Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL)

About Berlin Tegel Airport  

As Berlin’s major international airport, Berlin Tegel Airport sees many passengers come through its doors each and every day. Also known as Berlin Tegel “Otto Lilienthal” Airport after the German aviation pioneer Karl Wilhelm Otton Lilienthal, the airport is the fourth busiest in the country and serves about 22 million passengers annually. Berlin Tegel is located 8 kilometres north of Berlin in Tegel, a town in the borough of Reinickendorf. 

Berlin Tegel is known for its unique design, with the main terminal of the airport being built in the shape of a hexagon surrounding a square. This design minimises walking distances for passengers with some distances between a plane and the airport exit as short as 100 feet. The airport was originally used for military purposes, but had its first commercial flight run by Air France in 1960. Today, it services flights to a whole range of destinations and plays a major role for easyJet, Eurowings, Ryanair and Sundair. 

Things to do near Berlin Tegel Airport  

Berlin Tegel Airport is a major modern airport located just outside of Berlin. If you’re visiting Germany’s capital, there’s a good chance you will transit through this airport. While the airport has enough services and amenities to keep you occupied and comfortable during a stopover, we recommend heading into the great city of Berlin if you have enough time. The trip will take less than 30 minutes and it’s a great way to stretch your legs and see the sights.

To get you inspired, we’ve put together a list of some of the things you can do and see in Berlin. Whether you are in town for a stopover or a longer trip, consider adding some of these to your itinerary. 

• Visit Brandenburg Gate

• Admire the artwork at East Side Gallery

• Take a moment to reflect at the Berlin Wall Memorial

• Soak up the atmosphere at Alexanderplatz

• Pay your respects at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

• Visit the iconic Checkpoint Charlie

• Learn about Germany and its history at one of the many museums

• Stretch your legs at Grosser Tiergarten

• Stroll along the Spree River

Transit options to Berlin Tegel Airport  

• Taxi

• Public Bus (128, 109)

• Shuttle Bus (TXL JetExpress, X9 JetExpress)

• Bus + Train (128 bus to Hauptbahnhof, then U6 train)

Luggage storage at Berlin Tegel Airport  

The Berlin Tegel Airport has modern facilities so you are guaranteed to be comfortable if you find yourself there on a stopover. If you have some time to pass, consider heading into the city to explore Berlin. It’s less than half an hour to get there so it’s the perfect opportunity to get in some sightseeing, and it sure beats sitting at the airport! 

You might be wondering what you would do with your luggage, but this is where Bounce comes in. Bounce is a luggage storage service that lets you check your bags at a secure location and pick them up when you need them. No minimum time required. You can leave your bags in a safe place and get a chance to explore Berlin – it’s a win-win!

Attractions and activities near Berlin Tegel Airport 

Creating a Berlin itinerary can be difficult – there are so many great things to see and do! It gets even more difficult if you’re only in town for a stopover. How do you know what to leave out and what to prioritize? Well, there’s no right or wrong decision and it really depends on your tastes and preferences. Plus you’re guaranteed to have a great time whatever you choose to see. You are in Berlin, after all!
To help you out, we’ve put some of our top picks below. Consider adding them to your itinerary to make the most of your time in Berlin.

• East Side Gallery: The East Side Gallery is one of our top attractions, especially if you’re only in Berlin on a stopover. It will give you a chance to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, while also admiring impressive art and viewing some of Berlin’s history. What more could you want?

• Topography of Terror: You’ll have to make the call whether this one is a good choice for you if you’ll be getting straight back on a plane, but the Topography of Terror is incredibly informative and will give you a real insight into the environment of Nazi Germany. It’s dark and haunting, but provides excellent insight and an opportunity for reflection.

• Alexanderplatz: This public square can only be accessed by pedestrians, making it the perfect place to get active after a flight. Grab a drink and some food, then head to the fountain for some people watching.