However, since service is included in the bill, you still don’t have to fork over the usual 15-20% like you would in The States.

But that doesn’t mean you never have to tip. Tipping is still customary in Berlin, just done in a slightly different way than you might be used to back home.

More Berlin travel tips
• When to visit Berlin (and when not to!)
• 12 Simple ways to keep your budget in check on your Berlin trip
• How to save on Berlin’s top 10 attractions

Advice on tipping in Berlin

Make sure you come across as a “profi” (pro) not a clueless “touri” (tourist) by learning some tips about tipping customs in Berlin before you hit the streets. Here’s our guide to Berlin tipping etiquette.

When not to tip (much)

Although most people won’t turn away an offer of free cash, you certainly don’t have to go around tipping everyone where ever you go. As a rule of thumb, you should still tip the same people you would in the US, although the amounts and the way you do so vary.

Cafes

If you pop into a café for a quick cappuccino or a cold one, you don’t necessarily have to tip. That said, it’s bad form to make your waiter dig into their change purse for five or ten cents. Our tip? Round it up, baby!

When the waiter comes, tell them you’d like to pay whatever the even amount is, for example, €2.50 for a €2.30 latte macchiato. You can also just hand them the amount you’d like to pay and say “stimmt’s so.” Cafes with to-go counters have recently started using American-style tip jars, so feel free to toss in a little of that extra change that’s weighing down your pockets if you feel like it. A lot of Germans haven’t caught on yet, so you’ll likely be showered with gratitude.

That guy pouring your beer? No tip required. Photo: Scott

Bars

Lucky for barflies, bartenders aren’t expecting generous tips to keep those drinks coming. Similar to cafes, you can just round up the bill if you feel like it, but no worries that you’ll suddenly become invisible to the bartender if you don’t.

Clubs

Coat checks in clubs usually cost a couple of euros, and no tip is expected. If you try to tip them, the über-cool coat check might still pocket the cash, but they will probably also scoff at you for being such a yokel.

As a general rule of thumb, the less something costs, the less likely you need to leave (much of) a tip. And don’t worry — if you tip your waitress a measly 20 cents, she won’t secretly spit in your coffee. But if you tip her a euro on a €2 coffee, she’ll think you’re trying too hard or maybe coming on to her!

When to tip

Restaurants

Unless the waiter ignored you forever and then brought you a cold schnitzel and a warm beer forty-five minutes after you ordered (and yes, this still can happen if you run into some old-school Berlin service), you should always tip 5 to 10% at a restaurant, depending on how happy you were with the service.

But make sure you don’t make the clueless “Ami” (slang for American) mistake by leaving the tip on the table. When the waitress comes, do some quick math and tell them on the spot how much you’d like to pay in total, which means the bill with the tip added on top. Most cheaper restaurants in Berlin don’t accept credit cards, but if you are dining at a place that does, you’ll also need to tell them the total you’d like to pay before they swipe the card because the tip can’t be added in later.

And to make sure you have a few euros leftover to tip, check out these simple tips for saving on dining in Berlin.

Taxis

Taxi drivers are notoriously underpaid, so make sure you toss them a euro or two anytime you take a ride.

Budget Hotels

In most budget hotels, it’s likely you’ll be lugging about bags up to your room all by yourself. But if you do run across a helpful porter, be sure to tip him or her a euro per heavy bag. Impressed by the cleanliness of the room? Then leave some “Trinkgeld” (a tip) on the nightstand to show the maid your appreciation. In this case, a euro should do.

Tour guides

Tour guides in Berlin know their stuff, and they’re always up to answering lots of questions posed by curious tourists. Make sure and show your appreciation by tipping generously, especially if you’re taking a free, donations-only tour.

Salons

If you get a chic haircut in Berlin, make sure and stay classy by tipping your hairdresser around 10%. In most hair salons, hairdressers have their own “Sparschwein” (piggy bank) on the counter by the cash register, so ask their name and feed the piggy in appreciation.

Related: The ultimate guide to shopping in Berlin on a budget

Klo Damen: Tipping in bathrooms

In many public restrooms, you tip the “Klo Damen” (bathroom ladies, although sometimes they are also men) 50 cents. Although this is a more a mandatory service charge, you won’t be turned away if you sneak off without putting the change on their tray. But don’t be that person. The bathroom ladies (and men) have a dirty job, and they deserve their tips!

Still not sure?

If you’re still nervous about when and when not to tip, or you’ve experienced some of that old-school Berlin service but don’t want to stiff the server entirely, a good rule of thumb is to stick with rounding up the bill and adding a little on top if the total was higher or you were treated right.

But note in Berlin it’s more normal to undertip that over tip, so make sure you don’t go over the 5-10% tipping range. And one more rule: never just leave the tip on the table!

The post Berlin Tipping Etiquette: Should you tip in Berlin? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Berlin’s transportation system is truly one of the best in the world. It will zip you through the city at pretty much any hour of the day.

Berlin Public Transit Tips

Here are 10 of our best tips for how to ride the Berlin public transit system like a pro.

1. Know which ticket to buy (and how to buy it)

Unfortunately, this is no easy task. Although the ticket machines all have an English language option, they can still be very difficult to figure out, and the locals waiting behind you are likely to get impatient with any greenhorn taking too long to buy a ticket. To avoid too many nail-biting sessions at the ticket machine, it’s better to know which ticket to buy in advance.

