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 travelling to Berlin. Located just 20 kilometres 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 is a must. You can get there by train, car or even bus. But the best alternative will undoubtedly 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 organised tour is the best alternative for travellers who want to make the most of their time, and do not want to worry about transfers and organising their trip from Berlin.

There are tours to Potsdam that differ in length and depth of visit, as you can visit more sites if you spend more time.

The first tour lasts only 3 hours, during which you can see the highlights of the city with a professional guide, who will tell you about the history, curiosities and anecdotes of the site, and also help you to open your eyes to details that you might not notice if you visit the city on your own.

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

After the tour you will have free time to visit the palace of your choice. I recommend you to choose one of them and immerse yourself in the adventure, the interiors are marvellous.

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

The other available tour lasts 6 hours, and in addition to the attractions mentioned above, you'll have plenty of time to join your guide in the picturesque Dutch Quarter, walk across the famous Bridge of Spies or walk through the Brandenburg Gate, which dates back many years before even the city of Berlin itself. In addition, you have time for lunch on your own at one of the many restaurants in the city, which is a great opportunity to sample local dishes.

• Approximate price: 3-hour tours start from €15 and 6-hour tours start 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 there or if you want to learn all about this wonderful imperial city in detail.

The local train is the second most convenient way to travel to the city of Potsdam. The service runs from Friedrichstraße station in the direction of Potsdam Central Station, Potsdam Hbf (Potsdam Hauptbahnhof).

The train line to take is line S7 and the journey time is around 30 minutes. It's a quick and convenient option for your trip to the beautiful city of Potsdam.

In terms of frequency, there is a train approximately every 20 minutes, so you won't have to wait too long.

The ticket costs €3.40 each way, but you can also buy a travel pass, which allows you to travel all day for €7.70, as many times as you like. Remember to choose the A-B-C zones so that the city of Potsdam is included.

• Approximate cost: €7.70 return from Berlin, with travel pass.
• Travel time: 30 minutes.
• Recommended if: you want to make the journey 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, go to Berlin Central Station ZOB, and the bus will drop you off directly at Potsdam Bus Station

. The first bus leaves at 6 am, and the last one at 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 various price and timetable options depending on the day, but they start from as little as €8 per leg.

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

The journey time is about half an hour, making it a fairly quick and worthwhile trip. Even if you're only in the city for a few days, the journey won't take up that much time.

• Approximate cost: €16 return from Berlin.
• Travel time: 45 minutes.
• Recommended if: You prefer to travel by road and want to get your ticket secured in advance.

Renting a car is one of your options for getting around Germany. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose the vehicle that suits you best. You can pick it up from somewhere in the city or simply from Berlin Airport and drive to your destination without any hassle.

The main advantage of renting a car is the freedom and flexibility it gives you. You can manage your own time at each point, and make as many stops as you like at any time without having to fit in with a group. But you have to be careful to drive carefully and to adapt to unfamiliar roads.

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

If you plan to make another stop on your itinerary and there are several of you, this may be a more convenient alternative. Roads are in very good condition and GPS services work very well throughout the territory. Also, you don't have to keep an eye on transport timetables as you are in control.

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

• Approximate price: from €80 per day for car rental, plus petrol, tolls, parking and other costs.
• Travel time: 45 minutes.
• Recommended if: you want flexibility and autonomy when visiting Potsdam.

Although there are different tours to get to know the history, architecture and monuments of Berlin, I recommend you to get to know it from other 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. Check out the best cruises and sightseeing buses around the city - don't miss out!