Email this guide
Print the full guide-
Germany
- Overview
- The Basics
- Attractions
- Events
- Public Holidays
- Travel Health
- Useful Contacts
- Airports
- Climate
- Currency
- Visa & Passport
- Phrases
- Flights to Germany
- Tour Operators
- Germany Map
Ski Resorts
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Airports in Germany
- Transport time inside Frankfurt
- Got a question or comment about Airport in Germany? Ask a Travel Expert!
Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL)
Overview
Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) is the more popular of Berlin's airports, and is conveniently located only five miles (8km) from the city centre. At the airport, passengers can enjoy a wealth of shopping opportunities and conveniences. The main building is centred around an open square and makes for easy navigation and a short commuting distance between disembarkation and exiting the terminal. Lufthansa uses Berlin Tegel as a focus airport, while Air Berlin and the charter Germania both use the airport as a central hub. Despite handling nearly 15 million tourists a year, Tegel is still quite a small, almost intimate airport. It is equipped with a special visitor viewing area, where passengers can watch the airplanes take off and land. Entrance to the viewing areas is €2 for adults and €1 for kids - and is a highly recommended way to kill some time while waiting to board your flight.
Location
The airport is situated five miles (8km) north west of the centre of Berlin.
Getting to the city
The most convenient and cost effective way to get to and from the airport is by bus. They connect with the subway and overground train stations. Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminals on both levels and cost around €15. The journey to Berlin takes around 20 minutes.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts
Tel: +49 180 50 00 186.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Overview
The enormous Frankfurt International Airport serves 53 million passengers per year and is one of Europe's busiest airports. Acting as a continental hub for several major airlines, the airport offers flights to destinations in Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Frankfurt International's modern terminal offers plenty of services and amenities for passengers, including a casino, shower facilities, and family areas. The new Shopping Plaza offers many restaurants and luxury shops as well.
In order to keep up with the ever-growing stream of traffic the airport is expanding with a third terminal, which is scheduled for completion in 2013.
Location
The airport is situated eight miles (13km) south west of the centre of Frankfurt.
Getting to the city
Frankfurt Airport has trains from two railway stations; the long-distance railway station is at the AIRail Terminal, and there is a local railway station for S-Bahn, regional and local trains at Terminal 1, Level 1. Both railway stations are linked to Terminal 2 via buses and the Sky Line. Buses leave regularly for Frankfurt and other destinations from outside Terminals 1 and 2, tickets can be bought from the bus driver. Airline shuttles, including Lufthansa Airport Shuttle and Hahn Airport shuttle, depart from Terminal 1 outside Arrival Hall B. Taxis are available outside both terminals, the journey to central Frankfurt takes 20-30 minutes. Car hire companies are represented in both terminals.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts
Tel: +49 (0)69 6900-66634.
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
Overview
Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel Airport is located 5.3 miles (8.5km) north of central Hamburg. One of Germany's busiest airports, the facility offers flights to more than 120 destinations worldwide, including Moscow, London, Tenerife, Athens, Dubai, Amsterdam, Budapest, Geneva, Lisbon, Sharm-El-Sheikh and New York.
Processing roughly 13 million passengers each year, Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel Airport is a modern facility. The Plaza offers a number of shops and restaurants, as well as lounges and other services; and the friendly staff is always on hand to assist. Real airport enthusiasts can even get a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the airport.
Location
The airport is situated five miles (8km) from Hamburg.
Getting to the city
The Airport Express runs frequent buses to the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) and Hamburg Airport is accessible by S-Bahn which is a 25 minute journey from central station at a normal fare. Hamburg Bus Lines service the city centre and other suburban areas. Taxis are readily available outside all terminals, they take around 30 minutes to the city centre.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts
Tel: +49 (0)40 5075-0.
Munich International Airport (MUC)
Overview
Munich International Airport, officially known as Franz Josef Strauß International Airport, is the second-busiest hub in Germany, processing nearly 35 million passengers each year. Located 17.7 miles (28.5km) northeast of central Munich, the facility is connected to the city by efficient public transport links, making it a convenient gateway to one of Germany's most interesting cities.
The airport is made up of two terminals, connected by a tent-style structure that contains shops, restaurants and other business and recreation facilities. The airport is clean and modern, with efficient service and friendly staff. In fact, Munich International Airport won Best European Airport six times between 2005 and 2011 by research company Skytrax.
