About Taxi to Filmpark Babelsberg
Babelsberg in eastern Potsdam is one of the oldest large film studio sites in the world, and international productions are still shot there today. Around the studio lot have grown the Filmpark theme park, the Film University and a media quarter, while the Film Museum in Potsdam's city centre tells the site's story.
How long is the ride from BER to Babelsberg?
Babelsberg sits on the eastern side of Potsdam, so the drive is a little shorter than to the old town: usually 40–60 minutes via the southern ring and the A115, which has its own Babelsberg exit. On weekday mornings the junction near Drewitz can back up. With a booked airport taxi the total price for the vehicle is shown before you confirm, so a slow motorway does not change what you pay.
Filmpark Babelsberg: where the car stops
The theme park entrance is on Großbeerenstraße, with a car park in front of it. The driver sets you down at the ticket area, which is convenient with children and prams. The park is seasonal, roughly from spring to autumn; shows such as the stunt show in the volcano arena run at set times, so check the day's programme and plan your arrival accordingly. For families travelling with small children, a seat can be added in the booking; see child seats.
Studio Babelsberg: arriving for work
The studio lot on August-Bebel-Straße is a working production site, not a visitor attraction. Crew members and guests should enter the exact gate and the production name or contact in the notes, because security will only let in people who are expected. Early call times are common: if you land the evening before, book the ride to your hotel and a separate early pickup, rather than heading to the lot after a late flight. Business travellers will find tips on receipts on the business transfer page.
Potsdam Film Museum in the old Marstall
The Film Museum is not in Babelsberg but in the city centre, in the former royal stables on Breite Straße opposite the Landtag. Its permanent exhibition covers the studio's history, and its cinema shows retrospectives. The car can usually stop on Breite Straße close to the entrance; the Alter Markt and the Museum Barberini are a few minutes on foot. More stops in town are on the Potsdam page.
Sehsüchte, the international student film festival
Potsdam's international film festival is Sehsüchte, run by students of the Film University Babelsberg and usually held in late April. Screenings and events take place at several venues, so enter the address from your accreditation or ticket instead of simply "festival". During the festival week, hotels near Babelsberg fill up early; the Potsdam hotels page lists alternatives in the city.
Back to BER from Babelsberg
Babelsberg is one of the easier places in Potsdam to leave from: the A115 junction is close, and the drive to the airport rarely takes more than an hour outside the rush hour. After a long day in the Filmpark, enter the park entrance as your pickup point and choose a time about 30 minutes after the last show ends, so you are not standing in the queue at the exit with tired children. Crews wrapping late can book a night pickup at the studio gate; the driver waits at the agreed point.
What to tell your driver
- Filmpark visitors: "Großbeerenstraße, Filmpark entrance".
- Studio crew: gate, production name and a phone contact.
- Film Museum: "Marstall, Breite Straße".
- Festival guests: the venue address from your programme.
