We will be staying in Berlin on the last leg of our family Germany trip this summer. Our return flight leaves Berlin pretty early in the morning (8 am). I'm trying to figure out where we should stay while in Berlin. Which neighborhood in Berlin would be the most convenient for getting to the airport - near the train station? Is the train the best way to get to the airport, or would a taxi be better? Thanks!
Just looking at the X9 bus from Zoo-bahnhof, it starts at 3:15 am and goes every 10 minutes and takes 15 minutes to get to Tegel (assuming that is the airport in question). So there is really no need to to stay by the airport.
From Alexanderplatz to Brandenburg gate area, the TXL bus starts at 3:40 am and goes every 10 minutes and takes about 30 minutes.
Which airport?
If it's Tegel, then follow Sam's instructions above. There is no rail service to Tegel Airport - the "Tegel" station is in the old village area of the same name and is not easy to get to the airport from.
If you are leaving from the other airport, Schoenefeld, there are frequent rail services from any of the major stations on the east-west main railway line through central Berlin - staying near Zoo would be OK, but there are also some decent chain hotels near Hauptbahnhof or Alexanderplatz which would be good for one night.
A taxi from central Berlin neighborhoods to Tegel is about €25-30, if you don't want to take the bus. So, no need to change hotels.