Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around
U-Bahn
Most efficient way to travel; operates 4am to 12.30am and all night Friday,
Saturday and public holidays. From Sunday to Thursday, half-hourly night buses take over
in the interim.
S-Bahn
Not as frequent as U-Bahn trains but fewer stops and thus useful for longer dis-
tances. Same operating hours as the U-Bahn.
Bus
Slow but useful for sightseeing on the cheap. Run frequently 4.30am to 12.30am;
half-hourly night buses in the interim; MetroBuses (M1, M19) operate 24/7.
Tram
Only operate in the eastern districts; MetroTrams (M1, M2) run 24/7.
Cycling
Designated bike lanes and rental stations abound; bikes are fine in designated U-
Bahn and S-Bahn carriages.
Taxi
Can be hailed and are fairly inexpensive; avoid during daytime rush hour.
For information and trip planning see
www.bvg.de
.
For much more on getting around see
Click here
Sleeping
There are over 135,000 hotel rooms but the most desirable properties book up quickly, espe-
cially in summer and around major holidays, festivals and trade shows; prices soar and re-
servations are essential during these periods. Otherwise, rates are mercifully low by Western
capital standards. Options range from luxurious ports of call to ho-hum international chains,
trendy designer boutique hotels to Old Berlin-style B&Bs, happening hostels to handy self-
catering apartments.
For much more on sleeping see
Click here
Useful Websites
Visit Berlin
(
www.visitberlin.de
) Official tourist office books rooms at partner hotels.
Hostelworld
(
www.hostelworld.com
)
Hostel and budget hotel bookings.
HRS
(
www.hrs.com
) Good for last-minute bargains.
Booking.com
(
www.booking.com
) General site with community reviews.
Lonely Planet
(
www.lonelyplanet.com/hotels
)
Reviews of Lonely Planet's top choices.
