If you’re departing from Berlin, the Berlin Airport Tempelhof Lounge in Terminal 1 caters to premium passengers and those willing to pay for entry, though Lounge Key and Priority Pass members aren’t accepted. Access costs €48, which gets you Wi-Fi, refreshments, and a space to unwind before your flight, but is it worth it?
Berlin Brandenburg Airport has a few other options, including the Tegel Lounge, so it’s helpful to know how Tempelhof compares. Here’s what to expect inside, from the food and seating to how it manages the crowds.
In this review:
- Opening Hours
- Locating the lounge and reception
- Comfort
- Food & drink
- Toilets & showers
- Wi-Fi, charging & productivity
- Extras
- BG1 Verdict
Opening Hours
The Berlin Airport Tempelhof Lounge opened daily from 5 a.m., catching the early business flights. There was no clear closing time published, but with departures running until late evening, it likely stayed open until around 9 p.m. Entry was either through airline invitation or by paying the €48 walk-in rate, which covered drinks, snacks, and a light buffet. That fee made it one of the pricier independent lounges in Europe, and value depended largely on how much time, and perhaps how many drinks, you planned to have.
Locating the lounge & reception
Finding the lounge took some determination. Berlin Brandenburg Airport isn’t the easiest to navigate, and signs for the Berlin Airport Tempelhof Lounge were nowhere to be seen after duty-free. I took a chance and walked towards the C-gates, assuming it would be near the passport control area for Schengen departures, and thankfully, that was correct. The lounge sits right at the far end of the C-area, so you’ll want to leave extra time to reach it.
At the entrance, the check-in process was quick and efficient. The team scanned my boarding pass, confirmed access. There’s a sign as you check in that notes, the lounge doesn’t accept Lounge Key or Priority Pass. Airline premium passengers and direct-pay guests only.
Comfort
The lounge itself was bright and airy, with one side overlooking the runway. On a sunny Berlin afternoon, the natural light gave the space a pleasant atmosphere. Seating ranged from armchairs to bar stools, but the setup wasn’t ideal for anyone trying to work. There were few tables at the right height for laptops, and the seats themselves leaned more towards relaxation than productivity.
During my visit, the lounge was fairly busy. The main room filled quickly, leaving only a few quieter spots towards the back. As I was leaving, I passed a queue of about fifteen people waiting to get in, a sign that staff were managing capacity but also a little frustrating if you were flying business class and expected seamless access.
Seating areaFood & Drink
Food in the Berlin Airport Tempelhof Lounge was simple but adequate. The buffet offered both hot and cold dishes, including soup, pasta, sliced meats, salad, and bread, along with a few light snacks and fruit bowls. It wasn’t designed for dining, more to keep travellers comfortably full before a flight.
The drinks area was stronger, with a self-serve bar offering beer, wine, spirits, and mixers. Coffee machines produced decent espresso and cappuccino, while soft drinks and bottled water were easy to find. For those planning to make the most of the entry fee, the bar was definitely the better value.
Toilets and showers
The toilets in the Berlin Airport Tempelhof Lounge were small but clean. Showers were available on request at reception, though not clearly signposted. For a quick freshen-up before a flight, the basics were covered without much fuss.
WiFi, power & productivity
Wi-Fi came courtesy of the airport’s main network and performed well, with solid speeds for emails, streaming, and browsing. Unfortunately, power outlets were limited. Most seats had USB ports built in, but few offered full plug sockets for laptops. Combined with low tables and relaxed seating, it wasn’t the best workspace for business travellers.
Extras
Aside from the direct exit into passport control, which was a smart design touch, there wasn’t much that made the Berlin Airport Tempelhof Lounge stand out. The atmosphere was functional rather than luxurious, and the crowding meant the space lost much of its calm during peak hours. Staff handled the traffic well, limiting entry when needed, but the queues outside showed how stretched capacity could get.
BG1 verdict
The Berlin Airport Tempelhof Lounge did its job: it provided a clean, light-filled space with Wi-Fi, drinks, and a few snacks to bridge the wait before boarding. But for €48, expectations are naturally high, and the experience leaned more practical than premium. The direct link to passport control was a great time-saver, but if you’re hoping for an indulgent pre-flight experience, you might be left underwhelmed.
BG1 Verdict: functional and convenient, but too busy and too expensive to be truly relaxing.
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