The sun is shining and you're planning your holiday. The very first thing you need to do is decide up front how much money you can afford to spend on the holidays this year. From January 1st 2014 Berlin introduced 5% city taxes of overnight. Business travelers who need to prove the professional travel purpose are excluded from the city tax. But don't worry, even if you have a very low budget, you will always have money for one weekend in Berlin, since it's the cheapest city in Germany and maybe even in Europe being a capital city.
How to Cheaply Get to Berlin
Many low cost airlines fly to Berlin. Traveling with hand baggage will save you even more money with airlines like Ryanair, Germanwings or EasyJet. Once in the city you can reach every place easy with the great public transit system. The 1-Day pass costs 6,10€ and you can use it for metro, bus and the S-Bahn. Every ticket office will also give you a travel map for free. But even at night, if you have to take a cab, you will be surprised at how cheap they are in Berlin.
Deutsche Bahn, German's main rail is very expensive, and if you travel from other German cities, use the 'carpooling' service with privates cars. There is a popular carpooling site called Mitfahrgelgenheit, meaning 'ride share'. Some people who go together to the city with their private cars take other guests and share the costs of gas. So, one way from Hamburg to Berlin may cost 10€, and from Munich you will probably spend around 20€.
Where to Sleep Cheap in Berlin
Berlin has a lot of hostels to choose from at very low prices.
Amadeus Hostel Berlin and All In Hostel offer beds from 8€ per night. For and additional 2-4€ you can get breakfast, internet and free guided tours in Grand Hostel Berlin , Berlin Boutique Hostel or Paula's Comfy Corner.
Berlin alone about hostels, so it is easy to find the right place for everybody. If you want to stay directly downtown, book a bed at City Hostel Berlin, MEININGER Hotel Berlin Central or Helter Skelter Hostel Berlin.
Do you prefer Kreuzberg? There are 36 Rooms Berlin or BaxPax Kreuzberg. If you like nature and prefer to stay in Grunewald , no problem, book at JETpak Eco Lodge. If you are looking for a particularly located hostel in Berlin, use our search option called Points of Interest and choose the hostel close to a main attraction or the Berlin train station, for example. Are you in Berlin with family, book at A&O Berlin Mitte.
Berlin has a hostel for every taste of style too! There are lots of designer hostels such as Inn Berlin Hostel that is decorated by the international artist, F. J. Perez. All rooms in aletto Schöneberg Jugendhotel, aletto Kreuzberg Jugendhotel and aletto Kudamm Hotel & Hostel have pictures from artist Otmar Alt. Or at BaxPax Hostel Berlinyou can spend a cosy night in a transformed Volkwagen Beetle.
Are you looking for party hostel? Book at Generator Hostel Berlin or One80 Hostel. Are you looking for hostel only for men? We even have Gay Hostel Berlin. You can easily find a place to sleep in Berlin for under 10€!
Where to Eat Cheaply in Berlin
The best international food in Berlin awaits you at every corner. Of course, it depends where you are staying, but you can have delicacies and cheap breakfasts all over. Try the Turkish bakery where you will get hot coffee and a croissant for less then 2€. If you like German breakfast, go to cafè Morgenland where breakfast is from 9 am to 3 pm and starts at 2,50€ or enjoy a weekend brunch until 4 p.m for 9€ including drinks. Morgenland is on Skalitzer Str. 35 and is easily accessible by metro. Another great place is Zum Anker in Charlottenburger Ufer - a morning's dream for everyone. You can have a quicky and yummy breakfast for 4€, more to choose from like pancakes, bones and even sour herring (which does help with hangovers). Mostly cafes offer breakfast until 5 pm. Go to Boxhagener Straße in Friedrichshain to Morgenbrot and you will be happy already with a 2€ breakfast!
For lunch you can try delicious pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, 'curry wurst', sushi, thai, chinese or vietnamese food for only 5€. Dinner in Berlin can cost you between 5€-150€, so it is up to you on how much you want to splurge. A popular favorite dinner place is Gorgonzola Club in Dresdener Str, Kruezberg, with fair prices, nice flair and fresh Italian cuisine.
Berlin is famous for its unique style and sense of trends all over the world and has some truly legendary bars and clubs and a vibrant night life.
Just have fun in Berlin and book your hostel today!
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