How to Get to Postdam from Berlin

The German city of Potsdam was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see for anyone traveling to Berlin. Located only about 20 kilometers south of the capital, the so-called "City of Palaces" offers a perfect combination of art, elegance and nature.

If you are thinking about what to see and do during your trip to Berlin, a visit to Potsdam should not be missing in your plans. You can get there by train, by car or even by bus. But the best alternative, without a doubt, will be a guided tour with all the amenities. If you want to know more about how to get to Potsdam, read on.

To visit the famous city of Potsdam, a guided day tour is the most practical and comfortable option for your trip to Berlin.

An organized tour is the best alternative for those travelers who want to make the most of their time, and do not want to worry about transfers and the organization of their getaway from Berlin.

You have excursions to Potsdam that differ from each other in duration and depth of the visit, as you can visit more sites if you spend more time.

The first tour has a duration of only 3 hours, in which you can learn the highlights of the city with a professional guide, who will tell you the history, some curiosities and anecdotes of the site, and also help you to open your eyes to details that you might not notice doing the visit on your own.

In a small group of people, you will visit on foot the New Palace, the majestic Sanssouci and Cecilienhof Palaces. Of course, you will not miss a tour of the incredible baroque old town of Potsdam, which many call the Versailles of Berlin.

At the end of the tour you will have free time to visit the palace of your choice. I recommend that you choose one and immerse yourself in the adventure, its interiors are wonderful.

If you are one of those who decide to visit Berlin in summer, the tour to Potsdam includes a ticket for the city sightseeing bus for free, so you can enjoy its service with free stops and explore the city in the best way.

The other tour available has a duration of 6 hours, and in addition to the attractions mentioned above, you will have enough time to get to know with your guide the picturesque Dutch quarter, walk across the famous Bridge of Spies or cross the Brandenburg Gate, whose antiquity dates back many years before even the city of Berlin itself. In addition, you have time to have lunch on your own in one of the many restaurants that the city has to offer, which is a great opportunity to taste local dishes.

• Approximate price: for 3-hour tours, they start from €15 and for 6-hour tours, from €30.
• Duration of tour: 45 minutes.
• Recommended if: your goal is to enjoy the architecture and gardens of Potsdam but you want to spend only half a day or if you want to learn all about this wonderful imperial city in detail.

The local train is the second most convenient option when traveling to the city of Potsdam. The service is taken from Friedrichstraße station in the direction of Potsdam Central Station, Potsdam Hbf (Potsdam Hauptbahnhof).

The train line you should take is line S7 and the journey takes about 30 minutes. It is a fast and really convenient option for your trip to the beautiful city of Potsdam.

Regarding the frequency, there is a train approximately every 20 minutes, so you will not have to wait too long.

The ticket price is 3 ,40 € per section, but you can also purchase a travel pass, which will allow you to travel all day for 7,70 €, as many times as you want. Remember to choose the pass that includes zones A-B-C so that the city of Potsdam is included.

• Approximate price: 7,70 € round trip from Berlin, with transport pass.
• Travel time: 30 minutes.
• Recommended if: you want to do the tour on your own and opt for a practical and economical means of transport.

To get to the city of Palaces from Berlin by public bus we must go to Berlin Central Station ZOB, and the bus will drop us off directly at Potsdam Bus Station

The first bus leaves at 6 am, and the last one around 11 pm, depending on the company. You can choose the services of FlixBus or EuroLines.

The availability and frequency of the buses can be checked in advance on the different websites of the bus companies. You can find several options of prices and schedules depending on the day, but they range from 8€ per leg.

If you are thinking of taking the cheapest ticket, I advise you to book it some time in advance as they increase their price the closer we are to the date of travel.

The journey time is about half an hour, so it is a fairly quick and worthwhile trip. Even if you spend only a few days in the city, the trip will not take so much time.

• Approximate price: 16€ round trip from Berlin.
• Travel time: 45 minutes.
• Recommended if: you prefer to travel by road and want to have your ticket secured in advance.

Renting a car is one of the options you have to get around Germany. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose the vehicle that is most convenient for you. You can take it from any point of the city or simply from the Berlin Airport and drive to your destination without any problems.

The main advantage of renting a car is the freedom and flexibility it gives you. You can manage your time at each point, and make as many stops as you like at any time without having to conform to a group. But you have to pay attention to drive carefully and to adapt to roads that are not familiar to you.

If you have to rent a car just to go to Potsdam, maybe it is better to choose one of the other alternatives, since between the costs of taxes, insurance, gasoline and parking in such a touristy place, it will be much better than doing a comfortable guided tour without any worries.

If you plan to make any other stop in your itinerary and you are several people, this time it may be a more convenient alternative. The roads are in very good condition and GPS services work very well throughout the territory. In addition, you will not have to be aware of any transport schedules as you are in control.

The drive from Berlin to Potsdam takes about 50 minutes, all on the A115 highway. The rental price varies according to the car, pick-up point and the opportunities available on the date you choose.

• Approximate price: from 80€ per day car rental, plus gas, tolls and parking, among others.
• Duration of the trip: 45 minutes.
• Recommended if: you want flexibility and autonomy when visiting Potsdam.

While there are different tours to learn about the history of the architecture and monuments of Berlin, I also recommend you to know it from other very interesting and fun perspectives.

You have the option to choose sightseeing bus tours or cruises and make your visit to Berlin a more complete and unforgettable experience. You can check out the best cruises and the best sightseeing buses around the city, don't miss it!