Berlin on a Budget | Travel Guide

I absolutely love Berlin. The city has an infectious, energetic vibe - full of rich history, a dark past, and an incredible story of transformation. It’s turned itself around to become, well… seriously cool. Berlin is now an eclectic melting pot of culture, creativity, and bold expression.

As the capital of Germany, it’s a fascinating city to explore - and the best part? It’s totally doable on a budget. Here’s my travel guide packed with top money-saving tips to help you experience the best of Berlin without burning a hole in your pocket!

BERLIN WELCOME CARD

The Berlin Welcome Card is a great way to save money. Starting from 19.50 Euros for 48 hours, it comes with many great discounts on museums, tours, shopping and restaurants, it covers transport, includes heaps of maps, booklets and information about attractions and things to do in Berlin.

TRANSPORT

Berlin has very good public transportation that is easy to navigate. 

From the airport:

From Schönefeld Airport follow the signs to the train station which you can catch directly to the city centre. You will need to get a full 3-zone (A, B and C) ticket which only costs 3 Euros (so make sure you already have some Euros on you).

You can purchase the ticket from an automated machine and then validate it at the small poles set up on the platform before you get on board.

Berlin runs on an honesty system on all of their public transport- but do make sure to always buy a ticket. It's not worth it to be caught without one- you will get a hefty fine, and they do check on occasion.

From Tegel Airport it is located closer to the centre and you can catch a TXL Express Bus or the Express Bus X9. These stop right outside of the airport terminal and cost 2.70 € per ticket.

Using the train and bus system is fuss-free, easy and much cheaper than taking a taxi from the airport, which will cost around 50 Euros!

Around the city:

To get around the city you can buy day passes that cover the S-Bahn (overground subway), the U-Bahn (underground subway), the trams and buses. Berlin is a huge city (six times the size of Paris!) and so has three different tariff zones.

Single and day tickets cover the first two A and B but if you are venturing out further than the central areas you will need to pay extra to go to C. An unlimited day ticket for one person (Tageskarte) covering zones A and B costs 7 Euros. A single ticket costs 2.70 € and is valid for 2 hours.

Hauptbahnhof - Central/Main Train Station

FREE MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

Just a quick note first that in the central district of Mitte is Museuminsel or 'Museum Island'. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the five museums here are well worth a visit if you have that in your budget.

If you have the Berlin Welcome Card you can save 50% off the entry, otherwise, it costs 18 Euros for a full day pass (9€ for concession). It's not the cheapest but if you're interested in museums and history it will be well worth your money. Otherwise - on to the free offers!

Some Berlin museums have free entry on certain days and times. Here is a link for more information: Free Museum Entry Info. Some permanent free entry museums include:

Holocaust Memorial

The haunting Holocaust Memorial commemorates the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The memorial consists of a giant field of 2711 sarcophagus-like concrete slabs varying in height on undulating ground. Underneath it is a small museum you can visit that provides information, photos and tributes to the lives lost.

Topography of Terror

Right where the most feared government institutions of Nazi Germany once stood, including the Gestapo headquarters - the Topographie des Terrors (Topography of Terror) exhibit documents the chronology of Third Reich terror, while introducing all the main perpetrators.

From Spring to Autumn read the free articles along the wall to zero in on how daily life changed for Berliners after the Nazi takeover.  For an even more in-depth experience, you can take the self-guided tour around the chilling grounds, and there is also an exhibition inside filled with photos and information.

Berlin Wall Memorial

Germany’s central memorial to the victims of the Berlin Wall - the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial) stretches for 1.4 kilometres along Bernauer Strasse, along the actual course of the Wall.

This is the best place to learn how all the elements of the hated barrier and the death strip fit together, how the border fortifications were enlarged and perfected over time, and what impact they had on the daily lives of people on both sides.

OTHER FREE ATTRACTIONS

Brandenburg Gate

Berlin’s most iconic landmark - Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) was built in 1791 as the royal city gate, but spent the Cold War years as a part of the Berlin Wall - and so became a symbol of the divided nation.

Crowned by an elaborate sculpture of the winged goddess of victory piloting a chariot, it now serves as an important symbol of German reunification.

Reichstag & Dome visit

The Reichstag is home to Germany’s parliament - the Bundestag. Book in advance and you can catch a free lift ride to its roof terrace which offers spectacular views over the city and close-ups of the modern glass dome atop of the historic building.

Reichstag building

Pick up a free audio guide and learn about the surrounding sights, the building and the workings of the parliament while peering up the dome’s spiralling ramp. The glass aims to create a sense of political transparency.

You can even book for a guided tour through the parliament building - be sure to book well in advance for both by visiting their website.

The view from the top!

Admire the architecture

The biggest landmark in Berlin is the Fernsehturm or the 'TV Tower' in Alexanderplatz. It is the tallest structure in Germany and you can pay an entry fee to visit the top if you like, otherwise, just marvel at it from below or from many points around the city - it is highly visible and a great landmark if you happen to lose what direction you are in!

Although you have to pay entry to go inside the museums on Museum Island - you can still stroll the island to take in the magnificent architecture of the buildings!

The Berliner Dom (cathedral) is jokingly known to the locals as the 'Eyesore of Berlin', nevertheless us tourists still think it's pretty grand! Also located on Museum Island, you can browse around inside for free and even visit the crypt below it.

