Berlin is a surprisingly affordable city with something to suit all budgets. Here are the usual tips to scrimp and save on accommodation, food, transport and entertainment….
Few capital cities offer such a vast range of tourist accommodation; from luxury hotels to cheap B&B’s, Berlin has it all. If you are looking for accommodation near to the city’s main shopping area, check out hotels near Kurfurstendamm which tend to offer accommodation in comfortable, small rooms with all the usual basic facilities. If your budget can’t stretch to a hotel, have a look at the selection of cheap hostels in Berlin. While hostel life is a little inconvenient for families or couples looking for some privacy, they are the ideal money saver for the independent traveller just looking for somewhere to rest his or her head.
Now food: For a tasty, filling and, more importantly, cheap meal – fill up on a delicious kebab or sandwich from one of the many Turkish street vendors or little restaurants. Germany has the largest Turkish population anywhere in the world outside of Turkey itself, and the Turkish bring with them their wonderful, very affordable cuisine which is readily available everywhere in Berlin. If you want to try something a little more traditional but that won’t break the bank, check out the Tiergartenquelle.
As far as public transport is concerned, no city is better than Berlin. Underground trains (U-Bahn), trams, buses, ferries that run all day and night, every day of the year. The Berlin WelcomeCard 2009 comes as a 48 hour, 72 hour or 5 day ticket for unlimited travel on Berlin’s public transport and offers great discounts for a number of museums, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions.
So, you’ve got your hotel, your cheap eats and your transport…what else can you see and do in the German capital with no capital at all?
As most experienced budget travellers know, city parks are great for a pleasant (and free) afternoon and they will be delighted with Berlin’s Tiergarten which spreads across the whole city centre and is beautifully landscaped. Berlin is a monumental city and many of the most famous, historical monuments are completely free to visit, such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial. The museums on Museum Island are free to visit on Thursday evenings. My personal favourite way of whiling away the hours in Berlin with empty pockets is just strolling around the quirky Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood window shopping and watching the world go by!
