4 nights in berlin...

tomparker95

tomparker95

tomparker95

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Thinking about planning a trip away with a few mates to Berlin in June time and was wondering how much spending money to take out there?

Not too fussed about eating at posh restaurants, but obviously having to eat every day. Probably drinking a fair bit in evenings however, how much per day would you say is sufficient?
 
Berlin prices are ever so slightly cheaper than London in my experience. A meal in an OK restaurant with a few beers might cost £30-40. Alternatively, there's kebab shops everywhere if you want to save some money and possibly destroy your insides.
 
Take no spending money, simply take the right credit card/debit card with you and use it as you would here at the best possible exchange rate with no usage fees.

You don't take 'spending money' when you go anywhere else, don't do it when travelling abroad unless you want to be ripped off at a poor exchange rate buying more money than you need which you then come back with some left over and get ripped off again changing it back.
 
[TW]Fox;25937604 said:
Take no spending money, simply take the right credit card/debit card with you and use it as you would here at the best possible exchange rate with no usage fees.

You don't take 'spending money' when you go anywhere else, don't do it when travelling abroad unless you want to be ripped off at a poor exchange rate buying more money than you need which you then come back with some left over and get ripped off again changing it back.
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Fox speaks the truth, just take your debit card with you and use as normal (as long as it doesn't have extortionate exchange rate fees attached). When withdrawing cash at bank machines abroad it will tell you exactly how much you'll be charged in £'s. Just make sure that if paying by card abroad that they don't charge it in £'s at their exchange rate. Always charge in the native currency.

Berlin is a lovely city to go to though!
 
[TW]Fox;25937604 said:
Take no spending money, simply take the right credit card/debit card with you and use it as you would here at the best possible exchange rate with no usage fees
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Be that as it may, I don't think it's inappropriate to budget in advance when planning a trip. Question was 'how much', not 'how'.

I'd suggest about €50 during the day and about the same again in the evening on an average budget. Naturally, with any major first world city, things can get more expensive. Tunney's suggestion to budget as if you were going to London is sensible.
 
I've just got back from 5 days in Berlin last week. The prices are not anywhere near London levels, beer was about 3 euros a half litre and a shot with mixer was about 5 euros. A nice meal at an Italian with drinks and side orders came to about 15-20 euros per person. Travel is dirt cheap, get an A-B ticket travel card ticket which entitles you to use all surface trams, buses and underground trains in the major city areas.

It's a lovely place with loads to see and do, plenty of great bars and clubs too. Make a tiny effort with the language such as basic numbers, hello, thank you, can I have the bill please etc. Heck even just learning how to say "Do you speak English?" makes a huge difference. The locals will respect you for trying and almost everyone speaks some English.

Watch out for all the cycle paths on the pavements, I saw plenty of tourists almost get collected by a German on a bicycle!
 
tomparker95 said:
Okay cheers for the suggestions guys. I have a normal Visa debit card with Natwest :)
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Natwest charges a small fortune for using your card in another country. I would find another card to use. TBH the best card would be a paypal debit card. No fees for foreign currency, just load up the balance in GBP before you go, and then use the card for Euro purchasing - no big fee's.
 
Ace Modder said:
Natwest charges a small fortune for using your card in another country. I would find another card to use. TBH the best card would be a paypal debit card. No fees for foreign currency, just load up the balance in GBP before you go, and then use the card for Euro purchasing - no big fee's.
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Ah ok then. Will do some research on that when I decide whether to go or not. Cheers :)
 
Just change x amount in uk, most do not charge to change back to pounds if you keep receipt. ;)

£ against euro is quiet stable at the moment so I would not worry about exchange rates moving too much in 4 days. :)

Have a great time btw! ;)

Quick edit

I do not use cards aboard if I can help it, been burned many times in the past! :(
 
Tunney said:
Berlin prices are ever so slightly cheaper than London in my experience. A meal in an OK restaurant with a few beers might cost £30-40. Alternatively, there's kebab shops everywhere if you want to save some money and possibly destroy your insides.
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Berlin and most of Germany is actually a lot cheaper (about 30% less if not more). Especially in regards to food and drinks.
 
Berlin, excellent choice for a long weekend.

Went with the Mrs last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Use the train where you can, dirt cheap and really simple to use.

Learn how to say a few phrases and the locals will appreciate it no matter how bad you are.

I got a free coffee from a currywurst vendor for ordering in German (very VERY badly). The lady who served me just laughed and said, in perfect English, "you English people are not very good at other languages are you?". Me and the mrs spent about 15 minutes talking and found out about a lovely restaurant a few streets away.

Brilliant, friendly city with plenty to do. Enjoy!
 
RE Currency : I got a Metro Bank account when I was last down in London for withdrawals and transactions abroad. Worked flawlessly on recent trips to India, Prague and Amsterdam, and i'll be using it again when I go back to Prague and Berlin next month!

You used to be able to use it completely fee free anywhere in the world but it is changing this month so that it is still free within Europe but there is a small fee for the rest of the world. Still a great card nonetheless. Shame they don't have any branches up North as I like their approach to banking.

Prefer to use this than a Halifax Clarity card. Rather I only had access to money I know I have got (and can put to one side a specific amount if i'm going on a trip)
 
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