For a long time, Berlin was notorious for outrageously bad service. You often had to practically tackle a waiter to get the bill, and bartenders could be surly just out of principle. Luckily, customer service has improved in recent years. However, since service is included in the bill, you still don’t have to fork over » Read more
Planning for Berlin: Budget Travel Guide
Officially, the Berlin public transit goes by the rather daunting name, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, but Berliners all lovingly shorten it to BVG (beh-fow-gey). The BVG includes the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, as well as hundreds of bus lines, trams (a type of street car only running in former East Berlin), and even ferries. Berlin’s transportation system is truly one » Read more
Berlin offers plenty to the budget traveler, with a diverse range of things to see, do and eat that will make any Cheapo happy. Shop along Friedrichstrasse, stroll through Zoologischer Garten, tour the historic and important Reichstag (for free!) or take in the most incredible, unobstructed views from the iconic TV Tower. Between your hopping » Read more
These days, Berlin is by far one of Europe’s hottest cities. Tourists and expats alike flock to the metropolis for its vibrant nightlife, flourishing arts scene and hip vibe. Compared to other major European cities, Berlin is also very affordable (at least for now). Like many visitors that came before, you may find yourself smitten » Read more
Summer in Berlin is glorious, but the heat can really get to you when the temperatures really start to rise. Air conditioning is virtually unheard of (including in hotels in Berlin), and the subways and buses start feeling more like saunas. When the thermometer starts rising, try these popular ways to cool down, local style. » Read more
No doubt about it, Berlin is one of Europe’s sexiest and most exciting cities. Whether you come to while away the hours in its world-class museums, take in it fascinating but sometimes haunting history, stroll through its many peaceful parks or simply get lost in its notoriously wild and hedonistic nightlife, Berlin won’t disappoint you. » Read more
We love Berlin. Luckily, this German city is not only one of Europe’s most exciting capital cities, it’s also one of the cheapest. When visiting Berlin, those traveling on a shoestring can find plenty of ways to save money on their trip, as well as hundreds of great activities that are absolutely free of charge. Berlin is » Read more
Berlin’s ZOB bus station is a hub that can take you to other German cities and beyond for a very economical price. But just how cheap? I recently traveled from Berlin to Bremen and back again for just €1 each way. That’s not a misprint: €1 for about a five-hour journey. Within Berlin’s public transportation network, » Read more
In a previous post, we described the conditions, rules, and customs of public transportation in Berlin. This time, we’ll focus on the best ways for travelers to save using the day and tourist tickets on offer, and help break down each option, so you can save your Euros for an extra bier or two. Tips » Read more
Visitors to Berlin quickly realize that the city offers a wide range of efficient and reliable public transportation options. The system works well, and with just a bit of preparation, is quite easy to use. In this, the first of two articles covering Berlin’s public transportation, we’ll be looking at ticket options. Which ticket type? » Read more
Why shell out €12 for a “self-guided” bus tour of Berlin, when you can see the same historic sights (and more) on public transportation—and for a fraction of the cost? BVG, Berlin’s public transit authority, runs an efficient network of trains, buses, trams and ferries all over town. Use them for cheapo-style sightseeing: A 2-hour » Read more
Raeder (bikes) and Berlin go together like sausage and beer. Surveys reveal there are more than 400 bikes per 1,000 Berlin residents, meaning that almost half of the city’s residents own a bike. Luckily, visitors don’t have to feel left out of the biking fun: Bike rentals are cheap and easy to find. And tooling » Read more
May 1, the day when comrades used to march in solidarity in Europe’s streets, has come and gone. And in many European cities this past weekend, visitors were possibly surprised to find just how seriously local folk still take their demonstrations. From Paris to Athens, from Moscow to Milan, the streets were thronged with protesters » Read more
