Cold War history and Baroque palaces
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Berlin, Potsdam & Dresden
Berlin to Potsdam
Berlin and Potsdam sit about 27 km (17 mi) apart in a straight line, with Potsdam to the south-west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Berlin, Potsdam & Dresden itinerary, a 5-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 27 km · 17 mi
- Est. road distance
- 33–38 km
- Est. drive time
- 25–45 min
- Direction
- Heading south-west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our Berlin, Potsdam & Dresden itinerary is planned around rail, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 33–38 km (20–24 mi) and 25–45 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
Potsdam is 25–40 minutes from central Berlin on the S7 or regional trains. Berlin to Dresden takes about 2 hours by direct train, and the S1 runs from Dresden to Kurort Rathen for the Bastei.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Potsdam
Prussian palaces and lakeside parks. Stay 1 day or overnight.
Sanssouci Palace
Frederick the Great's single-story Rococo summer palace above terraced vineyards.
Park Sanssouci
Large palace park with the Chinese House, Orangery and miles of paths.
Gasthausbrauerei Meierei im Neuen Garten
Brewpub in a former dairy on the Jungfernsee, with house-brewed Hell.
Brandenburger Straße
Pedestrian street of cafés and bakeries between the Dutch Quarter and Sanssouci.
New Palace
Frederick's vast Baroque palace at the west end of the park, with the Grotto Hall.
Museum Barberini
Art museum in a rebuilt baroque palace on the Alter Markt, strong on Impressionist paintings.
Before you leave Berlin
Divided-city history, big museums and a late-night bar scene. Stay 2 days.
On this curated route
Where Berlin → Potsdam sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Potsdam to Berlin is the same 27 km in a straight line, heading north-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Berlin to Potsdam: questions travelers ask
How far is Berlin from Potsdam?
Berlin is about 27 km (17 mi) from Potsdam in a straight line, with Potsdam to the south-west. By road, we estimate 33–38 km (20–24 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Berlin to Potsdam?
An estimated 25–45 min, assuming 33–38 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
Which itineraries include the trip from Berlin to Potsdam?
Our Berlin, Potsdam & Dresden itinerary includes this leg. Berlin, Potsdam & Dresden runs about 5 days across 3 stops, best in May – Sep.
Onward from Potsdam
- Potsdam to Dresden 156 km
Guides for both ends
- Berlin travel guide
- Berlin weather best time to visit
- Potsdam travel guide
- Potsdam weather best time to visit
Potsdam by month
Plan Berlin → Potsdam with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.