Berlin advice please

[darrenbate]

hi
I am hoping to visit Berlin for my wife's 50th in October. Flying from Bristol (UK) airport has 2 options, Schonefeld with easyjet or Tegel with KLM. Anybody know the best option to go with from past experience? Also, any recommendations on hotels to stay at near Alexanderplatz or central Berlin. I am not well travelled and would appreciate any thoughts/help. Thanks.

[Lutfen]

My wife and I flew to Berlin for our 50ths (2 days apart) and stayed at the Adlon. It was not cheap, but it's an iconic location, just across from the Brandenburg Gate. It made for a very memorable stay! I've only flown into Schoenefeld and didn't particularly like it - both its facilities or location. I can't comment on Tegel.

I first travelled into Berlin by train in mid-'89. It was an amazing place, as it is now, and the scars from the street battles in 1945 are still very visible.

Regards,
Michael

[KLMKsunbunny]

Schoenfeld is about a 45 minute journey out of the centre of Berlin, so if you have loads of bags that may be awkward. Get into Berlin by taxi (45-60 euro) or take the S-bahn train. S-9 if I remember right. Depending where your hotel lies you may have to switch lines a few times. Just plan your journey first. You can buy a tourist travel ticket from the deutsch Bahn (DB) travel centre at the airport, which is less hassle than buying them from a ticket machine. Although I've never been, tegel is more central, so may be a cheaper, easier journey to your hotel.

Have a great trip, it's a city with a rich complex history, and there will far too much to see..!

[Mil-Archive]

I think the S-Bahn ticket from the travel desk is a great idea. Cheap and easy.

The Park Inn Hotel at Alexanderplatz is a great option in my opinion. The views are spectacular, particularly at night.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Inn_Berlin

[N.C. Wyeth]

If you have time - and want to do something UNUSUAL . . .

I have my targets on Berlin one day . . . and always thought venturing into the countryside to see this might be a thrill:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenlychen_Sanatorium

Of course, these kind of things are not for everyone.

[darrenbate]

Thank you all for the help. Flying with KLM takes longer as you transfer in Amsterdam. Easyjet charge for luggage and then taxi from Schonefeld airport to the hotel will all have to be budgeted for. She's worth it.....Berlin, not the wife!

[KLMKsunbunny]

Hi, still buy the tourist travel tickets, they're valid for unlimited travel on any bus and U and S-bahns. They don't "start" until you stamp them in the machine.

http://www.berlin.de/en/tourism/1895...mecard.en.html

As for getting around by taxi, there is a Berlin taxi app you can download, I can't remember the name, its much like Uber, but it links with Google Maps and gives you likely fare costs for the journey.

as for the sights, there's too many...

Check Geoff Walden's excellent site: http://www.thirdreichruins.com/berlin.htm

And this is a great little book that's easy to carry around with you as a guide:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Past-Finder...939+guide+book

[darrenbate]

I think the S-Bahn ticket from the travel desk is a great idea. Cheap and easy.

The Park Inn Hotel at Alexanderplatz is a great option in my opinion. The views are spectacular, particularly at night.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Inn_Berlin

Looking in to this hotel as well as Hampton by Hilton, Alexanderplatz, Berlin.