Related: Getting the most for your money with Berlin public transit tickets

Here’s a list of all the single fares and some tips for how to understood what the heck they mean by them:

• Short-trip ticket = up to three stops in one direction
• Single ticket = ticket in one direction, including any transfers, valid for up to two hours
• Reduced = ticket fare for children, students, and seniors
• AB = fare zone for central Berlin and outlying suburbs
• BC = fare zone for outlying suburbs and Potsdam
• ABC = fare zone for all three

If this seems confusing to you, it’s because it is. A better option — and one that will save you some dough — is to buy a ticket that’s valid for a longer period of time. Depending on how much longer you plan to stay, you can either buy a day ticket, a 7-day ticket, or a monthly pass.

(If you’re also interested in visiting some museums, you may also want to opt for the Berlin WelcomeCard, a ticket specifically designed for tourists that includes admission to attractions and covers public transportation.)

The good news? Although tickets are a bit tricky to figure out at first, they’re valid for any form of Berlin public transit. You won’t have to worry about having to buy a separate ticket if, for example, you want to ride both the bus and the U-Bahn.

Familiarizing yourself with the transportation map will help, too. Download the route map here.

2. No credit cards

As is often the case in Berlin, U-Bahn, and S-Bahn ticket machines do not accept credit cards. Unless you have a German bank card, your only option is to pay with cash. Machines accept any coin ten cents and above as well as €5, €10, and €20 bills.

Please note that they will give you your change in coins only, so if you’re buying a ticket for a smaller amount, it’s better to use a smaller bill, so you won’t be overly weighed down with a pocket full of change. Not all machines accept bills, so if you don’t have enough small change, look around until you find the one that does.

3. Stamp it — or be shamed!

Once you successfully buy the ticket you need, there’s one more crucial step you need to take before you hop on the train: Stamp and validate that baby!

Unless you’re riding the bus (more on that below) it’s unlikely that anyone will “control” (ask to see) your ticket, but it’s still very important that you remember to stamp it. To do so, locate a validating box and insert the top of the ticket in the slot that says “please stamp here” (the machines are usually near the ticket machines on the platform).

If you fail to validate your ticket (or, gasp!, board without a ticket), you’ll be riding schwarz (black), which is German slang for fare dodgers.

If you’re caught during one of the checks they do periodically, you’ll have to pay a €60 fine. If you have a ticket but forgot to stamp it, you might get lucky and be controlled by someone who has mercy on clueless tourists, but you may not luck out. Don’t take a chance — stamp it!

4. Know the difference between the U-Bahn and the S-Bahn

If you want to impress someone with your nerdy BVG knowledge, you can tell them U-Bahn stands for Untergrundbahn (underground train) and S-Bahn for Stadtbahn (city train). While “underground” train is clear, we think a better word for the S-Bahn would be Übergrundbahn (above ground train).

Although they sometimes break those rules, both train systems usually stick with the program, the U-Bahn staying underground and the S-Bahn running above ground. Although this means the S-Bahn can make for a more scenic ride, there are other differences. The U-Bahn makes more frequent stops in the city, while the S-Bahn functions more as an “express”. The S-Bahn can more quickly whisk you off to the suburbs.

The U-Bahn also runs more often (every two to three minutes during rush hour) and is generally more reliable. The S-Bahn is sometimes notoriously late — in winter, it’s been known to sometimes even shut down completely.

A bus rolling through the streets of Berlin near Alexanderplatz. Photo robdammers

5. Taking the bus

As we mentioned above, your transit ticket is also valid on the bus. If you have a valid ticket, get on in the front of the bus. Then, show your ticket to the driver.

You can also buy a ticket on the bus. To do so, you’ll need to tell the driver which kind you need, for example, single ticket AB (in German, Einzelfahrt AB (Eyen-cell-fart ah-beh). The fare is the same price and can be paid in coins only. Once you’ve achieved this feat — and don’t take it personally if the driver was grumpy, because they almost always are — the driver will hand you a ticket, which you don’t need to stamp.

6. After 1 a.m. on a weekday? Take the Nachtbus

Berlin is famous for its late nightlife, but the U-Bahn runs around the clock only on the weekends. If you feel like living it up on a Tuesday, you’ll find the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations shuttered and closed down between around 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Although you could always take a taxi — and luckily they are not as expensive in Berlin as they would be in, say, London and Paris — you’ll still have to dig deeper into your wallet than you might want to pay.

But never fear, the Nachtbus is here to save the day (or, in this case, night). When the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and regular bus lines shut down for the night, the Nachtbus (night bus) takes over, and all for the nice price of a regular ticket.

7. Get used to silence and stony faces

Yes, it’s true. Many Berliners you’ll see on the BVG will look as if they’ve been having a bad day… for the past 20 years. Tourists often find the frowns and silence a little intimidating and spooky, but true Berliners often just don’t see the need for idle chit-chat when they’re on their way from A to B among strangers.

If you’re on one of those trains, filled to the brim but as silent as the grave, be sure you aren’t too loud yourself or people might start giving you dirty looks. And take comfort. They’re smiling… inside.

8. Don’t put your feet or bags on the seats

If Berliners have one pet peeve (aside from giddy American extroverts), it’s riders who put their bags on the seats of a busy train. When the train is not full, you can place your bags there. Be sure to move them right away when more people get on, not just when someone wants to sit down. If not, someone is likely to get annoyed, and Berliners aren’t shy when they’re irritated.

Want to tick them off even more? Put your feet on the seats. That was a joke — don’t do it. In Berlin, it’s just about one of the rudest things a person can do.

