Port information & tips for Berlin-Spandau
Berlin-Spandau is the maritime gateway to the German capital and impresses with its idyllic location at the confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers. The historic old town, with its charming half-timbered houses and cobblestone alleys, radiates a unique flair and invites you to take a stroll. Outstanding sights in the immediate vicinity include the impressive Zitadelle Spandau, one of Europe's best-preserved Renaissance fortresses, as well as the Gothic St. Nikolai-Kirche. Cruise ships usually dock directly at the Lindenufer pier, which is only a few minutes' walk from the lively center of Spandau. Thanks to the excellent connection provided by the nearby Berlin-Spandau station, guests can easily reach Berlin City West and Alexanderplatz in a short time by S-Bahn or regional train.
Berlin-Spandau is an excellently connected starting point for river cruises and is easily accessible from throughout the DACH region. The piers on the Havel are well integrated into the Berlin transport network, although the term "cruise terminal" typically describes the various docking points for river cruise ships.
Car
Arrival by car is convenient via the Berlin A111 motorway, which offers a direct connection to the A10 (Berliner Ring) and A100 (Berliner Stadtring). For loading and unloading, you can drive right up to the ship at the Altstadthafen Spandau, and the Centrovital Hotel offers a paid underground car park in the immediate vicinity. Parking at the Lindenufer is very limited, but the car park at Spandau Arcaden is only about 900 meters away. In addition, there are Park & Cruise offers in Berlin-Spandau that often include hotel packages with transfers to the ship, ensuring a relaxed start to your river cruise.
Train
Berlin-Spandau station is a central hub for regional and long-distance Deutsche Bahn services, served by ICE, IC, RE, and RB trains. From there, you can reach the piers in Spandau, such as the Altstadthafen or Lindenufer, comfortably on foot in about 5 to 10 minutes. Furthermore, the station is perfectly connected to the Berlin S-Bahn network (lines S3, S9) and the U-Bahn (line U7), ensuring easy accessibility from all parts of the city.
Airplane
The nearest airport is Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), located approximately 34 to 38 kilometers from Spandau. A direct S-Bahn connection with the S9 line takes you from BER to Spandau. Regional trains and express buses also connect the airport with other Berlin railway stations, from which you have convenient connections to Spandau. The journey by train from BER to Spandau takes about 39 to 52 minutes depending on the connection, often with a change. Alternatively, private airport transfers offer a comfortable and quick journey, taking 39 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. For a relaxed arrival after a long flight, a pre-cruise stay at a hotel in Berlin is also recommended.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and bear in mind that the latest embarkation time—depending on the cruise line and destination—is generally about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
