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DoubleTree by Hilton Berlin Ku'damm

Los-Angeles-Platz 1
10789 Berlin
Germany
T: +49 30 2127-0
info@doubletreeberlinkudamm.com

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21. June 2023

Bahnhof Zoo since 1882

Bahnhof Zoo
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Your hotel with exclusive accommodation in Berlin City-West

The Berlin Zoologischer Garten train station, also known as Bahnhof Zoo, is an important station located in the Charlottenberg district at Hardenbergplatz. Its name derives from its close proximity to the Berlin Zoo. It serves as a significant transit and transfer station, making it an ideal location to explore the City-West. By staying at the hotel DoubleTree by Hilton on Los Angeles Platz, you are making an excellent choice. Convinced? Then book your hotel in Charlottenburg here at the best price!

Table of contents

#1: History #2: Renovation and Expansion #3: After World War II #4: Social problem area #5: Today #6: FAQs #7: More Topics

History

It was opened on February 7, 1882, together with the “Berlin Stadteisenbahn” or city railway. It had a 71-meter-long hall for local traffic, where suburban trains and through trains soon also stopped. Initially, it was located in the independent city of Charlottenburg, which became part of Berlin in 1920. In addition, the Zoologischer Garten subway station went into operation in 1902.

 

Renovation and Expansion

The planned Olympic Games in 1936 led to a fundamental renovation of the station. The entire railway operation was maintained while a separate hall was built. The new electric S-Bahn trains no longer emitted smoke, allowing the hall to be kept relatively low. Ultimately, the construction continued until 1938, and the new long-distance train hall was completed by 1940. After World War II, the hall was glazed, and it became a historic landmark of engineering architecture in Germany.

After World War II

In the western sector of Berlin, most of the long-distance and terminus stations were largely shut down, making it the only long-distance train station in the West. It had only two platforms for long-distance trains but still served as the most important railway junction in the western part of the city. Prior to the construction of the Berlin Wall, long-distance trains to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Vienna operated from here.
Bahnhof Zoo Ubahn
BerlinZoo_ChinesischesTor

Social problem area

In the 1970s and 1980s, it became a meeting point for drug users and sex workers in the capital. The well-known book “Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo” (We Children from Zoo Station), based on the stories of Christiane F., depicts the daily life in the area and was also made into a film. As a result, it gained a negative reputation nationwide, which was largely improved in the 1980s.

Today

Today, it is an important interchange point between S-Bahn (urban rail), U-Bahn (subway), Regional-Express (regional express), and Regionalbahn (regional train) services. Additionally, some long-distance and night trains also stop here. Since 2015, it has undergone extensive renovations with a total cost of 100 million euros, and as of 2021, the renovation work is largely completed. The station is used by approximately 100,000 passengers daily.
Bahnhof Zoo

FAQs – Questions?

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Why is the station called Zoo?

It is named after the Zoological Garden, which is located just a few moments away from the station. This makes it an important destination for local recreation.

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Is the film "Die Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo" based on a true story?

Yes, the film is based on the story of the protagonist Christiane F., who shared her social and personal problems with the authors in audio recordings. The book was adapted into a film and depicts the drug scene at the station in the 1970s and 1980s, which was mainly characterized by heroin.

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Is it safe today?

Yes, today it is very safe. Homeless people and drug addicts are rarely seen here anymore. Urban development projects and police operations are aimed at completing the extensive renovation of the station by 2027 at the latest.

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Why are there two zoos in Berlin?
In addition to the Zoological Garden, the city also has the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde. The latter was founded in 1955 to provide a zoo for the eastern sector in the divided city. The Zoological Garden, Germany's oldest and largest zoo, dates back to 1844.
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Which trains stop here?
The S-Bahn lines S3, S5, S7, S9, the U-Bahn lines U2 and U9, as well as buses M45, M46, M49, X9, X10, X34, 100, 109, 110, 200, 204, 245, 249, N2, N10, and N26 serve the station. Additionally, there is a parking garage at the station.
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What sights are there in the vicinity?
There are plenty of shopping opportunities and attractions. Inside the train station building, you'll find some shops, but for an even wider selection, head to the Europa-Center and Bikini Berlin. The Kurfürstendamm and Kantstraße are also great shopping destinations. Don't miss visiting the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche and, of course, the Zoologischer Garten!