Germany

How to get from Berlin to Erfurt

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
1h 41min
💶
From
17€
📍
Distance
237 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Berlin to Erfurt: Train, about 1h 41min, from €17. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 10, 2026): FlixTrain; main departure point: Berlin Main.

Distance: 237 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Berlin to Erfurt

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Train
1h 41min – 1h 48min
17 €
View
🚌 Departure from Berlin
📍Long-distance trains generally leave from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, the city's main central station, with shops, food outlets and lockers inside. Check the departure station on your e-ticket, as some trains may also call at other Berlin stations.
🚇Berlin Hauptbahnhof is well served by S-Bahn, U-Bahn, regional trains, trams and buses from across the city. A taxi or ride-hailing car also works if you carry heavy luggage. Allow extra time during rush hour.
⏰Departures run regularly throughout the day, from early morning to the evening. Check the booking page for exact times and the last departure, especially if you have an onward connection.
💸 Transport from 17€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 1h 41min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 10, 2026 for a departure on December 1, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
FlixTrain Train Berlin Main €17 5
📶 Stay connected the moment you land

Activate an eSIM before you go: internet the moment you land, no SIM to swap, zero roaming fees.

Yesim · eSIM partner

Practical tips

💡
Book early for the best fare

Train fares depend heavily on the date and how far ahead you buy. Reserve online as soon as your plans are fixed, and compare several departures in the table, because the cheapest ones sell out first.

💡
Check the departure station

Berlin has several stations where long-distance trains stop. Read the departure station on your e-ticket before leaving your accommodation, so you never end up at the wrong platform or the wrong side of town.

💡
Flexible or fixed ticket?

Cheaper fares are often tied to one specific train. If your plans may change, weigh the saving against the conditions shown at checkout, and choose a more flexible ticket when your schedule is uncertain.

💡
Arrive with a buffer

Large stations can be busy and platforms change at short notice. Arrive early, check the departure board and keep your ticket on your phone with offline access, especially if you are carrying a big backpack.

💡
Plan your onward trip

If you continue from Erfurt to another city, check the last departures of the day before you book. Leaving a comfortable gap between connections protects you from a missed train and an unplanned night.

The journey experience

Berlin to Erfurt is one of the easiest hops in Germany for an independent traveller. You leave the capital and arrive in the Thuringian state capital, a compact medieval city with a cathedral hill, the Krämerbrücke and plenty of student-friendly cafés. The train is the option confirmed for this route, and the table on this page lets you compare time and price at a glance.

The train is a comfortable way to cover the distance. You get a proper seat, space for your backpack, a table for your laptop and the freedom to move around. Services run on the main long-distance corridor, so you travel from city centre to city centre with no airport transfers or security queues. Fares change with the date and how early you book, so the cheapest tickets go first.

Your best move is simple: book online ahead of time, pick a departure that fits your onward plans and check the departure station on your e-ticket before you leave. Berlin Hauptbahnhof is the main long-distance hub, and Erfurt Hauptbahnhof is close to the old town. From Erfurt you can easily add Weimar or Eisenach. Keep a small buffer if you have a tight connection later in the day.

Frequently asked questions — Berlin → Erfurt

Why visit Erfurt?

  • ✓ Stroll across the Krämerbrücke, Europe's longest inhabited medieval bridge, lined with half-timbered houses, artisan shops and galleries
  • ✓ Explore the Old Synagogue and its mikveh, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe's oldest Jewish heritage sites
  • ✓ Climb the steps to Erfurt Cathedral and St. Severus Church, which stand side by side on Domberg hill
  • ✓ Visit the Petersberg Citadel, one of Europe's best-preserved baroque fortresses, with underground tunnel tours and city views
  • ✓ Relax in the egapark's flower gardens and browse the Christmas market on Domplatz, among Germany's most atmospheric
🌙
Recommended stay
1 to 2 nights — compact old town is easily walkable, with enough sights for a relaxed weekend

When to visit Erfurt?

TEMPERATE CONTINENTAL CLIMATE

May to September — mild, sunny weather ideal for walking and gardens; December for the Christmas market

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😐
May 😊
Jun 😊
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😐
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
📍
In Erfurt — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Erfurt
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Erfurt?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🌉
Krämerbrücke Medieval Bridge
Europe's longest inhabited bridge, built in 1325, lined with about 30 half-timbered houses holding craft shops, galleries and cafés. Walk it early morning to avoid crowds, then admire it from the Gera riverbank. Free access; the small shops mostly open 10:00–18:00, closed Sundays in some cases.
⛪
Cathedral and St. Severus Church
Two Gothic giants side by side on Domberg hill, reached by 70 wide steps. Look for the stained glass and the Wolfram bell, one of the largest medieval free-swinging bells. Entry is around 2€ for the cathedral. Climb the steps at sunset for superb views over the Domplatz.
🏰
Petersberg Citadel Ramparts
One of Europe's best-preserved baroque city fortresses, with ramparts, casemates and panoramic views over Erfurt. Join a guided underground tunnel tour (about 10€, mostly weekends, book ahead). Wear sturdy shoes, as the cobbles are uneven. The grounds are free to wander and ideal for a long walk.
✡️
Old Synagogue and Mikveh
The Old Synagogue dates from around 1094 and is among Europe's oldest surviving synagogues; the nearby medieval mikveh is also UNESCO-listed. The museum displays the Erfurt Treasure, a hoard of medieval gold and silver. Tickets are around 8€; closed Mondays. Allow 90 minutes and book the mikveh visit separately.
🌸
egapark Gardens Stroll
A vast horticultural park built around Cyriaksburg Citadel, with themed gardens, greenhouses, a butterfly house and playgrounds. Best from April to October when the flower beds peak. Day tickets start around 12€. Arrive at opening, bring a picnic and plan at least three hours to see the main sections.
🌭
Thüringer Rostbratwurst at the Market
Taste the local grilled sausage at the stalls on Domplatz or Anger square, served in a roll with Thuringian mustard. Expect to pay around 3–4€. Locals eat it standing, so join the queue at the busiest stand. Pair it with a regional beer for a quick, authentic lunch.
📚
Augustinian Monastery Luther Trail
Martin Luther lived here as a monk from 1505 to 1511. Visit his restored cell, the cloister and the medieval Bible collection. Entry is about 6€, with guided tours on request. Stay for the quiet garden; the site is far less crowded than Wartburg or Wittenberg.
🍺
Local Brewery Evening in Altstadt
Finish with a Thuringian dinner in a traditional brewhouse, such as Zum Wenigemarkt or the Kleiner Kuchen area taverns. Try roast pork with dumplings and a dark Thuringian beer. Main dishes run about 12–18€. Reserve on Friday and Saturday evenings, as small rooms fill quickly.

How long to visit Erfurt?

1 to 2 days

Erfurt is best done in 1 to 2 days. In one day, walk the medieval old town, cross the Krämerbrücke, climb to the Cathedral and St. Severus Church on Domberg, and stroll up to Petersberg Citadel. With a second day, add the Old Synagogue and Mikveh (UNESCO site), the egapark, and the Anger museums. Book the Old Synagogue early in high season and plan an evening at the Fischmarkt and Wenigemarkt squares.

Related searches

train Berlin Erfurt how to get from Berlin to Erfurt ticket price Berlin to Erfurt travel time Berlin to Erfurt travel to Germany

Other trips from Berlin

Book now