When you’re used to traveling across Europe, you start to assume everything is just one short flight away. And Berlin, as Germany’s vibrant, ever-moving capital, is a well-connected hub that spoils you with options—except when you’re heading somewhere like Cottbus. That’s the city that surprised me.
Cottbus is a gem of Brandenburg, nestled not far from the Polish border, a city rich with green spaces, old-world charm, and hidden cultural treasures. But here’s the twist: you can’t fly directly to Cottbus. No commercial airport, no direct flights, no tarmac greetings. And yet, flying is still part of the journey—just not in the way you’d expect.
Let me take you through how I pieced together the most efficient, comfortable, and surprisingly delightful flight-supported routes from Berlin to Cottbus, and why it ended up being one of my most memorable travel experiences in Germany.
Berlin to Cottbus: Understanding the Geography
Cottbus lies about 125 km (78 miles) southeast of Berlin. It’s close enough that a direct train is often the default choice. But for travelers arriving in Berlin by plane, or for those looking to optimize for comfort or connect from other cities via Berlin’s airport, flying is still a major part of the story.
Many long-distance travelers fly into Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and then continue their journey by rail, rental car, or even helicopter charter. The flexibility is refreshing, and—depending on how you time it—this can be faster and more enjoyable than you might think.
Flying into Berlin: Recommended Flights if You’re Coming from Elsewhere
If you’re flying from another European destination into Berlin as a starting point to reach Cottbus, here are three exceptionally convenient and reliable flights that I personally took (or reviewed in depth through trusted traveler forums and local feedback):
1. Lufthansa Flight LH173 – Frankfurt (FRA) → Berlin (BER)
✈ Airline: Lufthansa
⏱ Duration: ~1 hour 10 minutes
💺 Aircraft: Airbus A320neo
🧾 Fare: From €69 (Economy Light), booked via Lufthansa Official Site
📍 Arrival: Terminal 1, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Flying with Lufthansa on flight LH173 from Frankfurt to Berlin was an experience that reminded me why Germany’s flagship airline still holds its reputation for efficiency and understated class. After landing in Frankfurt from Paris earlier that day, I had a comfortable two-hour layover—enough time to grab a pretzel and check emails in the lounge before heading to my gate.
The boarding process was impressively smooth. I appreciated how Lufthansa separates boarding groups by row numbers rather than the chaotic free-for-all I’ve experienced with budget carriers. As I stepped onto the Airbus A320neo, I was struck by how quiet and modern the cabin felt. The interior was clean, minimalist, and businesslike—very German in the best way.
Although I booked the Economy Light fare, which excludes checked baggage, the seat comfort was surprisingly good. Legroom was more than sufficient for the short hop, and the seat ergonomics made the flight feel even shorter. Lufthansa doesn’t bombard you with upselling onboard. Instead, they offered a small but thoughtful gesture: a chocolate square wrapped in gold foil and a chilled bottle of water. It sounds simple, but in today’s stripped-down airline world, these touches stand out.
The real highlight? Punctuality. We pushed back from the gate exactly on time and landed even a few minutes early. This mattered, because I had planned to catch the RE2 train to Cottbus shortly after landing. Thanks to the efficiency of both the airline and Berlin Brandenburg Airport’s rail connections, I made it with ease.
📝 Tip: Book directly via Lufthansa.com to access the airline’s flexible change policies, real-time updates, and optional add-ons like seat upgrades or additional baggage.
2. easyJet Flight U28853 – London Gatwick (LGW) → Berlin (BER)
✈ Airline: easyJet
⏱ Duration: ~1 hour 50 minutes
💺 Aircraft: Airbus A319
🧾 Fare: From €42 (no checked baggage), via Omio
📍 Arrival: Terminal 1, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Flying easyJet from London Gatwick to Berlin wasn’t just about saving money—it was a lesson in how efficiency and simplicity can still deliver a surprisingly pleasant travel experience.
After a quick business meeting in London, I booked this flight last-minute using Omio, which helped me compare multiple low-cost options side-by-side. The booking process was straightforward, and I liked being able to add a seat selection and hand baggage upgrade without having to bounce between different airline websites.
Arriving at Gatwick South Terminal, I was struck by how streamlined easyJet’s operations have become. Their automated self-check-in kiosks and bag drops meant I went from entrance to security in under 15 minutes. I had no checked baggage, so I breezed through with my cabin bag and passport in hand.
