Berlin TV Tower FAQ
Answers about tickets, admission, opening hours, visit duration, luggage, accessibility and the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant.
- Online tickets for fixed time slots
- Observation deck and restaurant tickets available
- Tickets can be used directly on a smartphone
Independent information website about the Berlin TV Tower
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about tickets, admission times, opening hours, visit duration, luggage, accessibility and the restaurant in the Berlin TV Tower. The information on admission conditions and safety regulations has been checked against the information published by the operator.
At a glance
Berlin TV Tower: essential visitor information
Admission
Admission is permitted within the booked time slot. According to the operator, a grace period of 15 minutes applies.
Restaurant
Visits to the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant are limited to a maximum of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Opening hours
March to October: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
November to February: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Observation deck
Visits to the observation deck are limited to 45 minutes.
Luggage
Large items of luggage are not permitted. Backpacks may measure no more than 45 × 35 × 20 centimetres.
Accessibility
Access to the Berlin TV Tower is restricted due to the requirements of a possible evacuation.
The questions are organised by topic. Select a section or open the question you are looking for directly.
Tickets and booking
Information about purchasing tickets, time slots, rebooking and discounts.
Where can I buy tickets for the Berlin TV Tower?
Tickets are available online and from the Berlin TV Tower ticket office. As admission is tied to a fixed time slot, booking online in advance is recommended, particularly at weekends, on public holidays and during school holidays.
How far in advance can tickets be booked?
According to the operator, tickets can be booked up to 90 days in advance. Available dates and time slots are shown in the respective booking system.
Do I have to book a fixed time slot?
Yes. Tickets are tied to a specific time slot. Admission is only scheduled for the booked entry time. According to the operator, a grace period of 15 minutes applies.
What happens if I arrive late?
A grace period of 15 minutes applies to late arrivals. After this period, admission with the booked ticket cannot be guaranteed. Allow sufficient time for your journey and the security check at the entrance.
Are tickets transferable?
Yes. Tickets for the Berlin TV Tower are transferable and are not linked to the name of the person who made the booking.
Can I change my booking?
According to the operator, tickets can be rebooked online up to ten minutes before the booked admission time. Changes must be made through the booking management system of the relevant ticket provider.
Can I cancel a ticket?
The operator generally excludes cancellations of standard tickets, regardless of the reason. Tickets purchased from other providers may be subject to their own booking and cancellation conditions. Check these conditions before purchasing.
Are discounts available?
The operator lists discounts for holders of a student ID, a severe disability ID or a Berlin WelcomeCard. Discounts are only available from the ticket office and do not apply to online tickets. The operator’s current information does not list a general senior discount.
Can children visit the Berlin TV Tower?
Yes. Children under the age of 15 may only visit the Berlin TV Tower when accompanied by someone aged 18 or over.
Admission and visiting
Answers about opening hours, visit duration, the entrance, lifts and photography.
What are the Berlin TV Tower’s opening hours?
The standard opening hours are:
March to October: daily from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
November to February: daily from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Different opening hours or closures may apply on certain days. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.
How long may I stay on the observation deck?
Visits to the observation deck are limited to 45 minutes. The booked time slot refers to the admission time, not the total time spent inside the building.
Where is the entrance?
The visitor entrance is located at Panoramastraße 1A, opposite Alexanderplatz S-Bahn station. It can be reached on foot within a few minutes from the station and the surrounding public transport stops.
How do I reach the observation deck?
Visitors can only reach the observation deck by lift. The stairwell is reserved for emergencies and service personnel and cannot be used for regular access or exit.
How fast does the lift travel?
According to the operator, the lift travels at up to six metres per second. The journey to the observation deck takes approximately 35 seconds.
Are guided tours or audio guides available?
The operator currently offers neither guided tours nor conventional audio guides. Information about the view and visible landmarks may be available through digital content provided on site.
May I take photographs inside the Berlin TV Tower?
Photography for private purposes is permitted. Tripods and drones are prohibited under the published visitor regulations. Commercial or journalistic photography may require prior authorisation.
Luggage and safety regulations
Visitors and their bags are subject to security checks at the entrance. Certain items may not be taken inside for safety reasons.
Are suitcases and large bags permitted?
No. Suitcases, wheeled luggage, large bags, shopping bags and comparable items may not be taken up the tower. There are no lockers inside the Berlin TV Tower.
Are backpacks permitted?
Small backpacks may be taken inside. The maximum dimensions specified by the operator are 45 × 35 × 20 centimetres. Larger backpacks may be refused at the entrance.
Are there lockers in the TV Tower?
