The central train station in Berlin is Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Hbf), but let’s be honest: “central” is a relative term.

There’s so much to see and do in Berlin, a city that constantly redefines what cool is. You’ll hop from the Brandenburg Gate to East Side Gallery in a day, then explore Wedding and Charlottenburg the next day.

With so many places to visit, you might use a different Berlin train station as your “central” hub, so here’s everything you need to know about Berlin Hbf, the Brandenburg Airport train station, and a handful of other major train stations throughout the city.

Image Credit: Getty Images, SAKhanPhotography. Image Location: Berlin Hbf, Berlin, Germany

What is the main train station in Berlin?

The central train station in Berlin, Germany, is Berlin Hauptbahnhof, aka Berlin Hbf. International trains, regional trains, and the S-Bahn all converge at Berlin Hbf, as well as the U-Bahn, bus lines, and the Airport Express (FEX).

Where is the main train station in Berlin?

Berlin Hbf—the main train station in Berlin, Germany—is located in the west-center of the city. If you are arriving in Berlin by train and want to walk to the first item on your itinerary, here’s how quickly you can get there on two feet:

  • Natural History Museum: ~ 11m
  • Reichstag Building: ~ 15m
  • Brandenburger Tor: ~ 20m
  • Friedrichstraße: ~ 23m
  • Checkpoint Charlie: ~ 37m

Where do trains from Berlin's main station go?

Trains to and from Berlin Hbf will take you across Germany and throughout Europe.

Does Berlin's main train station have luggage lockers?

Yes, Berlin Hbf has luggage storage, but it’s not within the station itself. While storage lockers are often available inside European train stations, Berlin central train station has lockers available in the parking lot outside the main station building. Follow the signs to Area C and you’ll find lockers on the first, second, and third floors.

Image Credit: Getty Images, kruwt. Image Location: Berlin Hbf and Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany

How many train stations are in Berlin?

Berlin Hbf is the main train station in the German capital, but it’s far from the only train station in central Berlin. 

Berlin has six major train stations, plus other smaller stations serving regional train lines. The big Berlin train stations include: Hauptbahnhof, Ostbahnhof, Ostkreuz, Gesundbrunnen, Südkreuz, and Spandau.

Here are a few major attractions near each of the train stations, just in case you need to plan every step of your journey the moment you step off of the platform:

  • Hauptbahnhof: Brandenburger Tor | Natural History Museum | Großer Tiergarten
  • Ostbahnhof: Mercedes-Benz Arena | East Side Gallery | Computer Games Museum
  • Ostkreuz: Treptower Park | Stasi Museum
  • Gesundbrunnen: Berlin Underworld | Volkspark Humboldthain
  • Südkreuz: German Technology of Museum | Schwerbelastungskörper
  • Spandau: Spandau Citadel | Tiefwerder Wiesen | Berlin Olympic Park

Does Berlin airport have a train station?

Yes, Berlin airport has a train station on its property. The station serves IC long-distance trains, eight regional train lines, and two S-Bahn lines. Just an FYI: Berlin Brandenburg Airport is the sole Berlin airport as of 2020. It replaced the Tegel and Schönefeld Airports.

How to get from the Berlin airport to the city centre?

Getting from Brandenburg Airport to Berlin is easy by train. The busy trains departing from Berlin Brandenburg Airport include The Express Train FEX, which goes directly to Berlin Hbf. You could also take the RE7 and RB14 train lines to Berlin central train station in 30 minutes. If you’re interested in taking the S-Bahn into the center of Berlin instead, hop the S9 or S45 lines.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Sylvain Sonnet. Image Location: Berlin Hbf, Berlin, Germany

Hotels near Berlin's train stations

With so many museums, night clubs, historical attractions, and currywurst stands throughout Berlin, you’ll scour the city on a daily (and nightly) basis. Here are a few hotels to snooze in near the major Berlin train stations (or read this if you’re a discerning traveler who desires only Berlin’s best boutique hotels, no matter how close or far they are to Berlin train stations).

Hotels near Berlin Hbf (the main station)

Meininger Hotel, IntercityHotel, and Motel One are the closest to Berlin Hbf, which are suited to those who absolutely want to make their train on time without so much as a long pedestrian crosswalk signal halting their progress.

If you’re totally chill about staying in a hotel that isn’t within a train car’s length of Berlin central train station, Adina has apartment-like suites for you.

INNSiDE by Meliá is a tad bit swankier, while Hotel Adlon Kempinski facing Brandenburger Tor is the luxe vacation living you need if you’re trying to spoil yourself away from the station.

Hotels near Berlin's other train stations

  • Berlin Ostbahnhof: You’ll want to admire the East Side Gallery’s art for hours, which makes hotels near Berlin Ostbahnhof like Meininger Hotel, Moxy, and Schulz Hotel so clutch.
  • Berlin Ostkreuz: Berlin Ostkreuz has a great address near the Spree tributary, as does Habyt; stroll the promenade from this apartment hotel. Or, you can save a bit of green and swap the water views for camaraderie at A&O Hostel.
  • Berlin Gesundbrunnen: Moxy Berlin Humboldthain Park, the AC Hotel by Marriott, and Citylight Hotel sit above the Berliner Unterwelten near Berlin Gesundbrunnen.
  • Berlin Südkreuz: Thanks to the S-Bahn station at Berlin Südkreuz, you can stay close by at The Niu Dwarf, City Inn, or Hotel Schöneberg.
  • Berlin Spandau: On a hot streak at Spielbank casino? Ibis Berlin Spandau has a place to rest your poker face. Hotel Herbst and Hotel Lindenufer are the most convenient options for those hanging out on Old Spandau’s riverside.

Connect to the capital

Whether you’re spending a full week in Berlin on a budget, drinking your weekend away with the best German beers, or stopping here before heading to Prague by train, download the Trainline app and let us help you find the most affordable train tickets to Berlin main train station available.

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Reinhard Krull. Image Location: Berlin Hbf, Berlin, Germany

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