Nothing is running anymore at the regional and long-distance train platforms Berlin-Schönefeld (Ex-BER T5)
Berlin-Schönefeld station has undergone major changes as part of the city’s transport overhaul. Long-distance and regional trains no longer stop there, leaving only S-Bahn services. The shift aims to streamline connections to the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) terminal, but businesses in the area now face reduced rail options.
The station’s two 420-metre platforms remain open, though their 55 cm height falls short of the 76 cm standard for long-distance trains. Digital displays on unused platforms still direct passengers to check live updates on bahnhof.de, but only S-Bahn and bus services appear. Signage for long-distance routes has been removed, marking the end of an era for the station.
Schönefeld once served as a key stop for transferring ICE trains between Rummelsburg depot and Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Now, regional lines RB24 and RB32 bypass the station entirely, running directly via Lichtenberg, Ostkreuz, and Schöneweide to BER Airport. Terminals 1 and 2 are just two S-Bahn stops away, but the station’s role has shrunk. Further changes are coming. The S45 line to the airport will be scrapped and replaced by the S85, rerouted via Gesundbrunnen to Hauptbahnhof. By December 2025, the Dresdener Bahn (Dresden Railway) upgrade will cut FEX train travel times from Hauptbahnhof to 20 minutes, with a 15-minute frequency. The goal is a seamless multimodal hub linking air and rail networks. Despite the adjustments, Schönefeld remains important for the airport’s development zone, home to many logistics firms. These businesses now rely solely on S-Bahn connections, a significant shift from previous rail access.
The relocation of long-distance and regional services to BER’s unified terminal marks a turning point for Schönefeld. Future upgrades, like the Dresdener Bahn, promise faster links, but the station’s reduced role leaves local industries adapting to fewer transport choices. The changes reflect Berlin’s push for a more integrated travel network.
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