Berlin Hauptbahnhof - Station Guide
Berlin, Germany
Europaplatz 1, 10557 Berlin, Germany
Open 24/7
Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Hbf) is Germany's main railway station and one of the largest crossing stations in Europe. Opened in May 2006, the station is owned by DB InfraGO (a Deutsche Bahn subsidiary) and handles around 1,000 long-distance, regional and S-Bahn trains daily across 14 platforms on two levels. The station is built on five levels with a distinctive cross-shaped layout. The upper platforms (11-16) on Level +2 run east-west on a viaduct, handling trains to and from Warsaw, Krakow and Switzerland, as well as S-Bahn suburban services on platforms 15-16. The lower platforms (1-8) on Level -2, known as Berlin Hbf (tief), are below ground and handle north-south services to Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Vienna and Budapest, as well as ICE trains to Amsterdam. Level 0 (street level) has the main entrance, DB information desk and departure boards. Level +1 houses the DB Lounge, Reisezentrum ticket office and shops. Level -1 provides additional retail and connects to the lower platforms. All platforms have level access via lifts and escalators. The striking glass-and-steel architecture features a 321-metre glass hall crossed by a 160-metre station hall, flooding the upper platforms with natural daylight. More than 80 shops and food outlets are open daily from 08:00 to 22:00. The station is located in the Mitte district near the Spree river, within walking distance of the Brandenburg Gate and the government quarter.
Station Facilities
Free WiFi available via DB Wi-Fi network. Connect and accept terms to use.
Self-service lockers on Level -2 (near car park entrance) and Level +1 (near escalator to platforms 13-14). Small lockers 4 EUR/24h, large lockers 6 EUR/24h. Short-term lockers (2 hours): 2-3 EUR. Coins only. Maximum storage 72 hours.
Over 1,100 lockers in total across two locations. Additional short-term lockers at the C-1 parking area.
More than 80 shops, supermarkets and food outlets across five levels, open daily 08:00-22:00 including Sundays. Includes bakeries, cafes, fast food, and sit-down restaurants.
Extensive retail open daily 08:00-22:00 including Sundays - one of the few places in Berlin open for Sunday shopping.
ATMs and currency exchange available on Level 0 and Level -1.
Restrooms and showers available on Level 0 (street level). Paid facilities.
DB Information desk on Level 0, near the main entrance. Additional information points on Level +1.
DB Lounge on Level +1, to the left before the escalators to platform 11. Free for 1st class Flexpreis ticket holders and bahn.comfort Gold/Platinum members. Not accessible with Sparpreis tickets, rail passes or Nightjet tickets.
Car hire desks on Level 0 (street level).
Tourist information point on the ground floor (Level 0).
Shower facilities available at the restroom area on Level 0.
Tram lines M5, M8 and M10 depart from the north side of the station (Europaplatz exit).
Getting to the Station
Bus
Bus lines serve the station from the north side (Europaplatz). Taxis available at ranks outside both the north (Europaplatz) and south (Washingtonplatz) exits.
Tram
Tram lines M5, M8 and M10 depart from the north side of the station (Europaplatz exit). The tram network extends to many parts of East Berlin.
Metro
U-Bahn line U5 connects Berlin Hbf to Alexanderplatz, Unter den Linden and other central Berlin destinations. Station entrance on Level -1. Single ticket zone AB: 4 EUR (2026).
S-Bahn (Commuter Rail)
S-Bahn lines S3, S5, S7 and S9 serve platforms 15-16 on Level +2. Direct connections to Berlin Zoo, Friedrichstrasse, Alexanderplatz, Ostbahnhof and Potsdam. Berlin Hbf is in fare zone A.
Train & Airport Connections
Regional trains (RE/RB) connect to BER Airport (FEX airport express, approx 30 minutes), Potsdam (approx 25 minutes) and destinations across Brandenburg and beyond.
Walking
Reichstag building approximately 600 metres south. Brandenburg Gate approximately 1 km south (12-15 minute walk). Tiergarten park immediately south of the station.
Accessibility
DB Mobility Service Centre provides assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Book at least 24 hours in advance via msz@deutschebahn.com or call +49 30 65212888. 3-S-Central Berlin available 24/7 for on-site assistance queries.
All levels accessible via lifts. Guidance and orientation system for the blind in the floor with partially tactile handrail lettering on staircases. Lifts connect all five station levels and all platforms.
Train Operators at This Station
Deutsche Bahn ICE
View detailsโHamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Amsterdam, Dortmund, Hannover, Basel
Deutsche Bahn IC/EC
View detailsโPrague, Budapest, Warsaw, Krakow, Zurich, Dresden, Leipzig
OBB Nightjet
View detailsโVienna, Innsbruck, Zurich, Basel, Paris
Popular Departures from Berlin Hauptbahnhof
Tips & Insider Advice
Upper vs Lower Platforms
The station has two platform levels. Upper platforms 11-16 (Level +2) handle east-west trains (Warsaw, Krakow, Switzerland) and S-Bahn on platforms 15-16. Lower platforms 1-8 (Level -2, known as Hbf tief) handle north-south trains (Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Amsterdam). Some ICE trains to Frankfurt or Cologne can depart from either level - always check departure boards.
Check Your Platform Early
Platform assignments can change. Check the yellow departure boards on Level 0 or use the DB Navigator app. For ICE trains to Frankfurt or Cologne, check whether your train departs from the upper (east-west) or lower (north-south) level to avoid last-minute rushing between levels.
Self-Service Lockers on Two Levels
Luggage lockers are available on Level -2 (near the car park entrance) and Level +1 (near the escalator to platforms 13-14). Prices: small lockers 4 EUR/24h, large lockers 6 EUR/24h. Short-term lockers (2 hours): 2-3 EUR. Coins only. Maximum storage 72 hours.
Brandenburg Gate Is Walkable
The Brandenburg Gate is approximately 1 km south of the station (about 12-15 minutes walk). Head south from the main entrance through the government quarter. The Reichstag building is even closer, about 600 metres away.
80+ Shops Open Until 22:00
More than 80 shops, supermarkets and food outlets operate across five levels, open daily 08:00-22:00 including Sundays and holidays. This is unusual in Germany where most shops close on Sundays - the station is one of the few places in Berlin where Sunday shopping is possible.
U5 Metro Now Connects to Alexanderplatz
The U-Bahn line U5 connects Berlin Hbf directly to Alexanderplatz in the heart of East Berlin. This is an alternative to the S-Bahn for reaching central East Berlin. The U5 entrance is on Level -1. Tram lines M5, M8 and M10 depart from the north side (Europaplatz exit).
Frequently Asked Questions
Nearby Stations
Station information is based on official sources including bahnhof.de (DB Station & Service), sbahn.berlin, berlin.de and seat61.com. Facilities, opening hours and services may change without notice. Some escalators are currently undergoing repairs. EuroTrain is not affiliated with Deutsche Bahn, DB InfraGO or BVG. Always verify travel details with the relevant operator before your journey. Information last verified: 2026-03-18. For the most current details, please check the official Berlin Hauptbahnhof website or contact the station directly.