About BER to Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz is the transport hub of eastern Mitte, with the TV Tower, the World Clock and several large shopping centres. The Red Town Hall and the Nikolaiviertel, Berlin's oldest quarter, lie a few minutes to the south-west.
Which side of Alexanderplatz should you choose?
Cars never drive onto the square itself. It is ringed by Alexanderstraße to the east, Grunerstraße to the south, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße to the north-west and Otto-Braun-Straße further up. The S-Bahn viaduct splits the area in two: the TV Tower stands on the western side, the shopping centres and most hotels on the eastern side.
If you are staying at the tall hotel on the square, read the Park Inn Alexanderplatz page. Other addresses nearby are listed under hotels at Alexanderplatz and Hackescher Markt.
TV Tower and World Clock: short walks from the kerb
The TV Tower rises from a car-free plaza between the station and the Marx-Engels-Forum. A practical drop-off is Karl-Liebknecht-Straße or Spandauer Straße, a few minutes from the ticket entrance at the base. Viewing-platform tickets are usually sold for time slots, so leave a buffer after landing.
The World Clock is a classic meeting spot in the middle of the square, east of the viaduct. To reach it, ask to be dropped on Alexanderstraße or Grunerstraße and walk across.
Red Town Hall and Nikolaiviertel: cobbles and narrow lanes
The Red Town Hall, seat of the Governing Mayor, faces the Neptune Fountain. Cars reach it via Spandauer Straße or Jüdenstraße. Just south, the Nikolaiviertel is a small grid of cobbled lanes around the Nikolaikirche with very little through traffic. Drivers usually stop at the edge, on Spandauer Straße or near the Mühlendamm. Small suitcase wheels struggle on the cobbles, so ask for the corner closest to your door.
Roadworks between Mühlendamm and Molkenmarkt
The area south of the town hall is a long-term building site. The Mühlendamm bridge is being replaced and the road over it has been reduced to one lane in each direction, while a new quarter is going up at Molkenmarkt. In rush hour this is the slowest part of the approach. Experienced drivers often come in via Jannowitzbrücke and Alexanderstraße instead.
Travel time from BER at different times of day
The distance is about 24 to 28 km. Late in the evening or early on Sunday you can be there in 35 to 45 minutes. Between 7 and 9 am, and from about 4 pm on weekdays, an hour is realistic. On a meter, the crawl over the Mühlendamm would end up on your fare. Booked in advance, the amount for the car is settled before you even land.
Practical checklist
- Enter your flight number so the driver tracks delays.
- Write the street, not just "Alexanderplatz".
- Count suitcases and prams honestly; a minivan is easy to add.
- Find your driver using the BER meeting point guide.
- Leaving again? Book the ride back to BER in advance.
