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Blog Sustainable travel to Berlin: How to reach your event the climate-friendly way

Travel to Berlin the climate-friendly way – by train, coach or other low-emission options. Reduce your event’s carbon footprint before it even begins.

19.08.2025

Malai Brüser Online Marketing Managerin

Oberbaumbrücke mit Hochbahn

Sustainability has become a core element of professional event planning for most organisers

Managing resources responsibly is just as integral as budgeting, logistics or technical equipment. The goal is to incorporate environmental considerations early and systematically into every stage of planning and delivery – from choosing an energy-efficient venue and developing smart mobility concepts to using regional, reusable materials.

 

At the same time, the aim remains to create events that leave a lasting impression: through clear concepts, meaningful connections and a sustainable experience – for participants, partners and stakeholders alike. 

Here, people can be seen arriving at Berlin Central Station

Reducing emissions at event

Event organisers have a wide range of effective levers at their disposal to visibly reduce the ecological footprint of their events. From reusable cups to CO₂ offsetting and smart technologies – many of these measures are both practical and impactful in real-world scenarios.

The image shows a reusable cup with the inscription "Better World Cup"

Sustainability measures for your event – compact and effective

Our tip: Make use of the Sustainable Event Guidelines – your practical guide to planning and implementing sustainable events in Berlin. 

  • Alignment with EU certifications
  • Sustainable procurement along the supply chain
  • Zero-waste concepts & circular reuse systems
  • CO₂ offsetting for various event segments
  • Smart tools for emissions monitoring & reporting
  • Selecting responsible Suppliers

Top emissions driver: travel to and from the event

According to atmosfair, around 70 to 80 per cent of event-related emissions stem from travel – not just by guests, but also by your team and Suppliers, from technicians to caterers (source: atmosfair, 2024). The key factor is not just how many people travel – but how they travel. Trains, long-distance coaches or shared transfers play a decisive role in the sustainability of your event. Use our free emissions calculator to analyse your event’s carbon footprint – and offset it if you wish. That way, your event can be made climate neutral. 

At a glance

  • Over 50 per cent more business travellers arrived in Germany by train in 2022 than three years earlier (source: Travelperk, 2022).
  • Just 20 per cent  of all business travellers in Germany actually used the train (2022)
  • 55 per cent  of MICE industry travellers prefer to fly, even when travel times are the same (Statista, January 2024).
  • In the B2C sector, train travel ranks third at 28 per cent  – behind car and air travel (ADAC study, 2023).

Our tip: Factor in mobility early during your event planning – with climate-friendly options, clear communication and responsible partner selection. 

 

Incentives and offers for environmentally friendly travel

The figures speak for themselves: those who create attractive, climate-friendly travel options and actively promote them are tapping into one of the most powerful ways to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions at events. Every meeting, every event is unique – and so are its actual emissions, which depend on a wide range of factors: where participants are travelling from, how central and accessible the event destination is via public transport or long-distance rail, the number of direct flight connections, and the availability of Accessible, safe and high-performance mobility solutions. 

Traveller on a train reading a book

Groundwork for a climate-friendly event

Even the choice of event venue, with participants’ travel in mind, is a strategic decision either for or against emissions. Selecting well-connected, centrally located destinations – such as Berlin – lays the groundwork for a climate-friendly event. Just as important is early communication: organisers can make their guests aware of the impact of different travel options and use creative or financial incentives to encourage them to opt for sustainable transport. In this way, climate action starts not at the venue – but with the first step of the journey.

Climate-friendly travel to Berlin by train

Berlin stands out internationally for its excellent connections to the European long-distance rail network. Guests from across the continent can reach the capital quickly and directly by train. Within the city itself, Berlin offers countless options for climate-neutral transfers to, from and between event Venues – including close cooperation with BVG, the use of emission-free electric vehicles from sharing providers, and the promotion of active mobility by foot or bike.

 

Did you know? In 2019 alone, around 347,480 passenger kilometres were travelled CO₂-free thanks to the DB-Veranstaltungsticket and its promotion by the visitBerlin Berlin Convention Office – the equivalent of seven trips around the world. 

Frau entwertet ihre Berlin Welcome Card (BWC) an einer U-Bahn Station

Sustainability in air travel

Of course, some flights are unavoidable. Trade fairs and industry congresses thrive on in-person exchange. In 2024, around 20 per cent of event attendees in Germany were international – and for many, flying was the only viable option. That makes it all the more important to actively address the reduction of aviation emissions. Promising developments in alternative fuels, low-emission propulsion systems and more efficient flight paths are already creating opportunities to make air travel more sustainable.

ILA 2024: Berlin champions future air travel technologies

Berlin’s commitment to green aviation was on full display at ILA Berlin 2024, the global aerospace trade show. Over 600 exhibitors from more than 30 countries gathered at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to showcase the latest technologies. A standout feature: the German Aerospace Center (DLR) unveiled a prototype aircraft developed specifically for testing alternative propulsion systems – including green hydrogen and E-fuels. These kinds of innovations show real promise: Berlin is positioning itself as a hub for research and innovation in climate-friendly aviation, actively helping to transform global Air Travel.

 

Never miss an industry event again! With our congress and exhibition calendar, you’ll stay up to date on major conferences and highlight events in every sector in Berlin.

 

More information on travelling to Berlin

You’ve chosen Berlin as your destination? An excellent choice! We’ve put together further details on how to get to Berlin, getting around the city and available parking options.

More about travelling to Berlin
German→British English Translator sagte: U-Bahn line 1 crossing the Oberbaum Brücke at dusk