Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Mitte: S-Bahn, U5, tram, taxi
Hauptbahnhof sits at the edge of Mitte, so every option is short. The S-Bahn or the U5 reaches Alexanderplatz in 7 to 10 minutes on one 4 euro AB ticket. The Brandenburg Gate is a flat walk of about 20 minutes with a suitcase. A taxi costs 11 to 19 euros on the meter and helps only if your hotel is off the rail line.
- Cheapest
- FreeWalk to the Brandenburg Gate · 20 min
- Fastest
- 15 minTaxi from the station rank · €11–€19
- Taxi
- €11–€19Taxi from the station rank · 15 min
Walk to the Brandenburg Gate: about 20 min on foot, and it costs nothing.
On foot
Walk to the Brandenburg Gate
20 min
For the groupFree
Walk to the Brandenburg Gate
On foot · free · about 1.5 km
- Per person
- Free
- Door to door
- 20 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Any time
- Board at
- South exit, Washingtonplatz, towards the Reichstag
- Suitcases
- Fine
Train
S-Bahn S3, S5, S7 and S9
20 min
For the group€8
S-Bahn S3, S5, S7 and S9
S-Bahn Berlin · 4 euros AB single · Alexanderplatz in 7 minutes
- Per person
- €4
- Door to door
- 20 min
- Runs
- 04:00–01:00
- Frequency
- every 3 to 5 min across the lines
- Board at
- Upper-level S-Bahn platforms 15 and 16
- Suitcases
- Fine
Metro
U-Bahn U5
20 min
For the group€8
U-Bahn U5
BVG · 4 euros AB single · deep platform
- Per person
- €4
- Door to door
- 20 min
- Runs
- 04:00–01:00
- Frequency
- every 5 to 10 min
- Board at
- U5 platform, underground at the station
- Suitcases
- Fine
Taxi
Taxi from the station rank
15 min
For the group€11–€19estimate
Taxi from the station rank
Berlin taxis · official metered tariff
- Per person
- €11–€19 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 15 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank outside the station
- Board at
- Taxi ranks at the station forecourts
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Bus
Tram M5 (MetroTram)
30 min
For the group€8
Tram M5 (MetroTram)
BVG · 4 euros AB single · runs all night
- Per person
- €4
- Door to door
- 30 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- every 10 min by day
- Board at
- Tram stop in front of the station on the Europaplatz side
- Suitcases
- Fine
Every option in detail
TrainS-Bahn S3, S5, S7 and S9
- €4
- 20 min
- 04:00–01:00
- → Alexanderplatz, Hackescher Markt, Friedrichstrasse
Take the escalators or lifts to the upper platforms and board any S-Bahn marked east towards Alexanderplatz. Friedrichstrasse is one stop and Hackescher Markt is two stops. Alexanderplatz takes about 7 minutes. The AB single costs 4 euros, valid for two hours in one direction. Buy it at the red and yellow machines or in the BVG app and validate paper tickets before boarding. Lines S5, S7 and S75 are the quickest for Alexanderplatz, and lines S3 and S9 use the same track.
MetroU-Bahn U5
- €4
- 20 min
- 04:00–01:00
- → Unter den Linden, Museumsinsel, Alexanderplatz
The U5 takes about 10 minutes from Hauptbahnhof to Alexanderplatz with stops at Bundestag, Brandenburger Tor, Unter den Linden, Museumsinsel and Rotes Rathaus. It is the metro that gets you closest to the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor station), with a walk of a few minutes to the gate itself. The platform is deep and you carry cases on escalators and lifts. The ticket is the same 4 euro AB single and is valid for two hours in one direction.
BusTram M5 (MetroTram)
- €4
- 30 min
- 24 hours
- → Hackescher Markt, Alexanderplatz
The M5 stops at S+U Hauptbahnhof and calls at Alexanderplatz and Hackescher Markt, with a ride of around 20 minutes. It is slower than the S-Bahn but runs 24 hours, and after 00:30 the trams come every 30 minutes. The same 4 euro AB single works for tram, bus, U-Bahn and S-Bahn. Check the BVG app for the stop and for diversions, as roadworks regularly change tram routes.
