A vibrant glamorous city
Berlin winters can be very cold and summers are warmer than the UK. This is a year round destination that has exciting contemporary architecture, cafes, restaurants, museums and art galleries.
When to go
Holidays and festivals add extra fun to a holiday. In Berlin International Workers' Day is celebrated in style on May 1st. In trendy Kreuzberg, Berlin's cultural centre, there is live music in the pubs, parks, clubs and on the streets on that day. The Berlin Film Festival runs in February and Fashion Weeks are in January and July. The Fête de la Musique has become one of the finest music festivals in the city.
Before you leave
Berlin is set in time zone: GMT +1; DST +1.
The cost of living in Berlin is cheaper than UK. Accommodation, food, snacks, drinks and alcohol less expensive than the UK. Travel with cash, the Euro is Berlin's currency, as credit card payment is not always possible in restaurants and shops.
Travel safely, carry a valid passport for identification and take and essential medications.
Berlin is perfect the perfect city for cycling. Bike rental is cheap and for cycle rental places are easily accessible. The city is flat and has many bike tracks.
Once in Berlin
On landing at Berlin Brandenburg International airport, take the train, S-bahn (city line), bus or taxi into central Berlin. The airport train station is beneath the terminal and regular regional and city trains serve the centre of Berlin.
Airport Express trains as well as regional trains are the fastest transport methods to the city centre. Train lines S9 and S45 are part of the suburban railway network, also stopping at terminal 5 train station, and go to Ostkreuz which is a major station with excellent fast connections to many other parts of the city. Tickets from the airport to the city centre cost from 3,60 Euro.
Buses leave from the terminals with a journey time from around 30 minutes, with ticket prices starting from 2.70 Euros.
Accommodation prices: from approximately 10 Euros for a night in a hostel, while for hotels the cost starts from about 35 Euros. Friedrichstraße, Alexanderplatz and Zoologischer Garten are all popular locations for hotels.
A good option for travel around the city is the Berlin WelcomeCard, a tourist travel card which offers 50% off entrance fees for many museums and attractions. Tickets for public transport bought from underground and S-Bahn stations must be validated before travel. Taxis in Berlin are slightly cheaper than in the UK, with a special short-distance tariff if you flag down a car for rides of less than 2km. Every district in Berlin has its own individual character, so explore and find your favourite.