9. You’re probably not getting hit on

Some tourists think Berliners stare because they’re silently judging them, and others think it’s because they think they’re hot. Neither one of them are right. Staring is just what you do here, so do as the locals do and stare away.

If the person next to you is also sitting so close you can feel their leg touching yours, it’s also not likely that they’re coming on to you and/or creepy. In general, Berliners aren’t as particular about personal space in crowded spaces, so it’s likely they’ll sit more snugly next to you than you might, um, expect.

10. Get used to being pushed around

Although German has words for “excuse me”, Entschuldigung for example, means “sorry”, it’s unlikely that you’ll hear it too often during your trip. In a crowded place like the U-Bahn, you will get pushed and prodded and sometimes elbowed. Your toes might get stepped on. If you’re very unlucky, it will be strong enough to leave a bruise. Don’t expect an apology, because it’s not coming.

However, even with the occasional push, leg touching and stony face, the BVG is an expansive and efficient transit system. It’s far more reliable than most of the public transportation networks in other countries (including, obviously, the US!).

Enjoy the ride. And seriously — she’s not hitting on you.

Need even more tips?

We have many more posts in our budget guide to Berlin. Check out these 12 simple ways to save on your trip to Berlin, plus this recommended list of budget hotels in the city center.

The post Berlin: 10 tips for riding public transit like a local appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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 from attraction to attraction, stay in one of these excellent cheap hotels in Berlin that we’ve added to our guide. All of them boast a friendly staff and excellent locations along with our favorite attribute — low rates!

New cheap hotels in our Berlin guide

Ready to book your vacation to Berlin? We’ve recently added a handful of centrally located and budget-friendly hotels to our Berlin guide. Below are five of our picks.

Each room at Arte Luise Kunsthotel is unique.

Arte Luise Kunsthotel

Neighborhood: Mitte
Doubles from $73

The Arte Luise Kunsthotel offers artsy, original rooms at low rates a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate. Each room at the Arte Luise Kunsthotel is decorated in a unique way by a renowned artist. Outside of the eye-catching decor, amenities are scarce, but this keeps costs low. Opt for a spotless shared bathroom to save even more money.

Breakfast is available for a fee. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant serving up both German and Mediterranean dishes.

Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz is an eco-hotel with excellent views.

Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz

Neighborhood: Kreuzberg
Doubles from $97

Eco-conscious travelers will enjoy the 4-star Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz, a sustainable hotel in the entertainment district of Potsdamer Platz. Minimalist rooms feature an occasional art piece, but massive windows steal the show here with their views of Berlin. Amenities are aplenty: air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, kettles and more.

Breakfast, an extra charge, offers organic, gluten- and dairy-free offerings.

The surprisingly modern Hotel Allegra is situated inside a 19th century building.

Hotel Allegra

Neighborhood: Mitte
Doubles from $96

The 3-star Hotel Allegra boasts a fresh, contemporary design despite its position inside a 19th-century building that is steps from Friedrichstrasse. Rooms here are attractive and modern, and you’ll find plenty of 21st-century amenities to match: televisions, minibars, free Wi-Fi. Each room has a private bathroom, and despite the hotel’s popular location, the rooms are quiet.

Breakfast is available each morning for a fee.

With plentiful amenities and unobstructed city views, the rates at Maritim proArte Hotel Berlin are a steal.

Maritim proArte Hotel Berlin

Neighborhood: Mitte
Doubles from $98

The Maritime proArte Hotel Berlin is a 4-star hotel packed with amenities at value rates with a location on the popular Friedrichstrasse. Rooms offer standard-but-classy decor and excellent city views. Perks include air conditioning, televisions, free Wi-Fi and more. The hotel has two on-site restaurants, a bar, a spa with a sauna, a pool and a gym.

Breakfast is available for an additional charge.

Despite its central location near the hustle and bustle, the Albrechtshof remains cozy and quiet.

Albrechtshof

Neighborhood: Mitte
Doubles from $102

For a quiet stay, the elegant, 3-star Albrechtshof is an ideal spot. It also offers rooms near Friedrichstrasse in the heart of the city. Simple en suite rooms are adorned in light, neutral tones and feature creature comforts like flat-screen TVs, minibars, telephones and free Wi-Fi.

Breakfast is served each morning for a fee.

More budget hotels in Berlin

Interested in seeing more cheap hotels in Berlin? Check out all budget hotels in our guide.

The post Berlin: New additions to our cheap hotels guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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 and end up staying here far longer than you planned.

Related: 12 Easy ways to save on a trip to Berlin

But when you arrive in Germany’s capital, make sure and avoid the following rookie mistakes. Both your wallet and reputation as a cool, Berlin-worthy traveler will thank you for it.

Berlin mistakes to avoid on your first trip

1. Only focusing on sights, not neighborhoods

Don’t get us wrong. Brandenburg Gate is lovely, Museum Island is picturesque and remnants of the Berlin Wall are both fascinating and historically important. See our guide about saving at Berlin’s top 10 attractions for more information.

Still, what makes Berlin “Berlin” are its incredibly diverse neighborhoods.

Hip yet gritty Neukölln, liberal and multicultural Kreuzberg, old-school West Berlin glamour in Charlottenburg, slick, design-minded Mitte and Prenzlauerberg — this is what makes Berlin truly unique. A stroll down these neighborhood streets is a must for any visitor.

Berlin is also incredibly spread out geographically. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not go even further off the beaten path and check out Soviet-style architecture in Lichtenberg or Marzahn or the posh villas in Zehlendorf or Wannsee. The possibilities are truly endless.

