Your gateway to affordable travel
Your gateway to affordable travel
Berlin blends cutting-edge creativity with layers of history — and it’s just under two hours from London by air. For cheap fares, start early and stay flexible on both dates and airports. Direct flights operate from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton to BER (Berlin Brandenburg) with airlines like British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair. Prices tend to dip outside school holidays and major events (e.g., Berlinale film festival).
Shoulder seasons — March to May and September to November — balance pleasant weather and lower prices. Midweek departures (Tue–Thu) and early morning flights often undercut weekend returns.
BER sits southeast of the centre and is well connected. The FEX (Flughafen-Express) runs to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) in ~30 minutes. Regional trains (RE7, RB14) and S-Bahn lines S9/S45 link the airport with hubs like Ostkreuz, Alexanderplatz and Zoologischer Garten. Buses fill gaps late at night, while taxis and ride-hailing are widely available.
Buy tickets from machines or via the BVG app; ABC zone tickets cover the airport to the centre. If you plan multiple journeys, consider a 24-hour or multi-day pass.
Pick your base by vibe. For first-timers, Mitte places you near Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. Night-owls gravitate to Kreuzberg and Neukölln for bars, indie cafes and street food. Friedrichshain mixes nightlife with the East Side Gallery, while Charlottenburg offers elegant avenues, classic hotels and the palace gardens. Families appreciate Prenzlauer Berg for calm streets, playgrounds and brunch culture.
Book a cancellable rate early, then re-check prices a week before your trip and rebook if they drop — a simple way to save without stress.
Berlin’s sights are spread out, so plan by neighborhood to minimize back-tracking.
Berlin’s food scene is global and budget-friendly. Snack on Currywurst, Döner and bakery pretzels between museums, then sit down for seasonal German dishes in modern Kneipe pubs. Vegans are spoiled — Kreuzberg and Neukölln brim with plant-based spots. Coffee culture is strong; third-wave roasters cluster around Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg.
The BVG network (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses) is fast and intuitive. Day or multi-day passes cover unlimited rides; validate paper tickets before boarding trains. Cycling is popular on flat streets with growing bike lanes. Taxis and ride-hailing fill late-night gaps, but public transport usually wins on speed and price.
More planning help: How to Book Flights at the Lowest Prices · How to Save Money on Hotels