Berlin Tegel hotel for one night
 

Our flight from Milan arrives in Berlin at 2:00 pm leaving next day at 9:30 am to LAX. Would prefer to stay close to Tegel and just grab a taxi in the morning. What would you do if you had only the afternoon and evening in Berlin? We've been in Germany several times but never in Berlin.

Forget staying in Tegel, the airport has easy access to Berlin centers (East or West), by public bus or by taxi (25 euro). I would stay in the Potsdamerplatz or Mitte

I agree with DAX and I'm not sure a taxi would cost that much depending on where you stay. You could also take the airport bus route.

Dukey brought a good point, that would cover the taxi ride to Potsdamerplatz and tip inclusive. It's worth it if you have a lot of luggage and don't want to worry about which bus to take. However buses in Berlin are really clean and nice.

Thanks, D & D. I see that Berlin hotel are reasonably priced. Someone mentioned taking Bus 100 to see a bit of the city.

If I can suggest how you can see Berlin in half a day plus evening:
Hotel check in, take a taxi/metro/bus to the Pergamon museum at the museum island which is an amazing museum containing entire ancient temples and also the city wall and gate of Babylon, be efficient. From there stroll east to Alexanderplatz (TV tower landmark) where you can take Bus 100 and then get off at the Brandenburger Tor (visit, pictures), walk to the sprawling Holocaust memorial with its free underground museum to shed some tears and then walk to the futuristic Potsdamerplatz on the south side (many good restaurants/cafes for snacking) or to the Reichstag parliament building on the north (snack at the rooftop Kaefer restaurant with view, reserve ahead). Then hop on the bus again to the Zoo-garten to view the famous Kaiser Wilhelm's memorial church in West Berlin which is beautifully lit at night. You can stroll the classic 70's Ku'damm boulevard in the evening (shops and cafes).