Tips Berlin

Just like any city, Berlin has its own tips and tricks that can make the lives of travelers easier. Read the Tips for Berlin and get informed about the weather, transportation, food and traps that the city hides.
 
General

• The best period to visit Berlin is mid-May to mid-September or during the Christmas holidays, the latter for those of you who can stand the freezing cold, but at the same time love this holiday season (and the Christmas markets that go with it!)
• It is the greenest city in Europe, as 44% of its land is covered by parks!
• The average temperature in the city is 12°C.
• You must always carry an umbrella!
• Parks in Berlin are full of people in the summer months, while in the winter they present an image of abandonment.
• Rainfall appears 106 days of the year.
• The best way to discover the city is on a bike (if the weather allows it, of course).
• Check out HERE a few apps that will make your life in the city easier.
• Berlin has been characterized as the home of theaters and shows, as it hosts more than 150 theaters, 7 symphonic orchestras, 3 Music Halls (opera houses) and over 400 galleries.
• It is one of the most sparsely populated capitals of Europe.
• The city loves having fun, as more than 50,000 (!) people let off steam in the dozens of clubs, every weekend.
• There are more than 650 locations providing free wifi access.
• It is a safe city, both during the day and night, with police patrolling being at high levels.
• In the city you will find a lot of Turkish neighborhoods, as Turks make up the migrant majority, not only in Berlin but in the whole of Germany.
• National currency: Euro (€).

 
Transportation

Genaral:

• There are 11 night buses: N35, N39, N53, N60, N62, N64, N68, N69, N91, N95 & N97.
• Tickets are valid for all means of public transport (metro, tram, bus, train).
• Mind the zones that you travel through. Berlin has three zones (A, B & C).
• Standard ticket cost per zone: 1,70€ (A), 2,70€ (A,B), 3,30€ (A,B,C).
• Upon obtaining the Berlin WelcomeCard or the Berlin CityTourCard, you are granted free access to all means of public transport for as long as you have the card.
• Children aged 6-14 pay a reduced ticket and children under the age of 6 can use the means of public transport for free.
• You can get you tickets from the automatic ticket machines inside buses and trams (but not trains)..
• Make sure you validate your tickets because ticket checks are frequent and ticket collectors are not conciliatory towards tourists.
• Pets are allowed, but only if they’re leashed and wearing a muzzle, or if they are inside their crates.

 
Flughafen Schonefeld Airport:

• By train (S9, S45, R7, RB 14 & RB 22), 30 minutes to the city center.
• By bus: there are lots of bus lines that lead to the city center, the most convenient being X7 (express) and night bus line N7.
• Ticket cost is at 3,30€ for zones ABC, either you choose bus or train, as the airport is included in zone C
• The taxi is the most expensive way to get to your destination, as it takes about the same time to get you to the city center and costs around 40€.

 
Tegel Airport:

• By bus: X9, TXL (express) and 109, 128 that get you to the city center in about 35 minutes. There are also night bus lines, which are scarcer.
• Taxi: it costs 25€ for a 25-minute ride.

 
Metro:

• Berlin’s metro (U-bahn) is consisted of 10 lines, working from 5am to 1am.
• On weekdays there are not any night lines (1am to 5am).
• On weekends it works for 24 hours, with trains passing every 10 minutes during daytime and every 15 minutes at night.

 
Bus:

• You can get your tickets inside, from the front door by the driver’s seat, while telling them your destination.
• You can recognize the night lines by the letter N.
• Bus lines 100 & 200 provide a very inexpensive and convenient opportunity to get around the city and have a look at some famous and important sites.

 
Car:

• Parking inside the city is on charge.
• You can find free parking space in some neighborhoods outside of the city center (but pay attention to the street signs).

 
Taxi:

• The standard taxi tariff is 3,50€ with an additional 2,00€ charge for every kilometer.

 
Sights

General:

• Lots of sights in Berlin have no entrance fees.
• Book you tickets online for the sights that provide the option, in order to avoid long waiting lines.
• Avoid visiting during rush hours.
• In the city you will find more than 180 museums.
• Take the City buses no. 100 & 200 to see the entire city and most important attractions, paying for the cost of a standard ticket.
• You will take the best view of the city from the roof of the Dome Cathedral and from the TV Tower. The most special one from the Victory Column.
• If you are planning to visit many sights, it would be good to get the Berlin WelcomeCard.