Those euro coins will come in handy in Berlin. Many businesses only take cash. Photo: dskley

2. Not having enough cash on hand

Most restaurants and cafes still don’t accept credit cards. The same goes for many smaller shops and all street markets. Because of this, it’s important to always make sure you have enough cash on hand or ask if they accept cards before you order.

Related: 7 Ways to make your travel dollar ever stronger abroad

And speaking of cash… be sure to also keep an eye on your wallet in touristy areas or when riding the U-Bahn. Like any major city, you should always watch out for pickpockets.

Tipping your friendly Berlin waiter is not required no matter how big the beers are. Photo: stawarz

3. Tipping American style

In Berlin, tipping is seen as an extra “danke”( “thank you”) for attentive, friendly service. If the service was lousy (sadly, this can often be the case in Berlin) it’s perfectly acceptable not to tip. Otherwise, you should always tip a maximum of 10%.

Most people just round up the bill. For example, if the bill was €4.30, you would give the waiter a five and tell them “stimmt so,” which translates loosely as “keep the change.” To prove you’re not an absolute greenhorn, be sure you always personally hand the tip to the waiter when paying the bill; it’s not customary to just leave it on the table.

4. Not checking out the green or the blue

Berlin is one of Europe’s greenest cities. The many parks are the best place to see locals at play. You’ll find parks in every neighborhood in many different shapes and sizes. Some examples of big parks are Tiergarten and Volkspark Friedrichshain and some which are “klein aber fein” (small but nice) are Körnerpark and Viktoria-Luise Platz.

Berlin also has a lot of water: with two major rivers and a system of canals, it actually has more bridges than Venice. Be sure and take a stroll along one of the many shores or a dip in a lake during the summer, both popular pastimes for many Berliners. Schlachtensee, Krumme Lanke and Strandbad Wannsee are all easy to reach by public transportation.

Related: Four great parks in Berlin for sunny weather

5. Only eating traditional German food

Don’t get us wrong, we love a good currywurst or schnitzel. Especially when paired with a few steins of local bier at a lovely beer garden.

But Berlin also has a thriving scene filled with affordable cuisine from around the world. To get a taste of what locals eat in modern Berlin, you need to expand your palate and dive into the local restaurant scene.

Related: Simple tips to save when dining out in Berlin

Keep the lederhosen at home and don’t mind the stares when you step on the subway. Photo: frosch50

6. Taking the gruffness and staring too personally

Berliners pride themselves on being direct and never beating around the bush. Unfortunately, this “directness” can sometimes seem more like aggressive rudeness: It’s not uncommon to see a grandma yelling at someone for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk or two strangers cussing each other out so strongly it would get them seriously beat up in many other parts of the world.

But true Berliners are an outspoken, thick-skinned bunch. They don’t mean such things personally and also don’t take them personally. If you run into such a Berliner Schnauze on your trip, it’s best to keep your cool and maybe give them a little bit of attitude back. A sarcastic comment goes a long way, and they’ll respect you more for it.

Eye contact is also more socially acceptable than it is in the US, so don’t be unnerved if you find people staring at you. Maybe they’re admiring your shirt, wondering where you got that ham sandwich or are simply bored and you just happen to be sitting across from them. Either way, it’s unlikely they’re judging you or think you’re the hottest thing around. It’s just normal to stare, so feel free to stare back.

7. Wearing your dirndl and lederhosen

Although many visitors assume all of Germany is yodeling like crazy at Oktoberfest and constantly donning dirndl and lederhosen, these are actually traditions from the region of Bavaria (in the south of the country). Wearing a dirndl in Berlin would be the same as decking out in full cowboy regalia in Chicago.

Keep that lovely floral dirndl in your suitcase for a trip to Munich. If you wear it in Berlin, you’ll out yourself as a clueless tourist and people will definitely laugh at you.

What was your first trip to Berlin like?

Share your experiences (both good and bad!) in the comments below.

The post Berlin: Avoid these 7 first-time tourist mistakes when visiting appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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.

1. Bathing: Au naturel

When summer rolls around, half the city heads to the lakes that dot Berlin and its surrounding area. Consult this Berlin swimming map and head out to nature.

And by “nature,” I mean that clothing is optional.

2. Bathing: To see and be seen

But if you’re more the type to lounge than lunge into the water, a quiet lake in a rustic forest just won’t do. Slip into something sexy and head to Badeschiff (pictured, top), a small bathing platform floating in the river smack in the middle of the city.

This is where “scenesters” come to strut their stuff and check out one another. Evening concerts and parties are especially popular. A ticket is only €8, but you have to reserve your time slot online in advance.

Look out for ice cream trucks. “Ice cream makes you happy.” Photo: Scottog

3. Ice cream

You can’t seem to walk a few blocks without walking past an ice cream parlor in the German capital. Homemade, all-natural ice cream is the norm, not the exception — there are countless independent shops that serve frozen treats in all shades and flavors. Here’s a list of some of the best.

Also, keep an eye out for ice cream trucks. On a hot day, you might just come across one for a quick and cheap cool down!

4. Fight fire with fire: Hot Currywurst

Sometimes you need to warm up to cool down. Case in point: currywurst. But where can you find currywurst in Berlin that really turns up the heat?

A glaring omission in my past post about currywurst was Curry & Chili, which has the hottest wieners in the city.