Flights to Munich International Airport come from all over the world, including major cities like Athens, Moscow, Bangkok, Cancun, Toronto, Dublin, Mauritius, Rome, Tokyo, London, Atlanta, Dubai, Madrid, Mexico City and Paris.
Location
The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) north east of the centre of Munich.
Getting to the city
Frequent commuter trains run by day and most of the night to various Munich stations, including the main stations for connections to major European cities. Taxis are available, as are buses to many regional destinations and the main train station. It takes about 20 minutes by train and about 45 minutes by road to reach the city centre.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts
Tel: +49 (0)89 975 00. Flight Information: +49 (0)89 975 213 13.
Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)
Overview
The third-largest airport in Germany, Düsseldorf International Airport is located 4.3 miles (7km) north of central Düsseldorf. The airport is a major hub for Lufthansa and Air Berlin, who together offer the bulk of the flights in and out of the facility; however more than 70 airlines make use of Düsseldorf Airport, meaning there are usually some good deals to be had on flights to Düsseldorf.
Serving roughly 19 million passengers each year, Düsseldorf International Airport is a busy facility that's still growing: by 2016 construction will be complete on Düsseldorf Airport City, which will house hotels, shops, restaurants and movie theatres.
At present, there is already a good selection of shops and restaurants in the airport, which is compact and easy to navigate. The terminals are connected by a central spine, making them feel more like concourses and ensuring transfer times are minimal.
Location
The airport is situated six miles (10km) north of Dusseldorf.
Getting to the city
There are plenty of transport options available at the airport, including taxis (which will cost around €20 to the city centre), limousines, local buses, a Skytrain Shuttle Bus, and the fast and efficient S-Bahn.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October).
Contacts
Tel: +49 211 4210.
Cologne-Bonn Airport (CGN)
Overview
Cologne-Bonn Airport is conveniently located halfway between Cologne and Bonn. The sixth-largest airport in Germany, the facility serves nearly 10 million passengers each year, mostly on low-cost airlines like easyJet and bmibaby.
A convenient gateway to West Germany, the airport is quieter than the mammoth facilities in Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin. Its facilities are fairly basic, but offer a good selection of restaurants and shops. The Renezvous Piano Bar in Concourse B of Terminal 1 is especially popular to relax in and have a drink while listening to live music, and the wonderful Kamps Bakery is a great place to sample traditional German pastries.
Location
The airport is located eight miles (12km) southeast of Cologne and 10 miles (16km) north of Bonn.
Getting to the city
There are several transport options available, including taxis (which cost around €30 to Cologne and around €40 to Bonn), the local bus service, and the S-bahn.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October).
Contacts
Tel: +49 (0)22 0340 4000.
Stuttgart International Airport (STR)
Overview
Stuttgart Airport is one of the top ten busiest airports in Germany and serves more than nine million passengers each year. It is just outside of Stuttgart, in Southern Germany, and it is well-connected to the town via public transport networks.
The airport itself features four terminals linked to each other via a linear corridor. There are plenty of parking options at Stuttgart Airport as well as loads of restaurants and retail outlets to keep passengers entertained while waiting for flights.
Location
The airport is located 8 miles (13km) south of Stuttgart city centre.
Getting to the city
The airport is connected to central Stuttgart by commuter trains, both serving Stuttgart central station. There are several direct bus links to destinations in and around Stuttgart, as well as a 24-hour taxi service, both departing from outside Terminal 1.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October).
Contacts
+49 (0)1805 948-4444.
Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF)
Overview
Berlin Schönefeld Airport (SXF) is situated in the area of the city previously designated as East Berlin, and is 11 miles (18km) southeast of the city centre. Berlin Schönefeld Airport is a popular gateway into Berlin and the eastern side of Germany. Although the smaller of Berlin's two airports, it is currently undergoing a major upgrade. Schönefeld Airport is mainly used by low-cost carriers offering passengers a cheap and easy option for a weekend break in Berlin. It is a hub for Germanwings and easyJet, who offer connections to a range of cities across Europe and North Africa. It is often cheaper to fly into Berlin's Schönefeld Airport than into Tegel Airport, a fact which should be gleefully noted by budget travellers.
Location
The airport is located 11 miles (18km) from Berlin's city centre.
