FAQ

Any questions about your visit? Find the answers to our frequently asked questions here.

Opening hours

Is the DDR Museum also open on Mondays?

Yes, the DDR Museum is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.

Is the DDR Museum also open on public holidays?

The DDR Museum is open on every public holiday. On 24 December and 31 December the museum closes at 4 pm.

What are the opening hours?

The museum is open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 9 pm.

On 24 and 31 December the museum closes at 4 pm.

At what time are there fewer people in the exhibition?

Usually, less people visit the DDR Museum after 6 pm. You can stay in the exhibition until 9 pm.

When is the latest time to enter the exhibition?

The exhibition closes at 9 pm. We therefore recommend that you enter the museum by 8 pm at the latest. However, you are free to come until 9 pm at any time you wish (groups of 10 or more only by appointment at besucherbetreuung@ddr-museum.de).

Is there a queue at the entrance?

Yes, but you can skip the line with an online ticket and thus enter the exhibition directly. The waiting time without a ticket varies depending on the season, day of the week and time. You can buy online tickets here.

How can I skip the line?

You can buy an online ticket here. Scan the ticket at the entrance when you arrive and enter the exhibition directly without waiting.

Location

Where is the entrance to the DDR Museum?

The entrance is on Vera-Brittain-Ufer, directly on the river Spree and opposite Berlin Cathedral. From Karl-Liebknecht-Str., walk down the steps at the Karl-Liebknecht-Brücke on the DomAquarée side. After 20 metres you will find the entrance to the DDR Museum on the right-hand side. Here you can see the exact location.

Admission

Is admission free on Thursdays?

No, as a private museum, the DDR Museum is not financed by taxes, but solely by admission fees. Therefore, it is not possible to grant a general free admission.

Is admission free on Museum Sunday?

No, Museum Sunday is a monthly event of the state museums. The DDR Museum is private and is not financed by taxes, but by the entrance fees. Therefore, it is not possible to grant a general free admission.

How much is the entrance fee?

Regular admission costs € 13.50, reduced € 8.00.

Who receives the reduced admission price?

Reduced tickets are available for children over 6 years of age, schoolchildren, students, trainees, recipients of unemployment benefit II, people doing voluntary service and holders of severely disabled ID cards. The relevant valid proof must always be brought along.

Until when are children admitted free of charge?

Children receive free admission until the age of 6. From the age of 6, the reduced admission price of € 8.00 applies.

Are there any reductions for pensioners?

No, there is no discount for pensioners.

Is the Berlin WelcomeCard valid for the DDR Museum?

Yes, with the Berlin WelcomeCard you get 25% off the regular admission price and 20% off the reduced price. The reduction is only granted upon presentation of the valid Berlin WelcomeCard on site at the ticket office of the DDR Museum.

Is the Berlin WelcomeCard all inclusive valid at the DDR Museum?

Yes, with the Berlin WelcomeCard all inclusive you get free admission and you can scan in directly with the printed QR code at the turnstiles at the museum entrance.

Is the Museum Pass valid in the DDR Museum?

No, as a privately funded museum, the DDR Museum does not participate in the Museum Pass.

I have a severely disabled pass. Will my companion be admitted free of charge?

If your ID shows a »B« for the need for a companion, you pay the reduced admission price of € 8.00 and your companion receives free admission.

Which means of payment are accepted at the DDR Museum?

You have the following payment options at the ticket office and in the museum shop: Cash, EC/Maestro card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, China Union Pay, JCB, Diners Club, Discover. Online tickets can be paid for with Visa, Master, Diners Club and JCB credit cards as well as with PayPal.

Who receives free admission?

Children under 6 years of age, persons accompanying a severely disabled person with a »B« on their severely disabled pass, visitBerlin employees, ICOM Card holders, members of the Museumsbund and Intoura e. V., the Association of Package Tour Operators, the Association of Berlin City Guides and journalists after completing the accreditation form. Valid proof must be presented in each case.

