How Much Does Berlin Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Berlin remains one of the more affordable Western European capitals, but prices have risen in recent years. Budget travelers can still manage roughly $91 / €77/day, mid-range travelers should plan for around $227 / €193/day, and luxury stays start from about $500 / €425/day. Street food and nightlife remain relatively good value, while fixed costs like BVG tickets and museum entry are predictable. Neighborhood choice matters: Mitte and Charlottenburg tend to cost more than Kreuzberg, Neukölln, or Friedrichshain.
Is Berlin expensive to visit?
Berlin is a moderately affordable capital where daily costs range from about $91 / €77 for budget-conscious travelers to about $500 / €425 for those seeking luxury.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Berlin
$91
per person /day
$227
per person /day
$500
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $272 | $681 | $1,501 |
| 5-Day Trip | $453 | $1,136 | $2,501 |
| 7-Day Trip | $634 | $1,590 | $3,502 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is advisable to maintain a 15–20% buffer to cover Berlin's 7.5% city tax on accommodation and the frequent out-of-pocket costs for bottled mineral water, which can reach $7.06 / €6 in restaurants. This extra padding also covers the mandatory 'Pfand' deposits on drinks and the occasional $4.71 / €4 single transport ticket for unplanned trips.
How Does It Compare?
See how Berlin stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Berlin
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap mit Hähnchen The most iconic street food item in Berlin. Expect long wait times. | $8.36 €7.1 |
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant Typical price for a casual sit-down dinner in areas like Neukölln or Wedding. | $18 €15 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Standard price in a bar. Supermarkets sell the same for ~$1.18 / €1 plus deposit. | $5.3 €4.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Public Transport Ticket (Zone AB) Valid for 120 minutes of travel in one direction within the city (zones A and B). | $4.71 €4 |
| 24-Hour Public Transport Pass (Zone AB) Best value for a full day of sightseeing within the city limits. | $13 €11 |
| Airport Transfer (Single Ticket Zone ABC) Required for travel from BER Airport to the city center via FEX, regional trains, or S-Bahn. | $5.89 €5 |
| Taxi 'Short Trip' Flat Rate (Kurzstrecke) Flat rate for up to 2km in a hailed taxi. Only applies if you tell the driver 'Kurzstrecke' before the ride starts. | $7.06 €6 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed (EastSeven Berlin) Price for a shared dorm bed at a top-rated hostel. Budget beds elsewhere start as low as ~$7.36 / €6.25. | $21 €18 |
| 4-Star Hotel Nightly Rate Equivalent to ~$187 / €159 based on provided parity. Prices vary significantly by season. | $158 €135 |
| Luxury Boutique Hotel (Château Royal) High-end luxury stay in Berlin Mitte. Equivalent to ~$396 / €336. | $335 €285 |
Activities (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Museum Island All-Day Ticket Grants access to all museums on the island for one day, including the Altes Museum and Neues Museum. | $28 €24 |
| Reichstag Dome Admission Free for everyone, but you MUST book several weeks in advance to secure a slot. | $0 €0 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local Prepaid SIM (10GB Data) Standard tourist choice for a physical SIM with 5G data. Requires ID verification. | $18 €15 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bicycle Rental (24 Hours) Berlin is flat and very bikeable. Many hostels rent bikes for slightly less (~$14 / €12). | $18 €15 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The city is famous for its affordable street food, with the iconic Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap costing $8.36 / €7.1 and casual meals in neighborhood restaurants averaging $18 / €15. While a draft beer in a bar typically costs $5.3 / €4.5, travelers can save significantly by purchasing the same for approximately $1.18 / €1 plus a small deposit at local supermarkets. Dining costs are generally lower than in other major German cities, though bottled water in restaurants can be surprisingly expensive at $4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Curry 36
$5.3–$10 / €4.5–€8.5Mehringdamm · Street food area
The quintessential Berlin snack. Order 'Currywurst mit Pommes Schranke' (with mayo and ketchup) for ~$7.06 / €6.
Burgermeister
$8.83–$14 / €7.5–€12Schlesisches Tor · Local chain
The original location is in a former public toilet under the train tracks—very atmospheric.
Hamy Café
$10–$13 / €8.5–€11Hasenheide · Local chain
Famous for high-quality, lightning-fast Vietnamese daily specials for under ~$11 / €9.
Sahara Imbiss
$6.47–$11 / €5.5–€9Neukölln · Street food area
Try the Halloumi-Magali sandwich with their signature spicy peanut sauce.
Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap
$8.36–$9.53 / €7.1–€8.1Kreuzberg · Street food area
Wait times can exceed 60 minutes; go at 11:00 or 15:00 to avoid the worst crowds.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Berlin is highly walkable and bike-friendly, with 24-hour bicycle rentals costing around $18 / €15. The public transport system is comprehensive; a single zone AB ticket costs $4.71 / €4, but the 24-hour pass at $13 / €11 offers the best value for a full day of travel. Reaching the city center from BER Airport is straightforward with a $5.89 / €5 zone ABC ticket valid for regional trains and the S-Bahn.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging options cater to all tiers, from budget hostel dorms at EastSeven Berlin for $21 / €18 to 4-star hotels averaging $158 / €135 per night. High-end boutique hotels in central Mitte, such as Château Royal, typically cost around $335 / €285. Value is best found in areas like Friedrichshain or Prenzlauer Berg, though visitors must account for Berlin's mandatory 7.5% city tax on accommodation.
Accommodation Budget in Berlin
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Return empty glass and plastic bottles to 'Pfand' machines in supermarkets like Rewe or Edeka to reclaim deposits of $0.09 / €0.08 to $0.29 / €0.25.
- 2 Book a free visit to the Reichstag Dome several weeks in advance to enjoy panoramic city views without paying for observation decks.
- 3 Use public Bus 100 or 200 for a DIY sightseeing tour of the Victory Column and Brandenburg Gate for the price of a $4.71 / €4 single ticket.
- 4 Eat at iconic street food spots like Curry 36 or Burgermeister, where a filling meal usually costs less than $12 / €10.
- 5 Purchase a Museum Island All-Day Ticket for $28 / €24 to gain access to five world-class museums for a single price.
- 6 Opt for 'Mittagstisch' (lunch specials) at restaurants in Neukölln or Wedding, which often offer discounted set menus for $12–$14 / €10–€12.
- 7 Take advantage of the 'Kurzstrecke' taxi rate of $7.06 / €6 for trips under 2km by hailing a cab on the street and requesting the flat rate immediately.
- 8 Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it at public drinking fountains to avoid the $4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6 cost of bottled water in cafes.
- 9 Explore the East Side Gallery, a 1.3km stretch of the Berlin Wall that serves as a free open-air art gallery.
- 10 Visit Mauerpark on a Sunday for the free 'Bearpit Karaoke' and the flea market atmosphere.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Dec
+25–40%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-30–50%
Apr, Oct
Winter (Jan–Feb) offers massive hotel discounts, but temperatures often drop below 0°C (32°F). Shoulder months like May or September offer the best balance of weather and price.
Events to Watch
- ● Berlin Marathon (late Sep): +100% hotels
- ● New Year's Eve (Dec 31): +150% hotels
- ● ITB Berlin (March): +50% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial)
- 2 East Side Gallery
- 3 Topography of Terror history museum
- 4 Reichstag Dome (requires advance reservation)
- 5 Bernauer Straße Berlin Wall Memorial
- 6 Tiergarten Park and the Soviet War Memorial
- 7 Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
- 8 Bebelplatz and the 'Empty Library' memorial
- 9 Viktoriapark waterfall and viewpoint
- 10 Public Sunday karaoke at Mauerpark
- 11 The Museum of Silence (Das Museum der Stille)
- 12 Brandenburg Gate
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Käfer Breakfast on the Reichstag Roof
Combine a full breakfast with reserved rooftop access at Käfer (prices can change, but the breakfast voucher is $54 / €46 per person).
Berlin Philharmonic Evening Concert
Hear one of the world's best orchestras in a building with legendary acoustics. Prices range from ~$35 / €30 to ~$177 / €150.
Vabali Spa Day Pass
A massive Balinese-themed sauna and pool complex (textile-free). Day pass is $61 / €52 (Mon–Fri) or $67 / €57 (weekends/holidays).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Berlin
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Berlin and what they cost
Potsdam (Sanssouci Palaces)
$15 / €13 by train (S-Bahn S7 or RB/RE)
$26 / €22
$65 / €55
Sachsenhausen Memorial
$15 / €13 by train (S-Bahn S1 or RB)
Free
$41 / €35
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
High in Mitte/West, but many small cafés, bars, and Spätis (kiosks) in Kreuzberg/Neukölln remain cash-only or require a ~$12 / €10 minimum.
Standard is to round up or add ~5–10%. Tell the server the total you want to pay (e.g., if it is ~$22 / €19, say '~$24 / €20' as you hand over cash).
Avoid 'Euronet' ATMs which charge high fees (~$4.71–$5.89 / €4–€5). Use Sparkasse, Commerzbank, or Deutsche Bank ATMs for lower/no local fees.
Connectivity
eSIM: $5.89–$14 for 5GB (7-30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18 / €15 at local shops for 10GB including 5G access.
WiFi: Excellent in cafes, public libraries, and most hotels. 'Free WiFi Berlin' is available in major tourist squares.
Use an eSIM (Airalo or Holafly) for immediate data on arrival, or buy a Deutsche Telekom prepaid SIM at a local shop for the best speed and coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Berlin.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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