 
Charlottenburg

• If you book your tickets online, you have the option to select the exact date and time of your visit, but you will be charged 2€ extra for it.
• Taking photos inside the palace is not allowed, unless you pay 3€ for this purpose.
• Visiting the gardens is free of charge.

 
Reichstag Building

• The perfect time to visit the Parliament is in the afternoon. It is less crowded and the view from the glass dome is breath-taking.
• It would be wise to book your tickets online to avoid long waiting lines. To get your tickets, click Here —> then click on Visit the dome, select date/time and type in your name, as well as whoever’s joining you. You will receive an e-mail with your ticket, after it gets validated.
• Otherwise, you can wait in line and get your tickets from the boots located opposite the Parliament.
• Smart tip: If you fail to find a spot available either online or on the spot, book a table in the restaurant located on the roof. What’s better than a meal complimented by such an amazing view?! ?  Fill the form.. and Buon appetite!

 
The Holocaust Memorial

• The entrance of the museum is on Cora Berliner Straße.

 
Gendarmenmarkt

• During the Christmas holidays, Christmas markets are set up around the city..
• To get inside the square-market you must pay 1,00€.

 
Television Tower

• You can get your tickets from the desk or book them online for the same price, so the latter only saves you the waiting time (only morning and evening hours, 09.00-12.00 & 18.00-00.00). For any other time, the price can be as high as 21€.
• Choose the fast view ticket (19,50€) to get right inside, without having to wait in line.
• Another option is the early bird ticket that rids you of the waiting as well, but as its name implies, you have to be there early; on the opening to be exact.
• The busiest time is during the sunset (not recommended!)!
• On a cloudy day, visibility is limited.
• We recommend skipping the visit on misty and foggy days.
• Have a cocktail at the bar, we promise it’s worth it!

 
The Wall Memorial

• Download the special app from their websitefor a more efficient tour.
• While walking along the Wall to the Mauerpark, you will find a number of informative boards.

 
Brandenburg Gate

• If you would like to pose with the Gate as your background without getting photobombed by lots and lots of people, visit it on a weekday, after 12.00!

 
Museum Island

• If you are planning on visiting all of the island’s museums, you should get a collective ticket. It’s worth the money!

 
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

• Admire the stained glass windows’ beauty at night.

 
Treptower Park

• You can rent a boat (with paddles or pedals) and have a delightful boat ride in Spree River.
• You can visit the abandoned Spreepark (amusement park) only by joining a guided tour; reserve a spot at their website

 
Potsdam

There are three ways to get to Potsdam from Berlin:

a) By car
b) By bus or train: Getting a ticket for ABC zones, or free of charge, with your Berlin WelcomeCard.
c) By boat (boat tours, 25% with the Berlin WelcomeCard.

Tourist Traps

• It would be wise to resist taking photos with the uniformed men in front of the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, unless you are willing to pay a little something.
• Don’t buy tickets from street merchants that offer to help you with the ticket machines. They are definitely counterfeit.

 
Food-Entertainment

• Before paying your bill, check if the tip is included. If it is not, a standard tip is around 10-15% of the cost.
• In the city you will find more than 1,000 spots to buy beer until the first hours of the morning!
• During the Christmas holidays, the Christmas markets are the best option for food.
• Most restaurants close early in the evening, while they also remain closed a few hours in the afternoon.
• Service in most shops is at average levels!
• Prices at Berlin’s restaurants are at high levels. For a meal in a restaurant you will pay upwards of 30-50€ per person.
• The doner kebab sandwich and the currywursts are the most well-known options for street food in the city. Honor them whenever you find them.
• Do not miss the Beer Festival, which takes place in mid-summer. It has more than 2,500 different beers (Berliner Bierfestival)!
• Make sure you try the famous Currywurst, they are delicious! Ask to cut it in pieces, so that the curry goes everywhere.

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