Travelling on your own

How to get to Potsdam

Potsdam  is easy to reach by car. Take A115 if you are coming from Berlin. Get the information on parking as well as traffic jams and detours.

You can also reach Potsdam  by train from all directions.    Potsdam is connected to the intercity and regional transport network of Deutsche Bahn. Long-distance trains stop at Berlin Main Station, from where you can take the S-Bahn (S7 line) to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof in 45 minutes. Regional express trains to Magdeburg or Brandenburg/Havel are much faster.

Due to the proximity of the two airports Schönefeld (SXF) in Brandenburg and Tegel (TXL) in Berlin you can also reach Potsdam by plane. Trams, buses and ferries run day and night.
Regional trains and buses run directly from Schönefeld to Potsdam. There is an airport bus from Tegel to Berlin Main Station. From there you can take the S-Bahn or the regional train to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof.

How to explore Potsdam

Potsdam has an extensive bus and tram network covering almost the entire city. The daytime interval is 10-20 minutes, with a schedule at each stop.

Using S7 Line of  S-Bahn  you can step out  at 3 Stations located in Potsdam:

  • Griebnitzsee. Enjoy the superb surroundings including luxurious villas of 19th and 20th centuries  at the banks of the lakes, the villas where Truman, Churchill and Stalin stayed during Potsdam Conference of 1945 among them.  You can rent bicycles and kayaks just at the station , making this day the highlight of your visit.
  • Babelsberg  The quarter of Bohemian weavers “Nowawes” and the park of Babelsberg with palace and stunning view at the “Spy Bridge” Glienicker Brücke await you here.
  • Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) .  This is the end station and the main railway station of Potsdam. Step out here to explore the city center as well as to get to Sanssouci, by bus or on foot (about 30-minutes  walk through the city center). The route map with sightseeing highlights is waiting for you at the tram stop next to the main railway station “Potsdam Hauptbahnhof”. Use the single “ABC”  ticket for Berlin (for 2 hours after validating) or single “AB”  ticket for Potsdam as well as respective day tickets (ABC for Berlin or AB for Potsdam) if you plan to ride a lot. Get the tickets at the driver in Potsdam buses and at the machine inside Potsdam trams.

If you are fond of bicycles, get the most of your stay in Potsdam! The most streets have an extra bicycle lane, and if not, they are pretty narrow and safe. And there is nothing better on a sunny day as to explore the picturesque parks, river banks and surroundings riding a bicycle which you can rent at the main railway station or at Griebnitzsee.

Those fond of water sports will surely benefit of Potsdam location with water surrounding it from all the sides. Take a kayak, rent a motor boat, a raft or even a yacht on a hot sunny day and explore the surroundings breaking for bathing and barbeque!