5. When all else fails: Street water pumps

Berlin sits on a huge underground water reserve, and until the 1930s Berliners used hand-operated pumps on the streets to clean, put out fires and even drink. Some 2,000 pumps remain functional today, and though they deliver untreated water straight from the ground underneath, 2/3 of them deliver drinkable quality water. (Berlin’s tap water, by the way, is excellent.)

So pump out some water, splash it on yourself and go on your merry way. It won’t cost you a thing.

The post Berlin in summer: 5 easy ways to cool down appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And, best of all, Berlin is one of Europe’s most affordable metropolises, which means it won’t break the bank in the way Paris or London might.

But one question remains: When should you come to Berlin? To answer this question, the three main factors you should keep in mind are price, weather, and major events.

More tips for visiting Berlin
• Avoid these 7 first-time mistakes on your vacation to Berlin
• 12 Ways to save on your trip to Berlin
• How to save on a shopping spree in Berlin
• Best (and cheapest) times to visit Europe

When should you visit Berlin?

Below we’ve provided some details about each season, so you can get the low-down on the best time to plan your Berlin adventures.

Winter

Winter in Berlin is not for the faint of heart.

Complaining about the weather is one of the favorite pastimes of Berliners, and winter is definitely not the season when the city is at its best. The cold is one thing — and it’s often a wet, biting cold that chills you to your bones — but the other, even harder part, is the lack of sun.

In the winter, it gets dark as early as 4 pm; the skies are mostly dreary and overcast during the day or pelting down a freezing rain. It does snow some years, which brightens things up, but the snow doesn’t stay clean for long.

However, winter is a good time to find good deals on flights and off-season prices at hotels, so if you plan to spend most of your time indoors and are immune to the wintertime blues, this is a good time to visit.

December is the darkest month, but the Christmas cheer in the city helps offset the gloominess, not to mention a glass or two of Glühwein at one of Berlin’s many Christmas markets. On New Year’s Eve, Berlin turns into an absolute war zone, with drunken revelers throwing firecrackers at each other and lighting bottle rockets until the wee hours of the morning. But hotels fill up fast and get pricey at this time, so if you’d like to experience the madness, be sure to book far in advance. Check out our favorite budget hotels in Berlin. 

Although January and February are usually the coldest months, in March, you’re likely to see lots of locals, desperate to finally shed their down jackets, hats, and scarves after another too-long winter.

Watch out for these winter events in Berlin

The International Green Week exhibition and Berlin Fashion Week always take place in mid to late-January, so prices and competition for hotel rooms are likely to go up at this time.

In mid to late-February, film buffs and movie industry people fill up the city for the Berlinale film festival, so deals might also be harder to come by.

The same is true in mid-March, when the ITB Travel Trade Show is held, which may raise prices particularly in Charlottenburg, where the event takes place.

Berlin flocks to the beer gardens when spring finally rolls around. Photo: Jennifer M.

Spring

After suffering through winter, Berlin comes alive again with the arrival of spring. Crocuses push up their heads from the still half frozen ground and birds sing in trees bursting with new, tender green leaves. When spring comes, Berliners rush out into the streets and parks to bask in the spring sun, which creates a feeling of almost giddy euphoria in what is usually a tough, no-nonsense city.

The only problem is you never quite know when spring will begin.

“April, April, der macht was er will.” This German saying translates as “April does what it wants,” which is a perfect way to describe the month. If you visit Berlin in April, you might get lucky with some t-shirt weather or you might get hail or snow; sometimes you’ll get all three within the span of a week.

May is usually a bit more predictable weather-wise, although it can still be cool and rainy.

In many ways, June is the best time to visit Berlin. The weather is (usually) lovely, the locals are cheerful, there’s life on the street, and the prices aren’t yet quite as high as they will be later in the summer. And if you have snow in late May and June, it’s only “Poplar snow.” Berlin is home to 10,000 Poplar, Aspen and Cottonwood trees whose seeds look like cottony snow that floats through the air and covers the streets this time of year, so keep this in mind if you have allergies.

Watch our for these spring events in Berlin

The Berlin Half Marathon happens in early April, which might make it harder and pricier to find a place to stay.

Summer

What could be better than summer in Berlin? Barbecues in the park, a dip in a city lake or public outdoor pool, free festivals like Fête de la Musique, a beer or two on the canal: these are the joys of summer. The only downside? The prices are much higher on airfare, packed hotels and sights swarming with tourists.

If you do come in summer, opt for June. Like we mentioned above, the weather is usually at its best in this month, and prices are generally lower than July and August, especially if you book ahead.

If you manage to find a good price on flights in the high season, go for July over August. August tends to be hot and very humid, and there’s often a plague of wasps buzzing around, which will put a serious damper on your picnic.

But please note summer is sometimes an optional season in Berlin. It can get chilly and rainy, sometimes even in August, so be sure to pack a light sweater and jacket just in case.

Watch out for these summer events in Berlin

The second half of Berlin Fashion Week takes place in early July, so watch out for hotel price hikes, particularly in Mitte.

Fall

Fall is a great time to visit Berlin for many reasons. September is often still warm, but it’s less humid than July and August and the wasps are mostly gone.

October is often wetter, but the trees burst in brilliant fall colors and the sky is filled with golden light.

November is usually the darker, colder month when the weather starts to turn, but the month still has the beauty of fall most years. And best of all, the prices in fall for flights and hotels will be cheaper than in the summer which is, of course, the height of the high season.

