Berlin Travel Forum

Hi Everyone!

I see that the weather is improving for my March 28 -> April 6th visit. With that in mind, should I rent a bicycle to get around faster and have more fun, for a day, or the whole week, or take the metro because it will still be cold at night?

I'd like to save money so would be interested in how much a weekly rental of a bike would be? Do they come with a basket?

Ideally, it would seem I could cover more territory by spending less time in the metro giving me more time for photos.

Also, suggestions for bike rental places. I'll be in the Mitte near Alexanderplatz at Alte Schonhauserstr. 2.

I would go with the bicycle. If it gets too cold, try riding during the day & taking the bus &/or train during the evening hours. Check out this website if you're looking for a guide http://www.fattirebiketoursberlin.com/. If you're not looking for a tour guide, then you can still use this site as they list their points of interest.

Also, this website lists a ton of places where bikes can be rented & repaired http://www.adfc-berlin.de/home/fahrradverleih. The site is in German, but very easy to figure out. I used this site when planning my bike tour through Berlin.

Here is one more website to assist you in your plans http://gridskipper.com/travel/berlin/berlin-by-bike-275054.php

Hope this helps.

Thanks Nomorewars!

I wil checkout those sites. It sounds more fun and more practical as well since I wil be by myself and can quickly get around by bike. I udnerstadn that Berlin is spread uot as well, but flat so that sounds great for bikes.

I justlooked a Fat Tire. They sound pretty good and are near where I am staying.

Cycling in Berlin
http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/verkehr/radverkehr/index_en.shtml

> rent a bicycle to get around faster and have more fun,
I doubt that it is really faster. But cycling is a good method to explore Berlin.

> or take the metro because it will still be cold at night?
A matter of appropriate clothing.
You have also the option to transport your bicycle on S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains and trams.
http://www.vbbonline.de/download/pdf/liniennetze/bike_and_ride_12_2006.pdf
You need however a bicycle ticket (EUR 1,50). Best suited are the RegionalExpress train lines which use Dostos (double deck cars). Than S-Bahn trains.

Verdi may resume the strike against the BVG (U-Bahn, trams and buses) at the time you're in Berlin. Better to try to secure a bicycle in advance under these circumstances.

No problem. I lived in Germany for two years & used a bike to travel all the time. I also rode all around Paris, City of Luxembourg, Rome, Vienna, & numerous other German cities. It's a real fun way to see a city, interact with locals, & stay in shape.

Good luck,
Mike

Thanks nomorewars and ablada. It's good t know Ican take it on the subway if I want, but I'mals glad to know i need to pay for it. Iwoul dnot have thought that.

Renting a bike will surely be me fun, and cycling in Berlin is fabulous in most parts of the city. We saw plenty of people taking their bikes on the S-Bahn. However, I am rather sure that it would be cheaper to use public transport instead of renting a bike.

Hi kakapo2!

Thanks for the comment. You are right. I can get a 6-day bike rental for E45, but a 7-day transport pass for all zones for E25.40 according to my guide book.
I understand Berlin is spread out, but I have never been there so have no idea what that means.

Does that mean, for example, that it would make more sense to take public transportation to Charlottenburg? Can I bike around Tiergarten, Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Mitte without getting exhausted? They seem to be close on a map.I'll be staying near Alexanderplatz. Fat Tire rentals, the bike company I am interested in offers E12 for the 1st day, E9 for 2nd day, and E6 for each day after that. So, 6 days is only E45 and I can go where I want when I want.

If things are really far away from each other though, I don't want to waste time either on bicycling to and from places if there those trips prevent me from seeing other things.

Perhaps I should geta 7-day transportation pass and then rent a bike for less than 6 days.

Do you know if I can buy a 7-day tranport pass at the airport?

Thanks

Cycling in Berlin is not exhausting at all as the highest hill is about 29 metres high ;-) It is absolutely flat, many roads are wide and have bicycle lanes, and you have the parks. The distances you mentioned are not long. And I think you would not cycle through Berlin at race pace but stop every now and then to have a look at things and take photos. Be prepared to stop every some metres, the city is so fantastic.

An alternative for short-term bicycle hire is Call-a-Bike. Please check transportation tip on my Berlin page, there I have written how this works.

And yes, there is a ticket counter at the airport.

Thanks Kakapo2!

That excites me. Maybe I wil rent a bike for 6 days. I would really enjoy being able to go where I want whenever I want and get good exercise as well.

You've inspired me! Can't wait.

test this site:
http://bbbike.radzeit.de/cgi-bin/bbbike.en.cgi
it helps you to plan the ride.
Be careful!
I cycle through Berlin very often (also long rides to + from my workplace) and I can tell you: the traffic athmosphere is quite aggressive, many cyclists act in a very ruthless manner, and the car-drivers don`t respect you. I don`t want to scare you, just take care!

Thanks for the warning BlackBirdxx. I will be careful. I know what you mean. I will be merrrily biking my way looking at things as I go and be right in the way of people trying to get to work.

Taht's the last thing people want to deal with I'm sure is a tourist unfamiliar with the teritory.

I will make sure I pay attention and stay out of everybody's way.

I'm renting a bike from Fat Tires in Alexanderplatz. Hopefully, they can give me a few tips on bike rules and etiquette.

Thanks!

By the way, again thanks to all who have helped me. You all will make my first trip to Berlin a wonderful and memorable one.