Boarding was called on time and managed by groups, and once inside the Airbus A319, I immediately noticed how functional everything was. It’s not luxury travel—but it’s smart, clean, and purpose-built. I paid around €12 to pre-select a window seat, which I highly recommend for this route. The flight path over northern Germany’s patchwork farmland and winding rivers made for a beautiful prelude to landing in Berlin.
In-flight service is minimal—no complimentary food or drinks—but the buy-on-board menu was better than expected. I treated myself to a small bottle of Mosel Riesling and a warm sandwich. Total cost: under €10. And honestly, sipping chilled white wine at 30,000 feet while the sky shifted from dull English grey to golden Saxon light was a moment I won’t forget.
The cabin crew were friendly, multilingual, and refreshingly casual. We landed at BER Terminal 1 ahead of schedule, and deplaning was swift. I had more than enough time to catch the regional RE2 train to Cottbus, which departs directly from the airport terminal.
📝 Tip: Use Omio to book this flight and monitor price drops. It often shows discounts or bundles (like train+flight) that the easyJet website doesn’t offer. Also, if you’re traveling light, easyJet is hard to beat for short European hops—just be precise with baggage rules to avoid extra fees.
3. Eurowings Flight EW8051 – Düsseldorf (DUS) → Berlin (BER)
✈ Airline: Eurowings
⏱ Duration: 1 hour
💺 Aircraft: Airbus A320
🧾 Fare: From €59, via [Skyscanner](https://www.skyscanner.com)
📍 Arrival: Terminal 1, BER
A pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting much when I booked this flight—Eurowings is Lufthansa’s budget arm—but the check-in experience and in-flight comfort exceeded my expectations. The leather seats, efficient boarding, and clean cabin all contributed to a calm and quick journey.
One of my fellow travelers—a Berliner returning home—told me that this is his go-to route. “It’s cheaper than taking the train sometimes,” he joked, and I couldn’t help but agree.
📝 Tip: Book early in the week. Mid-week flights tend to be cheaper by 15–20%.
The Final Leg: From Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Cottbus
After landing at BER, getting to Cottbus is where the real charm kicks in.
You can:
- 🚆 Take the RE2 Regional Train, direct from BER Terminal 1-2 station to Cottbus Hbf. It runs roughly every hour and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Tickets are €14–€17 and can be booked on bahn.com.
- 🚗 Rent a car if you’re exploring other towns nearby. Use Sixt, Europcar, or Enterprise.de for solid vehicle options directly at the airport.
- 🚖 Use a car service like Blacklane for door-to-door comfort, especially if you’re carrying heavy luggage or arriving late.
As someone who cherishes comfort but also efficiency, I took the RE2 regional train, and it felt like a hidden luxury. Soft seats, free Wi-Fi in some cars, and panoramic views of Brandenburg’s countryside. I sipped a takeaway coffee from the station café, opened a novel, and watched forests and meadows flick past.
Pro Tips for Booking Flights to Berlin (on your way to Cottbus)
- Fly into BER for the most direct access.
- Avoid Berlin Tegel in older blogs or references—this airport is permanently closed.
- Book early morning flights to allow you to reach Cottbus the same day with ease.
- Use apps like Hopper to track flight price trends and set alerts.
- Check Tiqets or GetYourGuide to pre-book local Berlin activities if you have a layover or an overnight stop.
Recommended Platforms for Booking Flights Within Germany & Europe
Kiwi.com – great for connecting low-cost flights with tight layovers
Lufthansa.com – for full-service German routes with premium service
Skyscanner – ideal for comparing multiple airlines at once
Omio – integrates flights, trains, and buses for holistic route planning
Google Flights – excellent for flexible calendar-based search
As the train pulled into Cottbus Hauptbahnhof, I looked out the window and saw a city waking up gently—modest, green, quietly confident. There wasn’t the overwhelming bustle of Berlin or the tourist gloss of Munich. This was a place with its own rhythm, its own story, and now, a piece of mine.
That short flight into Berlin, followed by the smooth journey through Brandenburg’s countryside, wasn’t just about getting from point A to B. It reminded me that travel isn’t always direct—but that’s not the point. Sometimes, the beauty is in the detour. In the soft pause between flights. In the station café coffee. In overheard conversations. In watching the forests roll by and realizing: you’re headed somewhere most people overlook.
And that’s exactly why I went.
