Berlin to London (BER–LGW) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

German passport holders can enter the UK visa-free for stays up to 6 months as a Standard Visitor. Since Brexit, EU free movement no longer applies. You need a valid passport. National ID cards are not accepted for entry to the UK anymore. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.

At the UK border you may be asked about your plans, accommodation, return ticket, and available funds. You cannot work on a Standard Visitor visa. Business meetings, conferences, and tourism are fine. Study courses under 6 months are permitted too.

For longer stays or work, you need a visa before traveling. Work visas (Skilled Worker visa) require employer sponsorship and cost from GBP 719. The application is online through gov.uk, and biometrics are collected at a visa application centre in Germany. Processing takes 3 to 8 weeks.

The UK uses eGates at major airports for passport holders aged 10 and over from EU countries. Queue times through eGates are usually under 10 minutes at Heathrow and Gatwick.

The Airport Express (FEX) train runs non-stop from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof to BER in 30 minutes (€3.80 with ABC zone ticket, or included in Berlin day passes). S-Bahn S9 also connects the airport to central Berlin with stops, taking about 45–50 minutes for the same fare.Taxis from Mitte cost €40–55 (35–50 min). Ride-shares (Uber) run €30–45. The A113 motorway provides direct access from the city ring. Parking from €10/day in the P4/P5 lots with terminal walkway. BER opened in 2020 after years of delays; infrastructure is new and well-organized.

The Gatwick Express departs the South Terminal every 15 minutes to London Victoria (30 min, from £21.50). Thameslink services are cheaper and provide direct access to Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, and London Bridge; useful for destinations in the City and East London. Both terminal buildings are connected by a free inter-terminal monorail shuttle (2 min).Taxis from arrivals queue outside; metered fares to central London typically run £70–100 and can exceed this during peak hours. Uber and other ride-shares operate from a designated zone. Rental car desks are in both terminal buildings.

Temperate maritime climate. Winters (November–February) are cool and grey at 3–9°C, with fog, low cloud, and occasional light snow causing moderate delay risks. Summers (June–August) are mild at 18–25°C. Heat waves are increasingly common and can affect ramp operations. Rain falls year-round with no dry season.

Wind is a more frequent disruption factor than snow at Gatwick. The airport has a single active runway and is sensitive to crosswinds. Autumn storms (October–November) occasionally cause significant delays.