Berliner Dom

In 2018

The French Cathedral, Berlin Opera House, Victory Column and Charlottenburg Palace are a few of many examples of the great marvels of architecture worth seeing around Berlin.

Neue Kirche (left) and Konzerthaus (right)

Charlottenburg Palace

Berlin Victory Column

East Side Gallery

A colourful memorial to freedom, the East Side Gallery stretches along the River Spree and stands as the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall.

Shortly after the wall’s fall in November 1989, more than 100 artists from around the world transformed this concrete canvas into an open-air gallery filled with declarations of peace, unity, and political expression. Walk the 1.3-kilometre stretch and take in the powerful murals - each a symbol of hope, resilience, and international friendship.

Nov 2014 vs...

Nov 2018

Free walking tour

A few companies offer free walking tours around Berlin, but one that I myself went on- Sandemans is one I can fully recommend. The tour was fantastic - you get taken to many of the main attractions and highlights, and the guides are full of interesting facts, information and stories.

It's a fantastic way to start off in a new city as you get your bearings and learn where all the main landmarks are by walking. They offer help at the end of the tour if you have any questions at all, and do just ask to give a small donation for what you think the tour was worth- as it is their main job.

They also offer many other well-priced tours such as specific history tours, beer tours, pub crawls and more.


Checkpoint Charlie

Although Checkpoint Charlie has become somewhat of a tourist trap these days, it’s still worth a visit if you want to tick it off your Berlin bucket list. Once the principal crossing point for foreigners and diplomats between East and West Berlin, this historic site was the scene of a tense military standoff between US and Soviet tanks in 1961 - a moment when the world teetered on the brink of WWIII. 

Today, a small but informative (and free) outdoor exhibition outlines key events of the Cold War era. And if it’s your kind of thing, you can even pay a small fee to have your photo taken with actors dressed as border guards.

Picnic in a park

In summer, Berliners flock to their favourite parks to soak up the sun, picnic, fire up a grill, and knock back a few beers. The Tiergarten is Berlin’s most central green escape - a vast and leafy park filled with open spaces, shady paths, tranquil ponds, and romantic corners.

For something more unconventional, head to Tempelhofer Feld - a former airport-turned-public park where you can cycle down the old runways, fly kites, or set up a disposable BBQ (easily picked up at a supermarket) and grill your bratwursts right next to the tarmac.

My personal favourite though is Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg. Once part of the ‘death strip’ dividing East and West Berlin, it’s now a buzzing hangout - especially on Sundays when the famous flea market takes over. Expect great street food, live music, and a laid-back vibe as locals and tourists alike chill out with friends, people-watch, and enjoy a Berlin-style Sunday session.

Mauerpark

ACCOMMODATION

For budget-friendly accommodation - especially popular with younger travellers - hostels are a fantastic option. Prices can vary, but you can score a clean bed for as little as €10 per night (check out Corner Hostel as an example). Look for places that are centrally located and have a fully equipped kitchen to help you save even more by preparing your own meals.

You’ll find decent hostels around €25 a night, like One80° Hostel, which boasts a great location, modern facilities, and fun social events every night of the week. Other popular choices include Circus Hostel and EastSeven Berlin, both known for their atmosphere and friendly vibes.

When I travelled solo or with friends in my younger days, I personally preferred using Airbnb - I’ve always liked having my own room to retreat to. Airbnb is another great option for affordable stays, and it’s easy to filter by location, price, and amenities.

These days, I lean more toward comfort (hello, sleep-ins and private bathrooms!), so I often search Expedia for affordable hotels with good reviews. One I highly recommend is Classik Hotel Alexander Plaza in Alexanderplatz - it struck the perfect balance between comfort, location, and price during my last stay.

FOOD & DRINK

Make the most of discount supermarket chains like Penny, Lidl, Aldi, and Netto for groceries and everyday essentials. Packing your own lunch or cooking the occasional meal in your apartment or hostel is an excellent way to stretch your travel budget.

You can easily put together a picnic with fresh fruit, bread, cheese, and salami for around €3 - perfect for lunch on the go. And don’t forget to take advantage of Germany’s famously cheap beer; you can grab a 500ml bottle for as little as €0.70!

Currywurst

That said, don’t skip out on trying the local German food - it would honestly be a crime. Berlin is packed with incredible, budget-friendly bites. Döner kebabs are a staple and found all over the city - a super filling meal for just €4. And of course, the iconic currywurst is a must-try. Grab one as a quick snack or go all in with pommes frites (fries) for a hearty and delicious meal.

Local bakeries are very inexpensive (and delicious!) and offer a wide range of freshly baked bread, pretzels, sandwiches, pastries and sweets for good prices (pick up a buttered or cheese pretzel for only 1€).

Cheese pretzel

Berlin has many Biergartens (beer gardens) to enjoy a drink at and most offer traditional big German meals for a reasonable price (I would recommend trying the schnitzel which usually comes with fries and an egg and trying the Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) which usually comes with potato dumplings and sauerkraut - de-lish!).

You can also find many Beer Halls which have very cheap beer and you can even take in your own food and snacks with you to save money. You sit at picnic tables inside and they have a really fun and social atmosphere about them.

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I hope you found this Berlin on a Budget travel guide helpful! If you're planning a trip and looking to explore Europe without breaking the bank, stay tuned - I’ve got plenty more budget-friendly destination guides coming soon.

Got questions or your own money-saving tips for Berlin? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.

Happy Travels,