Berlin taxis are pricey, efficient and numerous. The
starting fee is €3 and after that the fare is €1.50 per
kilometre (about €3 per mile) for the first seven
kilometres and €1 per kilometre after the first seven
kilometres. The rate remains the same at night. For
short journeys ask for a Kurzstrecke – up to two
kilometres for €3.50 (this option is only available when
you've hailed a cab and not from taxi ranks). Cabs
accept all credit cards except Diners Club and the
payment with credit cards is subject to a €0.50 extra
charge).
Parking
Parking is free in Berlin side streets, but spaces are
hard to find. On busier streets you may have to buy a
ticket (€1 per hour) from a nearby machine. Without a
ticket, or if you park illegally, you risk getting your
car clamped or towed.
Electricity and
Power
Electricity in Germany runs on 220v. To use British
appliances (240v), change the plug or use an adaptor
(available at most UK electric shops and probably at the
airport). US appliances (110v) require a converter.
For more details
check here.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 110
Ambulance/Fire Brigade: 112
ATM
ATMs are found throughout the centre of Berlin and are
the most convenient way of obtaining cash. Most major
credit cards are accepted, as well as debit cards that
are part of the Cirrus, Plus, Star or Maestro systems.
Please be aware that usually you will be charged a fee
for withdrawing cash.
Safety & security
Although crime is increasing, Berlin remains a safe city
by Western standards. Even for a woman, it's pretty safe
to walk around alone at night in most central areas of
the city. However, avoid the Eastern working-class
suburbs if you look gay or non-German. Pickpockets are
not unknown around tourist areas. Use some common sense
and you are unlikely to get into trouble.
Smoking
Many Berliners smoke, however the habit is in decline.
Smoking is banned on public transport, in theatres and
many public institutions. Many bars and restaurants have
closed-off smoking rooms. Smaller, one-room
establishments (under 75 square metres) may allow
smoking if they want to, but must post a sign outside
denoting a 'Raucher-Kneipe' (smoker pub). There's no
problem with smoking at outside tables - which means
that even in winter there are now lots of places with
outside tables.
Tipping
A 10 per cent service charge will already be part of
your restaurant bill, but it's common to leave a small
tip too. In a taxi round up the bill to the nearest euro.
Tourist information
Berlin Tourismus Marketing (BTM)
Europa-Center, Budapester Strasse, Charlottenburg (250
025/www.btm.de).
U2, U9, S5, S7, S9, S75, Zoologischer Garten. Open
10am-7pm Mon-Fri; 10am-6pm Sat, Sun.
Berlin's official (if private) tourist organisation. The
Brandenburg Gate branch is open 10am-6pm daily.
EurAide
DB Reisezentrum, Hauptbahnhof, Tiergarten (www.euraide.de).
S5, S7, S9, S75 Hauptbahnhof. Open May-Aug 10am-7pm
daily. Sept-Dec 23, Feb 15-Apr 11am-6pm Mon-Fri.
Staff advise on sights, hostels, tours and transport,
and sell rail tickets.
Berlin
WelcomeCard
With the Berlin WelcomeCard, visitors can enjoy many
attractions and save even more in the German capital.
The WelcomeCard starts as low as 16.90 Euros in the four
info stores of Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH
(Hauptbahnhof main railway station-North Entrance, Neues
Kranzler Eck- Kurfürstendamm Passage, Brandenburg
Gate-South Wing, Alexa Shopping Center-Alexanderplatz).
Who buy a WelcomeCard will receive a discount of at
least 25% off of cultural events, tourist activities and
restaurants. In addition to classics like the Television
Tower at the Alexanderplatz, the Friedrichstadtpalast
or the Zoological Garden, there are new highlights this
year: discounts to the newly opened “Picasso Story”
exhibition, the Schönhausen Palace (now converted into a
museum), and the Staatsballett Berlin.
This card also comes with a convenient pocket-sized city
guide. This guide in both German and English introduces
new highlights in the city, now with an even clearer,
more user-friendly layout. As an added feature, it
contains a calendar with the year’s most important
events.
Places of Interest
quite close to hotel Ramada Alexanderplatz