Online tickets

Can I also use my Berlin WelcomeCard when buying online tickets?

No, you can only use the Berlin Welcome Card when buying tickets at the ticket office on site at the DDR Museum.

Can I exchange my online ticket?

No, your online ticket is only valid for the day you have specified in advance. This day cannot be changed afterwards.

Can I cancel my tickets?

Cancellation of booked, time-bound tickets is not possible. If the ticket is not used, it will be forfeited.

Group bookings and guided tours

Can I join a guided tour?

No, unfortunately that is not possible. However, you can book an exclusive guided tour for yourself individually. Please contact besucherbetreuung@ddr-museum.de for this. You can get an overview of the guided tours here.

How many people are required to be considered a group?

The group rate is available for groups of 10 or more. Please register the group in advance at besucherbetreuung@ddr-museum.de.

We are a very large group. Can we visit the museum before or after opening hours?

Yes, please contact the visitor service at ​​​​​besucherbetreuung@ddr-museum.de.

How many people are allowed on a guided tour?

For quality reasons, a maximum of 15 persons may take part in a guided tour.

In which languages are guided tours offered?

The DDR Museum offers guided tours in Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Other foreign languages, including talks with contemporary witnesses, are available on request.

Can I also book a guided tour for a smaller group?

Yes, the price for a guided tour is independent of the number of persons. You can find an overview of our guided tours here.

What possibilities are there for pupils to make the most of their visit to the DDR Museum without a guided tour?

If you do not book a guided tour and, for example, only a group visit for your school class, we offer free quiz questionnaires at different levels of difficulty. You can download them here. For the answers, please contact the visitor service at besucherbetreuung@ddr-museum.de or the staff at the ticket desk.

My group has luggage with them. Can we leave it at the DDR Museum?

Luggage drop-off for groups of 10 or more is possible by prior arrangement with the visitor service at besucherbetreuung@ddr-museum.de.

How long can we stay in the exhibition?

As a group with a booked appointment, you may stay in the exhibition for as long as you wish.

Can I come earlier with my group and wait for the guided tour in the DDR Museum?

Due to the limited space in the entrance area, it is unfortunately not always possible for groups to wait in the DDR Museum for the start of the guided tour or for admission. We therefore ask the group leader to go to the ticket office alone or in pairs and let the group wait outside.

Visit

Can I bring my dog?

No, it is not permitted to bring animals to the exhibition. Exceptions are registered guide dogs for the blind or assistance dogs. Proof must be presented at the ticket office when purchasing tickets.

Can I take photographs in the museum?

For private purposes only, please. Any other use of photos must be approved in advance by the press office at presse@ddr-museum.de.

How much time should I plan for a visit?

According to the visitor survey, our guests need about 1,5 hours for the exhibition. But there are also people who spend four hours in the exhibition. So how long you need depends entirely on you.

Is the DDR Museum barrier-free?

The museum is barrier-free from the museum entrance (except for electric scooters and the like), including a barrier-free WC. However, the Spreepromenade from the Land Berlin is not barrier-free, but can only be reached via stairs or a very steep ramp. Please also note the information here on our website.

Is the DDR Museum suitable for children?

Yes, because there is a lot to discover and try out in the exhibition. Objects from the DDR may be touched and children can play with original toys in the children's room of the prefabricated flat or in the kindergarten area.

Is there an audio guide?

No, there is no audio guide. However, you can buy the guidebook through the permanent exhibition in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and (modern) Chinese at the ticket office as a printed book or here as an e-book.

In which languages are the exhibition texts?

The exhibition texts are in German and English. The guidebook through the permanent exhibition is available in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and (modern) Chinese at the ticket office as a printed book or here as an e-book.

Is there an offer in other languages?

You can buy the guidebook through the permanent exhibition in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and (modern) Chinese at the ticket office as a printed book or here as an e-book.

