I am studying abroad this fall in Berlin, Germany. . .?

Question

I will be travelling to Berlin, Germany to study abroad in Sept, and I'm trying to figure out exactly how much spending money I need to save up to bring with me. I have never been to europe before, but I do recognize that things are slighty more expensive over there---which is why I'm having a little bit of difficulty figuring out what exactly I need. I am definitely a shopaholic (I'm a girl!), so I know that part of that money will go to clothes & souvenirs. The cost of the trip covers hotel, and all other ammenities, including some meals, and transportation, my next question is how much does public transportation cost (a cab, metro, train, bus, ect.) I know it depends on where I'm going, but I'd still like to have a rough estimate. And also how much do restaurants (fairly decent), and clubbing cost? I am a college student and I do know how to be/and don't mind being thrifty as long as the end result is good. Also, any recommendations of shops/museums would be good too. Thanks!

Answer 1

That's great - Berlin is an expensive city compared to most US cities, food especially, but you don't need to tip, you just need to leave a small change or round up.  Getting around is easy on the U-Bahn or Straßenbahn.

While in Berlin, you should visit:

Schloss Charlottenburg

Reichstag

Potsdamer Platz

Berlin Wall History - Checkpoint Charlie

Pergamon Museum

Berlin Zoo

Brandenberg Gate

You will find great souvenirs at the flea markets @ Straße des 17 Juni and there are a few other ones - just ask about them when you arrive.

Have fun!

Answer 2

a day ticket for the rail, tram and underground systems costs €2.40 per day

a beer in a supermarket is about €1

a bottle of cheap vodka is €5

20 cigarettes are ~€3.50

food is cheap and good

clubs are mormally cheap, less than five euro, they go on all night and into next morning, drugs are cheap too

loads of museums/gallerys/etc too

but ive no idea how much money you should bring

Answer 3

Hi there, what fun!!!  Not sure on the cost, but when I went over there a few years ago on a cruise, our tour guide did just what you are doing, and fell in love with it so much, she switched her major to German, and decided to live over there.  She married a German man, and now works for the tourist industry doing tours in German/English for cruise ships.  She loves it over there.  I loved my time over there as well, all the people that I met my short time over there were super nice and seemed like fun.  I hope to go back over there sometime and experience more of it.  Have a blast and experience it, and be sure to travel outside of Germany too while you are there on the weekends if you can afford it, they have the train that can take you to other countries within a matter of hours. =)  Enjoy!!!

Answer 4

You will love Germany.  Please make it a point to go to the Berlin Zoo and see lilttle Knut and Thomas Dorflein, his nurse/Daddy.  He is the little Polar Bear that was left by his mother to die and has been hand raised by Herr Dorflein.  When you get to Berlin, just say "Knut."  All will know about him.  The German people are warm and helpful and many of them know some English.  If you can meet someone from Berlin, that would be your best way to learn about prices and the city.  Have Fun!

Answer 5

There is a monthly pass in Berlin - for a Calendar Month, that costs about $70 Euro or so. If you will be there for the month (I did that in 2005 - I was there October studying) and it lets you get all over the place - good on all the public transport.  Berlin has three zones A, B, C.  You don't need B, the pass I'm referring to is A and B only, which is all of metro Berlin!.  If you want to go to Potsdam or to Oranienberg, you just pay a small additional amount to add that for one trip at a time.

Food can be very inexpensive. There are very fancy expensive restaurants in Berlin, but there are LOTS of small and street restaurants and food, so you can probably eat very easily for 20  or 25 Euro, much less if you are staying somewhere that you can cook.  Fairly decent restaurants are not too bad - there are very high end ones, but have some Currywurst or Falafel or doner on the street.  

When I went I brought $5000 US for spending money for two months (9 weeks) (with no food covered, but all my museum visits covered - I did the culture program with my school, the Goethe Insitut.)  If by some means  you are studying with GI, they will have the pass and the kultur programm.  $5000 US was more than I needed.

Hope that Helps.

Julie