Museum für Naturkunde Accessibility Guide

Overview

The Museum fur Naturkunde (Natural History Museum) in Berlin is home to the world's largest mounted dinosaur skeleton: a Giraffatitan brancai standing 13.27 meters tall in the museum's grand entrance hall. The museum also houses the famous T. rex specimen known as "Tristan Otto," one of the best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found. Beyond dinosaurs, the collection spans minerals, taxidermied animals, and an extraordinary "wet collection" of over one million preserved specimens in glass jars. The museum is rated "Mostly Accessible" because the main galleries have elevator access and smooth floors, but some narrow passages in the older wings can be tight for larger wheelchairs.

Getting There

• U-Bahn: Naturkundemuseum (U6) has elevator access to street level. The museum entrance on Invalidenstrasse is directly across the street, about a 1-minute roll from the station exit.
• Tram: Routes M5, M8, and M10 stop at Naturkundemuseum/Invalidenpark. Trams have low-floor boarding.
• Bus: Route 245 stops on Invalidenstrasse near the museum.
• Accessible entrance: The main entrance on Invalidenstrasse has a step-free accessible entry to the right of the main stairs. A ramp leads to the entrance door. Ring the bell if the accessible entrance is not open, and staff will assist you.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• The accessible entrance is to the right of the main staircase. It has a ramp and a door that staff can open for you.
• An elevator provides access to all exhibition floors. The elevator is located near the accessible entrance and is clearly signposted.
• The main dinosaur hall on the ground floor is a large, open space with smooth stone floors. There is ample room to maneuver a wheelchair around the Giraffatitan skeleton and view it from all angles.
• The Tristan Otto T. rex exhibition has wide pathways and is fully accessible on the ground floor.
• The "wet collection" (Nasssammlung), a climate-controlled room filled with floor-to-ceiling shelves of preserved specimens in alcohol, is accessible. The glass wall allows you to view the collection from outside, or you can enter the room where the floor is flat.
• Some older exhibition wings have narrower corridors (approximately 90 centimeters at the tightest points). Standard-width wheelchairs can pass, but larger motorized wheelchairs may find these sections difficult.
• Wheelchair loan is available at the cloakroom near the entrance. Free of charge, first come, first served.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor near the cloakroom and on the upper floor near the minerals exhibition. Both have grab rails, emergency pull cords, and adequate turning space.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• Admission is 11 EUR per adult. One companion enters free with a disability ID showing a "B" marker or equivalent international documentation.
• The museum is closed on Mondays. Tuesday through Friday hours start at 9:30am. Weekend hours start at 10:00am.
• Audio guides are available in German and English. The device is handheld and works well from a seated position.
• The Giraffatitan skeleton is viewable from multiple levels. The ground floor gives you the base view, while the upper gallery (accessible by elevator) lets you see the skull and upper bones at eye level.
• The digital interactive stations throughout the museum are mounted at varying heights. Most can be used from a wheelchair, though a few touchscreens are positioned higher.
• The museum cafe (Dino Cafe) is on the ground floor with step-free access. It has movable chairs, tables at wheelchair-friendly heights, and a varied menu.
• The museum shop is step-free and located near the exit. It carries dinosaur models, fossils, science books, and children's items.
• Plan 2 to 3 hours for a thorough visit. The dinosaur hall alone can easily occupy 30 to 45 minutes.
• The museum hosts regular events and temporary exhibitions. Check the website for current programs, as accessibility may vary for temporary installations.