We recommend at least 55 minutes for a comfortable connection at Berlin Brandenburg. The minimum connection time is 40 minutes for schengen flights and 60 minutes for non-schengen flights. Transit between terminals takes up to 20 minutes.

Schengen-to-Schengen: 40 min. Schengen-to-Non-Schengen: 50 min. Non-Schengen-to-Schengen: 55 min. Non-Schengen-to-Non-Schengen: 60 min. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell at Berlin Brandenburg.

BER is a compact, single-level terminal airport that opened in 2020, replacing Tegel and Schönefeld, and connections here are generally straightforward due to short walking distances. The airport was designed for efficiency but lacks a dominant hub carrier, so many connections involve different airlines and can require re-clearing security or passport control. Its manageable size makes it one of the easier European airports for tight connections, provided Schengen/non-Schengen border crossings are factored in. BER's Terminal 1 is a single compact building with piers branching off a central area, so most connections are done entirely on foot without trains or shuttles. Terminal 2 is linked to Terminal 1 by a covered walkway a few minutes away. Passengers connecting between Schengen and non-Schengen flights must pass through passport control, and some non-Schengen arrivals require a secondary security screening before continuing to onward flights.

Even with BER's short walking distances, 30 minutes doesn't allow for security or gate changes reliably. See full 30 min guide →

45 minutes is workable for a same-terminal Schengen connection but tight if crossing into non-Schengen zones. See full 45 min guide →

An hour is generally sufficient for any BER connection, including non-Schengen to non-Schengen transfers. See full 1 hr guide →

75 minutes provides a comfortable margin even during peak security periods. See full 1¼ hr guide →

90 minutes is ample time at this relatively small airport, even with a terminal change. See full 1½ hr guide →

Two hours is more than enough given BER's short distances and modest passenger volumes. See full 2 hr guide →

150 minutes allows time for shopping or a meal with no connection risk. See full 2½ hr guide →

Three hours is a very safe buffer, more than BER's layout requires. See full 3 hr guide →

Four hours is excessive for BER's compact single-terminal design, though useful if switching airlines with separate check-in. See full 4 hr guide →