Flughafen Berlin Tegel TXL

This airport is fairly convenient, but it's really small and cramped. It reminds me of LGA in NYC. I was flying internationally and I had an easy time checking in and getting to my gate but again, it's really tight and crowded with not enough seating at the gates.

I will say that it's very easy to get to by bus. There are several options and I was there from the Berlin Hilton via the U6 and 128 bus in under 35 minutes!

It seems that Berlin would have a world class airport because it's such a world class city, but this doesn't really come close. From talking to friends in Berlin, I understand the topic of airports in Berlin is fraught with a lot more than economics when thinking about Tempelhof, Tegel, Schönefeld, and (maybe someday) Brandenburg.

But everyone should come to Berlin and this is one good way to get there!

A small airport the offers a quick pleasant traveling experience. The first thing that stood out for me was that each arrival gate has its own baggage claim and it was efficient.

On departure the security check points were very efficient and the staff was friendly. My experience is that the security staff is usually a bit on the stone faced and cold side, not here though. Beyond security there was a small duty free shop and a bar/restaurant.

And the award for the most awful airport 2018 goes to...(drum roll please)...TEGEL (til) - under the category - Disturbing departures.

Departure:
- If you're flying internationally (my case to Newark via United at Gate A00) your bag check & ticket check area is your gate, so once you check in you are STUCK and advised not to leave.
- I was not even allowed to use the lounge as their is no access once you've checked in ok, ok I know, woe is me, first world problems, but kind of a big deal if youre used to other systems when traveling.
- there is no good food at the gate (A00), just vending machines and one sad and overpriced food stand selling pretzels and cheap expensive coffee. This is place is the equivalent terminal A at Newark, but no food, but seemingly ample amounts of charging stations.
- the worst is what is a 300 or so passenger plane, has a gate that is equipped with a single person bathroom male/female stalls.

Very small airport yet no shortage of quality. Extremely clean bathrooms. No matter location or time of day. Nice selection for shopping or choices for warm comfort food prior to boarding flight.

Circling back to the limited space, be prepared to stand for longer periods of time in comparison to a bigger airport that has more seating available. PACK COMFORTABLE SHOES, not fun to stand in line with uncomfortable heels while each person slowly makes their way up the line.

Service is very friendly. Too bad they are closing by 2020

This airport is pretty disappointing especially for a major world city. I have heard that there is a new airport being built or trying to get built but this is ridiculous.

It's pretty cramped, unorganized and dated. Normally I would tell you that you shouldn't get there two hours in advance, but the lines back up and it's safer to get through security as fast as possible

If you can avoid, I would.

Berlin is a large and beautiful city as well as the culture capital of Germany, so for goodness sake do something with this airport! This was my second time in Germany but the first time at Tegel airport, as I was flying to Krakow, Poland. As soon as I checked in, I quickly headed to the lounge- a lot faster than I normally do!


I flew out of Terminal 3 and it is not big or nice looking at all. TXL looks as if it needs to be updated and looks and has the feel of a warehouse rather than an airport. I will say that like a German, TXL is very, very efficient which is the only thing going for it.

I honestly cannot say what stores, cafes or restaurants are inside the airport because as I mentioned I ran to the lounge as fast and efficient as a German!

I don't know if I love or hate this airport. It's def in need of a massive modernization that is for sure.

Arrivals:
It was the quickest arrival process from arriving from overseas which I absolutely loved and I was quickly into the city of Berlin shortly afterwards.

Departures:
Departing Tegal you should really wait last minute to check in because once you pass security you just stuck in a really run down terminal waiting room with literally one crappy cafe and a bathroom which is probably actually smaller than your airplanes bathroom. The waiting room to board after security can barely fit everyone who's going to get into the plane as well.

Prior to Check In:
They do have an onsite postoffice, and you can do your tax refund quite easily there, so that is better than other international airports I been too. And naturally they have a small shopping mall to entertain yourself before checkin into your holding pen I mean secured waiting area back to the States.

Check in last minute I promise you you will like it much better...

What I like:
Small airport, no long walks or lines usually

What I dislike:
Hideous airport, no stores really except a Starbucks and sometimes staff is super slow or understaffed

We got in TXL from Munich and was surprised that the luggage conveyer belt was right at the gate. I had to admit that was efficient to be able to pick up your checked bag right after disembarking. The walk out to the taxi line was immediate. It had a totally different experience than that of the Munich Airport.

Nevertheless, despite the super efficient design by those smart engineers, it is just not hitting the mark from user friendliness perspective. The whole place was ran down as well. I don't like it nor I want to go through here if I can help it.

If you are flying into TXL I would highly recommend NOT checking in your bag. Our bags were left in Amsterdam, but arrived on the next flight (about 2-3 hours after we landed). We proceeded to the baggage center where the sketchy staff refused to give us our bags. There were folks from all over the world who had been waiting upwards of 11 hours for their bags. Our airline confirmed that our bags had been received in Berlin, but for some unknown reason, the staff kept refusing to give us our bags, and would not provide us reasons. They insisted that we sign up to have our bags delivered. We had flown to Berlin from the US on a red eye flight and were exhausted, and had to also catch a train to Leipzig before a certain time. There were several others there in the same position--with no end in sight to the waiting. The rudeness of the staff was apalling to me--9 hours of waiting later (longer than the amount of time it took to get to Germany!) and still no bag I couldn't control myself and started crying while speaking to the staff member. He just ignored me, smirking to himself. At this point, I saw my bag through a small window in the door. How long had it been sitting there? We were finally able to retrieve it, and barely made it onto the last train to Leipzig.

I would never, ever recommend flying into this airport. I highly recommend flying into Frankfurt and then taking the train to your final destination.