Berlin ... A travel guide..

I like to travel and explore places on my own. I am close to a backpacker, though I cannot be truly defined as a one.  This is my first travelogue hope this helps at least a few travelers.

Berlin an Introduction :  

Capital City of Germany and among one of the safest city in the world. City that has both exuberance of youth and reminiscence of past. I have put together the best way to travel around the city and things to do.


How to get to Berlin :

• Tegel (TXL) is the cheapest airport in Berlin. Try flights to Tegel,  though small airpot, has public transportation to all over the city. Has taxi available right out side the exit gate. 
• If you are within Europe / Germany , may be Flixbus or trains can also be a viable options.

How to travel around the city:
Public transportation in Berlin is outstanding. I strongly recommend using the public transportation to get around city. From every location you can find either bus / train to your desired location. I used the public transportation from day one as soon as I landed in Tegel airport.  I have travelled as late as 1AM using public bus. Felt really safe. You can cover most of the places if you have 2 or 3 days.

• If you are spending less than 4 days, I recommend take a day pass for each day which comes to 7 Euro a day
• If you have plans for more than 4 days, go for 7 day pass which comes to 30 Euro. This includes 1 adult and upto 4 kids.
• How do you buy the ticket ??
• If you want to get physical ticket, you can get them from the ticket vending machines available on most of the bus stops / train station / tram locations. Has multi language support too. looks like the one below. 





• Get the app on your smart phone : Go Here to download the app for Android or iOs app.

How to identify the bus stop / Train station  :

Bus stops has the below sign

 

Train station can be identified by the U Bahn sign as below 

Taxi : In case you don't feel conformable traveling in public transportation, taxi is available from every point in the city. 

Cycle : If you are really enthusiastic , you can rent cycle. I see guys going around in cycle even in Nov weather.

Internet connectivity / Mobile connection :

If you have a mobile / internet plan from your home country that suits your need, well and good. You are all set to explore the city. In case you are looking for some quick cheap options I have few recommendations

Mobile connections: Below are few of the connection details I came across. You might find other connection as well. 

1. O2 mobile - You can get a prepaid connection for a month for as low as 20 Euro with 10 GB net and unlimited call within Euro. 
2. Lyca mobile - You can find lot of small stores around Berlin where you can get a sim and  do a quick bundle recharge. Plan starts as low as 10 Euro.  if you have planned your travel well ahead, you can order online the sim to the place of stay. but make sure you order 15 days in advance.  You can look up the plans here 

Wifi : Most of the places  have free Wifi around Berlin. I was navigating using free Wifi for most of my trip. 

1. All the U bahn station has free Wifi. 
2. All the Shopping malls have free 30 min to an hour Wifi. 
3. Even few buses has Wifi in them. 

Places to visit in Berlin :

Let me get straight to the places to visit in Berlin.  I would recommend covering the first four on same day if you have a short stay in Berlin.  Just adding the google map with walking directions.

1. Reichstag / Bundestag  - Dome of the Reichstag Building : This is the parliamentary building of Germany. Dome reconstructed by Norman Foster. Entry is free, but you need to book the time slot to visit. You can do online, but online has only dates available from a week ahead. If you are already in Berlin, go to the Reichstag get a slot for same day or next.  Make sure you carry a photo ID when you register. if you want to book for others, take the photo id of all with you. 
   
   
   
   
2. Brandenburg Gate  is an 18th-century monument in Berlin by Prussian king Frederick William II. You can find more details here .  Brandenburg Gate is just 10 min walk from Reichstag building. 
   
   
3. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe :  5 min away at a walkable distance from the Brandenburg Gate is the famous Memorial to the Holocaust of Europian Jews. Be responsible and respectful to the place. Wouldn't recommend standing on the memorial for picture. 
   
4. Berlin Cathedral : You can take either bus no 100 opposite to Brandenburg Gate get down next to cathedral or walk leisurely for close to 40 min to cathedral. its up to you. Cathedral has an Entry fee of 7 Euro. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Museum Island : Collection of 5 museums. The admission for visitors under 18 years is free. Regular admission is 18,- €, reduced 9,- €. you can find more details here
6. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church :I would put this as One of the must visits in Berlin. This is a standing reminder of war and its affect on human. 

Places to shop or window shop  : Take a bus or taxi to Zoological Garten. Walk all the way to KadeWe or BahnhofWittenbergplatz. You can find malls and shops that suits the taste. 

1. KaDeWe, Tauentzienstraße, Berlin
2. Europa Center
3. Bikini Berlin

   For the Foodie in you :  This really depends on individual tastes. I may not have the complete list for everyone. but I would like to list few which I tried and liked.  

• For cheaper eats: You can easily find breakfast , lunch, dinner for 5 € - 10 €  in the city. Doner kebabs are really famous in the city. You can find Pizza  / pasta corners in almost every street. you can find Beer / Wine in almost all the small eateries.  Interestingly Berlin has lot of vegetarian / Vegan places if you are one. Most restaurants have vegetarian on the menu as well. Also not very difficult to find halal places as well. 
• Vegan / Vegetarian : Samadhi, Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin. Is close to Reichstag building
• Zaddy's Kebab - Near Zoological Garten
• Mustafa Kebab - Is quite popular. https://goo.gl/maps/xKDs1QRL3iDxqfxg7
• Italian - Evin Pizza Pasta near KaDaWe shopping center.
• Indian - You have lot of Indian options. Depends on where you stay. I have tried Haveli, Avtaar. Decent places. 
• You can find any cuisine in Berlin. I have come across Vietnamese, Thai, Russian, Ukraine , Austrian, Australian, French, SriLankan, Polish …. List goes on and on.   
• Sweet tooth : Café Komine, Welserstraße, Berlin : Must visit cafe with absolutely delicious cakes and mousses.   
  
• For the Beer / Bier lovers : Berlin is the place to be!! I have seen guys with beer bottle as early as 9AM, maybe that's when I got out of my bed. You should try one of the beer gardens in Berlin.
• Hofbräu Wirtshaus Berlin. Was good. Really big place with decent set of beer. Now if you just want beer and not particular about the place, you can beer at a cheaper rate in any other smaller bar / pubs. You can find list from here
• .

How to get to other location in Germany or Europe from Berlin

• Flixbus : Most of the bus has stops at main easily reachable location in à  Berlin Südkreuz, Berlin Alexanderplatz,  Berlin central bus station. find more details here
• Deutsche Bahn AG : Train service to most of the places within Germany. Find more details here

Language : German is the widly spoken language, but in malls, restaurants and grocery retail chains in main locations English speaking crowd can be found. few basic words to know

• Guten Tag – “Good day”
• eingang - Entrance
• Ausgang - Exit
• morgen - Morning
• Dankeschön - Thank you

Places near Berlin within 3 hours

• Dresdan : 2.5 hours from Berlin is just 1.5 hours from Prague, Czech Republic. Beautiful city. You just need one day to cover the city. All the location is at walkable distance from the central station.
• Hamburg : 2 hours from Berlin.
• For more may be try here