Airport Accessibility

About BER Berlin Brandenburg Airport

BER Berlin Brandenburg Airport opened in October 2020, replacing both Tegel and Schoenefeld airports. As a modern facility, it was designed with accessibility in mind from the start. The airport has two terminals (T1 and T2) plus a future T3 expansion area. Terminal 1 handles most flights, while Terminal 2 is used for low-cost carriers.

All public areas are step-free. Elevators and escalators connect every level. Floors use tactile guidance strips. Signage is clear with pictograms and Braille labels at key points.

Booking PRM Assistance

PRM stands for "Person with Reduced Mobility." BER provides free PRM assistance through your airline. Book this service when you purchase your ticket, or contact your airline at least 48 hours before departure.

Steps to arrange assistance:

1. Contact your airline by phone or through their website when you book your flight.
2. Specify your needs: wheelchair to the gate, help with boarding, a meet-and-greet on arrival, or baggage assistance.
3. Arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure (3 hours for long-haul flights).
4. Go to the designated PRM meeting point in the check-in hall. Look for the blue wheelchair symbol or ask staff for directions.

If you did not pre-book, use the assistance call buttons located at the PRM meeting points in the arrivals and departures halls. Without a booking, expect a wait of 20 to 40 minutes.

Accessible Check-In and Security

All check-in counters in Terminal 1 have lowered sections for wheelchair users. Self-service kiosks are mounted at wheelchair-accessible height with screen reader support.

Security lanes include a dedicated accessible lane with extra space for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids. Inform staff if you cannot stand for the body scanner, as a seated pat-down is available on request.

Terminal Layout

Terminal 1 has three levels:

• Level E0 (ground floor): Arrivals hall, baggage claim, ground transportation, taxi rank.
• Level E1 (upper floor): Check-in, security, shops, restaurants.
• Level E2 (top floor): Gates and boarding areas, airline lounges.

All levels are connected by elevators (Aufzug). The elevators are large enough for power wheelchairs and have Braille buttons. Moving walkways are available in the longer gate corridors.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are located throughout both terminals, marked with the international wheelchair symbol. Each one includes grab bars, a lowered sink, an emergency call cord, and enough turning space for a power wheelchair. A Changing Places toilet (with a hoist and adult-sized changing bench) is available on Level E1 in Terminal 1 near Gate B.

Getting to Central Berlin

BER is located about 24 kilometers southeast of Berlin's city center. Several accessible transport options connect the airport to the city.

FEX (Flughafen Express) Train

The fastest public transport option. The FEX runs directly from BER Terminal 1 station to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station) in about 30 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes during the day. All carriages have wheelchair spaces and level boarding from the platform. BER's train station is directly below Terminal 1, reachable by elevator. A single ticket (ABC zone) costs about 4 euros.

S-Bahn (S9 and S45)

The S9 line runs from BER through southeastern Berlin to the city center, stopping at Ostkreuz, Alexanderplatz, and other central stations. The journey to Alexanderplatz takes about 50 minutes. The S45 connects BER to the southern Ringbahn at Suedkreuz station. Both lines have wheelchair spaces and most stations along the route have elevators. A standard ABC ticket costs about 4 euros.

Bus

Several bus lines connect BER to nearby towns and S-Bahn stations. All BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe) buses are low-floor with boarding ramps. Bus stops are located at the ground level of Terminal 1.

Taxi

The taxi rank is at ground level (E0) outside the arrivals hall. Wheelchair-accessible taxis (WAVs) are available but should be pre-booked. A taxi to central Berlin (Alexanderplatz area) costs approximately 45 to 55 euros and takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. See our Taxis guide for booking details.