Best Time to Visit

In terms of weather, the best time to visit Berlin is May through September, when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities: sitting around in outdoor cafes and restaurants, wandering through the city and parks, biking around and staying out all night. June offers the Carnival of Cultures, July has the Pride Parade and September brings you the Berlin Art Week. Winter, on the other hand, is cold: the temperature is close to freezing during the day. Of course, winter holidays are a great time to check out the local markets and relax with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine. The Berlinale film festival also takes place in the winter.

• Web:

  www.berlin.de/en/events

Passport / Visa

Germany can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, the UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER) is the only airport operating in Berlin since Tegel airport saw its last flight depart in November 2020. The new airport is well connected to the city by S-Bahn, buses and long-distance trains. The Airport Express (FEX) and regional trains (RE7, RB14) travel between Berlin central station and “Flughafen BER – Terminal 1-2” station several times per hour. The S9 and S45 S-Bahn trains travel every 20 minutes, serving the “Terminal 1-2” and “Terminal 5” stations.

• Web:

  ber.berlin-airport.de/en.html

• Phone:

  +49 30 6091 6091 0

• More info:

  The airport is located in the C zone when it comes to public transport. You will either need to have an ABC zone ticket or buy a C zone extension

Public Transport

The local public transport system allows you to get anywhere in Berlin — comfortably, safely and cheaply. The expanded transport network of S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses and trams provides you with unrestricted mobility, even at night: on Fridays and Saturdays as well as the nights before public holidays, nearly all the S-Bahn and U-Bahn network operate all through the night at 15 minute intervals. The most convenient way to buy tickets is through the official ticket purchasing app for public transport in Berlin — BVG Tickets.

Taxi

When hiring a taxi in Berlin, you pay a basic charge of €4.30 plus €2.10–2.80 for each kilometre travelled. The 'Kurzstrecke' (short distance) tariff gives you a journey of up to two kilometres for €6.00 — in this case, however, you have to flag down the taxi yourself. The 'Kurzstrecke' tariff does not apply if you order a taxi or get in one at a designated taxi-waiting spot. If you think that ordering a taxi by phone is a little too retro, order one through the taxi.eu app.

• Web:

  www.taxi-berlin.de

• Phone:

  +49 30 20 20 21 22 0

• More info:

  www.visitberlin.de/en/taxis-berlin

Dentists

Beware of the German Vollkornbrot — it's delicious and healthy, but the seeds can do a number on your teeth. Follow the link to All About Berlin to see a list of English speaking dentists in Berlin

• Web:

  allaboutberlin.com/guides/list-of-english-speaking-dentists-in-berlin