How to Get From Frankfurt to Berlin: Train, Bus, & Flight Options

Are you trying to find out how to get from Frankfurt to Berlin? Wondering what are the best or cheapest options for getting to Berlin from Frankfurt? In this article, I’ll explain the different options for how to get to Berlin from Frankfurt by train, bus, or flight so you can decide which is the best choice for you.

Even though Berlin’s airport is only a few years old, it still doesn’t always have the best flight connections to locations outside of Europe. So lots of people end up flying to Frankfurt instead since it has the busiest airport in Germany, which means it usually has the best flight options.

The distance from Frankfurt to Berlin is too far for a day trip, but you might be visiting Frankfurt and doing some sightseeing in the area. No matter what, it’s pretty easy to get from Frankfurt to Berlin. Let’s take a look at how to do it.

>>Are you going the opposite direction? Check out how to get from Berlin to Frankfurt.

How to get to Berlin from Frankfurt

Traveling from Frankfurt to Berlin is easy when you know how to do it.

First a quick note about the city name. Frankfurt am Main is the full name of the city, and it’s named this way for the Main River where it’s located. There’s also a Frankfurt an der Oder, which is on the Oder River on the Polish border.

Since Frankfurt an der Oder is close to Berlin, you might see regional trains going to Berlin from Frankfurt an der Oder. This is a different city and different direction, so make sure you’re looking for and buying tickets for Frankfurt am Main, or sometimes shown as Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

>>Read: 101 Fun and Essential Things to do in Berlin

What is the distance from Frankfurt to Berlin?

The driving distance from Frankfurt am Main to Berlin is roughly 550km (343 miles) depending on exactly which route you take. This means it can take anywhere from six to seven hours to drive depending on which route you choose, traffic conditions, and any road work that might be happening.

Driving could be an interesting option if you enjoy road trips, if you understand the road rules in Germany, and if you want to make stops along the way.

But keep in mind, parking isn’t easy in central Berlin or central Frankfurt, and you have to understand German driving laws. If you’d rather avoid the stress, traveling by train or bus can be faster and easier.

That’s why I have all the details you need for taking the bus or train from Frankfurt to Berlin, and even when it might make sense to fly to Berlin from Frankfurt.

How to Get from Frankfurt to Berlin by Train

Getting around in Germany using Deutsche Bahn is pretty simple, and getting from Frankfurt to Berlin is no exception.

There are direct trains from Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof to Berlin Hauptbahnhof once or twice per hour. The travel time is from 3 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours 35 minutes depending on which train you take.

This is taking the ICE trains, which are Inter City Express trains. They are high speed trains that make fewer stops than regional trains and fewer stops than the IC (Inter City).

Note that there are some routes that require you to change trains along the way. Unless you have a compelling reason to take one of those, it’s easy to take one of the direct trains instead.

There are also some DB Sprinter trains, which go a little faster than the normal ICE trains. Most direct ICE trains going to Berlin from Frankfurt Hbf also stop in Berlin Südkreuz before Berlin Hbf and Gesundbrunnen afterwards.

Check which train station is closest to where you’re staying in Berlin to see which one makes the most sense to get out at. You can also click on the train number to see its full route, including all other train stations in Berlin where that train stops.

>>Read: 75 Famous Landmarks in Germany

Using high speed trains from Frankfurt to Berlin

When using high speed trains, you are usually bound to the exact train you choose, so you can’t hop on any train on that route. So if you booked a train from Frankfurt to Berlin for 9am, you must take the 9am train. (These are just example times, not indicative of any actual schedule.)

The exception is if you buy the more expensive Flexpreis (Flexible Fare) ticket that allows this. I generally don’t think it’s worth the extra expense, unless you absolutely need that flexibility.

Typically the only time I do buy the Flexpreis ticket is if I’m flying into Frankfurt and then getting a train to Berlin. In this case, I usually will book a Flexpreis fare because you never know if you flight will be delayed or even land a bit early.

Having the Flexpreis ticket gives you the flexibility to hop on any train of the same type to get to Berlin. I’ll give more details about getting from the Frankfurt Airport to Berlin later in the post.

>>Check prices and schedules on the Deutsche Bahn website in English.

Using regional trains from Frankfurt to Berlin

There are ways of reaching Berlin from Frankfurt using only regional trains, but it will take you 9-10 hours and involve switching several times, usually at least three times. It only takes one small delay to throw off your whole connecting schedule and add hours to your already long journey.

If you do decide to use the regional trains, your ticket is valid for any regional train that day. So you can buy a ticket for a train that departs at 9am, oversleep, and grab a 10am train. (Again, these are just example times, not indicative of any actual schedule.)

Another great option is the Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket. This is a Germany day ticket starting at 42 euros which is valid for up to 5 people, so it’s a great deal if you’re traveling with a group and you’re willing to take the slower trains.

