Berlin- Time in City

[cruisewiscrrq]

On Homelands cruise in June.  Planning to take train to Berlin.  About what time will we arrive and leave Berlin?  Want to book private tour in Berlin.  Need to know how long a tour I can book. Any other suggestions about Berlin welcome. 

[CorgiGuy]

Hi ,

 

We are on the Scenic Scandinavia cruise in late June.  I took a look at trains from Warnemunde to Berlin Central Station.  Looks like train travel is approx. 2-3/4 to 3-hrs., one way.   Hope this helps in your planning.

[Kathy Kapaldo]

May 2022 Viking provided the train for almost everyone on the ship.  It was about a 2 hour train ride to Berlin and they also provided a beverage and snack.  We did the included excursion tour that was a bus tour around many of the sites of Berlin (plus we got off the bus t the Brandenburg Gate) - then we had about 4 hours or so to walk thru Berlin on our own.  We went to the Holocaust Museum and just wandered to Checkpoint Charlie.  The return train Viking also provided beverages (including beer) and snack (one was a pretzel filled with butter - yum).  Dinner was delayed till about 8 pm.

 

[KBs mum]

There's an article in the newspaper today about the Pergamon Museum, apparently it is going to be closed for restoration/repairs until 2037. Seems the building is on the point of collapse having not been properly repaired after being bombed. 

The article didn't mention if the other museums next to it are affected by the works. Best to check just prior to your visit, if time is limited it's a long walk from the more central things if you are going to be disappointed at the end. 

If time isn't limited it's a pleasant stroll from the Brandenburg Gate to there, even if you don't go into the museums. 

[tigger8792]

Would it be worth purchasing hop on hop off bus tickets?

[tierneycm]

Agree with others about the train to Berlin.  We did the included tour and then had lunch at the top of the Reichstag.  It was something my husband really wanted to do and we enjoyed it immensely.

[CDNPolar]

If my memory serves me you will have about 7 hours in Berlin from the arrival of the train to the departure of the train.  The day was basically 7am - 7pm or something like that.  The train was 2.5 hours (give or take) each way.

 

Viking charter a train for JUST Viking guests to go into Berlin.  This is the way that you would want to travel in and out of the city.  You would not want to miss the train back or the ship if you are on a private tour.

 

What I cannot remember is if the Berlin tours were all "Optional" or if one was included?  

 

If one is not included then you would have to pay for an optional to get on the train.

 

I think arranging private transport from the port to the city and back would be risky.  It is not like the city is walking distance from the ship.

 

Is there a reason you want to book your own tour?  There are two different tours that Viking do - if memory serves - and it was quite comprehensive including a full lunch in a German Pub.

 

 

[KBs mum]

There is no reason to book a tour, most places you may want to visit are an easy walk from the Brandenberg gate, which I think is the coach drop off place, but the Ubahn will get you there from the main station. 

No way can you see everything, have a look on Google Street view to get your bearings then have a look online to get info about the sites and distance then pick two or three. 

Checkpoint Charlie is a reconstruction and not in the right place. I would recommend the Terrain of Terror ahead of the Holocaust memorial, but obviously this is subjective. 

 

The Museum of German History is extremely interesting regarding the circumstances that led to the *** party gaining power

Edited April 3, 2023 by KBs mum

[KBs mum]

A moment if internet auto censor absurdity in the above post, apparently we can't use the short form of national socialism when talking about historical sites in Berlin

Edited April 3, 2023 by KBs mum

[cruisewiscrrq]

We have booked a four hour walking tour in Berlin.  That is why I needed to know approximately what arrival and departure time were.  Viewing above responses my question now is if walking tour a good idea or just do the included drive around and then explore on our own?  We could also due the included tour and then the private walking tour.  Suggestions please!

[KBs mum]

Decide what you want to do or see then work out a plan. Start at the furthest point away from wherever you will meet for transport back to the ship.

Most of the sights are an easy stroll apart, but look out for things being on opposite ends of the tiergarten. 

A guided tour is not necessary, Berlin is an easy city to navigate around 

[CorgiGuy]

On 4/6/2023 at 4:21 PM, cruisewiscrrq said:

We have booked a four hour walking tour in Berlin.  That is why I needed to know approximately what arrival and departure time were.  Viewing above responses my question now is if walking tour a good idea or just do the included drive around and then explore on our own?  We could also due the included tour and then the private walking tour.  Suggestions please!

Maybe this might be a little helpful:

Here are some est. walking times needed to go from central train station (Hauptbahnhof) to some popular sights:

Reichstag Building - 15 min.

Brandenburg Gate -  18 min.

Berliner Dom (Cathedral) - 33 min.

Pergamon Museum - 30 min.  (Very close to Berliner Dom).

 

Walking time estimates obtained from Google Earth Pro.