Berlin Travel Forum

Hello, everyone:
We are very excited to be visiting Berlin during last two weeks of July.
TWO WEEKS !!!
Many visitors come here, to Mexico City, and are always very excited when they post their questions on these travel forums, and now I know how they feel.

We just don't know what part of the city to stay: we're trying to book hotel in advance but would like some advice. Our problem is, we come from third-world country (Mexico) and bring our third-world earnings to spend in a very expensive first-world city. Trying to find hotel for under 70 euros, but still with air-conditioning and normal amenities (like maybe internet??).

I just don't know where to start looking: namely, which part of the city. Obviously we wish to stay centrally and not spend a lot of time every day traveling the S and U bahns just to get to the general area that we'd like to see.

In most other European capitals it's easier: you just stay in the old, central part of town where you normally find lots of cheap hotels. But of course Berlin is different.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

Rick Schmidt

Rick,
My suggestion would be to first take a look here:
http://www.pension-guesthouse-berlin.de

It's a pension rather than a hotel and you would safe some bucks staying there. Rooms are small, but clean, and they have been refurbished in 2006 or 2007 respectively.
As for the location, it doesn't get much better, in my opinion. A subway and S-Bahn (commuter train) station as well as a tram stop is right around the corner, and there are plenty of affordable bars and restaurants around. The district itself is beautiful and generally as safe as a district in a big city can be (read my tips on Prenzlauer Berg). They have free W-LAN, too.

As for air-conditioning: You don't really need it. A fan will do, and even that is basically unnecessary.

Alternatively you could stay at a hostel, such as The Circus
http://www.circus-berlin.de/
Located in the Mitte area, bordering Prenzlauer Berg, you'll like it there, too.
Another good hostel would be Citystay http://citystay-hostel.eu.
Not sure about Internet access, but there are plenty of hotspots in Berlin, many of them free, anyway.

Lastly, if you really want to stay at a hotel and would like to have it a bit more comfy, there's Augustinerhof. They have small apartments, and if you stay for 2 weeks, you could manage to pay EUR 70 or a little less including breakfast. They provide free broadband Internet access, too.
http://www.hotel-augustinenhof.de/

Oh, and I'm not sure if Mexico really qualifies as "third-world country", but Berlin is relatively affordable, at least when compared to other capitals in west/central Europe such as Paris or London.

I visited berlin twice and I think any area there central enough because of grand public transportation. A lot of people staying in Mitte now, because it became hip. Central area of Kurfestendam very convinient, Charlotensburgh is fine too. Berlin has tons of hostels. I suggest that you book something that you could cancel and after arrival in the city go directly to the tourist office on Kurfestendam. they have all the listing of last minute accomodations. I was able to book 5 star hotel right around the corner from this office for the price 0f 2-3 star hotel( came without reservation with my 13 y old son 5 years ago.

Maybe you check the sites of these two hostels. A night around 15-20€. Some of the hostels also have a kitchen so you can prepare your own food. I forgot the name of the one I stayed in two years ago. It was in the Prenzlauer Berg area which is very lively. I am not a Berlin expert though;-) But if you want to visit Hamburg, too, you might check some of my tips for that city;-)
www.pegasushostel.de/en
www.generatorhostels.com/berlin

I envy your trip. Was in Berlin a little over a year ago and fell in love with the city. Very livable people oriented feel to the place. Spend some time just walking the neighborhoods and talking to people. Try this site for a starter.: http://www.hostelworld.com/. Lunch on the street was usually a bargain and public transport is a dream compared to what we from the U.S. are used to having.

Paisano, I know this is not what you asked but I have to agree with vernon: eating on the street is cheap and we mexicans are used to it!!! You will find KEBAB stands everywhere and they are really cheap and BIG so that will keep you satisfied for a good while. It's more or less like eating tacos al pastor so you will like them, I'm sure. They are great and so cheap, I survived through my days in Berlin eating this and fell in love with the stuff, now I eat kebabs wherever I can find them LOL..... good luck on your trip.