How to plan a trip to Berlin?

Berlin is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations. Whether you’re looking for a night out or a cultural experience, you’re sure to find all sorts of things to do. But in this case we’re not here to tell you about the city’s charms, but rather how to plan a trip to Berlin to make the most of your next holiday.

In this article we guide you through the city’s secrets and tell you how to prepare everything in detail with numerous travel tips that answer questions such as the best time to travel, what to eat and where to stay. Get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating city of Berlin, where every street and square invites you to become part of its history and community.

1. Prepare your travel documents for Berlin

Before you set off on your trip, make sure you have all your documents ready and in order. As well as travelling with the originals, the Passporter App allows you to save copies so you can keep everything close at hand and be safe in case of loss.

Travel documentation will vary depending on the country of destination:

• European countries and others* exempt from applying for a visa: in this case, a passport or ID card will suffice. The documents must not be out of date and will be required when travelling by train or plane. For citizens of European countries it is also advisable to obtain the European Health Insurance Card.
• All other countries that must apply for a visa: these travellers can apply for a tourist visa (which covers up to 90 days of stay) via the online form or go to the embassy or consulate. They are required to submit a completed application form, passport valid for three months beyond the planned stay, a recent photograph, valid Schengen medical insurance with coverage of at least €30,000, and a travel itinerary with confirmed return reservations. In addition, they must prove financial capacity, either with bank statements showing at least €45 per day of stay in Germany or a declaration from a third party financing the trip, together with evidence of their financial means. The cost of the visa is €80 and it usually takes about 2 weeks to be approved.

*Other visa exempt countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela,

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Berlin

As a major European capital, Berlin has a great range of cultural and leisure activities on offer all year round, so regardless of the weather, any time of year is a good time to visit. Be warned, though, that most people prefer to travel during the summer, which means that during August and July you’ll encounter long queues in front of monuments and accommodation is generally more expensive and there’s less choice.

That’s why we recommend travelling in spring or autumn. Even if it’s a little cooler, you’ll avoid the summer crowds and get a more authentic experience. And if you wrap up warm, winter can also be a good option for a cultural getaway and museum tour.

Here’s a list of Berlin’s most important events to either attend or avoid:

• Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale): important film event in February, showcasing everything from global premieres to independent works.
• Carnival of Cultures: a celebration of diversity in May or June with international parades and performances.
• Berlin Beer Festival (Berlin Beer Festival): international beer tasting in August along the Karl-Marx-Allee.
• Festival of Lights: transformation of the city with lights and colours in October, illuminating iconic sites.
• Christmas markets: traditional festive markets from late November, ideal for immersing yourself in German Christmas customs.

3. Find out how to get to Berlin

Berlin is very well connected at European and international level, both by land and by air. From neighbouring cities you can easily reach it by train, while other European cities, and we’re not just talking about the capitals, you can buy very cheap tickets if you look a little in advance. We flew for less than €60, but it’s also true that we started organising the trip three months in advance.

These are all the options for getting to your Berlin:

• Car: If you’re travelling from another European city, you can reach Berlin via the motorways that connect to neighbouring countries. Another option is to hire a car on arrival. However, if you plan to stay in Berlin on your own, we don’t recommend this option because of the traffic and the difficulty of parking in the city centre.
• Bus: There is an extensive network, including night buses, running between European cities and regionally. It’s a cheap option, but expect long journeys. On the plus side, some buses are well equipped with movie screens, air conditioning and reclining seats.
• Train: Germany has a comprehensive train network, and tickets are actually quite cheap. You can choose between regional and high-speed trains, which connect cities such as Prague, Amsterdam, Warsaw and Vienna.
• Airplane: is generally the fastest option. Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which opened in 2020, handles both local and international flights and is well connected to the city centre. Buses X7/X71 run every 5 minutes into the city. Alternatively, you can take the RE8 or RB23 train, or the Airport Express which runs every 30 minutes. Another option, although slower, is to take the S-Bahn S9, which runs every 20 minutes but takes 1 hour to get there. Tickets cost €3.8, and if you decide to take a taxi, expect to pay at least €70. Also, remember that with the Passporter App you can buy your tickets directly through Skyscanner.

Once you’re in the city, you’ll also have a choice of transport methods. You can walk around the city centre, but be prepared to walk for miles because the distances are really long, but it’s possible. We walked around the city on our trip, but if we were to return today, we’d probably use more transport so we’d be more rested at the end of the day.

The city has an efficient and accessible public transport system. Tickets are valid for S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses, and it’s recommended that you buy a daily card or Berlin WelcomeCard for unlimited travel. You can also rent bicycles and electric scooters to explore the city.

4. Find the accommodation that matches your expectations to enjoy Berlin

Accommodation reflects the diversity of the city, from budget hostels to luxury hotels with average prices ranging from €70-100€ per night, varying according to area and type of accommodation. We recommend booking in advance, especially in high season or during major events to ensure better prices and availability.

Berlin is huge, which means you’ll need to define what you want to see in order to know where to stay. With the Passporter App you can create your itinerary on the map and see which areas suit you best. You can also manage your Booking bookings directly from the app.

