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Streamlined rail route to Berlin Airport: Dresden Bahn introduces shortened journey duration

Historic Berlin-Dresden rail service is scheduled to commence in December, significantly reducing travel time to Berlin's BER airport from central Berlin, and offering additional connections to Dresden.

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" Berlin Airport Rail Linkup: Fresh transportation route to decrease journey duration from Dresden"
" Berlin Airport Rail Linkup: Fresh transportation route to decrease journey duration from Dresden"

Streamlined rail route to Berlin Airport: Dresden Bahn introduces shortened journey duration

Starting from mid-December 2025, passengers travelling between Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) will experience significant improvements in public transportation services, thanks to the introduction of new and extended rail lines.

The key changes include:

  • The Dresdner Bahn new line between Südkreuz and Blankenfelde will open, reducing the journey time from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER to just over 20 minutes. This route will bypass the previous route via Gesundbrunnen and Ostkreuz, offering a more direct path for regional and long-distance trains[2][3].
  • The Airport Express (FEX) train frequency will double to every 15 minutes. The FEX trains will run on the new Dresdner Bahn route via Potsdamer Platz and Südkreuz, providing a faster and more efficient service[2][3].
  • New and extended regional lines will improve connections:
  • The RB24 from Eberswalde will be extended to BER airport (previously ending at Alt-Schönefeld).
  • The RE20 will start running from Lübbenau through BER to Berlin Hauptbahnhof.
  • From February 2026, the RE32 from Oranienburg will operate hourly to BER[2].

Both RB24 and RE32 will pass through Berlin Ostkreuz, providing two trains per hour towards the airport from the surrounding region[2].

In summary, passengers will benefit from faster and more frequent direct train services between Berlin Hauptbahnhof and BER, plus enhanced regional rail links from cities like Dresden (via Dresdner Bahn), Lübbenau (RE20), Eberswalde (RB24), and Oranienburg (RE32), improving accessibility to the airport and between these cities via Berlin[2].

The track for the Dresdner Bahn has been rebuilt at a cost of around €560 million, with construction beginning in 2019[1][2]. The rebuilt Dresdner Bahn will not directly affect the new airport connections, but it will offer direct regional connections to Brandenburg cities such as Lübbenau and Eberswalde, as well as the airport[2].

Currently, the FEX lacks capacity for the fastest route between the main station and the airport, causing it to run every half hour and take a detour via the northern S-Bahn ring. The FEX trains from Berlin's central station will take a new route via Potsdamer Platz and Südkreuz, reducing journey time to just over 20 minutes[2].

The Dresdner Bahn, originally opened in the 19th century, has a rich history in Berlin. However, it was largely dismantled for longer distance traffic in the 20th century[1]. The Dresdner Bahn project has faced political and legal disputes in the past, but these issues are not directly related to the current improvements for BER airport connections[1].

These changes mark a significant step forward in improving public transportation in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, offering passengers more convenient and efficient travel options.

[1] Berliner Morgenpost, 2021. [2] Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, 2021. [3] Deutsche Bahn, 2021.

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