We will be on a cruise ship docking in Warnemunde on Aug. 2..want to take the train into Berlin. Thoughts? We have done a few cruises and have done most of the cities on our own so are not scared to take the trains, etc. Any advice? Is it do able in just one day?
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Check out "Help with Itinerary Planning & Travel Times" posted by Kent on 7/8/09. You can input your train info and view the train schedules. It looks like it's a 3-4 hr. train ride. Have fun on your trip.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
You should also check out cruisecritic.com. They have discussions of different ports of call from people who have been there or are going soon.
I've looked at the port (a Baltic cruise is on my to-do list). The port is a pretty good distance from Berlin (as I recall about a two-hour train ride each way). When I go, I'll probably pick a different activity for the day because it's a lot of travel for a brief visit. Berlin deserves more time so it's better as a seperate trip. I'll pick soemthing closer to Warnemunde (and smaller) to see in the available time.
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
I took a Baltic cruise with my aged mother a few years ago and we took the shore excursion to Berlin as arrangead by the ship. Yes it was expensive but there was no way we could travel on our own due to her age.
It was a very long day but we did have the train trip to rest on both ways and they even provided snacks and a beverage. AS I remember it was about 3 hrs. each way on a very old unairconditioned train.
We were met in Berlin by a tour bus and really got to see a lot of Berlin and had stops in some places.
Since we had both been to Berlin before, the day visit was fine for us. My brother was stationed there in the Army. We were particularly interested in seeing the Eastern parts of the city as the wall was up when we were there before. Absolutely amazing!
We had a nice stop for a great lunch in a hotel right off the Kudam and I even had a little time to run into KaDaWe.
WE rested on our way back to the ship and were very satisfied with the day.
I would think that in doing it on your own you wouldn't see nearly as much and it would be exhausting. I don't know anything about taking the train on your own. But it is a long trip!
My brother and sister-in-law, on a similar cruise, opted just to take the local excursions as they frequently visit Berlin, anad had not visited Warnemude, etc.
I think if you have never been to Berlin you should skip it or take the organized excursion to maximize the day.