People may not think traveling Berlin on a budget is possible, what with it being such a hip city.

Additionally, it’s one of the world’s most exciting destinations thanks to its ever-growing cultural scene and energetic nightlife.

This much-loved metropolis attracts young travelers from all over the globe, making it one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe. And while this may suggest that Berlin is very expensive to visit, it doesn’t have to be.

In this post, I asked travel bloggers who are experts on Berlin to share their tips and little-known tricks for saving money when visiting the city.

If you’re traveling to Berlin on a budget, make sure to add the following unique experiences to your itinerary.

Ps: After reading the below, make sure to check out The Greatest Girl In The World‘s tips for making Berlin the perfect city break. And if you’re not sure which neighborhood to stay in, Travellers Point has a great guide.

Psst! Don’t forget to pin this for later!

1. Enjoy some free entertainment at Mauerpark

If you happen to be in Berlin on a Sunday, I recommend heading over to Mauerpark for some free entertainment.

The outdoor amphitheater plays host to karaoke sessions where anyone can get up and have their moment in the spotlight — the wackier the better!

Aside from free karaoke, a lot of bands set up around the park playing outdoor gigs for anyone who’ll listen, and you also have a flea market where you can rummage for treasure, and plenty of food stands to keep you well fed.

5. Buy drinks from Spätis

Prior to moving to Portugal, we spent a year in Berlin. Here are some of the ways we saved money. Firstly, most Spätis (convenience stores) sell beer and have tables and chairs outside where you can sit down.

This means you pay shop prices and not bar prices, saving you a couple of Euros for every drink. When you’re done, return the bottle to get your Pfand (deposit) back.

Secondly, when buying single tickets on the metro there are two options; (Normaltarif) and 4-Trip-tickets (4-Fahrten-Karte). Choosing 4-Fahrten-Kartewill saves you around €1.80 every 4 trips (aka another Späti beer).

– James Cave from Portugalist (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter)

6. Feast on currywurst and kebab

It’s easy to find delicious budget-friendly meals in Berlin, but only if you know where to go! Currywurst is a spicy Berliner favorite, and Curry 66 serves some of Berlin’s best.

For about €4, you’ll get currywurst with fries.

If you feel like having Italian food, head over to La Pausa, where you can grab a gigantic (really, we mean gigantic!) slice of gourmet pizza and a drink for €4. Lastly, you can’t leave Berlin without a good döner – and Imren Grill is just the place.

For about €3, you’re guaranteed a delicious Turkish meal and a full happy stomach!

– Maddy and Mauricio from Travel Alphas (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter)

7. Buy a Berlin Welcome Card

Berlin is actually a really cheap place. For good and affordable food, go to Berlin Kreuzberg or Neukölln.

If you want to go on a bus tour, just take the regular line 100. If you bought your Berlin Welcome Card — which you should do because you save tons of money on museums, transportation and other sights — you will get the tour for free.

Bus 100 passes through all the important sights, from Unter den Linden to Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag and many more.

And for a special lunch date visit the Berlin Concert Hall on a Tuesday. Concerts are for free. Facebook & Pinterest) – Denise Nestler from Travel and Lipsticks

8. Spend a night at a club

Berlin has some of the best nightlife in Europe, if not the world. Some of these famous clubs, such as the Berghain, actually open their doors throughout the entire weekend.

This means you don’t even need to find a hotel or hostel to crash at, simply queue your way into the club and remain there for the entire night!

– Nam Cheah from Laugh Travel Eat (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter)

9. Visit the Farmer’s Market and book a room at a budget hostel

Since I am based in Germany, I visit Berlin often. If you want to stay in a fabulous location in the city without paying loads of money my two recommendations are the Ibis Budget Kurfürstendamm or The Circus Hostel. The Ibis Budget Kurfürstendamm is a low budget chain, but it is super clean and right across the street from the famous Ka De We department store.

Quick tip: Don’t eat at the cafe in the Ka De We. The food is priced by weight — which is expensive — and it all looks much better than it tastes. Instead eat at the Wittenbergplatz Farmers Market right by the Ibis Budget. The food there is cheap and amazing!

My second recommendation is The Circus Hostel located in Rosenthaler Platz. This is the best hostel in Berlin. The rooms are cheap and clean, and the staff is amazing. They have an all-you-can eat breakfast buffet that is open until 1pm and their own microbrewery. If you want to rent a bicycle to explore Berlin, you can rent it directly from the hostel. They also offer free walking tours throughout the week.”

– Sheila Smith from Passport Perfection (Instagram)

10. Go for a delicious and cheap Vietnamese meal

Berlin is a city that’s well-known for being cost-effective.

Even in the city center, the expensive places are still cheaper than the ones you find in other cities; but, that doesn’t mean you should still pay those prices. Vietnamese restaurant Mammam, located in the dining and drinking hub of Friedrichshain, is a small family-run hole in the wall. Your mains won’t cost more than €7 and all cocktails are €3 all day, every day.

Seating is limited, but you have the option to sit outside.

– Hannah Stein from Universal Jetsetters (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter)

What are your tips for traveling to Berlin on a budget?

Liked this post? Pin it for later: