Berlin Central Station

Understand

History Berlin Hauptbahnhof is the result of the reorganisation of long-distance rail services in the Berlin area after German reunification. Until World War II, Berlin had many terminal stations connected only by S-Bahn lines. In former East Berlin, the station now known as "Ostbahnhof" (lit East Station) was temporarily renamed Hauptbahnhof, with Lichtenberg as another important hub. In West Berlin, Zoologischer Garten station was the main terminus for long-distance services. Following reunification, the reconstruction of the S-Bahn, the construction of the high-speed line to Hanover, the extension of services to Hamburg and Leipzig/Halle, and (still under construction) Dresden, long-distance services were consolidated. Following the "mushroom concept," almost all long-distance trains reach the new underground station via a north-south tunnel. Depending on their direction, long-distance trains also stop at Berlin-Südkreuz, Spandau, or Gesundbrunnen (also known as Nordkreuz). Trains from Poland travel via Ostbahnhof to the upper level. Today, almost exclusively S-Bahn and regional trains use the viaducts of the west-east Stadtbahn. The current train station is on the site of the former Lehrter Bahnhof, which was destroyed during World War II. The Lehrter Stadtbahnhof, where the S-Bahn stopped, was demolished. The station is designed by the architectural firm Gerkhan Marg and Partners and was opened just in time for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The construction of the main station relieved the previously notoriously overcrowded Berlin Stadtbahn (which sometimes suffered delays of several hours in the 1990s) and shortened the route for trains travelling north-south through Berlin, eliminating the need to route them via the Ringbahn and Stadtbahn to reach the Zoo station.

Layout Berlin Central Station may seem confusing at first glance, but its layout is quite simple. It's a so-called "Turmbahnhof" (roughly translates to tower station), where two lines intersect at 9

Getting around

All levels are connected by lifts – the station is fully accessible. Signage, lifts, and stair railings also include Braille labels. A mobility service centre can be reached at all times at ☏ +49 180 6512 512.