But in general, I think the distance from Frankfurt to Berlin is too far for using the regional trains, and often not even a cost savings. If you plan ahead, you can usually get a pretty good price on the ICE train, and you’ll lose a lot less of your vacation time.

>>Read: Is Berlin Worth Visiting? 23 Reasons to Visit Berlin

Are there seat reservations on Deutsche Bahn trains?

On high speed trains in Germany, your second class ticket does not come with a seat reservation. This means you can sit anywhere within second class that isn’t already reserved.

Seat reservations cost less than 5 euros, and it’s highly recommended that you reserve. At busy times, and on popular routes such as Frankfurt to Berlin, the train could be rather full, and having a seat reservation means you won’t get stuck standing.

If you buy a first class ticket, seat reservations are included as long as you select it at the time of booking.

Regional trains do not have seat reservations. But be aware that most regional trains do have a small 1st class section, and you can’t sit there on a 2nd class ticket.

How to buy a train ticket from Frankfurt to Berlin

There are several ways to buy a train ticket to Berlin from Frankfurt, and all are fairly simple. High speed trains are often cheaper if you book several weeks in advance, so planning ahead helps.

They have recently made it harder to buy tickets on the train, and in some cases it’s not even possible. You will get checked almost every time, so don’t get on a train without a ticket.

In person
Deutsche Bahn has ticket offices in the train stations in Frankfurt, so you can buy a ticket in person. They won’t always speak English though, so this can be tricky.

If you decide to buy your ticket this way, I highly recommend going to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (central station) to buy your ticket, as opposed to a smaller station. Here you’ll have a better chance of finding an employee who speaks at least some English.

At a machine
There are Deutsche Bahn ticket machines at the train stations, and they have a language option so you can switch it to English.

Simply follow the prompts to buy your ticket. Remember that times are often displayed in a 24 hour format, so 5pm would be 17:00, as an example.

Online
Tickets can also be purchased on the Deutsche Bahn website, which is also available in English. Once you’re done with your purchase, you’ll get an email with a PDF of your ticket which you can show on the train.

Deutsche Bahn app
The Deutsche Bahn app is also available in English, and it’s easy to use. Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you’ll have it right there in your app. You can also purchase a ticket online and later easily add it to your app.

Types of tickets

When buying tickets online, once you put in your start and end cities, date and time info, and number of people, you’ll get a list of routes for that day. Choose a time, and you’ll have different ticket options to choose from, as seen in the photo below.

In general, cheaper tickets have more restrictions. The Sparpreis tickets bind you to the exact train, while the Flexpreis tickets let you take any train on that route that day.

For more detailed info, jump over to my step-by-step instructions on how to book train tickets on Deutsche Bahn.

Are there other companies that run trains to Berlin from Frankfurt?

FlixBus also runs FlixTrain, and they have 1 to 5 trains per day, depending on the day, between Frankfurt and Berlin. Their trains take 4 to 5 hours to travel to Berlin from Frankfurt.

If you’re traveling on a budget, this might be a good option to consider.

The good thing is that if you’re using the FlixBus website and there is a FlixTrain option, it will show up too. That way you can compare their bus and train options for Frankfurt to Berlin.

Some of their trains end in Berlin Hbf while others have stops at Südkreuz or Gesundbrunnen, so you can decide if one of those stations is more convenient.

Train from Frankfurt Airport to Berlin

The Frankfurt Airport is well connected by train. So if you’re traveling from Frankfurt to Berlin after getting off a flight, you can find high speed connections from the Frankfurt airport.

Most train routes to Berlin from the Frankfurt Airport involve a switch somewhere, although you will occasionally see a direct train all the way from Frankfurt Airport to Berlin. In German, you’re looking for Frankfurt (M) Flughafen as the starting point.

If you go with one of the options that involves switching to an Sbahn from Frankfurt Flughafen to Frankfurt Hbf, you don’t have to take the exact Sbahn shown on your ticket. It just has to be the same route.

To get to Berlin from the Frankfurt Airport, it’ll take 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours.

>>Read: Ultimate Itinerary for 3 Days in Berlin: the Perfect Berlin Itinerary by a Local

How to Get from Frankfurt to Berlin by Bus

If you’re traveling on a budget, FlixBus is another great option.

They have several buses that leave Frankfurt early morning, mid afternoon, and in the evening. The evening buses go overnight to Berlin from Frankfurt.

The bus journey from Frankfurt to Berlin takes anywhere from 7 hours to about 9 hours, without traffic problems. Luckily you don’t have to switch buses on the Frankfurt Berlin route.

Berlin has FlixBus services from several stations, though not all stations are on every route. The buses to Berlin from Frankfurt mostly arrive at the central bus station, though sometimes there are options to other Berlin bus stations, such as Alexanderplatz, Südkreuz, or the airport.

The central bus station, called Berlin ZOB, is located in the western side of Berlin, quite far from the center. If possible, I’d choose one of the other stations to end your journey from Frankfurt.

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Have questions about planning your trip to Berlin?

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FlixBus is a comfortable option that will most likely save you money if you’re willing to take a longer journey getting from Frankfurt to Berlin. But if you’re going the budget route, FlixTrain is usually only a few euros more and will save you quite a few hours.

Always compare Flixbus/FlixTrain with Deutsche Bahn to determine which price and time combo works best for you.

I’ve taken FlixBus more times than I can count, both in Germany and in other parts of Europe. Their buses are comfortable and safe, and I would highly recommend them if you’re trying to save a few bucks.

The buses do have a bathroom, though I can’t vouch for their cleanliness because I do whatever I can to avoid going to the bathroom on moving vehicles.

Are there seat reservations on FlixBus?

FlixBus does have an option to reserve a seat. This is good for people who want to make sure they’re seated with their family or friends, or if you are particular about where you sit.

But buying a ticket guarantees you a seat, so you don’t have to reserve a specific seat if it’s not important to you. Standing is not allowed on long distance buses.

Prices for seat reservations vary depending on the type of seat the route. They range from 1.50 to 5 euros.

How to buy a bus ticket to Berlin from Frankfurt

There are a few different ways to book a bus ticket to Berlin from Frankfurt.

In person
Technically you can buy a FlixBus ticket from the ticket office at the bus station but I wouldn’t recommend it.

I’ve definitely been at the station in Berlin to catch a bus and noticed that the office was closed. Even if they were just closed for a short break, this feels too stressful when there are easier ways to book a ticket. This is similar at other stations, so don’t chance it.

There are multiple travel agents that can book you a FlixBus ticket, but finding them is even more of a hassle.

Online
The FlixBus website is an easy way to book tickets. It’s available in multiple languages.

You can search your route, and it’ll show you all starting and ending points. So if you want to travel from Frankfurt to Berlin, you can see which stations the bus arrives at and buy based on that.

Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you’ll get an email with a PDF that you can show the bus driver when boarding the bus.

FlixBus app
The FlixBus app is also easy to use to search for routes and buy tickets. It’s available in multiple languages.

Are there other companies that run buses from Frankfurt to Berlin?

Other bus companies operate routes in Germany, but they are not as widespread as FlixBus. I have not seen any others running on the Frankfurt to Berlin route.

Flights from Frankfurt to Berlin, Germany

In general, I don’t recommend flying to Berlin from Frankfurt, unless you’re connecting from another flight at the Frankfurt Airport. Sure, the flight time makes it look faster than traveling by train, but there are so many other factors.

Remember the time it takes to fly from Frankfurt to Berlin doesn’t include getting to the Frankfurt Airport, being at the airport 1-2 hours ahead of time, waiting for checked luggage once you arrive, and then getting from Berlin Airport into the city.

Once you factor in all of that time, you’re looking at around the same amount of time as taking the train to Berlin from Frankfurt. And while prices for flights can vary greatly, they it will usually be more expensive to fly.

Flight time Frankfurt to Berlin

The flight time from Frankfurt to Berlin is listed at 1 hour 10 minutes.

Lufthansa is your best option for a nonstop flight to Berlin from Frankfurt, and they have a flight almost every hour from early morning into the evening.

What’s the cheapest way to get from Frankfurt to Berlin?

Ticket prices fluctuate for both the train and the bus to Berlin from Frankfurt, but both are affordable. Flights are usually reasonable too, but almost always more expensive than either train or bus options.

Taking FlixBus will usually be cheaper than Deutsche Bahn. While writing this post, I searched for trains and buses roughly a month out, and the FlixBus and FlixTrain options were 10-40 euros, while Deutsche Bahn was 30-75 euros.

Both the train and the bus are comfortable, but I’d have to give a little more credit to Deutsche Bahn for comfort.

Deutsche Bahn is a lot faster than the bus, but similar timing compared to FlixTrain. Taking Deutsche Bahn from Frankfurt to Berlin will save you a minimum of 3 hours compared to the bus, and often it’ll save you even more time since some of the bus routes take quite a bit longer.

The train is less likely to have timing problems, but delays can happen with either the train or the bus. In dozens of trips on FlixBus, I’ve only dealt with a major delay (which was due to an accident miles ahead of us on the highway) one time.

If you’re on a budget, every dollar and euro counts. This is definitely a situation where you have to weigh the cost savings with the time savings and decide which is more important to you.

Taking FlixBus to Berlin from Frankfurt can easily save you money in exchange for extra time, which is a good trade-off for budget travelers. But Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain are much faster, and that could be reason enough to spend the extra money.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide for to how to get to Berlin from Frankfurt is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!