5-Day Berlin Budget Guide
- Budget Breakdown For 5 Days in Berlin
- Pre-trip Essentials
- Must-see historical sites in Berlin
- 1) Reichstag Building
- 2) Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
- 3) Topography of Terror (Topographie des Terrors)
- 4) Checkpoint Charlie
- 5) East Side Gallery
- 6) Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- 7) Berlin Wall Memorial
- Things to do in Berlin
- 1) Go on a Tour to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
- 2) Shop at Flea Markets on Mauerpark Sundays
- 3) Stroll Inside Tiergarten
- 5) Have a Picnic on the Runway Park of Tempelhof Airport (Tempelhofer Feld)
- 6) Learn about Street Art on an Alternative City Walking Tour
- 7) Make Your Own Chocolate Bar at Ritter Sport
- 8) Museum-Hop at Museum Island (Museuminsel)
- Day Trips Out of Berlin
- 1) Potsdam (40 minutes from Central Berlin)
- 2) Spreewald, Lübbenau (Biosphärenreservat Spreewald) (1 hour from Central Berlin)
- What to eat in Berlin
- 1) Currywurst
- 2) Burgermeister
- 3) Mustafa’s Gemüse-Kebab
- 4) Kneipe Klo Toilet Bar
- 5) Beer Gardens (Biergärten)
- 6) Markthalle Neun
- Where to stay in Berlin
- St Christopher Inn’s Berlin Mitte
- Getting around in Berlin
- Nightlife in Berlin
- Direct Non-stop Flights from Singapore to Berlin
- For more travel inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Gateway to Europe: Get acquainted with this youthful city’s hip and happening scene that’s rich in history, culture and beer with this 5-day Berlin budget guide; all under S$1.5k, including round trip flights, accommodation and even 2 day trips!
Budget Breakdown For 5 Days in Berlin
Pre-trip Essentials
Must-see historical sites in Berlin
While most people come to Berlin for its party scene, it’s a city rich in history too. By visiting these historical sites, you’ll get to understand Berlin’s tumultuous past that has influenced the world in one way or another.
1) Reichstag Building
At the highest point of the building, in the Reichstag Dome
It’s compulsory to book your visit; make sure to book at least 2 weeks in advance online to secure the slot you want.
If you miss the window, you can still try your luck in person — get to the service centre across the street from the entrance, and present your passport. Your booking has to be at least 2 hours before the visit. Head down when they open at 8AM to reserve the best slots and/or beat the queue.
Cost: Free (Advanced reservation required)Opening Hours: 8AM – 12AM (Last entry: 10PM). Closed on selected days.Address: Platz der Republik 1 | Tiergarten, 10557 Berlin, Germany
How to get there: Take the subway to U Bundestag and walk 230m
*Pro-Tip: In your itinerary, group this attraction with the Brandenburg Gate as they’re of walking distance from one another.
2) Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
3) Topography of Terror (Topographie des Terrors)
A place that once housed the “brains” of the Nazi regime, read about the operations of these institutions and the crimes they committed throughout Europe at the Topography of Terror. Its outdoor museum only opens from spring to autumn.
4) Checkpoint Charlie
Replica of a sign that once stood at Checkpoint Charlie.
Cost: Free (€3 for a photo with the actors)Address: Friedrichstrasse 43-45, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Nearest Station: U Kochstrasse
5) East Side Gallery
Artist Dmitri Vrubel’s famous Fraternal Kiss mural
Cost: FreeAddress: Mühlenstrasse 3-100, 10243 Berlin, Germany
How to get there: Take the subway / train to S+U Warschauer Strasse, then walk 1.1km
For more street murals, check out our Guide to Berlin’s Iconic Street Art.
6) Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
7) Berlin Wall Memorial
The outdoor, open-air exhibition at the Berlin Wall Memorial
Things to do in Berlin
1) Go on a Tour to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
Indoor exhibition housing original artefacts from the camp and its prisoners.
The designated meeting point for the guided tour
Pack some food and drink before the tour as it lasts about 5.5 hours including travelling time.Cost: €11.20 with Berlin WelcomeCard (Zones ABC) (~S$18), €16 without (~S$26)Tour Start Times: 9AM, 11AMAddress: Pariser Platz 4A, 10117 Berlin, Germany (Meeting point at Starbucks)
Nearest Station: U Brandenburger Tor
2) Shop at Flea Markets on Mauerpark Sundays
Bratwurst at the food section right beside the flea market
There’s also a food area that sells street meat like currywurst and bratwurst. In the winter season, get a cup of glühwein (mulled wine) — a deliciously sweet concoction of red wine boiled with spices.
Graffitied wall at the top of the hill
In the park area, you can chill around, have a picnic, stroll along a graffitied wall atop the hill and sit on a swing! At 3PM, there’s also a Bearpit Karaoke where crowds gather in a circle for a public karaoke session, where you can showcase your vocal chops.
Cost: FreeAddress: Mauerpark, Bernauer Strasse/Eberswalder Strasse, 10437 Berlin, Germany
How to get there: Take the subway to U Eberswalder Strasse and walk 850m
3) Stroll Inside Tiergarten
The Victory Column in Tiergarten. Credit: Civicartsproject.com
Rent a bicycle to cycle around, or for a physical challenge, climb the Victory Column (Siegessäule) right in the middle of Tiergarten, with a sweeping view of the city on top!
