How do I get from Berlin Schönefeld Airport to Alexanderplatz late at night?

October 14, 2009 10:06 AM

How do I get from Berlin Schönefeld Airport to Alexanderplatz late at night?

As I understand it, direct trains from the airport to Alexanderplatz cease at 22.55. I will be arriving at the airport after that time. I have been told that it is possible to take the S-Bahn and then change onto a train that goes to Alexanderplatz. Is this possible? Is there a better way? My German is terrible, so the easiest/most-unfuckupable route is preferable.

posted by maryrosecook to travel & transportation (11 comments total)

Take the S-Bahn (S45) to Ostkreutz, then change trains to any of the trains headed west.

It should be four or five stops from Ostkreutz, you'll go through Warschauer Strasse, Ostbahnhof, Shillingstrasse, then Alexanderplatz.
posted by Seeba at 10:14 AM on October 14

The change at Ostkreutz is kind of a pain, if I remember correctly- (I think it involved a 200m walk that seemed like a station change)- but there are a bunch of signs that show you how to do it, and there will probably be plenty of people around that'll be willing to point you in the right direction, either in English, or very very basic German with hand-signs.
posted by Seeba at 10:17 AM on October 14

(And the signs telling you where the train is going will usually list the next few stops. There'll only be one option at Schoenefeld, and at Ostkreutz you'll want to go in the direction of Ostbahnhof/Alex'platz/Friedrichstrasse/Zoo)
posted by Seeba at 10:19 AM on October 14

www.bvg.de has your answer, if you know the exact time you will be taking the train (or if you have an iphone).

but even better is this! at many stops in the city you will see a large white object that is an SOS device (with a speaker to connect you to someone who can call an ambulance or whatever). but it has more than one function - you can also push the "information" button to be connected to a BVG rep, and you can ask what, at this current time, is the fastest route to your destination from where you are calling.

Also, I think Seeba is thinking of Warschauer station, where the S-Bahn / U-Bahn connection is quite separated (although it may also be the case for Ostkreuz, I don't go there much).

From the site... it looks like at night you will have many changes ahead of you.
posted by molecicco at 10:57 AM on October 14

I remember taxis in berlin being extraordinarily cheap. Also, depending on what time it is, the S train you want may not be running. They'll all understand Alexanderplatz, and you won't have to worry about finding your way through trains routes.
posted by CharlesV42 at 10:58 AM on October 14

Yeah, the change at Ostkreuz is pretty simple, actually. Warschauerstrasse is definitely the more complicated one. As pointed out above, BVG has all the pertinent info and is shockingly accurate. Also, most Berliners speak English and are very helpful.

I wouldn't recommend a cab all the way from SXF to Alex, either, since that's a pretty long haul. Perhaps a hotel shuttle, though?
posted by atomly at 11:04 AM on October 14

A taxi is usually about 25 Euros, if I remember right. Also there seems to be an RE7 regional train going from Schönefeld to Alexanderplatz, but I'm having a hard time finding a schedule. The BVG website is not easy to use.
posted by creasy boy at 11:18 AM on October 14

Ahhh, that's right. It was Warschauer. As a data point, I think when we arrived back in the city it was something on the order of 1am, and it took almost two hours to get back into Mitte. (though some of that was due to construction)
posted by Seeba at 12:20 PM on October 14

As a test, I put in a trip next Monday night at 11:30PM. It says you should take the S9 to Ostkreuz then transfer to the S7 (in the direction of Potsdam Hauptbahnhof) and take it 4 stops to Alexanderplatz. Total trip time: 51 minutes.

What time does your flight land? If you need to take the train after 0:30, then you need to look into the bus and/or a cab.
posted by atomly at 12:41 PM on October 14

S9 and S7 is fine. Unless, like I did, you end up in Berlin on a weekend when the S-Bahn is down.
posted by matthewr at 5:01 PM on October 14

Thank you so much for your help, everyone. You have been extremely diligent.

According to www.bvg.de, there is a last chance to go Schoenefeld -> Ostkreuz -> Alexanderplatz leaving Schoenefeld at 00.33. If my flight is delayed over an hour and a half and I miss that, it's either bus hell or, more probably for me, taxi time.

Thanks again, everyone.
posted by maryrosecook at 2:05 AM on October 15