Berlin on a budget

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With its underground music scene, gritty street art, quirky restaurants and moving museums, Berlin is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. So how do you experience the best of Berlin without breaking the bank?

We ask our personal travel managers for their top five tips.

1. Book Savvy

There are many low-cost airlines which offer cheap flights to Berlin. Ask your personal travel manager to source you the most competitive fare, which can be made even easier if your travel dates are flexible.

If you’re already in Europe, your cheapest train tickets will be through ICE, InterCity and EuroCity, whose trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn.

Another option is to take the bus into Berlin. Berlin Linienbus is your best option as it’s available from over 350 destinations in Europe.

2. Get on your bike

To maximise your experience in a few days without getting blistered feet, our advice is to hop on a bike and tour the city’s dedicated bike paths. If you’re looking for a cheap option then try ‘bike surfing’ (like ‘couch surfing’). BikeSurf Berlin is a donation-based bike-sharing program and has flourished in recent times as interest in the ‘sharing economy’ grows.

Alternatively, public transport is very affordable throughout Berlin. Grab yourself a city Day Pass for €7.50 which gives you unlimited access to all public transport in Berlin including S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, trams and ferries.

3. Release your inner chef

Booking accommodation that comes with a kitchen (such as a serviced apartment) is a simple way to cut down on costs. Buy fresh produce at the local markets such as Markthalle Neun or Arminiusmarkthalle, and save on the cost of eating out for every meal.

4. Hunt down cheap eats

But of course, part of the fun of travelling is trying the local cuisine and NOT having to cook for yourself. We suggest Neukölln and Kreuzberg, known for their cheap eats.

A couple of our favourite places include Curry 36 where a Currywurst and French fries costs €4.50, and Gel Gör Inegöl Köfteci where you can get a Köfte (tasty minced meatballs with herbs – served in a baguette with salad and mint sauce) for just €3.50.

5. The best things in life are free (or almost free)

There’s plenty of art and culture to take in at little to no cost. Here are our top suggestions:

• Take yourself on a private street art tour. Starting at the pedestrian overpass at Warschauer Strasse U1, walk to the right of the station to the historic Oberbaumbrucke Bridge over the river. From here you can see many of the eclectic works printed across the city.
• For a more relaxed sightseeing experience, catch Bus 100, Berlin’s first bus route reconnecting East and West Berlin. It travels through the centre of Berlin and on its way passes many of the city’s tourist attractions. What’s more you can hop on and off as much as you like in a two hour time period.
• Make your way up to the rooftop terrace of the Budestag (Germany’s Parliament Building) and take in 360-degree views of the city from its glass dome.
• The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe near the Brandenburg Gate and the Neue Wache (Memorial for the Victims of War and Dictatorship) are both poignant sites worth visiting and free to walk through.
• Take a look around the KW Institute for Contemporary Art. Admission is just €6.00 and free tours operate on Thursdays at 7pm.
• The Free Original Berlin Walking Tour is a great way to familiarise yourself with Germany’s capital city. The 2½ hour tour meets twice daily and covers famous attractions such as Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.

To plan your next Berlin adventure, contact your nearest personal travel manager.

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