GOOD TO KNOW
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It’s absolutely good all over the city. Although it won’t be easy having it in bars and restaurants since it doesn’t make any profit for the business. Just try to ask!
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The winter in Berlin can be long and very cold. Be prepared and organized for it! On the other side, the summer can be particularly warm and humid. Don’t forget to bring a hat and a bottle of water with you!
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Even if everybody loves to look wonderful and perfect in every occasion, comfortable shoes are hardly recommended! Berlin is huge and worth to be seen by walking. Don’t make your feet suffer :-)
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Smoking is allowed in lots of bars and clubs that don’t serve food. If you are not a smoker and the smell of cigarettes bothers you, pay attention to the ashtrays on the tables before you decide to pay a cover charge or order a drink!
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Beer is the national drink, but Berlin has sweetened (or soured) the deal a wide variety of tasty cocktails and top-notch wines. Prost! :-)
Public drinking is tolerated and quite common, so you may encounter some unruly (or unconscious) characters in the wee hours, especially over the summer and on public transit.
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Berlin is a multicultural city and English is spoken by more or less everybody. You might have some difficulties in the public offices (as in every country, I guess!)
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Apart from some special occasions (for instance the Opera or high-class restaurants), the city is quite casual and locals and visitors are too. Berlin is a city where freedom is a way of life and nobody cares about others' outfits.
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In Germany there are two associated plug types, types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Germany operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
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Pickpocketing and begging is a problem on crowded squares and the major tourist attractions. Keep your belongings close and it’s probably not a good idea to sign any petitions for anyone without convincing identification.
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BVG public transports’ app which allowes you to buy tickets and plan your itinerary to move in the city without any problems! You will only have to type the starting address and the ending one, and the app will tell you which transports you will have to take and when.
LEO Dictionary the perfect dictionary for translating German words from a range of other languages, especially when Google Translate isn’t doing the trick!
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TRANSPORTS
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Berlin has two transport companies the BVG (buses, trams and subway/underground) and the S-Bahn (mostly above-ground rapid transit). You can buy tickets at ticket offices, vending machines or on buses with either company - the tickets are valid throughout the city on both systems. The best deal is the day-ticket for the “AB” zone for 10.60 euros if you’re planning more than 3 trips. It’s valid from the date of purchase or is valid for 24 hours on the selected day from the date of purchase, and you can hop on and hop off all public transport in Berlin. The system has three zones: AB and C. Usually AB tickets are sufficient. Among airports, only BER Airport requires a ABC zone ticket, which is also needed for Oranienburg in case you plan the Sachsenhausen Concentration-Camp Memorial Site. Important: Don’t forget to validate the ticket. There are red boxes on S-Bahn platforms yellow boxes on U-Bahn (subway/underground) platforms. Follow the arrow on the ticket and click it. Always stamp a ticket only once - never twice. Check out BVG website for all the tickets fares.
Download the BVG app on your smartphone: you will be able to buy online tickets and to plan your itinerary to move about the city with relative ease.
Download the public transport map
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If you want to go from BER Airport to the city, you can either use the S-Bahn or the regional train. You need an ABC ticket. The regional train is not as frequent, but has fewer stops, is a bit faster and more comfortable and has toilets. You can also use taxis but as the city is often congested, the train is often faster. A taxi fare to downtown Berlin can cost from 40-60 euros.
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Berlin taxis are quite reasonably priced (if you’re not coming from Schöenefeld!) and there are lots of taxi stands around the city.
The app TAXIBERLIN is free, easy to use and practical to book your taxis and see in advance the fare.
Uber app also work, although “ubers” look like taxis here. Please note: It isn’t easy to “hail” a cab on the street. Taxi stands, apps and phone calls work better.
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IF YOU ARE A WALKER: While walking, be very careful with the bikes and don’t walk on the bike paths. Believe me, this could be dangerous!
IF YOU ARE A BIKER: Enjoy Berlin by bike and try to be merciful with the tourists who accidentally cross your paths! :-)
SHOPPING
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Not everywhere credit cards are accepted. If you have a debit card (Maestro) it will be easy, but it’s anyway suggested to always have cash with you.
Don't forget to inform your banks about your European adventure and ensure you have your credit card PIN handy.
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Since the introduction of the euro, the number of exchange offices has decreased dramatically. There are still exchange counters at the train stations Zoologischer Garten, Hauptbahnhof, Friedrichstraße and Ostbahnhof.
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Every Sunday across Berlin, and sometimes on Saturdays too, you'll discover vibrant flea markets in every neighborhood, each with its own unique flair.
Notable ones include Arkona Platz, Kunst- & Trödelmarkt am Fehrbelliner Platz, Boxhagener Platz, Mauerpark, and more.
For weekly market enthusiasts, the city doesn't disappoint with gems like Markt am Winterfeldtplatz, Markthalle Neun, and others, each offering a distinct taste of local life and goods on various days. Happy exploring!
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You’ll find souvenir shops all over the city close to the major sights or at all major train stations.
DINING&NIGHTLIFE
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Germans use to tip around 10% if they’re happy, but don’t feel obliged to if you are not.
It’s highly recommended to make reservations for restaurants and bars. To avoid long queues, it’s also recommended to buy in advance online tickets for exhibitions and museums.
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Berlin's street food scene is a delicious melting pot, featuring flavors from across the globe. Yet, the true stars among locals are the beloved Döner Kebab and Currywurst. Taste the essence of Berlin!
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Most of the cafes, bars and restaurants offer a good selection of brunch (buffet or à la carte) over the weekend until 3 pm, and Berliners use to prefer the Sundays as brunch day. Don’t forget to make a reservation in your favourite place!
Extra tip: if you are visiting Berlin during spring or summertime, enjoy an amazing Sunday brunch at the Cafè of the Gardening Academy (Das Café in der Gartenakademie)...you will be delighted!
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