About Taxi from BER to Hauptbahnhof
Berlin Hauptbahnhof is the city's largest station, a glass building where east–west lines cross north–south tracks on two levels. It stands on the Spree next to the Government District, with the new Europacity quarter growing to the north.
How long does the taxi take from BER to the Hauptbahnhof?
Usually 30–50 minutes. Coming from the south, drivers often use the Tiergarten tunnel, which brings you out close to the station and avoids several traffic lights. Weekday mornings and Friday afternoons are the slowest times. When you book, the total price for the vehicle is shown before you confirm; at the airport taxi rank, a jam on the city motorway is added to the meter.
Europaplatz or Washingtonplatz?
- Europaplatz – the northern entrance, facing Invalidenstraße and the Europacity. It has a taxi rank and is the natural choice for the hotels north of the station.
- Washingtonplatz – the southern entrance, facing the Spree, the Federal Chancellery and the Government District. Pick it if you are walking on to the Reichstag area afterwards.
Both entrances lead into the same hall, so for the train itself it makes little difference. What counts is where your driver can stop quickly: say the square's name when booking and the car will go there.
Catching an ICE: how much buffer?
Long-distance trains depart from the upper level (east–west) and the deep level (north–south). Finding the right platform section with luggage takes ten minutes. For a train booked on the same day as your flight, allow at least two hours between landing and departure. Our guide to onward trains has more detail; other long-distance stations such as Südkreuz are on Berlin stations and ZOB.
Hotels around the Hauptbahnhof
- Hotel AMANO Grand Central – on Heidestraße in the Europacity, north of the station. Use the Europaplatz side; the car can pull up at the hotel door.
- IntercityHotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof – directly at Europaplatz, steps from the northern entrance.
- MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof – on Ella-Trebe-Straße behind the station's northern side; popular with groups and school trips.
- Motel One Berlin Hauptbahnhof – on Invalidenstraße, a short walk east of the Europaplatz exit.
- AMERON Hotel ABION Spreebogen Berlin – on Alt-Moabit by the Spree, south-west of the station; quieter, with river views. The car stops on Alt-Moabit at the hotel entrance.
More stays in the area are on the Potsdamer Platz and Tiergarten hotels page.
The other direction: from the Hauptbahnhof to BER
Arriving in Berlin by train and flying out the same day? Book the ride with the entrance as the pickup point and add your train number in the notes, so the driver knows when to expect you. Europaplatz is usually easier for a quick pickup than Washingtonplatz, where coaches and official cars share the space. For the drive to the airport, allow 35–55 minutes in the afternoon; the airport express train is an alternative if you travel light, but with several cases the car saves the walk to the deep-level platforms. Timings for departures are discussed on Berlin to BER.
Practical tips for your driver
- Name the entrance (Europaplatz or Washingtonplatz) or the hotel, not just "Hauptbahnhof".
- Mention prams or bulky bags; a larger car can be booked.
- If you are going on to the Bundestag, the Government District is a short walk from Washingtonplatz.
