DB Regio RE7 Regional-Express Train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER Airport-Terminal 1-2

DB Regio RE7 Regional-Express was 1 of 3 express trains operating from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER Airport-Terminal 1-2, with a combined frequency of all 3 main express trains departing around every 15 minutes. At my time of departure, the next train was the RE7, so I decided to take it instead of the more commonly-used Flughafen Express (FEX) service.

The DB Regio RE7 Regional-Express no longer goes to BER Airport-Terminal 1-2. This exact same route from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER Airport-Terminal 1-2 is now operated by RE8 and RB23.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof

The façade of Berlin Hauptbahnhof on the Europaplatz side.

Heading in to Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

The departure board at Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

Heading up to Platform 11 for the RE7.

Just a 3-minute wait for the RE7 here.

The DB Bombardier Talent 2 ET 442 operating on my RE7 train.

The interior of the DB Bombardier Talent 2 ET 442 in 2nd Class.

The legroom available on board the DB Bombardier Talent 2 ET 442 in 2nd Class.

A fold-down tray table is available behind each airline-style seat.

Sliding coat hangers are available above the train windows.

2-pin EU power sockets are also available above the train windows.

The sight of goodbye of Berlin from the upper level tracks.

Berlin Friedrichstraße

Making a brief stop at Berlin Friedrichstraße.

Passing by Pergamonmuseum Das Panorama.

Passing by Pergamonmuseum.

Passing by Hackescher Markt.

Berlin Alexanderplatz

Making a brief stop at Berlin Alexanderplatz.

Berlin Ostbahnhof

Making a brief stop at Berlin Ostbahnhof.

Passing by a depot after Warschauer Straße.

Berlin Ostkreuz

Making a brief stop at Berlin Ostkreuz where a lot more passengers boarded.

From Berlin Ostkreuz, the RE7 runs express to BER Airport – Terminal 1-2.

Passing by the S-Bahn depot at Grünau.

Splitting off the wye to BER Airport – Terminal 1-2.

Heading down to the underground tunnels at BER Airport – Terminal 1-2.

BER Airport – Terminal 1-2

The RE7 train journey from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER Airport – Terminal 1-2 took 33 minutes. While the RE7 was 3 minutes slower than the FEX, the FEX departure was 10 minutes after the RE7, so the slightly longer journey time ended up earlier to arrive at BER Airport – Terminal 1-2 anyway.

The RE7 would continue on to Zossen.

Heading up to the concourse via the escalator.

The BER Airport – Terminal 1-2 station is located in Terminal 1.

Terminal 2 is located 350 meters away by a walkway.

Heading to Terminal 2 where my flight would be departing from.

Heading on the outdoor area with banners pointing to Terminal 2.

The façade of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 2.

Crossing the zebra crossing to Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 2.

The down slope leads to the entrance of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 2.

Conclusion

Overall, the RE7 does its job of being a fast airport train to Berlin Brandenburg Airport from the city. However, do note that Berlin Hauptbahnhof is just a passing through station on the RE7, which means there will be passengers already on board, and it may be difficult to find a seat during peak periods. If you would like a higher chance for a seat but sometimes sacrificing a longer wait time, take the FEX where it originates from Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

The DB Regio RE7 Regional-Express no longer goes to BER Airport-Terminal 1-2. This exact same route from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to BER Airport-Terminal 1-2 is now operated by RE8 and RB23.