Travel Tips for Berlin, Germany

Cost: € (affordable)

Safety: 5/5 for solo female travellers

Berlin is an exceptional city that is well known for its modern art and film, history, culture, food scene, nightlife and the great outdoors. I would definitely recommend this city to solo travellers as there is so much to do and see, and overall I felt quite safe during my trip. I visited for 2 days in total, but next time I will visit for a bit longer.

How to get there

You can fly direct from Dublin to Berlin Brandenburg Airport via Aer Lingus and Ryanair. The flight will take about 2 hours and 20 minutes. It is possible to fly from Shannon and Cork but there will be stop-overs.

I travelled to Berlin from Brussels in Belgium, and that flight took about 1 hour 25 minutes. 

Language, Currency & Weather

The official language is Berlin German, but most people will also speak English. The Euro is accepted in Berlin, as this is the currency used in Germany.

The weather in Berlin in summer can be hot, with temperatures between 15 and 28 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, winter temperatures range between 4 and -2 degrees Celsius. So if you’re travelling between December and February, make sure you wrap up.

I travelled to Berlin in October and it was just perfect for me, not too hot and not too cold.

Public Transport

Berlin’s public transport system is well-developed and easy to use. The network includes S-Bahn trains which are run by the Deutsche Bahn, U-Bahn trains which are run by the BVG, trams (Straßenbahn), buses (the bus stops have an “H” sign) and ferries.

To use the network, you need local public transit tickets which you can buy at ticket machines, services points or on trams and buses. There is the option of single tickets, daily tickets and more.

To get between the airport and the city centre, there are frequent trains as well as bus services. 

Where To Stay

There are plenty of options for accommodation in Berlin, so it’s just about choosing the right location for you, as well as the right price. I found accommodation to be more affordable in Berlin than other places I’ve visited. However, this might vary due to the time of year you visit.

I stayed in Come Inn Berlin Kurfürstendamm, which was close to the train, shops and restaurants. I liked the area a lot.

My other choices were Meliá Berlin, Hotel AMANO Grand Central and NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse.

For something a bit more reasonable, I would choose B&B HOTEL Berlin-Mitte or TITANIC Comfort Mitte.

If you are on a budget, there are lots of hostels to choose from, including Space Night Capsule Hostel, Three Little Pigs Hostel or Wallyard Concept Hostel.

Where To Go & What To Do

Due to the fact that there is lots to do in Berlin, my best advice as always would be to book a walking tour on the first day of your visit. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s the best way to get to know the city, to learn about its history and culture and it will help you pick out the places you want to explore the most. 

After this, my top activities and sites were the Reichstag Dome, the TV Tower, the Berlin Wall, the Jewish Museum, Checkpoint Charlie, the DDR Museum, the Neues Museum and the Natural History Museum.

I would definitely book a boat tour to take in the gorgeous views of the city centre and the government district. I’d also advise you to book a walking tour of the city’s famous street art scene.

For a day trip, it is possible to book a walking tour of Sachsenhausen, the closest concentration camp to Berlin or else a trip to explore the city of Potsdam with its palaces, lakes and gardens.

What & Where To Eat

My top choice would be to book a food tour to taste the city’s different cuisines, as well as a beer tasting tour.

While in Berlin, I would advise you to try currywurst and there’s no better place than Konnopke’s. This sausage stand was the first place to offer currywurst in East Berlin and apparently it still serves the most famous version.

For dinner, I visited Schnitzelei for their classic Wiener Schnitzel and craft beer. I also popped in to the traditional Berlin pub Max und Moritz for some more great beer.

During my second night in Berlin, I popped in to Hackethal, which is another Berlin pub that serves traditional German food and brews its own beer. The exterior isn’t as friendly looking, but the food is great.

For brunch, I visited Silo Coffee for amazing coffee and avocado toast!

Enjoy Berlin!