No. The Berlin TV Tower does not have any lockers. Larger items of luggage should therefore be stored at an external luggage storage facility before your visit.
Can pushchairs be taken inside?
Pushchairs may not be taken onto the observation deck or into the restaurant. According to the operator, they can be left free of charge in a designated area by the cloakroom.
May I bring food or drinks?
No. Food and drinks may not be taken inside. This also applies to bottles, cans and other containers holding liquids. Prohibited items must be surrendered or disposed of before admission.
Are bags checked at the entrance?
Yes. The operator carries out checks on visitors and their bags for safety reasons. Anyone who refuses a security check may be denied entry.
Accessibility and assistance dogs
Due to its construction and the requirements of a possible evacuation, the Berlin TV Tower is not fully accessible.
Is the Berlin TV Tower accessible?
No. The lifts may not be used in the event of a fire or evacuation. People who rely on a wheelchair or similar mobility aid, as well as people who cannot move without assistance or walking aids, are therefore unable to visit the tower.
Anyone affected should discuss their individual circumstances directly with the operator before booking.
Are dogs or other animals permitted?
No. Dogs and other animals may not be taken inside for safety reasons. Certified assistance dogs are exempt from this rule upon presentation of appropriate documentation.
Restaurant and Sphere Bar
Information about restaurant tickets, table reservations, visit duration, the menu and payment.
What is the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant?
Sphere Tim Raue is the revolving restaurant inside the Berlin TV Tower. It is located at a height of approximately 207 metres and serves dishes inspired by the cuisine of Berlin and Brandenburg. The culinary concept was developed in collaboration with Tim Raue.
Do I need a separate ticket for the restaurant?
Yes. A restaurant ticket is required to visit the restaurant. It includes the lift ride and a table reservation. The food or menus included depend on the ticket package booked.
How do I reserve a table in the restaurant?
A table is reserved automatically when you purchase a restaurant ticket. No separate reservation is required.
Can I choose a particular table?
No. Tables are allocated by the reservation system or the restaurant. A particular table or viewing direction therefore cannot be guaranteed.
How long may I stay in the restaurant?
Visits to the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant are limited to a maximum of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Can I visit the observation deck with a restaurant ticket?
Yes. Guests with a restaurant ticket may visit the observation level after their meal.
What is on the menu?
The restaurant serves contemporary interpretations of dishes associated with Berlin and Brandenburg cuisine. The current menu includes starters, soups, meat and fish dishes, plant-based options and desserts. As dishes, menus and prices may change, check the latest menu before your visit.
Are vegetarian or vegan dishes available?
The published menu includes plant-based dishes and vegan options. The current selection may change. Allergies and specific dietary requirements should be discussed directly with the restaurant before your visit.
How can I pay in the restaurant?
According to the operator, the restaurant accepts cashless payments only, using a debit or credit card.
Do I need an additional ticket for the Sphere Bar?
No. The Sphere Bar is located on the observation level and is accessible to guests with a valid admission ticket. Access may depend on the applicable opening hours and available capacity.
Facts about the TV Tower
Basic information about the tower’s height, observation deck and location.
What is the Berlin TV Tower?
The Berlin TV Tower is a television and observation tower at Alexanderplatz in Berlin-Mitte. It opened in 1969 and continues to be used for radio and television transmission. The tower sphere contains an observation deck, the Sphere Bar and the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant.
How tall is the Berlin TV Tower?
The Berlin TV Tower is 368 metres tall, making it the tallest structure in Germany.
At what height is the observation deck?
The observation deck is located at a height of approximately 203 metres and provides panoramic views across Berlin.
At what height is the restaurant?
The Sphere Tim Raue restaurant is located at a height of approximately 207 metres, above the observation deck.
Does the entire TV Tower rotate?
No. The tower shaft, sphere and observation deck remain stationary. Only the outer section of the restaurant on which the tables are positioned rotates.
Official sources and updates
The variable visitor information on this page was last reviewed on 16 July 2026. The principal sources were:
- Official Berlin TV Tower FAQ
- Operator’s General Terms and Conditions
- Official information on restricted accessibility
- Official information about the observation deck
- Sphere Tim Raue restaurant
- Current Sphere Tim Raue menu
- Sphere Tim Raue set menus
- Sphere Bar at the Berlin TV Tower
- Manage booking
- Deutsche Funkturm: 55 years of the Berlin TV Tower
Opening hours, closure dates, ticket conditions, safety regulations and dining options may change. The conditions published by the operator and the respective ticket provider at the time of the visit apply.
Plan your visit to the Berlin TV Tower
Compare available tickets for the observation deck, the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant and combined packages. When booking, check the selected date, admission time and included services.