Warnemunde to Berlin on our own

I'd worry about delays resulting in the ship leaving without me. This is a long journey, i.e. time uncertainties.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/12-hours-in-warnemunde

Do you want go spend all that time on the train ?

Nearly every one of NCLs excursions that day is into Berlin, and yes, we want to see Berlin. It is my understanding that there is a larger possibility of delay via motor coach, so the train makes much more sense. The next day we are in Kiel, worst case scenario we have to meet our ship there.

Actual suggestions around traveling by train on our own in Germany would be helpful here. We are seasoned travelers but Germany is new to us. TIA

I'm glad the next port is Kiel. That would make me more comfortable taking the risk of going to Berlin independently. In fact, given the massive number of worthwhile sights in Berlin and the unfortunate travel time from Warnemunde, I'd be tempted to plan a night in Berlin from the beginning. The fact that cruise lines advertise Berlin as a destination when it's nowhere near the coast doesn't make a day-trip from Warnemunde a good idea. The cities are almost 200 miles apart.

I agree that there is less potential for delay when traveling by train as compared to car [I meant to write "bus" here], and I'd expect the Deutsche Bahn to be very reliable. However, I'd generally say the same thing about the French rail system, and I once arrived at a station in Paris to transfer to another train and found that train had been canceled. I had bought the ticket just the day before.

Thanks acraven… it does appear the most likely train for us to take into Berlin is at 7:56 in the morning. The NCL train may leave earlier, but not by much, the meet up time is 7 am and getting everyone organized and off the ship and across to the station I would bet will take 30-45 minutes. So going on our own seems reasonable enough. It appears we would arrive at Alexanderplatz at 10:33. Berlin is near the end of a very port intensive cruise, and I quite think my family will appreciate just relaxing on a train for two and a half hours. We plan to meet our tour guide at 11 and go from there. We can discuss staying overnight and then making our way to Kiel the next day, it’s a long day in Kiel as well, which NCL is touting Hamburg, but we plan on staying in Kiel for our port day. For the return, I think we will take the train that leaves at 3:30 arriving to the ship around 6 pm—I thought it was 7, but it’s closer to 6. This allows us in an emergency to grab one of three other trains after ours that get back to the ship around 8 pm… which for me is cutting it too close to the 9 pm departure. Getting back at 6 also means we can clean up and have a leisurely dinner while everyone else is still working their way back on ship excursions. The ship excursion that is just the “exclusive” train and Berlin on your own is $209 pp… I am not sure that price tag is worth being on their timetable.

I would take the train.

I assume you land at Warnemunde at 6 am. Time-wise it can be done, just be diligent on the dep and arr. times. Even easier if you are familiar with the layout of Berlin Hbf.

There is a S-Bahn line Warnemunde to Rostock, change at Rostock Hbf. to Berlin Hbf. What surprised me at Rostock Hbf were the stairs, seemed far more than at other Hauptbahnhoefen ....very subjective.

Once you arrive in Berlin Hbf, head to the S-Bahn platforms , 16 and 17, around there if not exactly. The ticket machines and the Entwerter machine are also located on the platforms. (stick the ticket to cancel it prior to boarding) .

All the lines (several) with an eastern terminus stop, eg, Ostkreuz, Ahrensfelde, Eckner, stop at Alexanderplatz. Alexanderplatz is a junction point.

Thank you Fred! That was very helpful information! I was wondering if I should book the ticket straight through (seems like I can) or just get from Warnemund to Berlin HBF and then worry about Sbahn tickets once we get our bearings there.

I agree that you can (barely) skim Berlin in six hours on the ground, but that includes at least two local u/s bahns. It turned out (I mean over a lifetime) that we've been to Berlin multiple times, on the way to the former East Germany, on the way to Baltic Germany, on the way to Prague, plus one business trip.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/baltic-germany-fachwerke-landesgartenschau

Busses are subject to delays, but if it's the cruise's bus, the ship waits.

Hi,

You're welcome.

If you are considering the "Kiel" option, transferring at Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf., ie, taking a local train, the RB or Regional Express is a real bear, above all with luggage in tow. It's the worst transfer experience in Germany, have done it a numerous times. All the better if you can time your Berlin to Kiel ride by taking this ICE connection directly, which goes once or twice a day, otherwise you have to go Hamburg Hbf.

The crowds at Hamburg Hbf are immense, plus the transfer is on two different platforms, ie, platform 5 to platform 9 or so, going up and down the crowded stairs. It's your luck if the elevator is available in your direction.

Thank you Tim and Fred! So much more information… for me, research is half the trip!

Hi,

part 2 here....If the max time you have is ca. 6 hours once arriving in Berlin Hbf, I suggest only staying in Mitte, stay "close" to a S-Bahn station between Berlin Hbf and Alexanderplatz.

Except for the Reichstag building, the main historical cultural sights, the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, Pariser Platz, Deutscher Dom, Neue Wache, Reiterdenkmal of Frederick the Great, Bebelplatz, Lustgarten , Museum Island, etc. are located east of the Brandenburg Gate., ie, from the Gate to Alexanderplatz.

When you're at Alexanderplatz, I suggest seeing the "Große Uhr"...you can't miss it., also a good Treffpunkt (meeting point ) if need be since everyone knows where it is.

Thanks Fred! This trip is my daughter’s grad trip… and therefore the sites we visit are up to her. She is an artist and the whole reason we are going into Berlin isn’t for history—I know, we the odd ones—but for a graffiti and street art tour where she gets to make her own tag. That is why we need to get to Alexanderplatz, as that is where we meet up with a street artist for a private tour.

I appreciate everyone’s help!

Street art? East Side Gallery is about a mile of remaining sections of the Berlin Wall along the Spree River painted by artists from over 20 countries. It's on the north side of the Spree River East if Alexanderplatz. It might be a little out of your way but if art is a reason to be in Berlin then the gallery should be considered. Do a little Googling ahead of your trip and talk with your tour guide to see if it makes sense.

If you decide to stay in Mitte, check out the Melia Hotel on the Spree River It's a block from the Friedrichstrasse train station and that's one stop from the main train station. Brandenburg Gate is a ten minute walk away to the west and south. Reichstag a little further in the same direction. Museum Island is ten minutes away headed towards Alexanderplatz. My guess though is that with an afternoon in Berlin you won't be spending much time inside the museums

Have a great trip!

It's not clear what sort of art your daughter is most interested in. Besides the large amount of traditional fine art in several museums, the Pergamon Museum has the remarkable, massive Pergamon Altar, which is worth seeing even on a busy day. There's nothing like it elsewhere.

This would be hard to do with just a day or two window, but there are a couple of private art collectors who open their collection a day or two a week. I'm talking big-time contemporary art for six-figures and up. Even before Covid, they had timed tickets sold out well in advance. I remember:
http://sammlung-hoffmann.de/en/collection
but I think there are others.

Thanks culp and Tim!

Hi,

If it's graffiti art and street art she is after in Berlin, checking that out, and so on, then you're in luck too: go to Berlin-Kreuzberg.

I was there ca. 15 years ago to see the Prussian monument against Napoleon in the famous park in Kreuzberg, ie, finally, decided to see it after procrastinating trip after trip in Berlin.

Prior to reaching the park and seeking out that Prussian monument, I went block after block; every block, if not building, had this sort art in abundance. She just might that also fascinating.

Your guides might mention Kreuzberg in this connection, if not, then certainly ask them.

Tim… that sounds like exactly what she wants to see! Thank you!