What budget for activities and outings Berlin?

There are several tourist offers that allow you to save money at the entrance of museums and attractions in the city. The Welcome Card combines a ticket for public transport with a whole range of discounts. It is interesting if you want to visit the TV Tower or take a tour bus, but it is considerably more expensive than public transport tickets. Its price varies according to the duration of validity and the zones (www.berlin-welcomecard.de/fr). For two days in zones A and B, it costs 25 €. For six days ABC (with Potsdam) 56 €, against 36 € for 7 days of public transport without the discounts. Do the math by comparing the list of discounts with your To-do-List.

For a visit to the city's major museums, there is - in our opinion - nothing better than the Museumspass. For three consecutive days, this pass costs €29 (€14.50 for the reduced rate) and opens the doors of 30 museums, including the Museum Island, the Jewish Museum, the Museum of German History, etc. The ticket will pay for itself very quickly. For optimal organization, check the opening days, but beware of Mondays!

Many places dedicated to the preservation of memory are freely accessible in Berlin: for example, the exhibition Topography of Terrors or the memorials for the victims of Nazism.

When it comes to swimming in the lakes, you've got two options: either look for a quiet spot beside one of the many lakes, or head for a beach (for which there's a charge, around €5). Here, the sand is fine, swimming is supervised and you'll find everything you need for a bite to eat.

As for spas and saunas, prices vary widely depending on the standard and the amount of time you spend there. There are just as many large complexes as small, local saunas.

In Berlin, fashion is offbeat, crazy, wild... and very often second-hand. Second-hand boutiques are popular with the artistic, penniless fauna of Kreuzberg, Wedding and Neukölln, while fashionistas appreciate the elegant vintage boutiques of Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg. In all cases, it's a good idea to stand out from the crowd by finding a unique piece, and to shop with a clear conscience in the spirit of Berlin-style recycling. You'll also find a number of thrift stores that operate on the "Pick'n'weight" principle: you pay not by the number of pieces, but by weight!

You can pay by card in Berlin's stores. As for prices, they are more or less the same as in France and Belgium.

The price of drinks is lower than elsewhere in Europe, which no doubt also explains Berlin's success as a party destination. A pint of beer rarely costs more than €4.

For those on a budget, there's no better place than the "Späti", the little corner store open all night, where you'll find everything you need to quench your thirst.

To get into a nightclub, on the other hand, you'll have to dig deep into your pocket, as admission is rarely less than €10.

What budget to eat Berlin?

The price-performance ratio is excellent in Berlin. You can eat well without spending a fortune. You can find hearty main courses for less than 10 €.

A coffee costs an average of €2.50. A slice of cake costs around €4. Bear in mind that in cafés, as in restaurants, people often pay in cash and thank the service by tipping around 10% of the price. For a pint of beer, expect to pay around €4.

What is the budget for accommodation Berlin?

Although Berlin has a wide range of hotel categories, from classic luxury to modern art and design, many hotel chains are also present. Cheap hotels are hard to find. Prices also vary from district to district, with the most expensive often in Mitte and Charlottenburg. Comfort also affects prices, so be sure to check whether breakfast is included. This is often an all-you-can-eat buffet.

As for guesthouses, there are many in the city. They're more economical than hotels, and leave the tenant completely independent. They are generally close to the city center and run by families or individuals, and prices vary according to the area and comfort on offer. Youth hostels are another good alternative, and most of them also offer private rooms. A little tip: hotel websites often offer discounts when you book directly, or even if you plan to stay several nights.

The cheapest hostels are often the least central and offer dormitory accommodation from €20; the most expensive and most central offer dormitory accommodation up to €40. Single and double rooms, and even triple and quadruple rooms, are also quite common. Breakfast is not always included in the price. The advantage of youth hostels is that they often offer a wide range of services, such as guided tours and bike hire. Please note that some hostels do not accept credit card payments.

Finally, as with hotels, there are privatehostel chains such as A&O Hostels. We've included them in this guide because, although their standardization is regrettable, hostels often offer very attractive rates, are well located and have more pleasant premises. They are often frequented by a young, cosmopolitan clientele.

Travel budget Berlin and cost of living

While prices have soared since the city's reunification, the cost of living in Berlin remains well below that of other European capitals. The restaurant sector is by far the most affordable. You can easily eat for around ten euros. You can even eat on the go for €4-6. For a room in a youth hostel, count on a minimum of just over €12, for a small hotel €50-60 a night, and for a nice room, over €140. Public transport is rather expensive, but indispensable for saving precious time (€9.50 for a day ticket).

Taxes are included in the price you pay. In cafés, bars and restaurants, on the other hand, a tip of around 10% of the price is almost always left as a thank-you for the service. When the waiter comes to bring you the bill, you can round up the amount and announce a higher price. For example, if the bill comes to €11.80, you'll say "auf 13" when you pay, meaning that the waiter should give you change for €13 and keep the difference for himself. If you have €13, you can announce "stimmt so".

It's not customary to haggle in the stores, but of course you can always get the price down at the flea market.