Watch out for these fall events in Berlin

Two big events that might have an effect on hotel prices in the fall are Berlin Art Week and the Berlin Marathon (both in mid-September), so keep these in mind when making your travel plans.

Your favorite time to visit Berlin?

When is your favorite time to visit Berlin? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Best (and worst) times to visit Berlin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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 a lot more affordable than you think! Read on to find out more.

Related: Our favorite budget hotels in Berlin

12 Berlin budget tips

1.  Save with a tourist card or transit pass

If you plan to visit any museums or sights that charge an entry fee, the Berlin Welcome Card might work well for you. The card covers all public transportation and offers discounts on everything like museums, restaurants, and tours, as well as many other attractions.

You can buy the ticket for either 48 hours (€19.80), 72 hours (€26.70 or €40.50 for free entry to museums on Museum Island) or five days (€34.50). The Berlin Welcome Card can also be purchased online before you arrive and comes with a free city map. If you would like a ticket that is also valid in Potsdam (ABC region), you have to pay just a few euros more.

If you’d rather take it easy and not hit up too many of the museums, a regular BVG public transportation pass might be the better option. A regular adult seven-day ticket costs only €29.50 and a day ticket (valid for 24 hours from time of purchase) costs €6.90. Student discounts and children’s tickets are also available. For more information about ticket prices, click here to visit the BVG English website.

2. Avoid pricey bus tours with public transport

While commercial sightseeing tours will set you back at least €14, you can reach any of the major sights these tours cover by taking public transportation in Berlin. Especially good for hitting the big sights is bus lines 100 and 200 that ride right past the big attractions, all for the price of a normal transport ticket. Both lines will take you past such famous sights as the Berlin Cathedral (Dom), down Unter den Linden to Brandenburg Gate, and on to Tiergarten. Bus 200 also passes through Potsdamer Platz and the embassy quarter. Both lines use double-decker buses, which offer great city views.

If you have the Berlin Welcome Card or a BVG day or week ticket, feel free to hop on and off as often as you like. For BVG travel information in English, click here.

The lobby of BaxPax hostel in Kreuzberg. Photo: EuroCheapo

3. Sleep cheap with couchsurfing, hostels or a budget hotel

If you’d like to meet some open-minded locals and don’t mind crashing on someone’s couch, couchsurfing can be a great super-cheapo option. Berlin has a very active couching surfing community where you’ll likely find the perfect host for your needs.

If you prefer a bit more privacy, Berlin has many inexpensive hostels and hotels that we list on EuroCheapo. Kreuzberg is home to several of the best, including Die Fabrik (doubles starting at $60), an arty hostel housed in a restored factory building from the turn of the 20th century, and BaxPax (many twin rooms under $50), a backpacker’s paradise boasting billiards and spontaneous jam sessions.

If you want to take a break from hipsters and backpackers, venture further west to Charlottenburg to Hotel Pension Kima, a small hotel-pension with 13 rooms which, as they boast on their website, offers you “all the comfort and convenience of a home.”

Related: 33 Berlin hotels under $100 per night

Use a free app or take a free walking tour to explore sites like the Berlin Wall. Photo: Craig Nelson

4. Take free guided tours and use free iPhone apps

Several tour companies offer free tours that last between two to three hours long. New Berlin Tours and Original Berlin Tours both offer no-fee tours covering Berlin’s major highlights and historical sights. Alternative Berlin offers free walking tours that take you off the tourist strip and into the funky heart and history of alternative Berlin. Whichever you choose, be sure to give a generous tip to your guide!

If you brought your iPhone along (and you’ve figured out how to avoid huge data charges), you can also download several free apps like Street Art Berlin or The Berlin Wall.

Keep your eyes peeled for discount markets like Aldi. Photo: Mike Mozart

5. Buy snacks and drinks at cheapo grocery stores

An adventure unto themselves, grocery stores in Berlin are also the best place to buy snacks and beverages. Stock up on chips, bakery goods, produce, beer, and soft drinks at a fraction of the price you’d pay at most snack bars or convenience stores. Various chains have different price points, so be sure to stick with Lidl, Aldi, and Netto for the best deals.

Related: A Guide to Germany’s discount grocery stores

Grab a bottle of beer from the nearest shop and sip it anywhere! Photo: Diego

6. Enjoy a “Fusspils” (beer on the go)

“Fusspils”, “Gehbier”, “Handbier” or “Dose to go” – Berliners have many words for it, but they all mean the same thing: drinking a bottle of beer while on the go. Pop into Netto, buy a light Pilsner or dark Dunkelbräu for under €2, then enjoy it while strolling down the street, taking the U-Bahn, or hanging out in the park, anywhere. Berlin has no restrictions on casual public drinking, which is nice for tourists looking for more buzz for their buck.

Take a hike through lush Grunewald Forest. Photo: Rae Allen

7. Get lost in the woods

Although some might think of Berlin as your typical concrete urban jungle, the city is actually one of the greenest in Europe, with 18% of its surface covered in actual forest. If you need a break from big city living, do some wild boar and deer spotting at the two largest forests in the city, Grunewald and Spandauer Forest.

In Grunewald, you can also enjoy a beautiful view over the Havel river and Wannsee from Grunewald Tower (Grunewaldturm) or take a peek at Berlin’s oldest palace, the Renaissance hunting lodge Jagdschloss Grunewald. Spandauer Forest is home to three quagmire wetlands, many rare types of plants and birds and the “ice cellar” (Eiskeller), an area that is sometimes up to 10 degrees colder in the winter than any other part of the city.

