Berlin Hbf

Berlin Hauptbahnhof (lit. Berlin main station) is the railway hub and main station of Berlin. Although the station isn't large, the multi-level station may appear confusing for first-time visitors. == Understand == === History === Berlin Hauptbahnhof is the result of the reorganisation of long-distance rail services in the Berlin area after German reunification. Until World War II, Berlin had many terminal stations connected only by S-Bahn lines. In former East Berlin, the station now known as "Ostbahnhof" (lit East Station) was temporarily renamed Hauptbahnhof, with Lichtenberg as another important hub. In West Berlin, Zoologischer Garten station was the main terminus for long-distance services. Following reunification, the reconstruction of the S-Bahn, the construction of the high-speed line to Hanover, the extension of services to Hamburg and Leipzig/Halle, and (still under construction) Dresden, long-distance services were consolidated. Following the "mushroom concept," almost all long-distance trains reach the new underground station via a north-south tunnel. Depending on their direction, long-distance trains also stop at Berlin-Südkreuz, Spandau, or Gesundbrunnen (also known as Nordkreuz). Trains from Poland travel via Ostbahnhof to the upper level. Today, almost exclusively S-Bahn and regional trains use the viaducts of the west-east Stadtbahn. The current train station is on the site of the former Lehrter Bahnhof, which was destroyed during World War II. The Lehrter Stadtbahnhof, where the S-Bahn stopped, was demolished. The station is designed by the architectural firm Gerkhan Marg and Partners and was opened just in time for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The construction of the main station relieved the previously notoriously overcrowded Berlin Stadtbahn (which sometimes suffered delays of several hours in the 1990s) and shortened the route for trains travelling north-south through Berlin, eliminating the need to route them via the Ringbahn and Stadtbahn to reach the Zoo station. === Layout === Berlin Central Station may seem confusing at first glance, but its layout is quite simple. It's a so-called "Turmbahnhof" (roughly translates to tower station), where two lines intersect at 90° angles on different levels. These are the north-south tunnel tracks on the lower level (platforms 1 to 8) and the east-west Stadtbahn (city railway) tracks on the upper level (platforms 11 to 14 and platforms 15/16 for the S-Bahn). Between these are three concourse levels. The lower concourse level allows passengers to change tracks between the tunnel platforms, and the upper concourse level allows passengers to change tracks between the Stadtbahn tracks. There is also a concourse level at street level, providing access to the station. All three concourse levels are lined with numerous shops and restaurants. An underground S-Bahn station is scheduled to open soon. The U5 subway line terminates underground. == Services == == Local transport == === U-Bahn === In contrast to other German cities, the Hauptbahnhof is not well connected to Berlin's U-Bahn network, with the only U-Bahn line that connects the station being the U5. The U5 starts at Berlin Hbf, runs through the centre of Mitte, Alexanderplatz, Lichtenberg, Wuhletal and terminating at Hönow. === S-Bahn === The S-Bahn network is considerably well-connected to Berlin Hbf – 5 lines stop at the station: S15 S3 S5 S7 S9 === Tram === Tram routes M5, M8 and M10 stop by 1 S+U Berlin Hauptbahnhof Tram Stop. The stop is on the northern end of the station. The three lines serve several important locations in central Berlin but also well connect the east. The tram extension towards Moabit (terminus Turmstraße) opened in 2023. Further development of the western connection from the main station is planned. === Parking === The carpark with direct access to the train station has over 800 parking spaces. Access is from the south directly from the Tiergarten Tunnel (B96), and from other directions via Invalidenstraße/Clara-Jaschke-Straße. The price for parking is steep: it can cost €27 per day. Drop-off/pick-up is free for the first 15 minutes. Those who don't mind a short walk (10 to 15 minutes) can also try their luck with street parking, with varying chances of success depending on the time of day and day of the week. Opportunities are particularly plentiful towards Tiergarten. == Get around == All levels are connected by lifts – the station is fully accessible. Signage, lifts, and stair railings also include Braille labels. A mobility service centre can be reached at all times at ☏ +49 180 6512 512. == Wait == There is a public waiting area on the lower concourse level at the southern end, equipped with benches, a windshield, and a few heating elements. Officially, it is only open to passengers with a valid ticket, but the open gate system makes it practically unenforced. It's not particularly comfortable, nor is it meant to be; regular patrols by security and/or police ensure this. The DB Lounge with a separate first-class area is located on the upper concourse level, west side, approximately below platforms 11 and 12. It's open daily from 06:00 to 22:00. The lounge is only accessible to passengers with a first-class ticket travelling outside the VBB network area (a destination outside the state of Brandenburg) or to BahnComfort customers. == Eat and drink == Inside and outside the train station, there is a wide range of options, from bakeries, snack bars, kebab shops, and hamburger restaurants to more upscale restaurants with prices that are somewhat higher, as is typical for train stations. 1 Vapiano (1st floor). Daily 09:00-22:30. Pasta, pinsa & desserts. (updated Aug 2022) 2 Subway (1st floor). Daily 10:00-21:00. Sandwiches and salad. (updated Aug 2022) 3 McDonald's & McCafé. Daily 05:00-03:00. Burgers, snacks and cakes. (updated Aug 2022) 4 Dunkin' Donuts (1st floor). Daily 08:00-21:00. Donuts and coffee. (updated Aug 2022) 5 Costa Coffee (ground floor food court). Daily 08:00-18:00. (updated Aug 2022) 6 Burger King (ground floor food court). Daily 10:00-21:00. (updated Aug 2022) 7 PRET (Prêt à Manger). Daily 06:00-22:00. Sandwiches, salads, soups, sweets and coffee. The only German branch of the British chain. (updated Aug 2022) 8 Rice On! (1st floor food court). Asian fusion restaurant. (updated Jul 2026) 9 Starbucks (1st floor). Daily 05:30-22:00. (updated Aug 2022) == Buy == == Connect == == Cope == == Sleep == There are no hotels within the station, but there are some on Europaplatz and Washingtonplatz. See City West § Sleep and Mitte § Sleep for individual listings nearby. == Nearby ==