Berlin-Brandenburg BER Airport is a strange place. Somehow it fits perfectly to Berlin. Berlin is such a diverse city with lots of history and the culture is constantly evolving. Berlin is lively, quirky, and there is always someone else around. It’s really rare to be in a place or street with no other soul nearby. Except for Berlin’s abandoned BER Airport. Planned several years ago BER should reduce the air traffic of Berlin-Tegel TXL Airport which is located close to the City. Due to several failures during the planning process, the Airport is theoretically finished, from the outside, but the inside is a total mess. Currently, there is an opening date somewhere in 2018, this may change any week/month. Some already suggest the best solution would be to build everything completely new from scratch. Berlin’s abandoned BER Airport is not a typical Sightseeing Tip, but absolutely worth if you have some extra free time.
How to get to BER Airport Berlin
Located about a 30-minute drive south from the City Center you can reach BER “Willy Brand” Airport by Car or by Public Transport. There is a Train Station underneath the Airport and Busses are driving several times a day as well, from the Berlin-Schönefeld Airport which is nearby. If you’re arriving by car, as I did with the Cadillac XT5, not every car park is open for public. Even though it stated that it costs 1 € per started hour parking at the APCOA car park I haven’t had to pay anything. My Ticket immediately came out of the cash machine, nevertheless, the 1€ investment for the Sightseeing Trip to BER would have been worth it.
If you want to travel by public transport I can recommend to look the times up on Google Maps. The destination you’re looking for is Willy-Brandt-Platz or Hugo-Junkers-Ring in 12529 Schönefeld.
Sightseeing at BER Airport Berlin – Berlin’s abandoned Airport
It’s indeed very strange to visit an abandoned place like BER Berlin-Brandenburg Airport. Millions and Millions of Euros were invested in this concrete wasteland. Public money that could have been invested in far better things.
Once you leave the Autobahn towards BER there are no other cars around, and if so, it rather scares you. I felt like a horror movie. Everything is calm and then, suddenly, someone appears. Crazy… This feeling didn’t let me go throughout the stay. It’s just so surreal, so much money and time and human power were invested, and everything failed just so hard. The architecture indeed isn’t bad, and everything just looks so much better without the people, but it’s so tragic and sad.
If you are interested in Planes, the upper parking deck of P7 and P8 is great for Planespotting Berlin Schönefeld Airport. When I went there on a Saturday afternoon I was able to spot so many planes land and take off. Thanks to AUTOmativ for snapping the first and the last Picture of this Article!
Nevertheless, when visiting BER Airport in Berlin, keep in mind that it is still a construction zone and as everything is blocked with grids you should definitely not enter the building! There are security and active workers, feel free to admire everything from outside but absolutely don’t try to climb somewhere over to grant access inside the building – stay safe!
Address to visit BER Airport Berlin: Willy-Brandt-Platz or Johann-Junkers-Ring, 12529 Schönefeld, Germany