There are plenty of neighbourhoods to stay in, and while we stayed in the centre (Mitte), we also had the opportunity to explore other areas, which we’ll talk about below:

• Mitte: this is the historic centre, ideal for first-time visitors as it is close to the main attractions. Prices are generally high, starting at €80.
• Prenzlauer Berg: it’s bohemian and family-friendly, with a local vibe. Mid-range accommodation, around €70.
• Kreuzberg: perfect for lovers of nightlife and alternative culture. Variety of prices, from budget to moderate.
• Charlottenburg: offers luxury and family-friendly ambience, with high-end shopping options. Prices start from €60.
• Friedrichshain: characterised by its vibrant art scene and nightlife. Affordable prices, around €70.
• Tiergarten: green and quiet spaces close to the centre. Upper mid-range, from €80.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Berlin

If you want to get the most out of Berlin, you should stay at least 5 days. We went for a long weekend, and we still had a lot to see. That’s why we’ve prepared this post where we tell you everything the city has to offer, so that together with the Passporter App, you can start creating your itinerary today: Things to do in Berlin

And if you don’t have much time and your intention is to make an express visit, we can help you.

Top 10 things you can’t miss in Berlin

• Brandenburg Gate: a symbol of German unification, this iconic neoclassical gate is a historical and cultural focal point in Berlin.
• Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery: the remains of the historic wall that divided East and West Berlin, now transformed into an open-air art gallery with murals expressing freedom and hope. Access is free but it’s a bit far from the centre and you’ll have to take the metro.
• Reichstag: home of the German parliament, famous for its Norman Foster-designed glass dome. Admission is free, but we recommend booking in advance via the website.
• Holocaust Memorial: a field of 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights commemorating the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Admission is free.
• Museum Island: a collection of five renowned museums located on an island in the River Spree. Entrance fees vary per museum, around €10-18, with combined passes available.
• Checkpoint Charlie: former border checkpoint between East and West Berlin, now a museum telling stories of the Cold War. Admission to the museum costs around €14.50.
• Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom): impressive religious building with a majestic dome and tombs of Prussian royalty. General admission is about €7.
• Topography of Terror: documents the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, located on the site of the former SS and Gestapo. Free admission.
• Charlottenburg Palace: Berlin’s largest and most magnificent palace, surrounded by baroque gardens. Admission to the palace costs around €12, with varying prices for different exhibitions.
• Berlin Zoo and Aquarium: one of the oldest and most diverse zoos in the world, along with an impressive aquarium. Admission to the zoo is approximately €15.50 and the aquarium €14.50, with combined tickets available for €20.

6. Where and what to eat in Berlin?

Berlin’s cuisine reflects the city’s diversity and multicultural character. Although you’ll find that kebabs are the most common, you’ll also find traditional German taverns, international restaurants, upscale restaurants, fast-food options and sausage street stalls.

As foodies ourselves, we went out on a limb to try the local recommendations and were met with robust, simple dishes where ingredients such as pork, potato, cabbage and a variety of sausages abounded.

Among the most iconic dishes you can’t miss in Berlin, we recommend you try:

• Currywurst:sliced pork sausage, seasoned with ketchup and curry powder.
• Döner Kebab: although this dish is not of German origin, you’ll find it’s one of the most popular in the city. It’s grilled meat on a skewer, served in pita bread with vegetables and sauce.
• Eisbein: Pork knuckle, traditionally boiled or roasted, accompanied by sauerkraut and pea puree.
• Kartoffelsalat: potato salad, with variations that may include mayonnaise, gherkins or onions.
• Berliner Pfannkuchen: Jam-filled doughnut, sprinkled with sugar, a must-have sweet

7. Organise a trip with friends to Berlin

Travelling with friends can be an unforgettable experience, full of anecdotes and magical moments. Among the advantages of planning a trip to Berlin with friends is the possibility of sharing costs, such as accommodation and transport, making the trip more economical. What’s more, the diversity of interests can enrich the itinerary, allowing you to discover corners of the city that you might not find on your own.

However, coordinating everyone’s tastes and schedules can be complicated, and disagreements may arise. That’s why our recommendation is to use tools like the Passporter App that make it easier to organise your trip. Download the App and start organising trips with your friends together today. Create an itinerary, invite your friends, get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and create your ideal route together. You can also share your experience through the photos you take during your trip.

In this post you can read more about travelling with friends and how to face the challenges: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Berlin

• The currency in Germany is the euro
• You can pay by card in the vast majority of shops.
• Waking up early will allow you to enjoy the city with fewer people and give you plenty of time to explore.
• Germany uses plug type F, with 230V voltage and 50Hz frequency. Be sure to bring an adaptor if your devices have different specifications.
• If you are travelling from the European Union, you will not need a visa to travel to Germany; a passport will suffice.
• The official language is German, but in tourist areas you can communicate in English and other European languages.
• Get the Berlin WelcomeCard for unlimited travel on public transport.
• Water in Germany is safe to drink.
• Berlin is a safe city, but it is always wise to keep an eye on your belongings.
• Book flights and accommodation in advance to get the best prices.
• Find out about events or festivals during your visit.
• Sign up for Passporter and discover our Berlin travel itinerary. Using Passporter to plan trips is free and helps you to get inspired by other travellers 🙂
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Berlin?

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Berlin.

If you have doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can consult our post: Plan & manage your travel itinerary.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Berlin