Location of the Lecture Hall
The conference will take place at the AIP campus in Potsdam-Babelsberg, the location of the former Berlin observatory. Lectures will be held at the Schwarzschild building, see campus map, find the building labeled “Schwarzschildhaus” with its characteristic pointy tip. The lecture hall can be found just behind the information desk. Be careful not to walk too close to the event horizon.
Travel to Potsdam
The closest international airports are Berlin-Schönefeld (SXF) airport and Berlin-Tegel (TXL) airport. Especially from overseas there might be no direct flights, and one should check flights via Munich, Frankfurt, or London-Heathrow.
Arriving at Berlin-Schönefeld (SXF):You can take the train from the airport Schönefeld to Potsdam. The walk from the terminal to the tracks takes about 10 minutes. While the regional train (“RB22” → Potsdam Hbf) goes directly to Potsdam central station, it only runs once an hour. Note, though, that you will have to change trains several times, if you instead take the S-Bahn. Taking a taxi from the airport will take about 45 minutes and cost around €65. |
Arriving at Berlin-Tegel (TXL):Outside the terminal building, you will find the bus stop for the X9 and 109 bus routes, both heading to the central train station “Bahnhof Zoo”. You can go with either of these two lines to the last stop and continue on from there by train. Either take the regional express train (“Regionalexpress RE1”) or the S-Bahn (“S7” → Potsdam Hbf). A taxi from Berlin-Tegel airport to downtown Potsdam will cost around €50 and take about 30 minutes. |
Getting to the Institute
You can find instructions on how to get here by car or public transportation on the main AIP web pages. Both the Berlin (BVG) and Brandenburg region (VBB) transportation networks provide smartphone apps that one can use for route planning and for checking time tables.
The Potsdam bus route 616 conveniently stops at ‘Sternwarte’ just outside the AIP main gate. It runs between S-train stops ‘S Griebnitzsee’ and ‘S Babelsberg’, both on the S7 line. It is also possible to walk to the AIP campus from either Griebnitzsee or Babelsberg S-train stations, but note that sidewalks are partially non-existent or in very poor condition.
Potsdam is part of the ‘Berlin ABC’ fare zone, but for travelling within the city limits, buying a ‘Potsdam AB’ ticket is sufficient. A single-fare ticket remains valid when changing the form of transportation (i.e., bus, S-train, tram, regional train). Ticket machines can typically be found at S-train stations and on-board busses and trams. Payment can be normally done either with cash, credit/debit card, or even using contactless payment.
It is also possible to rent a bike at various places in the city, but note that tram tracks and cobblestone roads can make this a bit of a challenge should you not be a regular cyclist. The “Bridge of Spies” is only a stone-throw from the institute, by the way.
