Travel to Potsdam - Visa information
Welcome to the Kongresshotel Potsdam – the perfect setting for our conference
The Kongresshotel Potsdam on Lake Templin is one of Brandenburg’s leading conference venues and offers everything needed for a successful event. Nestled in the peaceful forest and lake landscape of the Pirschheide, yet only minutes from the center of Potsdam, the hotel combines a highly professional conference infrastructure with an environment that encourages focus, creativity and meaningful conversations.
Bright, spacious conference rooms, state‑of‑the‑art technology and an experienced event team ensure that every part of our conference runs smoothly. To make your stay as convenient as possible, we have reserved 100 rooms exclusively for our participants. Booking early gives you the chance to stay directly at the event location — the ideal way to maximize networking opportunities and connect with other attendees throughout the entire conference experience.
When it’s time to unwind, the hotel’s extensive sports and wellness facilities are at your disposal. Enjoy the sauna, fitness area, sports hall or squash court, or take advantage of the hotel’s beautiful lakeside setting. Whether you prefer a morning jog, a relaxing walk or a quiet break in nature, the surroundings offer the perfect balance to an inspiring conference day.
Kongresshotel Potsdam
Am Luftschiffhafen 1
D-14471 Potsdam
Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 331 - 907 0
Thanks to excellent transport links, the hotel is easily accessible by car and public transport.
More information: https://www.kongresshotel-potsdam.com/hotel/hotel-in-potsdam-berlin/
Accomodation
We have organized a block of 100 rooms for participants. Rooms can be booked directly via the booking platform of the Kongresshotel (you will be redirected to the hotel's booking page).
Getting to Potsdam
Traveling to JWC 2026 from outside Germany is easier than it looks — here's what's useful to know before you book.
Flying in: you don't have to land in Frankfurt or Munich
Berlin has its own international airport, Berlin Brandenburg (BER), and it's the airport closest to Potsdam. Over 65 airlines serve BER, with flights to well over 100 destinations across Europe and beyond — so check for a direct flight to Berlin before assuming you need to route through Frankfurt or Munich.
If there's no direct flight from your city, the easiest fix is often to fly into another major European hub — for example Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich, London, or Istanbul — and take a short connecting flight or a train on to Berlin from there. This is frequently cheaper and more convenient than flying into a German hub and then needing a second domestic leg.
See current destinations and airlines flying to BER: ber.berlin-airport.de — flights from BER
From BER Airport to Potsdam
- Direct regional train (RB22): runs about once an hour straight from the airport (station "Flughafen BER", right under Terminal 1) to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof in around 50 minutes.
- Via Berlin: the Airport Express (FEX) runs every 15 minutes into central Berlin, where you can change to a train toward Potsdam — a few minutes slower overall than the direct RB22, but far more frequent if you've just missed it.
- Either way you'll need a ticket for fare zone "Berlin ABC" (around €4–5 for a single trip), available from ticket machines at the airport or via the BVG or DB Navigator apps. Remember to validate paper tickets before boarding.
Details and live timetables: vbb.de — getting to and from BER
Traveling by train within Germany (or on to Germany from elsewhere in Europe)
Deutsche Bahn (DB) sells long-distance tickets in a few tiers, and picking the right one makes a real difference in price:
- Super Sparpreis / Sparpreis — the advance-purchase fares, from roughly €18–25 upward depending on the route and how early you book. These are tied to a specific train (no changing to an earlier or later one), and Super Sparpreis can't be refunded or changed at all.
- Flexpreis — the full-flexibility fare, valid on any train that day. Convenient, but usually significantly more expensive — often €75 and up for a longer domestic route.
Long-distance tickets typically open for booking several months ahead, and the cheapest Sparpreis fares go first — so booking early is the single best way to save money.
Fewer changes, fewer headaches. Because Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis tickets are locked to one specific train, a delay that makes you miss a connection can mean that ticket is no longer valid for the next one. When you have a choice of connections, pick the itinerary with the fewest changes — even if it's a few minutes longer — and build in a comfortable buffer between trains.
A seat reservation is not your ticket. DB sells an optional "Sitzplatzreservierung" (seat reservation, around €5.50 in 2nd class) separately from the actual ticket ("Fahrkarte"). A reservation only guarantees you a specific seat — it doesn't let you travel on its own. Make sure you've bought a valid ticket for your whole journey, not just a seat reservation.
Book and check connections at: bahn.com — international booking (English)
Berlin – the perfect addition to your conference trip
Just about 30 minutes from the Kongresshotel lies Berlin, one of Europe’s most vibrant and exciting capitals. It’s the ideal destination for anyone looking to extend their conference stay or add a cultural highlight to their trip. Berlin offers an impressive mix of history, creativity and modern urban life - a perfect complement to your conference experience.
Why a visit to Berlin is worth it
Culture & History
- World renowned museums on Museum Island
- Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, East Side Gallery
- Historic sites that bring European history to life
Culinary & Lifestyle
- International cuisine, street food and Michelin starred restaurants
- Trendy neighborhoods like Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain
- Boutiques, markets and a thriving creative scene
Perfect for pre or post conference plans
- Before the conference: Arrive relaxed, enjoy an evening in Berlin and start the event inspired
- After the conference: Ideal for team activities, cultural outings or simply unwinding
- Vacation: Extend your stay and enjoy a few extra days exploring Germany
Visa Information
The JWC organizing team is happy to provide you with a letter for your visa application.
We do not submit the letter on your behalf and this is not an invitation. You will need to submit a copy of the letter with your visa submission application and you must have a ticket purchased before a letter will be provided.
Please note, each country has its own requirements and procedures for international travel. Be sure to allow ample time to research these policies and secure any necessary travel documents in advance.
Request a Visa Letter
Frequently asked questions
We have reserved a block of 100 rooms for our conference. The rooms can be booked directly via this link on the booking platform of the Congress Hotel.
In this case, we ask that you compare the terms and conditions very carefully. We have received feedback that the prices on relevant booking platforms are supposedly cheaper. However, according to our research, this is not the case. Please pay attention to the exact terms and conditions regarding breakfast, cancellation, room size, etc.
Whether breakfast is included depends on the room rate you choose and must be paid for separately.
The Joomla! World Conference 2026 officially starts on Friday, 16 October at 9 a.m. and ends on Sunday, 18 October in the afternoon. However, based on past experience, there will also be a cosy get-together on Thursday evening. This is planned independently of those attending and the costs are to be paid personally.
