Is the Reichstag open to the public...or only to those that eat at their restaurant?

One can ses the Cupola without eating in the restaurant. Usually, there is a long lineup ,to avoid it, visitors make a reservation for the restaurant.

p.s.
the Cupola is closed for several days four times of the year.

thanks Danon, Do you have to book ahead of time , their web sites suggest this, so I'm confused about the line ups.

You can book the restaurant ( best ahead of time ), but, as far as I know, not the visit to the Dome. One has to line up .
Last Sept, when we were in Berlin the wait was one hour and the restaurant was booked solid for the next 3 days.
Some tourists come very early or late at night to avoid the lineups.

Recently, the procedure for visits has changed and you must reserve (for free) in advance to visit the dome and rooftop terrace.
Formerly, this had only be mandatory for visits to the interior of the building.
http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/visits/kupp.html

Info on how to reserve and e-mail addresses etc. is here:
http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/visits/infohinw.html


If you just want to get on the rooftop terrace, you can still book the restaurant (best also in advance as danon suggested).

thanks cowboy

thanks Cowboy. I wonder why they have changed the procedure from previous years. Security?
.
First time I was in Berlin - the Dome was closed for cleaning, the second was last year - the wait was too long and the restaurant all booked.
Maybe, I'll be lucky the third time (this July).

Good question.
I have no clue, and did not hear anything about safety concerns.
I assume that the lines have grown so long that they had to find a solution so that visitors don't waste half a day outside in the heat or rain.

We were there in late November when they were under high security alert.

We booked a reservation for cake and coffee at 3pm and they still allowed us up even though the dome was not open to the general public.

My hotel made the reservation for me about a month in advance.

Views were great and we would do it again.

We were there last week and, went early as suggested (8:30am), and walked right in and up to the top of the dome. There were maybe 10 other people. When we left at 9:15 or so there still was no line. It was a beautiful clear day and you could see forever. At that time of the morning we were also able to get pictures of the Brandenberg Gate with only a handful of people walking around.

If you do try to make a reservation for the tour of the building be sure to only list whole days that you are available. I made the mistake of including our arrival day and stating "any tour after 2pm" of that day. Sure enough of the 4 days I gave them they gave us a tour for our arrival day at 10:30 am. Four emails later I never could get anyone to understand we could not make that time. Would have been nice to go in the building, but walking up the dome is a nice second.

Barblab,
are you saying that the reservation to see the Dome is not necessary ?( I don't have to visit the rest of the building).

I don't think I can get up that early though.

We did not have a reservation and walked right in at 8:30am. You probably would not have a wait if you got there before 10am. I also hear that going late works as well.

I usually cannot get my husband out of the hotel before 10 but when I explained the situation to him he was the one that got up at 7:30 to go. Since he figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity (we tend to explore new places rather than return visits to places we have been) he was all on board.

One thing to note, due to increased security the whole building is surrounded by portable fencing with guards positioned at regular intervals. At one point we noticed a sign that said something like "admittance to the dome by reservation only". We went on to the security trailers ready to beg to go in but instead were ushered right in.

At any rate even if you arrive and there is a line, wait, it was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Germany. It sould diffenity be on your "do not miss" list. Have fun!

thanks,
I'll do my best.

I was just over on the tripadvisor board and a person who visited the day after we did could not get in without a reservation. It would be worth it to follow cowboy1968's link above and figure out what the situation is. That's not to say that it will not chanage again before you go but it is diffenitly worth the effort. Good luck!

thanks, I have sent them an e-mail .

If I don't get a response, I'll make a reservation at the restaurant.

Hello danon

It took about 3 weeks for me to hear back from them, so be sure to email them in plenty of time for your trip.

We're taking their architectural tour, which allows access to the dome at the end of the tour.

Happy travels!

thanks swisshiker,
I am going in early July, but I know what you mean about
gov. bureaucracy!