Berlin is more than East meets West—it’s where awesome and affordable meet.
Anyone who tells you that you can't experience the best of Berlin on a budget certainly hasn’t made their euro, waistband, legs, and day stretch as far as possible without breaking the bank.
From free museums indoors and outside to cheap eats on the street, cool hostels and comfy hotels, and rail tickets that don’t leave your wallet tied to the tracks, here’s how you can make the most of a visit to Berlin on a budget.
Image Credit: Getty Images, lechatnoir. Image Location: Mitte, Berlin, Germany
How to experience the best of Berlin on a budget
Is Berlin budget friendly?
Yes, it may be a capital city but don’t expect Parisian-level pricing. Berlin has roughly 40 museums with free admission. Hostels and budget hotels are throughout the city, as are affordable trains and subways. Plus, beer is often cheaper than water so remember to hydrate when imbibing Berlin on a budget.
What should my Berlin budget per day be?
Number-crunching a Berlin budget per day depends on what you want to see and do. You could probably get by on €50 per day if you stay in hostels with free breakfasts, take advantage of free museums and walking tours, and eat street food. One of the best money-saving tips is to purchase a 7-day ticket for public transportation if you're staying more than 4 days.
What are the best things to do in Berlin on a budget?
The best thing to do in Berlin on a budget is to walk around. Checkpoint Charlie, East Side Gallery, Brandenburg Gate, the Tiergarten, and the gardens of Charlottenburg Palace are all outdoors and free. Inside, the Topography of Terror, Mitte Museum, Berlin Sports Museum, Alliierten Museum, and many others are free to enter.
If a €20 note is burning a hole in your pocket, you could visit Zoo Berlin, the DDR Museum, the Jewish Museum or a show at the Berlin Concert House—all are worth the price of entry.
Image Credit: Getty Images, ElOjoTorpe. Image Location: Berliner Dom, Mitte, Berlin, Germany
Where are the best places to stay in Berlin on a budget?
Sleep cheap, so you can spend more in your waking hours.
Leonardo Hotel | Charlottenburg
Closest station: U Bismarckstr.
Though certainly more oriented towards business travelers, Leonardo Hotel doesn’t require you to pony up all of your per diem for a night. Updated rooms, a restaurant/bar, and luggage storage give you a convenient stay.
Eastern Comfort Hostel Boat | Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Closest station: Warschauer Straße
Sleeping on a boat right next to the East Side Gallery? Yes, please. Eastern Comfort Hostel Boat has communal dorms, private rooms, and a floating lounge with live comedy, music, and more.
MEININGER Hotel Berlin Central Station
Closest station: Berlin Hbf
We totally understand if experiencing the best of Berlin on a budget means limiting your time to a night or two. Stay near Berlin Hbf for a quick escape at Meininger Hotel. It’s no sleeper train car, either: a bar, gamezone, children’s area, and more make it affordable and accessible for all ages.
Döner Kebab. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alina Rudya/Bell Collective
What are the best foods to eat in Berlin on a budget?
Eat like a Kaiser on a budget built for only kaiser rolls.
Currywurst
Currywurst is a Berlin creation and will be your new go-to around Germany. It’s sausage seasoned with curry powder and a curry ketchup. Yes, it looks similar to the cut-up hot dogs and ketchup you ate as a kid, which is probably why this new taste will evoke fond memories.
Or really any sausage
Don’t dig curry? Pick a sausage, any sausage, and you’ll be happy. Bratwurst. Weisswurst. Knockwurst. We recommend the Käsekrainer for the cheese fans. And yes, vegan and vegetarian friends, many sausage shacks have tasty substitutions that hit the spot.
Döner Kebab
Even the great German poet and playwright Friedrich Schiller would have trouble putting into words just how profanely amazing Döner Kebab is. This is the street food for you no matter if you’re sober, drunk, hangry, or just want a nibble. Zero regrets if you spend your last euro on it.
Beer
Self-explanatory. Walk a couple of side streets away from the museums and you’ll find a pub with witbier, bitburger, bock, kolsch, and more for only a few euro.
What’s the best way to get to Berlin on a budget?
By train, which is the best way to get around Berlin as well. Download the Trainline app and we’ll get you tickets from Munich, Prague, Amsterdam, or Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin Hbf as cheaply as possible.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Sylvain Sonnet. Image Location: Monbijoupark, Mitte, Berlin, Germany