Berlin Central Bus Station ZOB luggage storage

About Berlin Central Bus Station

Known to locals as Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof Berlin, or ZOB, Berlin central bus station is dedicated solely to long-distance bus travel. Due to its geographical location, Berlin has always been a kind of crossroads between Western Europe and the central and eastern parts of the continent, and the bus station is a reflection of that. Buses arrive here from all over Europe.

Despite the name, Berlin central bus station isn’t in the center of Berlin. It sits on the western edge of the city close to the Ringbahn, the circular railway line that surrounds the city. As a result, it’s well-connected to Berlin’s broader transit network.

Like much of the city itself, ZOB often seems to be in a constant state of renovation. The most recent modifications significantly expanded the size of the bus station and added more space for restaurants and other passenger services, as well as creating more stops for buses to increase capacity. Although no one is likely to mistake ZOB for a tourist attraction in itself, it is a handy gateway to Berlin.

Things to do near Berlin Central Bus Station

The unique history of the city of Berlin has made it different from any other European capital. Far younger than cities such as Paris or Rome, Berlin was planned as a sprawling metropolis almost from the beginning. Devastated by the Second World War, foreign powers divided and occupied Berlin for decades. Although East and West Berlin were unified in 1989, the legacy of this separation is clear in the way the city is laid out. While it has a central district, many of the main attractions are quite far from one another, reflecting the fact that Berlin was essentially two cities for much of the 20th century.

As a result, you can find things to do even on the western edge of the city where ZOB sits. For example: 

• Recharge among nature at Lietzensee Park. Berliners are passionate about the city's parks, and Lietzensee is a great place to relax. With green lawns, sculptures, and a lake, it's the ideal place to stretch your legs after a long bus ride. There's also a restaurant in the old boathouse offering pleasant views over the lake.
• Take in some culture at Deutsche Oper Berlin. This opera house stages performances of some of the world’s top musical talent. Book your tickets in advance and prepare for an evening of spectacular entertainment.
• Get above it all at Funkturm Berlin. This gigantic radio tower, standing 147 meters or 482 feet tall, has an observation deck where you can overlook the entire city and get those panoramic photos. There's also an Art Nouveau restaurant if you're feeling peckish.
• Drink in the opulence at Charlottenburg Palace. This Baroque mansion was once the home of the German royal family. It's sprawling rooms and gardens are now run as a museum bearing witness to the wealth and power of the former German Empire.
• Experience history at the Olympic Stadium. Built by the Nazi government for the 1936 Olympics, the stadium is an outstanding example of Fascist architecture. The stadium is still in use for sporting events and concerts. You can also visit on a guided tour that will tell you more about the monumental events that have taken place in this facility over the years.
• Travel back in time at Stuttgarterplatz. There aren't many places where you can get a glimpse of the way Berlin locked before 1945. But Stuttgarterplatz, with its lovingly restored old buildings surrounding a central square full of cafés and bars, is one of them. This quaint neighborhood is worth a visit to see how Berlin looked prior to the momentous events of the 20th century.

Transit options near Berlin Central Bus Station

• ZOB sits right beside Messe Nord S-bahn station. Served by trains 41, 42, and 46, the S-Bahn can take you around Berlin and also connects to the airport.
• City buses 139, 218, and M 49 stop right outside Berlin central bus station.
• A short walk away from the bus station, Kaiserdamm Metro station can get you into the heart of the city by subway.

Luggage storage at Berlin Central Bus Station

While Berlin central bus station may be outside the center of the city, it's extremely well-connected to Berlin's excellent transit network. As a result, arriving at the bus station means you won't be stranded in the middle of nowhere. But seeing some of Berlin's more iconic sights will require a train ride or a journey by Metro, and it will be a lot easier to get around if you're not carrying more than you need to. Drop off your bags at a  Berlin luggage storage location to enjoy your trip through Germany's capital.

Attractions and activities near Berlin Central Bus Station

• Berlin Zoo: In the center of the city, the Berlin zoo brings you up close and personal with animals from around the world. With more than 1,300 different species displayed here, it's one of the most species-rich zoos in the world. Whatever your favorite animal is, they are bound to have it here.
• Brandenburg Gate: You can't go to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. And you can't say you really visited Berlin unless you go to the Brandenburg Gate. This 18th-century triumphal arch is an icon of the city, and once marked the divide between the Western world and the sphere of Soviet influence.
• Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church: The shattered spire of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is known to Berliners as 'the hollow tooth'. The iconic ruined church is a haunting reminder of the devastation of war and the buildings that Berlin has lost.
• Kufurstendamm: The Kufurstendamm is Berlin's answer to Paris's Champs Elysees. This grand boulevard is lined with elegant shops and cafés and makes a perfect place to while away an afternoon soaking up the atmosphere of one of Europe's great cities.