Quick answer. BER's bank-ATM concession is held by Reisebank, with machines in Terminal 1 arrivals (the only operating terminal post-2020). They are decent for a starter €50–100 but not as cheap as a Sparkasse or Deutsche Bank in central Berlin. The faster move on most arrivals: skip the airport ATMs entirely, tap contactless on the FEX or S-Bahn S9 to Hauptbahnhof, and withdraw at a real bank in town.
Where to get euro at BER
Berlin's airport-to-city options are entirely card-friendly, which means you can leave BER with zero euros and still reach Hauptbahnhof in 30 minutes. The cost math below assumes you do withdraw at the airport for a starter cash buffer. Reisebank is the only bank-ATM concession; everything else is an exchange counter or independent operator machine.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reisebank ATM (BER bank-ATM concession) | Terminal 1 arrivals + train station level | ~€3.95 operator fee + interbank rate | ~$110 + $4 fee |
| Real bank ATM in central Berlin (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) | After 30-minute FEX or S9 ride | €1.95-3.50 (Sparkasse) or €0 (Deutsche Bank w/ Alliance) | ~$110 + $0-4 fee |
| Pre-ordered euros (CEI) | Delivered to your US address | ~2-3% | ~$113-115 |
| Reisebank exchange counter (T1 arrivals) | Adjacent to ATMs | 5-10% over mid-market | ~$115-120 |
| Travelex counter (T1 arrivals) | Tourist-trap counter | 8-12% | ~$118-122 |
| Cardpoint / independent ATM (DCC accepted) | T1 arrivals concourse | €5-7 + 3-13% DCC | ~$115-130 |
Reisebank ATM locations at Berlin Brandenburg
BER opened in October 2020 as a single integrated airport replacing Tegel and Schoenefeld. Terminal 1 is currently the only operating terminal (T2 reopened seasonally in 2023 but is closed again as of 2026). Reisebank holds the airport's bank-ATM concession, with machines positioned in the arrivals concourse and near the FEX / S-Bahn station entrance.
Terminal 1 (Main Terminal)
Lufthansa, easyJet, Ryanair, Eurowings, KLM, Air France, British Airways, and most international carriers serving Berlin
Reisebank ATMs are in the arrivals hall on level E0. Two main machines: one near baggage carousel 5 and one near the FEX / S-Bahn station entrance. Independent Cardpoint and Travelex machines sit alongside; ignore them. After picking up bags, follow signs toward the Bahnhof / Train Station, which leads you past the Reisebank position.
Terminal 1 Lower Level (Train Station)
The BER airport train station sits directly underneath Terminal 1 on level U2. Reisebank has a third ATM on the platform level. Useful if you skip the arrivals-hall withdrawal and head straight to the FEX or S-Bahn turnstiles.
Terminal 2 (currently closed)
Closed as of 2026. T2 reopened briefly in 2023 for low-cost carriers but has been shuttered again pending operational review.
Not relevant for current arrivals. All foot traffic and ATM access is through Terminal 1.
Do you actually need cash at Berlin Brandenburg?
Almost never. Every fast route out of BER accepts contactless tap-to-pay, and the first cash-only situation you'll likely hit (a Spaeti, a Doener stand, a Berghain queue) is in central Berlin where real bank ATMs are denser and cheaper than the airport. Here is what works on a tap:
FEX (Airport Express) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (€4.40, 30 minutes): Tap to pay at platform machines or use the BVG / DB Navigator app.
S-Bahn S9 to central Berlin (Friedrichstrasse, Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz) (€4.40, ~45 minutes): Contactless turnstiles. The S9 connects to most U-Bahn lines and stops at major tourist hubs.
Regional RE7 / RB14 trains (€4.40, 25-35 minutes): Faster than the S-Bahn for some destinations. Same fare zone, contactless ticket machines.
Official Berlin taxi (TaxiBerlin or app) (€55-65 to Mitte / Tiergarten): Card readers required by city law. Confirm 'Karte' before getting in. Slower than FEX during peak hours.
Uber, Bolt, FreeNow (varies, similar to taxi): All card-only via the app.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Berlin Brandenburg to Berlin?
No. FEX (Airport Express) to Berlin Hauptbahnhof accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order euro before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical euro to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 euro for taxis and tips on day one.
Should I withdraw euros at BER or wait until central Berlin?
Wait if you can. The Reisebank ATMs at BER charge a small operator fee around €3.95 plus a slightly worse exchange rate than you'll get at a Sparkasse or Deutsche Bank in town. The FEX express train (€4.40, 30 minutes to Hauptbahnhof) and S-Bahn S9 both accept contactless tap-to-pay, so you do not need cash to leave the airport. If you want a starter buffer, €50–100 from the BER Reisebank is fine.
Is there a Sparkasse or Deutsche Bank ATM at BER?
No. The on-airport bank-ATM concession is Reisebank-only. Sparkasse and Deutsche Bank ATMs are densely placed in central Berlin, including a Berliner Sparkasse on the upper level of Hauptbahnhof near the Galeria Kaufhof exit and a Deutsche Bank flagship at Unter den Linden / Friedrichstrasse.
Are there standalone Cardpoint or Euronet ATMs at BER?
Yes, a few independent operator machines (Cardpoint, occasionally Travelex) sit in the arrivals concourse alongside the Reisebank machines. Avoid them. They charge €5–7 plus an aggressive DCC prompt that adds 3–13 percent on top. The Reisebank machines are the better airport option.
Can I order euros before flying to Berlin?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships euro to your US address in 2–5 days at rates around 2–3 percent over interbank. Useful for a Berlin trip specifically because the Bargeld culture means you'll want cash on hand for the first taxi, your first Spaeti corner shop, and any Sunday-arrival Mauerpark market run.