night trains from Berlin

Alongside the frequent daytime services, night trains are also becoming increasingly important. Berlin is a key hub in the European night train network. 

The European Sleeper connects the capital several times a week with cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Antwerp and Brussels, as well as, to the east, with Dresden and Prague. Passengers can choose between standard, couchette and sleeper carriages and arrive at their destination the following morning. Since March 2026, the European Sleeper has also been offering a direct night train service between Berlin and Paris three times a week in each direction. This service replaces the joint service operated by ÖBB and SNCF, which was discontinued at the end of 2025.

The ÖBB Nightjet provides direct night services from Berlin to Graz and Zurich. Scandinavia is also accessible overnight: the Swedish operator Snälltåget runs a seasonal service from Berlin via Hamburg, Copenhagen and Malmö to Stockholm.

Quick journey from BER Airport to the city centre

Since 14 December 2025, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has been even quicker and more convenient to reach. Thanks to the new Dresden railway line, the FEX airport express now takes just around 23 minutes to reach Berlin Central Station and runs every 15 minutes. visitBerlin welcomes the significantly improved rail link. It enhances the accessibility of the capital region and ensures a convenient connection between rail and air travel.

Long-haul connections: From BER directly to the world

Berlin also has good intercontinental connections. There are non-stop flights from BER Airport to North America, East Asia and the Gulf region.

In North America, United Airlines operates daily flights to New York via Newark Airport. Delta Air Lines supplements this service seasonally with direct flights to New York JFK. In addition, there are seasonal summer services operated by Air Transat to Toronto and by Air Canada to Montréal.

In Asia and the Gulf region, direct flights to Beijing and Doha ensure close international connectivity. Hainan Airlines connects Berlin with the Chinese capital several times a week. Doha is an important international hub for onward travel to Asia, Africa and Australia. In the winter timetable, direct flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah complement the intercontinental services from Berlin. This strengthens BER’s role as an international gateway to the German capital.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport handled around 26.1 million passengers in 2025. That was 2.3 per cent more than in the previous year. According to the international ranking ‘50 Best Airports in the World for 2026’, BER Airport is among the world’s best airports, coming in at number 22, thanks in particular to smart technologies, sustainable processes and efficient passenger flows.

The BER Airport Connectivity Board, visitBerlin and the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Berlin and Cottbus are working to further develop international flight connections. The aim is to further strengthen Berlin’s international accessibility as a key factor for tourism, business and science.

In June 2026, Emirates announced its intention to launch daily direct flights between Berlin and the global hub of Dubai. This is subject to approval from the Federal Ministry of Transport; a specific start date has not yet been set.

By bus to Berlin

Long-distance coaches are also an important part of travelling to Berlin. Numerous operators connect the capital with cities across Europe. The Central Coach Station (ZOB) at the exhibition grounds offers an efficient infrastructure and good links to local public transport.

An example of new developments in coach travel: in March 2026, a fully electric coach travelled from Copenhagen to Berlin for the first time without stopping to recharge. The coach is part of the fleet operated by the Danish company Vikingbus.

Unbeatable in the city: sustainable mobility

Within the city, visitors can get around quickly, comfortably and sustainably. The well-developed network of S-Bahn and U-Bahn, supplemented by trams and buses, enables short journeys to all parts of the city. Bicycles, bike- and car-sharing schemes, as well as e-scooters, offer additional flexibility.

The Berlin WelcomeCard variants that include a travel pass cover the use of public transport within the selected fare zones. In addition, visitors to Berlin benefit from attractive discounts at numerous attractions and tourist offers.

Out and about by bike

The bicycle is one of the most popular modes of transport in Berlin: traffic jams and the hassle of finding a parking space are a thing of the past, whilst at the same time you can explore the city in an environmentally friendly and active way. Whether for short journeys, sightseeing or long rides, Berlin always offers new perspectives on two wheels. 

Even without your own bike, visitors to Berlin are well catered for. Numerous bike hire companies and bike-sharing schemes provide a range of different models round the clock – from classic city bikes to e-bikes, cargo bikes and tandems. The range is complemented by car-sharing and e-scooters, as well as an efficient public transport network. This creates a flexible, sustainable mobility option for every situation.

Cycling through the countryside and down to the sea

Berlin is also an ideal starting point for cycling trips beyond the city limits. Popular long-distance cycle routes, such as the Berlin–Hamburg Cycle Route or the Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route, connect the capital with other major cities and diverse natural landscapes. Whether it’s a day trip or a tour lasting several days, cycling allows you to travel at a leisurely pace and gain new perspectives on Berlin and the surrounding region.

Further information on travelling to Berlin is available at visitBerlin.de.