Berlin Guide for Budget Travelers
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Berlin has all the charm and bad boy attitude a city needs. With lavish architecture, endless amounts of tasty food, hardcore parties and distinct history. Forget about New York being the city that never sleeps, Berlin is the new guy in town. Berliners are the epitome of parties. There's no stopping Berliners from having a good time every single night. No matter the budget, Berlin will have something for you in the way of partying. From tiny clubs to industrial warehouse raves, cozy beer gardens to ritzy cocktail bars, ear-piercing dubstep parties – Berlin delivers all the types of parties anyone could ever ask for. Be prepared to party all night long for days in a row!
Berlin isn't all about partying, however. There's plenty of historical artifacts in this beautiful city. Head to the famous Berlin Wall for picturesque snapshots. Take in a museum or two as you walk around the city center. Berlin has a ton to offer ever type of person. There's no limit to fun in this capital city. |
Price of Services in Berlin
Hostels - Hostels in Berlin are reasonable priced for a capital city. The summer will be more expensive than the fall and winter months as expected. The starting price for a 10-20 dorm room in the fall or winter will start from 11€ ($12USD). Anything in the summer time for a 10-20 bed dorm will cost upward up of 20€ ($22USD). Anything under 10 beds will usually cost more. Expect to pay 15€ ($17USD) or more for 4-8 person dorm room in the fall or winter. Summer prices for a 4-8 bed dorm will start at 25€ ($28USD). Private dorm rooms in the fall or winter will start around 26€ ($30USD). Summer prices for a private will be anywhere from 45-60€ ($50-67USD). Weekends will also effect prices. The most expensive days to rent a hostel bed is Friday and Saturday night.
Food Costs - Food in Berlin is cheap for a capital city. Berlin is known for a being a reasonable priced city for food, beer and activities. Starting prices for a budget breakfast will be 3€ ($3.50USD), 4.50€ ($5USD) for a budget lunch and 7€ ($8USD) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 2€ ($2.50USD) or more for a light beer (pint).
Transportation - Transportation in Berlin will cost a fortune if you aren't careful. A taxi from the Tegel Airport to the city center will cost around 22€ ($25USD). A taxi from the Schonefeld Airport to the city center will cost around 45€ ($50USD). A bus from the Tegel Airport will cost around 2.50€ ($3USD). Avoid taxis as much as possible in Berlin due to its outrageous 10€ ($11USD) for 3km (1.8 miles) of travel. Metro buses are also a good option at 2.50€ ($3USD) for any stop in the city limits. I recommend buying tram/bus pass at 7€ ($8USD) for 24-hours worth of travel if you plan on seeing the whole city in one day. Another cheap option is to rent a bike at 10€ ($11USD) for 24-hours.
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 15€ ($17USD) for most exhibitions. The Berlin Wall is a great monument to see for free. Walking tours are popular amongst backpackers due to the tour being free and based on tips.
Food Costs - Food in Berlin is cheap for a capital city. Berlin is known for a being a reasonable priced city for food, beer and activities. Starting prices for a budget breakfast will be 3€ ($3.50USD), 4.50€ ($5USD) for a budget lunch and 7€ ($8USD) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 2€ ($2.50USD) or more for a light beer (pint).
Transportation - Transportation in Berlin will cost a fortune if you aren't careful. A taxi from the Tegel Airport to the city center will cost around 22€ ($25USD). A taxi from the Schonefeld Airport to the city center will cost around 45€ ($50USD). A bus from the Tegel Airport will cost around 2.50€ ($3USD). Avoid taxis as much as possible in Berlin due to its outrageous 10€ ($11USD) for 3km (1.8 miles) of travel. Metro buses are also a good option at 2.50€ ($3USD) for any stop in the city limits. I recommend buying tram/bus pass at 7€ ($8USD) for 24-hours worth of travel if you plan on seeing the whole city in one day. Another cheap option is to rent a bike at 10€ ($11USD) for 24-hours.
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 15€ ($17USD) for most exhibitions. The Berlin Wall is a great monument to see for free. Walking tours are popular amongst backpackers due to the tour being free and based on tips.
Best Ways to Save Money
Book in Advance - To save some added dough, always book your transportation, hostels and tours in advance. Doing this can save upward of 40-50%.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually .25€ ($.50USD) per bottle (.5L). Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 8€($9USD) a day if you budget right.
Couchsurfing - Staying with a local instead of a hostel will save a ton of money. But don't use this site solely to help your wallet. It's a great way to make new friends who can show you the "local" spots that tourists don't know about. Couchsurfing hosts tend to ignore abusers of the system. Offer to cook a meal or two in exchange for their gratitude.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually .25€ ($.50USD) per bottle (.5L). Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 8€($9USD) a day if you budget right.
Couchsurfing - Staying with a local instead of a hostel will save a ton of money. But don't use this site solely to help your wallet. It's a great way to make new friends who can show you the "local" spots that tourists don't know about. Couchsurfing hosts tend to ignore abusers of the system. Offer to cook a meal or two in exchange for their gratitude.
Red Flags
The People - Germans are secretive in their own right. Don't take photos of random people on the street. More likely than not, there will be a confrontation. Always ask permission to take a photo of anyone in any country. But, make sure to follow this rule in Berlin.
Public Transit - Only buy public transportation tickets at the designated machines. Locals will come up to sell counterfeit tickets. This will obviously not work.
Pickpocketing - This is a common occurrence in Europe. Make sure to put your wallet in your front pocket. For women, make sure to put your purse against your chest at all times. Strangers will walk by and snatch purses right off the victim's shoulder.
Walking Around at Night - Be sure to walk in a group at night. Berlin is a massive city with plenty of criminals stalking their next target. Groups will give you a fighting chance.
Public Transit - Only buy public transportation tickets at the designated machines. Locals will come up to sell counterfeit tickets. This will obviously not work.
Pickpocketing - This is a common occurrence in Europe. Make sure to put your wallet in your front pocket. For women, make sure to put your purse against your chest at all times. Strangers will walk by and snatch purses right off the victim's shoulder.
Walking Around at Night - Be sure to walk in a group at night. Berlin is a massive city with plenty of criminals stalking their next target. Groups will give you a fighting chance.
#1 Berlin WallOn August 13, 1961, the Communist government in German began to build a barbed wire and concrete wall between East and West Berlin. It was meant to keep Western “fascists” from entering East Germany. The Berlin Wall is the most iconic monument in the capital. It's a must for any visitors.
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#2 The BadeschiffThis trendy bar has it all. Take a load off with a cocktail in one hand and sand in the other. The bar has a white sand beach that is connected to The Spree River. The main attractions is the giant pool in the middle of the river. The only downfall to this place is the wait for swimming. This is one of the best summer hang out places in Berlin.
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#3 Walking ToursThere are plenty of free walking tours that show the cultivating city at its best. One of the most unique tours in Berlin is the Street Art Workshop & Tour. For 18€ ($20USD) you'll get a 4-hour guided tour of all the graffiti and street art in the city. At the end of the tour willing participants get to make their own artwork at a undisclosed location. It's a must do for art junkies.
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