Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Train -- Potsdam Hauptbahnhof is on the major Deutsche Bundesbahn rail lines, with 29 daily connections to the rail stations in Berlin (23 min. to Bahnhof Zoo and 54 min. to Ostbahnhof). There are also 14 trains daily to and from Hannover (3-3 1/2 hr.), and 15 daily trains to and from Nürnberg (6-6 1/2 hr.). For rail information and schedules, call tel. 01805/996633 or visit www.bahn.de.

Potsdam can also be reached by S-Bahn lines S1 and S7 from Berlin, connecting at Wannsee station with lines R1, R3, and R4. Travel time on these lines from Berlin to Potsdam is 30 minutes. For more information, call BVG Berlin (tel. 030/19449; www.bvg.de).

By Bus -- Verkehrsverbund Potsdam provides regional bus service with frequent connections between Berlin and Potsdam at Wannsee station (bus no. 118) in Berlin. For travel information and schedules, call BVG Berlin (tel. 030/19449; www.bvg.de).

By Car -- Access is via the E30 Autobahn east and west or the E53 north and south. Allow about 30 minutes to drive here from Berlin.

Visitor Information

Contact Potsdam-Information, Brandenburgerstrasse 3 (tel. 0331/275580; www.potsdam-tourism.com), open April to October Monday to Friday 9:30am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9:30am to 4pm; from November to March, hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:30am to 2pm.

Getting Around

By Public Transportation -- Ask at the tourist office about a Potsdam Card. With the card, you can ride on the city's public transportation system at a discount. The card is available for 2 days for 9.60€ or 3 days for 12€. In Potsdam, bus no. 695, leaving from the rail station, will deliver you to the Potsdam palaces.

By Boat -- Because the area around Potsdam is surrounded by water, boat tours in fair weather are a popular diversion. For more information, call or visit the website of Weisse Flotte Potsdam (tel. 0331/2759210; www.schiffahrt-in-potsdam.de).