Traveling to Berlin and you need to know how much pocket money you’ll require? On a lighter note, this young and ethnic city is well equipped to cater for all budgets. In this chapter we break out the bare essentials and costs to be aware of whether you’re planning on travelling on a shoestring or indulging in a little luxury.

Accommodation

The first cost that one should look at when planning Berlin is the accommodation. Hotel, hostel and renting services are different and have different rates on average, so it was essential to search on the web. It means for a backpacker he should be able to get a bed in hostel for €15-25 a night; mid-price hotels will set him back €60- € 100. As for luxury and comfort, it is possible to stay in good upscale hotel for € 150 – 300 per night.

Transportation

Transportation in Berlin is very facilitated with the help of a wide network of public transport. The cheapest method of travel is to buy a Welcome Card, which allows free travel on buses, trams and trains within a given category of zones. Though most of the cards are packaged with discounts, their base rate begins at €19.90 for a 48-hour connection. For those that predict that they will be travelling a lot through public means of transport in the future, this card proves cheaper. Taxis and uber/cab services are also there but they charge a bit more especially when used daily.

Food and Drink

German food is quite rich and tasty, so tourists, which are going to have a gastronomic trip to Berlin, will have a possibility to find culinary establishments for every wallet size. Buliding up restaurants or cafes, street join in food stalls or local food merchandise stores are ideal for tasting various delicious and cheap dishes. McDonalds burgers cost about €5 whereas lunch at a standard restaurant will come at €10-15, and €30-50 at a and fine restaurant. Don’t leave Berlin without having currywurst, it is a traditional Berlin dish.

Grocery shopping can be cost effective if you prefer preparing food at home yourself. Healthy fast-paced foods, including sandwiches, fruits, and smoothies, are very easy to get from supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi at cheapest costs for preparing your own food and drinks when on sightseeing mission.

Sightseeing

Now, regarding activity tourism, Berlin can indeed offer a number of sights to visit some of which will not cost a cent or more than a cent. It is definitely impossible to visit Berlin and not see the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, the Berlin Wall Memorial and the Reichstag building. Almost all of these attraction centers are charged for but are usually on discount to students, the elderly and groups. Take advantage of the audio guides, or explore free of charge walking tours that will enhance your sightseeing tremendously yet affordable.

Entertainment and Nightlife

You really eat, sleep and breathe Berlin, nightlife is a big thing with lots of clubs, bars and live music to be had. Club entrance fees are generally expected and range from € 5 up to € 20. Just remember that the city is not a day city – it can turn to night any moment, so you might want to set a little more money on the bar for late-night pizza or taxi back to the hotel.

Additional Expenses

However, letting aside the general expenses, part of the costs one should not forget to prepare a budget cater for is the extra or incidental expenses. These may be tours, shopping, for porters and other attendants, and other incidental expenses like in cases of accidents, hospital bill, etc. Ideally, specific expenses should be between 10 – 20% of your total budget while contingency budget should be 10% of the total budget.

Helpful Advice on How to Save Money when in Berlin

Now that you have an idea of the main expenses, here are some additional tips to help you save money during your trip to Berlin:

May consider purchasing a Berlin Welcome Card for tourism features and free use of the Berlin’s public transport.

Select to eat fast foods & have shopping to small markets for meal plans instead of costly eating joints.

For sightseeing you should take free walking tours which will help you discover a significant amount of historically important places in the city.

Check for the happy hours during the night in the clubs and bars.

Do not shop where all the tourists go and try to look for the local shops for more interesting souvenirs.

Visit free concerts and performances, museums and galleries when you are in the area.

It is possible to have the time of your life in Berlin without spending a dime more than necessary, or at least without having to spend much more than you wanted to. Due to various offers on the market and a city that allows to find a place for everyone, including cheap offers, Berlin will be appropriate for those who are looking for a cheap trip and for luxurious one.