You can reach Grunewald from the S-Bahn station Grunewald, and Spandauer Forest from buses such as the M45 leaving from the U/S Bahn station Rathaus Spandau.

8. Picnic in the park

If you’re not sure you want the full-on forest experience, Berlin is also home to hundreds of green spaces where you can relax in the sun with a nice picnic lunch and an inexpensive bottle of wine. Aside from the ever lovely Tiergarten, another great park to check out is Gleisdreieck Park, a relatively newcomer that integrates an old train depot into an urban green space and recreation area. The park also connects Kreuzberg to Potsdamer Platz and the government quarter.

The famous airport-turned-park Tempelhofer Park is a great place to relax with your bargain Fusspils while watching rollerbladers and kite surfers strut their stuff. If you’re spending time in the former East, check out the famous Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain) in Volkspark Friedrichshain.

Related: Explore these four great parks in Berlin

9. Snack on local treats

Stulle is Berliner slang for the simple sandwiches sold at bakeries all over the city, usually made up of a bread roll, lettuce, a tomato slice, and either two cold cuts or cheese. Priced mostly between €2-3, they can be an easy, cheap meal that you can enjoy anywhere.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, check out Rumkugeln (soft, chocolate cake balls with rum flavoring) or Quarkbällchen (deep fried sweet dough) which both run for about one euro.

Get out and see the city on two wheels for a cheap way to get around. Photo: Craig Nelson

10. Rent bikes a little off the tourist path

Truly a biker’s paradise, one of the best ways to see Berlin is atop a Fahrrad (bicycle). Although you can rent bikes all over the city, you can save a lot by going off the tourist path. While most hotels and hostels will charge you between €12-20 per day to rent a cycle, if you look around neighborhoods like Friedrichshain, Prenzlauerberg, or Kreuzberg, you can definitely find smaller shops charging €8 or less.

M’eierrad in Kreuzberg even offer bikes at the unbelievable price of only €3 a day!

11. Know your classic cheap eats

The most common Berlin cheap eat staples include currywurst, falafel, döner, and, of course, pizza. Although the prices may vary slightly from neighborhood to neighborhood, in most cases they will all cost under €5.

Though the price may stay the same, there is definitely a difference in quality: As a rule of thumb, any Imbiss (snackbar) attached to an U-Bahn or S-Bahn station is likely to be extra greasy. For currywurst, two of the best locations are Curry 36 in Kreuzberg and Konnopke’s in Prenzlauerberg. Two great falafel locations are Dada Falafel in Mitte and Mo’s Kleiner Imbiss in Kreuzberg.

If you’re döner-ed out after a few days, try another Turkish specialty like Pide (diamond shaped bread stuff with meat or feta), Gözleme (filo dough with feta, meat or spinach filling) or Lahmacun (“Turkish” pizza). Other options for cheap eats are burger joints (there lots to choose from in Kreuzberg and Neukölln) and Chinese or Indian restaurants scattered around town.

Go shopping at a Turkish market. Photo: Neil H

12. Shop at local markets

Although some farmer’s markets in Berlin are more upscale, most of them offer fresh produce, meat and fish at reasonable prices. They also usually have a large selection of food stands where you can get a quick lunch for €5 or under.

Most neighborhoods have a traditional Saturday market, but some are also open on Wednesdays, like the Winterfeldt Market on Winterfeldplatz in Schöneberg. For a taste of Turkish Berlin mixed with a nice dose of Berliner hipness, come by the Turkish Market on Maybachufer in Kreuzberg, open Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Marheinike Markthalle in Kreuzberg is an indoor market open every day but Sunday. Although the produce is mostly too expensive for the budget traveler, they have over 10 food stands, including Thai, Greek, a creperie and rotisserie chicken, all at a nice price.

More ways to save in Berlin

Looking for more ways to save when visiting Berlin? Read these articles from our blog, and check out this list of recommended budget hotels.

The post Berlin: 12 simple ways to save big on your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That’s not a misprint: €1 for about a five-hour journey. Within Berlin’s public transportation network, I can’t even take a short ride of three stops for that price! How could I possibly score a four-hour bus ride so cheaply?

Discount bus companies in Germany

We recently published an article about discount buses being the newest budget travel trend in Germany. That article explains the hows and whys of this development, but it’s simply important for travel consumers to be aware that there is a lot of new competition and growth in this market, which means that until the dust has settled, there will be excellent deals to be found!

Use social media to find a deal

I then followed more of my own sage advice about using social media channels to score travel discounts. I “liked” each of the bus companies I could find on Facebook like Berlin Linien Bus, MeinFernBus and ADAC Postbus. In short order, I received a Facebook offer to book tickets on FlixBus for just €1.

Too good to be true? Read the fine print

No stranger to the limits in the small print, I examined the offer carefully to make sure I wouldn’t somehow get burned. Here’s what I discovered:

• The €1 tickets were available on new routes only, many of which did not include Berlin.

• The low-price offer was only available during a given week or two-week period.

My schedule allowed for an impromptu last-minute trip, but the routes were to smaller cities I knew nothing about. So I got out my guidebook and a map and I dug a bit further.

I discovered that the new routes in question all traveled via Bremen. FlixBus’s terms and conditions clearly allowed for boarding flexibility—which is to say, you are allowed to exit the bus at any earlier stop on your outbound journey and board the bus at any later stop on your return journey. So though my tickets were ostensibly to Oldenburg and back, I could also use the same tickets to travel just to Bremen for €1 each way.

