Since Tegel closed in November 2020 and Schönefeld was absorbed, Berlin has a single commercial airport: Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt, code BER. It is therefore automatically the closest airport to central Berlin, 24 km to the south-east.
BER, and there is no real alternative: Tegel closed in 2020 and terminal 5 (former Schönefeld) no longer handles commercial flights.
If BER is expensive on your dates, Leipzig/Halle (LEJ, 1h15 by ICE), Dresden (DRS, 2h) and Hamburg (HAM, 1h45) are usable — only worth it when the fare gap exceeds €60–80 per person, since the train ticket adds up.
Terminal 1 carries most traffic: Lufthansa, easyJet, Turkish Airlines, Air France and long-haul flights. Terminal 2, a five-minute walk away, mainly serves Ryanair and some Wizz Air departures. Check your terminal the day before — it can change between seasons.
FEX train: fastest option, station under terminal 1, Berlin Hauptbahnhof in 30 minutes, twice an hour.
S-Bahn S9 / S45: 45–55 minutes to Mitte, more frequent, handy for eastern Berlin.
Bus X7 / X71: to Rudow underground station (U7).
Taxi: €45–60 to Mitte.
Key detail: the airport sits in fare zone C, so you need an ABC ticket (about €4.40). An AB ticket bought downtown is not valid and the fine is €60.
Fares are lowest from November to March outside Christmas and the Berlinale (February), often under €80 return from Paris or London. Peaks fall in July–August, German long weekends and major trade fairs. Book 4 to 7 weeks ahead; Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically save 20–30% versus Friday evening.
Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport, IATA code BER, opened in October 2020.
No. Tegel closed in November 2020 and Schönefeld was merged into BER.
30 minutes on the FEX train, 45–55 minutes by S-Bahn, 30–45 minutes by taxi.
An ABC zone ticket, because the airport lies in zone C.