Berlin Budget Tips

In Berlin, the official tourism office is Berlin Tourismus Marketing, or BTM. You can find a BTM office at the Europa Platz 1, the North entrance of Hauptbahnhof, the central train station. This location is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. Another BTM office is located at the Brandenburg Gate, and is very difficult to miss. It is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Check out BTM online.

Museums Prices and Passes

Admission prices to popular museums in Berlin, for adults and children:

Pergamon: €10 (adults); €5 (students); free (to age 16)

Jewish Museum: €5 (adults); €2.50 (students); free (to age 6)

Old National Gallery: €8 (adults); €4 (students); free (to age 16)

Hamburger Bahnhof: €8 (adults); €4 (students); free (to age 16)

New National Gallery: €8 (adults); €4 (students); free (to age 16)

Berlin's museum website will link you to many of the city's museums, and has ticket information that offers passes that will admit you to multiple museums.

There are two passes that can save you lots of money in Berlin. The Schaulust Museen Berlin pass operates an amazing value. The card costs just €19 (€9.50 for students), and offers free admission to over 70 museums and other collections over a 3 day period. The Berlin Welcomecard is another good value, offering free public transportation and a series of discounts on admission to museums and other attractions for just €16.50 for a 48-hour period and €22 for a 72-hour period.

Free Sights

Admission to Berlin's huge, beautiful public parks is free. The Tiergarten and Schlossgarten are two among many amazing gardens.

Admission to Berlin's many monuments and public structures is also free. The Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Holocaust Memorial, all located close to each other, are free to visit.

The neighborhoods of Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Prenzlauer Berg are full of quirky shops, fun scenes, and entertaining pedestrian traffic.

Check local events magazine Zitty for information about free concerts and other events.

Senior Discounts

Senior discounts exist in Berlin. To obtain some discounts, membership in a particular senior association may be required. Members of the AARP receive discounts on hotels, airfares and car rentals in Berlin. They can be reached in the United States at 1-800-424-3410 or accessed online at the AARP website.

Student Discounts

The International Student Identity Card, ISIC, the most widely accepted form of student ID, provides discounts on sights, accommodations, food and transportation. Some places offer admission discounts of 20%-50% to ISIC members. All cardholders have access to a 24-hour emergency helpline. In the United States call 1-800-223-7986 or click onto the ISIC site. Applicants must be degree seekers of a secondary or post-secondary school and must be at least 12 years of age. The card costs US$22 and is valid until the end of the year issued.

For non-students 26 years or younger, the International Youth card, IYTC, offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC. The card costs US$22 and is valid for one year from the date of issue.

Travelers with student cards such as ISIC and IYTC qualify for big discounts from travel agencies. Most flights from budget agencies are on major airlines, but in peak season some may sell seats on less reliable chartered aircraft.

Other Resources

For more tips on keeping your trip to Berlin affordable, check out the sites listed on our helpful links page (including the city's official tourism website). You can also find more tips for planning your Berlin vacation on TripAdvisor and on Rick Steves' Graffiti Wall.

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