About BER to the Government District
The Government District stretches along the bend of the Spree north of the Tiergarten. It includes the Reichstag with its glass dome, the Federal Chancellery, the parliamentary buildings of the Bundestag and the Haus der Kulturen der Welt.
Reichstag: where visitors get out
The lawn of Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag is closed to traffic. Visitors currently pass a security check in temporary containers before the west front, and a permanent visitor centre is being built on Scheidemannstraße. That street is also the natural drop-off point. A visit to the dome needs registration in advance, and everyone aged 16 or over shows an original official photo ID. Without a booking, the service point on Platz der Republik issues same-day slots when capacity allows. Suitcases are not meant to come through the security check. If you land shortly before your slot, go to the hotel first or use a Hauptbahnhof locker.
Chancellery, Paul-Löbe-Haus and the bend of the Spree
The Federal Chancellery on Willy-Brandt-Straße sits behind a fenced perimeter, and stopping right in front is not possible. The Paul-Löbe-Haus, with the committee rooms, is entered from Konrad-Adenauer-Straße. Opposite, across the river, stands the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, while many members' offices are in the Jakob-Kaiser-Haus near Dorotheenstraße. Check your invitation for the exact entrance and copy it into the booking comment.
Haus der Kulturen der Welt
The Haus der Kulturen der Welt lies on John-Foster-Dulles-Allee in the Tiergarten, right by the Spree and close to the Chancellery. The curved roof makes it easy to spot. Cars can pull up on the avenue in front of the building. Evening events end when few taxis pass by, so a pre-booked return or a ride to the Tiergarten hotels is worth arranging.
Government delegations and security perimeters
State guests arriving on official aircraft are handled by protocol. Advisers, staff, journalists and parliamentary visitor groups usually land on scheduled flights at Terminal 1 or 2, and that is where a pre-booked car helps. Unregistered vehicles stop at barriers and police posts, not inside the perimeter. For delegations, book one vehicle per flight and add the names of travellers. Larger teams can use a minibus so everyone arrives together.
How long does the trip take?
The distance is about 27 to 32 km. Outside peak hours the drive takes 40 to 50 minutes, and around an hour in weekday rush hour. Depending on the building, the driver may use the Tiergarten tunnel, which runs beneath the district towards Hauptbahnhof. During session weeks and state visits, roads around Platz der Republik close at short notice. Closures mean detours, and on a taxi meter every detour costs extra. A booked car keeps the same amount however often the driver has to reroute.
Tell the driver before you set off
- Building name and entrance, not only "Reichstag".
- Appointment time, so the driver can judge closures.
- Passenger names for groups.
- Need a receipt for expenses? See business transfer.
