Berlin is one of the most popular trips from Prague, and a car makes it easier than a train or a bus: you can leave when you like, stop in Dresden on the way and carry your luggage without worry. The drive takes about 4 to 5.5 hours, mostly on motorway. This guide gives you the route, the best stops and the rules to know before you cross the border.
4–5.5 h
Prague to Berlin by car
0
cross-border fee in the EU
No
vignette needed in Germany
Free
child seats with CarLove
The route from Prague to Berlin
Route
Roads
Notes
Fastest, via Dresden
D8 to the border near Breitenau, then A17 and A13
The usual choice, with a good stop in Dresden
Via Leipzig
D8, then A4, A14 and A9
About 30 minutes longer
Scenic along the Elbe
D8, then the A30 along the Elbe, back to the D8
Adds time, best if you are not in a hurry
Best stops on the way
1
Dresden
Around two hours from Prague. Walk through the Old Town, the Zwinger and the Frauenkirche, then continue. See our Prague to Dresden road trip.
2
Ústí nad Labem and the Elbe valley
A break on the Czech side of the border. The motorway runs through the Elbe valley with views of the river and hills.
3
Berlin
Spend at least one night. Museum Island, the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and the East Side Gallery are all in the centre.
Why Berlin is worth the drive
Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag dome
The gate was finished in 1791, and during the years of the Wall it stood right next to the border strip, out of reach for most visitors. Today you simply walk through Pariser Platz. A short stroll away, the glass dome of the Reichstag is free to visit, but you must register online in advance, so reserve a slot before your trip.
East Side Gallery
The longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, about 1.3 km along the Spree, was painted by artists from many countries in 1990 and became an open-air gallery. Come early in the day, when it is quieter and the light is good for photos.
Museum Island
Five museums on a small island in the Spree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The Neues Museum holds the famous bust of Nefertiti. Some buildings have been under renovation for years, so check the official sites to see what is open before you buy tickets.
Tempelhofer Feld
This was a working airport until 2008. Now it is one of the most unusual city parks in Europe: you can walk, cycle or skate along the old runways, and on summer evenings half of Berlin seems to be having a picnic here.
A small detail: the Ampelmännchen
Look at the pedestrian lights in the eastern part of the city. The little hat-wearing green man comes from East Germany, and Berliners liked him so much that he survived reunification. He is now a local symbol, and you will find him on souvenirs everywhere.
Rules and costs to know
Czech vignette
Included
The Czech motorway vignette is included in your CarLove rental. Germany has no vignette for cars.
Low-emission zone
Inner S-Bahn ring
Central Berlin is a low-emission zone and needs a green sticker. Read our low-emission zones guide and tell us before you travel.
Speed on German motorways
Follow the signs
Many sections have no general limit but are marked with advisory or fixed limits, and cameras are common. See speed limits in Europe.
Planning your trip
Leave Prague in the morning to reach Berlin in the afternoon, and return by another route if you want more variety. Park at the hotel or in a garage, because parking in the centre is paid, and use the S-Bahn and U-Bahn inside the city. For more routes in Europe see driving in Europe by country, and for shorter trips best day trips from Prague. For the long drive we suggest the Škoda Superb or the Volvo V60. In winter, cars rented from 1 November to 31 March come with winter tyres at no extra charge.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Prague to Berlin?
Plan for about 4 to 5.5 hours, depending on traffic and the route. The fastest road runs through Dresden, so a stop there breaks the drive up nicely.
Which road should I take from Prague to Berlin?
Take the D8 towards Dresden, cross the border near Breitenau, follow the A17 and then the A13 to Berlin. The route via Leipzig is about 30 minutes longer.
Do I need a vignette for Germany?
No. Germany has no motorway vignette for cars. The Czech motorway vignette is included in your CarLove rental for the Czech part of the trip.
Do I need a sticker to drive in central Berlin?
Yes. Central Berlin inside the inner S-Bahn ring is a low-emission zone and only vehicles with a green sticker may enter. Tell us before you travel and read our low-emission zones guide.
Is there a cross-border fee with CarLove?
No. There is no cross-border fee within the EU. Just tell the team in advance that you plan to drive to Germany.
Can I do Berlin as a day trip from Prague?
It is possible but tiring, because the drive is long in each direction. We recommend staying at least one night.
Book a car for your Berlin trip
Fleet of 200+ cars under 2 years old, from 19 euros per day. No cross-border fee in the EU.
