Frequently asked questions.

No question is left unanswered. If you should not find the answer to your question here, please send us an e-mail.

What is the viaberlin.com principle?

With viaberlin.com you can book your flights from wherever you like to wherever you like, but always with a stopover in Berlin. Regardless of your final destination, you fly “via Berlin” and add to your trip the special, enriching experience of this capital city. Take advantage of Berlin’s location: it is the largest place in continental Europe with low-cost flights and has three airports – with growing passenger and connection numbers – that link the region to the rest of the world.

Top

Why have a stopover in Berlin in particular?

Two million foreign visitors a year cannot be wrong: Berlin is undisputedly one of the most exciting metropolises in Europe, with a great variety of culture and night-life that attracts young people in particular. And Berlin simply offers something for everyone, making it worth a short stopover: shopping, sightseeing, a visit to a museum, a hip concert, an exhibition that everyone is talking about, or a visit to friends or relatives. Berlin has so much to offer, providing many reasons to make a trip to the capital, either as a brilliant start to any journey or as its final crowning glory.

Top

What are the minimum connection times?

  • Within an airport: 2 hours
  • When changing airports: 4 hours
  • Shorter connections times are possible, but these are not covered by the ELVIA flight connection insurance policy
  • When you perform a flight search the suggested connections assume the above minimum connection times

Top

Why does the flight search sometimes take longer than with other booking sites?

Viaberlin.com is special because:

  • Various flight offers are combined with each other.
  • It is not unusual for 4 different airlines to be shown (from different reservation systems).
  • Possible connections are checked and combined in the background (according to your travel dates + times).
  • The results show you not just one-way flights, but also the best possible flight pairings with the most favourable terms.
  • For every enquiry we check the availability of seats at the same time – we only offer you flights that can be booked immediately.

Top

Does viaberlin.com offer any other stopovers apart from in Berlin?

The flight query does not allow for any other transfers. Only direct flights to and from Berlin are offered in each case.

Top

What happens to my luggage during a stopover in Berlin?

There are coin-operated lockers near the car park at Schönefeld Airport where you can leave your luggage. There is a left luggage office in the main hall (behind the Information Desk) at Tegel Airport where you can pay to leave your luggage.

Top

Can I check my luggage in right through to my final destination at the departure airport?

The conditions of carriage vary according to the airline (please enquire before departure). As various airlines are involved, please assume that you will have to collect your luggage in Berlin and check it in again. Viaberlin.com and its partners are currently working on a more convenient solution. We would be happy to inform you via our newsletter of the new improved arrangements for changing planes in Berlin in the future.

Top

I have booked an airport transfer through viaberlin.com. Where do I have to go?

Schönefeld Airport: Meeting Point for transfers at east exit of Terminal A next to airport information desk.

Tegel Airport: Shuttle service leaves from Gate 7.

For queries: Callcenter German Transfer: +49 (0)1805 / 170 172
(Land line price: 14 ct/min.; other prices possible from mobile phone networks)

Top

Where can I book an airport transfer in Berlin?

Booking on www.berlin-airport.de via Transfers or via the Callcenter German Transfer +49 (0)1805 / 170 172
(Land line price: 14 ct/min.; other prices possible from mobile phone networks)

Top

I have missed my connecting flight, but I am insured. What should I do?

The connection insurance is a service provided by ELVIA travel insurance. The terms and conditions agreed when taking out the insurance apply.

We recommend that you proceed as follows:

1. If possible obtain written confirmation from the airline concerned that you did not catch the flight. Our staff at the passenger information desk will be happy to assist you.

2. Book a new flight to your destination airport. Reimbursement of up to € 400 of the cost of the new flight ticket by ELVIA after your journey has been completed.

3. If you require hotel accommodation (next available flight not until the following day):

Schönefeld Airport:
Holiday Inn Berlin-Schönefeld Airport
Hans Grade Allee 5
12529 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30 / 63 40 810

Tegel/Tempelhof Airport:
Mercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof Airport
Hermannstraße 214-216
12049 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0)30 / 6 27 80-0

If the relevant hotel named above is fully booked then you will be reimbursed for up to 50 € of the cost of accommodation in another hotel.

4. Once you have completed your journey the confirmation that you missed the flight (see 1.) should be submitted to ELVIA Travel Insurance together with the original and the new booking.

Emergency hotline: ELVIA Travel Insurance: +49 (0)89 / 6 24 24-0

Top

I have missed my connecting flight, but am not insured. What should I do?

Unfortunately if you are not insured you will have to attend to a replacement flight to your destination yourself. However, if you require overnight accommodation in Berlin because you have missed your connecting flight, we can arrange special terms and conditions for you in the above hotels on presentation of your old and new bookings.

Top

Does my stay/transfer in Berlin count as entry into Germany?

Yes, definitely. Even if you only change planes at one of the Berlin airports with viaberlin.com this counts as entry into the Federal Republic of Germany. This means that the entry requirements apply in full. Further information can be found on the website of the Foreign Office.

Top
Top Print