Their conditions also allow the transportation of luggage at no additional cost, so I wasn’t going to pay €1 for my butt and €5 for my suitcase, either.

I didn’t hesitate—I booked it right away!

The post Germany’s discount bus craze: How I scored a €1 bus trip from Berlin to Bremen appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Tips for solo travelers and couples

If you plan more than three rides on public transit in the AB zone per day, you’ll start saving money on your fourth trip with a day ticket purchase. Three rides or under, and you’ll want to purchase the 4-single trips ticket for 9€, which saves you 1.80€ over the price of buying four separate single trips.

If you plan a trip out to Potsdam and back, the ABC day ticket will save you money on your third trip of the day.

If you are staying anywhere between four and seven days, the 7-day AB ticket is your best option. Even if you are flying in and out of Schönefeld and planning a day trip to Potsdam, it is cheaper to buy four zone extension tickets for your 7-day AB ticket than a 7-day ABC ticket.

A 48h CityTourCard is 3.50€ more expensive than two AB day tickets and 4.20€ more than two ABC day tickets; the same WelcomeCard is 5.50€ more expensive for AB, 6.30€ more for ABC!

Best tickets for small groups and families

If you and two to four of your friends or family members are attached at the hip while visiting Berlin, the small group day ticket provides an even cheaper alternative to individual day tickets. Savings begin after adding the third person; a group of five will save 17.70€ over the price of five AB day tickets!

Three friends will save 17.90€ purchasing two small group tickets vs. three 48h CityTourCards, or 23.90€ vs. three WelcomeCards; bump that up to five, and the savings go to 52.90€ and 62.90€, respectively!

Will the CityTourCard or WelcomeCard ever be worth the extra charge?

In order to understand whether these cards may save you money in the end, you need to know which sites you’re planning to visit, then subtract the 15-50% rebate at any partners (while also remembering to calculate in the deficit from the higher price of these cards) for each entry price before you’ll know the answer. I believe that most such “discount cards” offered by tourist information services  are sometimes meant to squeeze more money out of you rather than truly save you money, and for this reason, they are purposefully obtuse.

The only clear exception to this supposition would be for visitors planning to visit at least two museums on Berlin’s Museum Island. The WelcomeCard Museumsinsel costs 42€ euros for 72h AB, 44€ for ABC.

Your a la carte alternative is to purchase three-day tickets (21€/22.80€) and three-day entry to the museums with a Museumspass (valid in nearly 60 museums for three days) for 24€, or a one-day Bereichskarte for Museumsinsel for 18€.

Depending upon your interest and the length of your stay, this may be one instance where a WelcomeCard saves you money; however, if you plan to visit any other museums in the same period of time, you are likely better off spending just 10€ more (i.e., the equivalent of one museum entry) for a Museumspass, considering all the other institutions you will also be able to visit at no extra charge. Alternatively, you can buy a year-long basic membership to the SMB museums (including all of Museum Island) for just 1 additional euro; museum lovers should check out this EuroCheapo post for more information.

The post Berlin public transit tickets: Getting the most for your money appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In this, the first of two articles covering Berlin’s public transportation, we’ll be looking at ticket options.

Which ticket type?

Tourists will only need to consider two types of tickets for purchase: Berlin AB, which covers the entire city including Tegel airport, in- and outside the ring; and Berlin ABC, which covers the above, but also includes the city of Potsdam and Schönefeld airport.

With the exception of a ticket purchased directly from a bus driver, all tickets in Berlin can be used at any time and must be validated in a ticket stamping machine either before boarding (on train or subway platforms, usually at the top of stairwells and next to ticket machines) or upon boarding of buses and trams (typically located near doorways).

Important: Traveling with an unstamped ticket is the same as traveling with no ticket – tourist beware! Each single ticket must be stamped before use, but multiple day passes need only be stamped before the first ride.

Valid for all public transit

The ticket you purchase from any machine or counter is valid for all means of transit in the city: bus, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, ferry, and even regional (but not IC or ICE) trains within the zones of your ticket.

Regional trains, which stop only at major train stations, can be a boon when trying to get quickly to Schönefeld airport, or across the city between Ostbahnhof and Zoologischer Garten, shaving anywhere from 10-20 minutes off your travel time at no additional charge. Further, these trains also have toilets, if you’re in desperate need of a pit stop!

Hours of service

• Sunday nights through Thursday nights, S- and U-Bahn service ends around 1 a.m.

• A select number of Metro bus and night bus routes run every 30-60 minutes throughout the night at no additional cost. Note that day tickets lose their validity at 3 a.m., so if you are still out after this point, you will need to purchase an additional ticket.

• Friday and Saturday nights, reduced S- and U-Bahn service continues all through the night, with the same limitations noted above.

If you’re traveling with your smartphone, download Berlin’s local transport app here. It can be a real lifesaver when trying to navigate unfamiliar areas or on nights and weekends.

Traveling without a ticket

You might be surprised at how easy it would be to “travel black,” as ticketless travel is known here – the city has no turnstiles, and passengers show valid tickets when boarding at the front of a bus, but at no other time than during random ticket checks, usually performed by teams of three plain-clothed men who’ll fine you 40€ on the spot if you haven’t paid. Save yourself the hassle – even a 7-day ticket rings up 12€ cheaper than being fined for not paying!

In my next post I’ll break down the savings by ticket type and number of travelers, as well as a discuss whether tourist card options may be right for you.

The post Berlin: Transportation tickets explained (and why you should never go ticketless) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.