Berlin Tips & Advice

Below are some frequently asked questions and fun facts about Berlin. For additional information, help with accommodations, assistance with further European travel, etc, just drop by our shop (shown here). Our friendly, native English-speaking staff is always eager to help! From free luggage storage and clean facilities to laundry services, we're here for you.

How do I use the phone here?

Germany’s country code is +49 and Berlin’s area code is 030. When calling from abroad, drop the ‘0’ at the start of the area code. Within Germany, keep the ‘0’. For instance, to call our shop from New York City, dial 011 49 30 24 04 79 91. To call it from Frankfurt, dial 030 24 04 79 91. To dial from Germany to another country, start with the’00’ access code, before entering that country’s international code.

Calling here can be expensive and there’s seemingly never a coin-operated phone when you need one. Your best bet is to buy a phone card (from our shop or any of the myriad of media stores typically found around the main metro stations).

Where can I change money?

If you just got here or are heading over the border soon, your best bet is to hit the American Express offices on either Bayreuther Strasse 37-38, in the former West near the Europa Center, or Friedrichstrasse 172, in the former East, just south of Unter den Linden.

What's the trendiest area of Berlin?

All of Berlin is trendy, in its own way. At the moment the ‘hippest’ nightlife, intellectual hangouts, and alternative stores are in Mitte, center of the former East, and Prenzlauerberg, just to the north. A sure bet is to peruse Kastanienallee. Take the U2 to Eberswalder and hit Kastanienallee from there. If you happen to get lost, good for you! You'll be sure to run into many great spots in that area.

Where can I get souvenirs and memorabilia?

If you want cheesy, often fake Russian and DDR memorabilia, definitely head to Checkpoint Charlie. This important former border crossing, arguably a physical focal point of the Cold War, has now been overrun with somewhat shady vendors. Have fun and negotiate!

If you're looking for quality gifts to take home - cuckoo-clocks, beer steins, pewter and wood crafts, etc - head to J. & M. Fäßler's in the basement of the Europa Center (right next to Zoo-Station).

How about some beer gardens? Yeah, how ‘bout them? Folks, it's a tragedy. For the last couple years Germans have consumed more coffee than beer! If you would like to get the statistics back to where they belong, a few recommendations include:

• Zollpackhof, across the Spree River from the Chancellor Schroeder's office, and home to Berlin's oldest chestnut tree (138 years old, and under historical protection). Take the S-Bahn to Lehrter Bahnhof and then head towards the river.
• Prater Biergarten, along Kastanienallee, is great in the evenings to people-watch and become one with the Berliners.
• Schleusenkrueg, just east of Zoo Station in the Tiergarten, gives you the unique opportunity to simultaneously watch boats float through canal locks and trains zoom by while listening to lions roar from the zoo 15 meters away. We enjoy stopping here on our bike tour!

Where can I surf the Internet, burn digital camera pictures and do my laundry?

At our shop, of course! We can read all digital memory types to burn your pictures onto CD. We're a wireless hotspot as well, so feel free to bring your laptop if you have one.

At our shop you'll also find laundry facilities, so bring us your dirties. No kidding. They'll be done by the time you finish the tour or surfing the Internet. We strive hard to be your one-stop travel resource and our native English-speaking staff is always happy to help. Find our more here.

What is the norm on tipping?

Waiters and waitresses here do not rely as much on tips as in countries such as the US or Canada. However, tipping is appreciated. Most patrons will round up about 5% - 10%. So if your total is €7.10, you may want to tell your server €7.50 or €8.00 when he or she comes to the table for payment.

Are the locals really in love with David Hasselhoff?

Yes. Well, at least back when the Wall fell they did. Hasselhoff played to a crowd of a million strong at what was left of the Berlin Wall at Brandenburg Gate on New Year’s eve 1989. His “hit” song “Looking For Freedom” was at the top of the West German charts when the Wall fell, prompting Hasselhoff to say in an interview, “I find it a bit sad that there is no photo of me hanging on the walls in the Berlin Museum at Checkpoint Charlie.

What's the Love Parade all about?

Imagine a million sweaty ravers on ecstasy all dancing to techno music in the Tiergarten Park, and there you have the Love Parade. Originally designed as a musical protest for tolerance and respect, the first Love Parade in West Berlin in 1989 - shortly before the Berlin Wall fell - had just 150 participants. Numbers for the July festival soared to 1.5 million in 1999. But with decreasing participants since, there were not enough funds in 2004 or 2005 to make it happen. But, it was back and quite successful in 2006 with private sponsorship. We'll have to see what 2007 holds...

How about Berlin nightlife?

Berlin is the nightlife capital of Europe, with more clubs here than in any other European city, relaxed closing hours, and no real last call for alcohol at many establishments. This leads to a frenetic nightlife that’s always bustling. A few focal points for nightlife are in Mitte between the TV Tower and Friedrichstrasse, in Prenzlauer Berg around the Eberswalder U-bahn station, and around Boxhagenerstrasse in Friedrichshain. Of course there are tons of other hot-spots and one-off parties that are famous in Berlin.

For a fantastic time and an incredible way to really explore the various facets of Berlin’s nightlife, we recommend checking out Insomniac Tours. If you want an incredible night out with lots of free beer and shots, absinthe, smoking from a hookah, fun crazy people, and a party that just keeps going, don’t miss out on their pub crawls. Check your hotel or hostel reception for their flyer or go directly to their website at www.InsomniacTours.com.

How do I get out to Potsdam?

A day trip to Potsdam is the most popular excursion for Berlin visitors. For the lovely day-trip out there, it’s easiest to take the RE 1 train (quicker) or S 1 (more frequent) out to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, the main station. Once there, however, you’ll find that many of the gems, including the famous Schloss Sanssouci and Schloss Cecilienhof, are quite far removed.

We of course recommend going by bike as the most efficient way to see all of the sites. Although biking within Sanssouci Park is technically not permitted, the well-marked Alter Fritz bike path (labeled F1, and named after the endearing nickname for Friedrick the Great) covers about 10 miles and incorporates most of the city’s best known sites. You are allowed to take bikes with you on the train and metro, but make sure you purchase an additional bike ticket, costing you €2.50 for a day allowance for bikes throughout all ABC Zones. If you purchase a Welcome Card, you can take bikes with you at no additional charge.