Hello,
We’re doing the best of Germany tour next month and are scheduled to arrive at Brandeburg airport at around 7:00 pm. We plan to take the train in order to get to Hamburg where of course the tour starts. Google maps and other online sources say the best method is to take the FEX (the express train) or the standard S-Bahn to the Hbf (the Central Train Station) and then board the ICE train to Hamburg.
Our questions: does this method sound correct or is there better way to proceed to Hamburg via mass transit? Too, can we get tickets for both trains at the airport thus making the transition from the S-Bahn to the ICE train more efficient.
Thank you so much for any feedback!
Sincerely,
Malcolm and Sinde
Posted by
Bavaria
2480 posts
are scheduled to arrive at Brandeburg airport at around 7:00 pm
I don't believe there is a more efficient solution than the one you've mentioned. I would download the DB Navigator app on my cell phone and book the next possible connection right after landing; this way you can avoid queuing up at the ticket window. I wouldn't book a saver fare in advance because if your flight is delayed, you'll lose the money. But please note that you will arrive in Hamburg very late: if everything goes smoothly, you can catch a train to the Hbf at 19:44 and arrive in Hamburg at 23:10; otherwise, youwill arrive not until 00:31. I would consider staying a night in Berlin.
Posted by
Wengen
2501 posts
Too, can we get tickets for both trains at the airport thus making the
transition from the S-Bahn to the ICE train more efficient.
That is not how this works in Germany. If you are going from BER to Hamburg you need only one ticket. And that regardless of how many actual trains are involved. Tickets are for a route, not a train.
So you can do several things:
- Buy a ticket at the airport. In that case ask for a ticket to Hamburg.
- Buy a ticket online but make sure you do not buy a time limited saver ticket. Buy a "Flexpreis" which is valid all day.
What you also may be able to do, depending on who you are flying with, is add a "Fly and Rail" ticket to your airline booking. That gives you free travel on all trains from the airport to your destination in Germany.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Wow, thank you for the perfectly stated and well-detailed responses! Much appreciated! Yes, since the earliest we’re arriving in BER is around 7:00 PM (and that’s of course assuming there aren’t any delays and we all know how that can go!) we’ve decide to stay the nite at one of the airport hotels and then head toward Hamburg the next day. (We always like to arrive 1-2 days prior to any tour start so there’s no rush for us.) Honestly, as veteran European travelers we’re slightly embarrassed that we didn’t think of this earlier. (As my former principal—I’m a retired English teacher— use to say: the genius for noticing the obvious often escapes us!)
Again, danke, danke schon, danke sehr!!! Your superb responses have helped us perfectly.
Sincerely, Malcolm
Posted by
Green Bay
21161 posts
And now you get buy a saver fare to Hamburg.
Posted by
Germany
626 posts
If you are on a budget, the FLIX bus from Berlin to Hamburg is about as fast, a LOT cheaper, but perhaps less comfortable (though not terrible).