Cost: FreeAddress: Tiergarten Strasse des 17. Juni, 10785 Berlin, GermanyHow to get there: It is right beside the Brandenburg Gate and Holocaust Memorial. You can also take the S train to Tiergarten station.
5) Have a Picnic on the Runway Park of Tempelhof Airport (Tempelhofer Feld)
6) Learn about Street Art on an Alternative City Walking Tour
7) Make Your Own Chocolate Bar at Ritter Sport
Shop for your favourite Ritter Sport bars at the flagship store in Berlin
Note that the station to make your own choco bar shuts 1 hour before closing time.
Cost: €3.90 (~S$6.30)Opening Hours: 10AM – 8PM (7PM from Mon – Wed, 6PM on Sun)Address: Französische Strasse 24, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Nearest Station: U Französische Strasse
8) Museum-Hop at Museum Island (Museuminsel)
Altes Museum
Museum Island is technically on an island, but it feels more like a museum park.
History buffs can easily spend an afternoon hopping museum to museum, from the bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti at the Neues Museum to artefacts from the Roman Empire at the Altes Museum.
Day Trips Out of Berlin
1) Potsdam (40 minutes from Central Berlin)
Dutch Quarters, Potsdam
Make your way across the picturesque Sancoussi Park spanning almost 300 hectares that also houses Sancoussi Palace and Charlottenhof Palace, among others. You can also opt to tour inside these palaces by purchasing a single ticket online.
How to get there: Take the train from Berlin Central Station to S Potsdam Hauptbahnhof
2) Spreewald, Lübbenau (Biosphärenreservat Spreewald) (1 hour from Central Berlin)
Hike alongside undisturbed nature at this UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve
For €11 you can get on a 2-hour punt tour with an English-speaking guide, or opt for longer tours that go up to 9 hours long (with stops).
The punt tours are extremely popular in the summer (around June to July), but it’s much more quiet in the Winter — and you get to snuggle up with comfy blankets while sipping on hot glühwein (mulled wine)!
What to eat in Berlin
1) Currywurst
2) Burgermeister
Credit: Berlinfoodstories.com
Tucked under U-Bahn train tracks, We love the Meisterburger at Burgermeister comprising a juicy beef patty with fried onions, mustard, crispy bacon and BBQ sauce. You can also pair it with cheese fries, or cold beer sold there.
Price Range: €4.90 and above (~S$8) for a burgerOpening Hours: 11AM – 3AM (Closes 4AM on Fri–Sat, opens 12PM on Sat–Sun)Address: Oberbaumstrasse 8, 10997 Berlin, Germany
Nearest Station: U Schlesisches Tor
3) Mustafa’s Gemüse-Kebab
Döner kebabs like Mustafa’s Gemüse-Kebab were introduced by Turkish immigrants in Berlin, and are different from kebabs in Singapore. These are stuffed liberally with savoury chicken and tasty vegetables topped with feta cheese, fresh lemon juice and an array of sauces.
Most times, you’ll have to wait in line between 15 minutes to 1 hour, seriously. So be prepared!
Price Range: €3.50 and above (~S$5.70) – cost of 1 döner kebabOpening Hours: 10AM – 2AM (Closes 5AM on Fri–Sat)Address: Mehringdamm 32, 10961 Berlin, Germany
Nearest Station: U Mehringdamm
4) Kneipe Klo Toilet Bar
Food and drink-wise, they serve currywurst and other grub along with beers on tap, served in either a pee bottle or chamber pot (for groups).
Price Range: €3.90 and above (~S$6.30) — cost of 1 draft beer Opening Hours: 7PM – 2AM (Closes 4AM on Fri–Sat, 1:30AM on Sun)Address: Leibnizstrasse 57, 10629 Berlin, Germany
How to get there: Take the train to subway to U Adenauerplatz (Berlin) and walk 600m
5) Beer Gardens (Biergärten)
6) Markthalle Neun
Covered market halls are a street food haven in Germany. On Street Food Thursdays at Markthalle Neun, you can sample food like mac and cheese, slow-cooked boar, cheese platters and wines. They can be slightly pricey, but with a group of friends, you can pool money and get a taste of everything.
Where to stay in Berlin
St Christopher Inn’s Berlin Mitte
Getting around in Berlin
Nightlife in Berlin
Dschungel Bar
For chiller options, you can also look out for pubs with unique settings like Dschungel Bar (a jungle-themed bar, pictured above) and Madame Claude Bar, where all the furniture is upside down (even on the ceilings).
Direct Non-stop Flights from Singapore to Berlin
For long haul flights like this, you can get Long Haul Meal Bundles (pre-order only) that come with a Premium Meal Combo and Light Meal Combo throughout your flight. We definitely recommend pre-ordering this bundle as they’re not only yummy, but essential if you don’t want to suffer from mid-flight hunger pangs!
Do you have other budget recommendations for travellers in Berlin? Let us know in the comments below!
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A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Feb 22, 2018 at 7:31pm PST