On footWalk to the Brandenburg Gate
- €0
- 20 min
- 24 hours
- → Brandenburg Gate, about 20 minutes
The route is flat and paved. Leave by the exit that faces the Spree and the government quarter, cross the river and pass the Reichstag to reach the Brandenburg Gate in 15 minutes without luggage, about 20 with a suitcase. Unter den Linden continues east from the gate towards Alexanderplatz, which is a further 2 km or so. For Alexanderplatz itself, take the train.
TaxiTaxi from the station rank
- €11–€19 per vehicle (estimate)
- 15 min
- 24 hours
- → Any address in Mitte
The Berlin tariff is 4.30 euros to start, then 2.80 euros per km for the first 3 km, 2.60 euros from 3 to 7 km and 2.10 euros beyond. A short ride to the Brandenburg Gate comes to about 11 euros, and Alexanderplatz about 15 to 19 euros with traffic. The range here is an estimate from that tariff, not a published fare. You can pre-book at a fixed price by phone or app, within a band set by the city. Fares are the same for every taxi, so there is no reason to take an unmarked car.
The same trip in a different situation
Arriving late at night
The S-Bahn and U-Bahn stop about 01:00 to 01:30 from Sunday night to Thursday night, depending on the line, and run all night on Friday and Saturday nights and before public holidays. S-Bahn trains then run every 30 minutes and the U-Bahn every 15 minutes. The M5 tram and the night buses run every night, with trams every 30 minutes after 00:30. Taxis are always available at the rank. First trains on weekdays are about 04:00 and are an estimate, so check the BVG app for the exact time.
See the comparison →4 people, 4 suitcasesTravelling as a group of four
Four people on AB singles pay 16 euros in total. A taxi at 11 to 19 euros costs 2.75 to 4.75 euros each, so for four people with luggage it is no dearer than the train and saves the escalators. For one or two people the S-Bahn at 4 euros is the better buy. A Kurzstrecke short-trip ticket at 2.80 euros covers three stops, which only helps if your hotel is very close.
See the comparison →Practical tips
- The S-Bahn platforms are on the upper level, the U5 platform is underground, and the long-distance trains are on both levels. Follow the S and U signs from the platform concourse.
- Taxi ranks are on both forecourts. The Europaplatz side faces the city centre and is the usual rank.
- Lockers are available inside the station. Check the signs for the luggage lockers, as capacity is limited at peak times.
- A 4 euro AB ticket is valid for two hours, one direction, and allows changes between train, tram and bus. Berlin Hauptbahnhof and the city centre are all in zone A.
- The U5 stops at Brandenburger Tor, 2 stops from the station. It takes about as long as walking with luggage, so it only pays off in rain.
- Hauptbahnhof is a large station on several levels. Allow 5 to 10 minutes to find your platform and the exit.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Alexanderplatz?
Take the S-Bahn (S3, S5, S7 or S9) from the upper platforms, about 7 minutes for 4 euros. The U5 takes about 10 minutes and the M5 tram around 20, all on the same AB ticket.
How much is a BVG ticket in Berlin in 2026?
A single ticket for zones AB costs 4 euros and is valid for two hours in one direction. A short-trip ticket (Kurzstrecke) costs 2.80 euros for three stops on trains or six on buses and trams.
How far is Berlin Hauptbahnhof from the Brandenburg Gate?
About 1.5 km. Walking takes around 15 minutes without luggage and 20 with a suitcase. The route is flat and crosses the Spree past the Reichstag.
How much is a taxi from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Mitte?
Expect about 11 euros to the Brandenburg Gate and 15 to 19 euros to Alexanderplatz. Berlin taxis charge 4.30 euros to start and then 2.80 euros per km, so the meter decides.
Does the S-Bahn run at night in Berlin?
Only on Friday and Saturday nights and before public holidays, every 30 minutes. From Sunday night to Thursday night it stops about 01:00 to 01:30 and night buses and the M5 tram take over.
