Self-Launched Berlin to Copenhagen: Havel, Oder & Baltic Coast
8 days · Berlin to Copenhagen
CroisiEurope River Cruises charges £1,800
No-markup version: ~£670 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the river cruise price tag and explore the same stunning route from Berlin to Copenhagen under your own steam. This self-launched itinerary follows the original CroisiEurope route — from Berlin through Eberswalde, Szczecin, Wolgast, Greifswald, and Stralsund, then across to Copenhagen — using trains, regional buses, and the classic Rostock–Gedser ferry. You'll stay in well-rated budget hotels and guesthouses, explore the Baltic coast at your own pace, and arrive in Copenhagen having spent a fraction of the cruise price. All costs are approximate estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Arrive in Berlin and check into your hostel or budget hotel in the city centre. Spend the evening exploring the vibrant neighbourhoods of Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg, grab dinner at a local imbiss or Turkish kebab spot, and get your bearings before heading north tomorrow. Berlin's public transport is excellent — pick up a 24-hour or 48-hour BVG travel card from any U-Bahn machine.
🚌Arrive by international train (Eurostar/Thalys connections) or budget flight. From Berlin Hauptbahnhof, take the U-Bahn or S-Bahn to your hostel.
🛏Generator Berlin Mitte or Wombat's Berlin — dorm from ~£18/night, private room from ~£50/night
- →Explore Mitte neighbourhood on foot
- →Visit the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag exterior (free)
- →Dinner at a local imbiss or döner kebab shop — budget ~£6-8
- →Pick up a BVG travel card for city transport
Day Trip to Eberswalde & Chorin Abbey
Eberswalde & Chorin, Germany
Take a regional train from Berlin Ostbahnhof to Eberswalde (around 50 minutes, ~£6 each way with a Brandenburg day ticket). From Eberswalde, the Cistercian Chorin Abbey — a gothic red-brick ruin in the forest — is a short bus ride away (Bus 912). The abbey is one of the finest examples of Brick Gothic architecture in northern Germany. Return to Berlin in the evening, or push on toward Szczecin if you want to move faster.
🚌Regional train Berlin Ostbahnhof → Eberswalde, ~50 min, Brandenburg ABC day ticket ~£12 covers all regional trains and buses in the zone
🛏Return to Berlin hostel, or budget guesthouse in Eberswalde (~£45/night) if pushing on
- →Train from Berlin Ostbahnhof to Eberswalde (~50 min, ~£6 with Brandenburg day ticket)
- →Bus 912 from Eberswalde to Chorin Abbey
- →Explore Cistercian Chorin Abbey (entry ~£5)
- →Walk the forest trails around the abbey
- →Optional: visit Eberswalde Zoo (Europe's oldest), entry ~£12
Cross into Poland: Szczecin
Szczecin, Poland
Travel from Berlin to Szczecin (Stettin in German) by direct regional train — a route that runs several times daily and takes around 2 hours, costing as little as £8-12. Szczecin is a fascinating port city with a rich Hanseatic history, the grand Pomeranian Dukes' Castle, and a buzzing riverside promenade. Spend the afternoon exploring the Old Town and the dramatic Hakenterrasse (Chrobry Embankment) overlooking the Oder River.
🚌Regional train Berlin Hbf → Szczecin Główny, ~2 hrs, ~£8-12 booked in advance via DB (Deutsche Bahn) or PKP Intercity
🛏Puro Hotel Szczecin or local guesthouse — budget ~£30-45/night
- →Direct regional train Berlin → Szczecin (~2 hrs, ~£10)
- →Pomeranian Dukes' Castle — guided tour or self-explore (~£4 entry)
- →Walk the Chrobry Embankment (Hakenterrasse) for Oder River views
- →Explore the Old Town and Rynek Staromiejski square
- →Dinner in Szczecin — local Polish restaurant, budget ~£8-10
Baltic Gateway: Wolgast & Usedom Island
Wolgast & Usedom, Germany
Head back into Germany and make for Wolgast, the gateway town to the gorgeous island of Usedom on the Baltic coast. Wolgast itself has a charming historic centre and the striking St Peter's Church. From Wolgast, it's a short train or bus ride over the bridge to Usedom — famous for its long sandy beaches, the historic resort town of Heringsdorf, and record-breaking hours of Baltic sunshine. Spend the afternoon on the beach or cycling the island's flat trails.
🚌Train Szczecin Główny → Wolgast via Ducherow (~2.5 hrs, ~£15). Local Usedomer Bäderbahn train to Heringsdorf (~20 min, ~£4).
🛏Guesthouse or Pension in Heringsdorf or Wolgast — ~£40-55/night
- →Train Szczecin → Wolgast (~2.5 hrs via Ducherow, ~£15)
- →Visit St Peter's Church in Wolgast
- →Short train to Usedom Island (Heringsdorf or Ahlbeck)
- →Beach time on the Baltic coast (free)
- →Cycle hire on Usedom (~£10/day) — flat and well-signposted trails
- →Dinner at a Strandkorb beach café
University Town: Greifswald
Greifswald, Germany
Move up the coast to Greifswald, a beautifully preserved medieval university town that feels refreshingly un-touristy. The ruined monastery of Eldena on the edge of town inspired Caspar David Friedrich's famous paintings. Explore the market square (Markt), the three distinctive brick churches, and the pretty harbour at Wieck. This is a great town to slow down and enjoy a meal at one of the student-friendly restaurants.
