Spree river cruise tickets Berlin: prices, duration and how to book

The classic City-Spreefahrt lasts about an hour and passes Museumsinsel, Berliner Dom, the Reichstag and the government district – it's the cheapest and most popular option.

The big bridge tour (Brückenfahrt) lasts around three hours, leaves the Spree for the Landwehrkanal and runs right through Kreuzberg under numerous historic bridges. It costs more accordingly, since the route and travel time are much longer.

Evening or themed cruises with music or catering often combine the tour with extras and cost noticeably more than plain round trips.

The main piers sit around the main station, the Nikolaiviertel and Museumsinsel; both the short city tours and the long bridge tours leave from there.

A single central pier is enough for the one-hour city cruise. If you book the three-hour bridge tour through the Landwehrkanal, plan for a whole afternoon or early evening.

Seats in the covered saloon are usually included in the base price; deck seating can carry a surcharge depending on the operator. Check before boarding whether the price covers the return to the pier or only the outward trip.

During high water or strong wind, some routes – especially the narrow canal sections in Kreuzberg – are occasionally cancelled, so pick an offer with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.