Berlin travel guide: what to know before you go

Best time to visit

May to September is warm and has long daylight, with many open-air events. July and August are the busiest period. Spring and autumn are cooler and quieter.

Winter is cold and dark, but the Christmas markets from late November to December are a main attraction. Many shops close on Sundays and public holidays, including most supermarkets.

How many days you need

Three days cover the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag area, Museum Island, the Berlin Wall Memorial, a neighbourhood walk through Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg, and an evening out. A fourth day suits Potsdam.

Potsdam is about 30 to 40 minutes by S-Bahn or regional train and fits in a day.

Getting from the airport to the centre

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is south of the city. The Airport Express (FEX) goes to Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 25 minutes and runs every 15 minutes. S-Bahn lines S9 and S85 and regional trains also run to the city. The airport station is under the terminals.

Buy a ticket that covers zones A, B and C. Taxis take about 40 to 60 minutes in traffic. Tegel Airport is closed.

Getting around

Berlin has a dense network of U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses run by BVG and the regional authority. Tickets use zones. Paper tickets must be validated before travel. Digital tickets are available in the BVG app.

The Deutschlandticket is a monthly subscription for travel in local transport across Germany, available to visitors online. It is useful for a longer stay. Berlin is flat and good for cycling, but districts are far apart.

Where to stay

Mitte is central, close to the main sights, and expensive. Prenzlauer Berg is quiet, with cafes and families. Kreuzberg suits nightlife and food and is lively at night.

Charlottenburg is calmer, with shopping on the Kurfürstendamm. Friedrichshain is younger and has lower prices. Check that hotels in the east have a close U-Bahn or S-Bahn stop.

What to book in advance

The Reichstag dome is free but you must register in advance. Bring photo ID. The dome closes on some dates for maintenance, so check the official Bundestag site.

Museum Island sights can use timed entry. The Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation until 4 June 2027, so the Pergamon Altar cannot be seen now. Check the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin site before you plan. Popular clubs have door policies and no booking. TV Tower tickets with timed entry avoid queues.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not use a paper ticket without validating it. Inspectors check often, and fines apply. Do not cross the street on a red light with children nearby. Locals expect people to wait, even on empty streets.

Do not assume all places take cards. Many restaurants and bars take cash only. Do not stand in the bike lane. Do not plan shopping on Sunday.

Do not photograph inside the Holocaust Memorial in a disrespectful way. Behave quietly at memorial sites.

Money, tipping and practical notes

The currency is the euro. Cash is still common, and cards may not be accepted everywhere. Carry some cash.

Tipping is about 5 to 10 percent or rounding up. Tell the server the total you want to pay when you hand over money. Plug types C and F are used, at 230 volts. Tap water is safe. A city tax applies to hotel stays. Check official government sources for entry rules.

Facts on this page were last checked in November 2026. Routes, rules and opening days change, so confirm important details with the official source before you travel.

Things to do in Berlin