Getting to the city
Train: The airport express train station is a short (400 metre) walk, along a covered footpath, from Terminal A. The Airport Express train takes just half an hour to reach the main railway station in Berlin, known as Hauptbahnhof. The train tickets use the same ticketing system as the buses in Berlin. Passengers need to pick how many zones they will be travelling through and the ticket price is adjusted accordingly. A trip from Schönefeld Airport to central Berlin will cost €2.10. The Airport Express Train is the fastest train from the airport into the city. It runs every 30 minutes, from 5am until 11pm. S-bahn trains are also available from the airport station, but they are slightly slower than the express train.
Taxis: Taxis can be found on both the lower and upper levels, but mainly on the lower level outside Terminal A. The trip into central Berlin takes between 20 and 30 minutes and generally costs about €15.
Bus: Taking a bus from Schönefeld Airport into Berlin is the best way to get into town. Fares are determined according to the number of zones you pass through in order to arrive at your destination. There are two zones (zones A and B) between Schönefeld and central Berlin. Tickets into town cost €2.10 and they can either be bought at the ticket vending machine inside the terminal or on the bus. The express airport buses (BCG) run the most frequently and are generally the best buses to catch between the airport and central Berlin. BCG Jet Express Bus No. X9 as well as BVG Jet Express TXL Bus and BVG buses No. 109 and No. 128 all make the trip from the airport into Berlin. During the week buses tend to run between 4:30am and 12:30am at 30-minute intervals with more buses during the peak hours of the day. On weekends buses run less frequently.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts
+49 180 5000 186
Dresden International Airport (DRS)
Overview
A small airport located just six miles (10km) from downtown Dresden, Dresden International Airport is an unremarkable facility that runs quietly and efficiently, processing just under two million passengers each year.
The terminal, built in a former aircraft hangar, is very child-friendly and has several play areas. A few good stores and restaurants offer convenient amenities like plug points and dedicated smoking areas.
Flights to Dresden International Airport are available from a number of destinations in Europe and the Middle East.
Location
6 miles (10km) from downtown Dresden
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN)
Overview
A small commercial airport located 75 miles (120km) from Frankfurt and Luxembourg, Frankfurt Hahn Airport is less convenient for flights to Frankfurt than those travelling to Mainz, Heidelburg or Koblenz (although there is easy public transport into Frankfurt).
For passengers looking to save a bit on airfare however, Frankfurt Hahn Airport is still a consideration due to flights by several low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Frankfurt Hahn Airport is the epitome of a 'budget' airport, with only a few shops, restaurants and services. Catering to a small niche of travellers, the airport serves just under four million passengers each year.
Location
75 miles (120km) from Frankfurt
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Hannover-Langenhagen Airport (HAJ)
Overview
The ninth-largest airport in Germany, Hannover-Langenhagen Airport serves roughly five million passengers each year on flights to destinations that include London, Moscow, Paris, the Canary Islands, Istanbul, Copenhagen and Milan.
Located seven miles (11km) north of the city, the airport serves the north of Saxony and the greater Hannover area. The facility is laid out in a semi-circle made up of three terminals, minimising walking distance between gates, and the staff is friendly and helpful. There is a good selection of shops and restaurants, and the airport's shopping area is even open to the general public on Sundays.
For a unique flight experience, head to the airport's World of Aviation to take a ride in an interactive flight simulator.
Location
The airport is located seven miles (11km) north of Hanover.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Nuremburg Airport (NUE)
Overview
Known to many as Nuremburg Airport, Nürnberg Airport is located 3.1 miles (5.3km) from Nuremburg. The 10th busiest airport in Germany, Nürnberg Airport is a hub for Air Berlin and processes more than four million passengers each year.
The airport is small and efficient, with a small but good-quality selection of shops and restaurants and convenient public transport links into Nuremburg. Processing times are quick, however long queues can appear at peak holiday traffic times.
Flights to Nürnberg Airport come in from major European hubs including Paris, Amsterdam, London, Zurich, Istanbul and Barcelona, as well as popular holiday resort towns like Santorini, Sharm el-Sheikh, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Tenerife, Mykonos, Thessaloniki and Fuerteventura.
Location
Nürnberg Airport is located 3.1 miles (5.3km) from Nuremburg.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Berlin-Tegel Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.
Become our Germany Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our Germany travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Germany or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.
