Capital city, Germany
Berlin
Germany's cheapest big city and its creative, startup and nightlife capital, with huge expat and nomad scenes. Rents have jumped, flat hunting is brutal and winters are grey.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,930–3,940Comfortable, one person · €2,600–3,500Details
- Value for money14/100Better value than 13% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 26°CDetails
- Air quality13 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · ModerateDetails
- Internet104 MbpsFixed broadband, Germany medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent and safe; restaurants rarely serve it free, so ask for Leitungswasser.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–169Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards now work in most places, but many bars, clubs, bakeries and kiosks stay cash-only.Details
Where to stay in Berlin
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg | First-timers: sights, cafés, quiet streets, good transit |
| Kreuzberg | Nightlife, Turkish food, creative crowd, central location |
| Neukölln | Cheaper long stays, bars, international and nomad scene |
| Friedrichshain | Clubs, hostels and young travelers near Ostbahnhof |
| Charlottenburg | Calmer, older, upscale; shopping and parks |
Apps that work in Berlin
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wolt | Wide restaurant choice, English app |
| Lieferando | Longest-established; many local places |
| Uber Eats | Chains and some independents |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- DB Navigator: Train tickets, Deutschlandticket and live delays
- WG-Gesucht: Rooms and flatshares for longer stays
- Taxis: Metered taxis are regulated and honest; ride apps are cheaper late. Uber vehicles must be licensed, so only a few cars operate.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Germany.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards now work in most places, but many bars, clubs, bakeries and kiosks stay cash-only. Carry €30–50.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs may charge foreign cards a few euros, shown on screen; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or add 5–10% for table service; tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever cards are accepted; PayPal is common online.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier shops, drugstores or supermarkets (Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect); ID check by video or in store required. About €10–20 per four weeks. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Germany
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.