What is there to see in the DDR Museum?

In the DDR Museum you can learn everything about life in the GDR. You are invited to expand your knowledge in an entertaining way and experience history at first hand. Authentic original objects and unique installations are waiting to be touched and tried out.

Is there seating available in the exhibition?

Yes, there is seating in the »Cinema« themed area and in the re-enacted DDR flat.

Does the DDR Museum have a café or restaurant?

No, but you can buy drinks, sweets and ice cream for consumption outside the exhibition in the museum shop.

How can I book my tickets online and avoid the queue?

Here you can buy your online ticket, scan it at the entrance to the exhibition and avoid a queue. The ticket can be printed out in A4 format or scanned on your smartphone.

How can I reach the DDR Museum by public transport?

S-Bahn and U-Bahn station Alexanderplatz, S-Bahn station Hackescher Markt, U-Bahn station Museumsinsel or Rotes Rathaus. Bus 100 and 200 stop Spandauer Straße, bus 300 stop Lustgarten, tram M4, M5, M6: stop Spandauer Straße/Marienkirche.

Are there parking facilities near the DDR Museum?

Yes, there are sufficient parking spaces available in the DomAquarée multi-storey car park, for which a fee is charged.

Is there WiFi in the DDR Museum?

Yes, there is free WiFi in the DDR Museum, which you can use during your visit.

Is it allowed to eat or drink in the exhibition?

No, it is not allowed to eat or drink in the exhibition.

Can I visit the exhibition with a pushchair?

Yes, but it can get quite crowded, making a visit with a pushchair uncomfortable. Therefore, we recommend visiting the DDR Museum without one or with a flexible buggy.

Is there a baby changing room?

Yes, there is one. You can get the key at the ticket office.

Is there a place where I can breastfeed my baby?

There is no special breastfeeding room. If you wish to breastfeed your child, you can use the baby changing room/barrier-free WC.

Is there a museum shop?

Yes, you can buy memorabilia, souvenirs, clothing, literature as well as drinks, sweets and ice cream in the shop of the DDR Museum.

Is there an exhibition guide?

Yes, the »DDR Guide« can be purchased in print on site or at any time here as an e-book in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and (modern) Chinese.

How long am I allowed to stay during a visit?

You may stay as long as you like. 

Are there disabled parking spaces?

No, unfortunately there are no special disabled parking spaces outside. However, there are sufficient disabled parking spaces available in the DomAquarée multi-storey car park, for which a fee is charged, and they are marked as such.

Do jackets and bags have to be handed in?

No, you may carry your jackets and bags with you at all times. It is not permitted to bring suitcases or travel bags into the exhibition.

Which coin do I need for the lockers?

To use the lockers, you will need a 1 euro or 50 cent coin, which will be returned to you after use.

Object donations

Can I hand in a donation of an object at the cash desk of the DDR Museum?

Before making a donation, please contact the collections department at sammlung@ddr-museum.de. Donations of objects are only possible after prior consultation with the collections department. Unarranged donations will not be accepted.

What objects from the DDR is the DDR Museum looking for?

You will find a list here of the objects we are looking for. Please contact us at sammlung@ddr-museum.de and send us a photo if you would like to donate an object to us.

Does the DDR Museum buy DDR objects?

No, the DDR Museum only buys objects in exceptional cases and otherwise works exclusively with donations.

Can the DDR Museum tell me how much an object from the DDR is worth?

No, the DDR Museum does not buy or sell objects. As we do not trade in the objects, we do not give any estimates of value, cost or selling price.

Miscellaneous

Are there vouchers for a visit to the DDR Museum?

Yes, you can buy vouchers at the ticket office of the DDR Museum or in the museum shop on site.

Who can I contact if I have lost something?

Please contact the visitor service at +49 30 847 1237 32 or besucherbetreuung@ddr-museum.de.

Can I rent the DDR Museum?

Yes, please send your request to events@ddr-museum.de.