Growth in tourism for Berlin and Brandenburg is flourishing - Berlin and Brandenburg roadways return to normal during holiday travel season
As the summer vacation season kicks off in Berlin and Brandenburg, travelers can expect an influx of tourists, with Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in Schoenefeld forecasting around 3.7 million travelers during the summer break, a 100,000-passenger increase compared to last year.
However, motorists should prepare for potential delays on major roads, especially near border areas such as the German-Polish border, due to ongoing border controls and the resulting congestion, particularly along the A12 near Frankfurt (Oder). Efforts to alleviate congestion, such as proposals for a third lane on the A12, face infrastructure challenges.
BER Airport has made significant improvements in 2025, becoming the world’s most improved airport with upgrades in passenger flow, security, digital infrastructure, and sustainability measures. The airport supports international routes, such as twice-weekly flights to Toronto, indicating steady passenger numbers and strong connectivity during the summer. Despite this, disruptions in broader European air travel due to French air traffic control strikes in July 2025 may have temporarily affected travel through BER.
To minimize waiting times, the airport operators have implemented measures such as bookable control slots, new scanner technology, and support teams in the terminal. The S3 line, particularly affected by these restrictions, will see an additional train running between Berlin-Gesundbrunnen and Pasewalk in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern from Saturday until September 7, with services operating in the morning and afternoon.
Train services in Berlin and Brandenburg are expected to be busy during the summer vacation, with no specific disruptions or extraordinary changes noted. A replacement bus service has been set up for the period between Friedrichshagen and Wuhlheide, where there will be no train service from Wednesday evening until August 5. From August 5 until September 6, there will be a reduced timetable between Erkner and the city center.
In addition, the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg is expanding its offer to the Baltic Sea. Long-term restrictions on the S3 line due to construction work are also expected. Travel during the summer vacation is projected to be higher compared to last year.
Despite these challenges, the region's well-connected and efficient rail network remains a key travel option, facilitating both domestic tourism and travel in and out of Berlin and Brandenburg with reliability. Overall, travelers should anticipate possible road traffic slowdowns near the eastern border, a bustling and improved BER airport handling international summer traffic, and well-functioning train services as a convenient alternative for travel within the Berlin-Brandenburg area during summer vacation 2025.
- Ensuring a smooth journey for travelers, the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg has decided to expand its services to the Baltic Sea, providing an alternative means of transport during the summer vacation, especially when long-term restrictions on the S3 line are anticipated due to construction work.
- Despite the projected increase in travel during the summer vacation of 2025, community policies implemented by the airport operators, such as bookable control slots, new scanner technology, and support teams in the terminal, aim to minimize waiting times for passengers at BER Airport.
- In addition to road traffic slowdowns near the eastern border, industry leaders and policymakers should take interest in the finance and development of public-transit systems, such as the A12's proposed third lane, to optimize transportation infrastructure for travelers and commuters alike, addressing potential congestion issues and enhancing overall travel experiences, including travel and lifestyle options, and environmentally friendly transportation solutions like green public-transit options and travel alternatives.