🚌Regional train or bus Wolgast → Greifswald, ~30-40 min, ~£5
🛏Gästehaus am Dom or similar guesthouse — ~£40-50/night
- →Train or bus Wolgast → Greifswald (~30 min, ~£5)
- →Visit Eldena Monastery ruins (free, open air)
- →Explore Greifswald Markt and the Dom St Nikolai cathedral
- →Walk to Wieck harbour and the historic drawbridge
- →Caspar David Friedrich Museum (entry ~£6)
- →Dinner in Greifswald — student town prices, budget ~£10-12
UNESCO Heritage & Rügen Island: Stralsund
Stralsund & Rügen, Germany
A short hop along the coast brings you to Stralsund, whose stunning Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ozeaneum aquarium is world-class and the red-brick Rathaus (Town Hall) is one of the finest in northern Germany. From Stralsund, Rügen Island is just across the Rügendamm bridge — explore the famous chalk cliffs of Königsstuhl in Jasmund National Park, or relax at the elegant seaside resort of Binz.
🚌Train Greifswald → Stralsund ~30 min, ~£5. Rügen Island: direct train from Stralsund to Binz (~45 min, ~£8 return).
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Stralsund — ~£35-50/night
- →Train Greifswald → Stralsund (~30 min, ~£5)
- →Explore Stralsund UNESCO Old Town (free)
- →Ozeaneum aquarium (~£18, book online for slight discount)
- →Stralsund Rathaus and Nikolaikirche (free entry)
- →Day trip to Rügen: bus or train to Binz or Königsstuhl chalk cliffs (~£8 return)
- →Walk the chalk cliff trail in Jasmund National Park (~£3 park entry)
Stralsund to Copenhagen via Rostock & Gedser Ferry
Stralsund → Rostock → Gedser → Copenhagen
This is your big travel day, replicating the cruise's included coach and ferry route. Take the train from Stralsund to Rostock (around 1 hour), then a second train or bus to the Warnemünde/Rostock ferry port. Board the Scandlines ferry from Rostock to Gedser in Denmark (around 2 hours). From Gedser, take the train north to Copenhagen — you'll arrive in the early evening with time to check in and explore the city centre.
🚌Train Stralsund → Rostock (~1 hr, ~£12 via DB). Scandlines ferry Rostock–Gedser (~2 hrs, ~£30 foot passenger, book at scandlines.com). Train Gedser → Copenhagen H (~2.5 hrs, ~£20 via DSB).
🛏Generator Copenhagen or Steel House Copenhagen — dorm from ~£22/night, private from ~£65/night
- →Train Stralsund → Rostock (~1 hr, ~£12)
- →Scandlines ferry Rostock (Warnemünde) → Gedser, Denmark (~2 hrs, book in advance ~£25-35 foot passenger)
- →Train Gedser → Copenhagen Central (~2.5 hrs, ~£20 — book via DSB.dk)
- →Check in and evening stroll along Nyhavn harbour
- →Dinner in Copenhagen — budget restaurant or smørrebrød open sandwich, ~£15-18
Copenhagen: Nyhavn, Little Mermaid & Beyond
Copenhagen, Denmark
Spend your final day exploring Copenhagen at your own pace. The city is supremely walkable and bike-friendly. Follow the cruise's included panoramic tour yourself — stroll from Nyhavn's colourful canal houses to the Amalienborg Palace, the iconic Little Mermaid statue, and on to the Tivoli Gardens. Copenhagen is pricey but manageable with a city card or by picking free sights. Depart from Copenhagen Airport (CPH), well connected to the city centre by Metro in 15 minutes.
🚌Copenhagen Metro M2 to CPH airport, ~15 min, ~£4
🛏Check out — depart from Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Metro Line M2 from Kongens Nytorv, ~15 min, ~£4
- →Self-guided walk: Nyhavn → Amalienborg Palace → Little Mermaid (all free)
- →Rosenborg Castle and Crown Jewels (~£15, book via copenhagencard.com)
- →Tivoli Gardens entry (~£14 — worth it for the atmosphere)
- →Cycle hire via Bycyklen city bikes (~£4/hr) — flat, easy cycling city
- →Lunch at Torvehallerne food market — budget ~£10-12
- →Optional: free walking tour of the city (tip-based, meets at City Hall Square)
Self-launched vs. CroisiEurope River Cruises
| This itinerary (self-launched) | CroisiEurope River Cruises | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£670 | £1,800 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,130 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more CroisiEurope River Cruises-style trips? Check them out here.~£670
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Berlin to Copenhagen: Havel, Oder & Baltic Coast cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £670 per person for 8 days in Berlin to Copenhagen. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with CroisiEurope River Cruises?+
Yes — CroisiEurope River Cruises charges around £1,800 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £670 — a saving of roughly £1,130 (63%) per person.
How long is the Berlin to Copenhagen trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Berlin to Copenhagen.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, backpacker, budget trip through Berlin to Copenhagen, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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