Backpacking Berlin (The Definite Budget Guide)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Berlin

Backpacking Berlin is loud, cheap, and full of surprises.

The city is a blend of street art, history, and late-night kebabs in one giant package.

I come back often, so this backpacking Berlin guide collects my best tips in one place.

It will help you choose the right area, spend less money, and skip the tourist traps.

Get these basics right and Berlin becomes easy: stay near good transport, keep an eye on small daily costs, and use free sights first.

Ready? Let’s break it down.

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Budget & Estimated Daily Costs in Berlin

Berlin is not dirt-cheap, but it is still friendlier to your wallet than Paris or London. A very tight budget is about €60–70 per day.

That covers a hostel dorm bed, simple street food, a BVG day ticket, and one cheap attraction.

With €100 you add café breakfasts, museum passes, and a club night without sweat.

Typical Daily Expenses in Berlin

• Accommodation (hostel dorm): €27–35 per night in shoulder season.
• Food total: around €25 per day.
• Breakfast: €3–5 for a bakery pretzel and filter coffee.
• Lunch: €6–10 for Döner, Currywurst, or a vegan bowl.
• Dinner: €10–15 for ramen, falafel plate, or cheap Thai.
• Local transport: €2.40 single ride, €9.80 day pass, €36 weekly.
• Attractions: €0–18 each. Museum Island day ticket €19.
• Entertainment & extras: €15–25 for a club entry, Späti beers, or souvenirs.

Plan on about €65 per day for a shoestring. Around €100 daily lets you add comfort and nightlife.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Berlin

1. Clubhouse Hostel
2. Globetrotter Hostel Odyssee - best for Solo Traveller
3. Die Fabrik - best for Quiet Rest
4. Sunflower Hostel - best for Female Solo Traveller
5. Baxpax Kreuzberg Hostel - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller

Clubhouse Hostel

9.3

Mitte

"…There is a metro stop just a couple blocks from the hostel. The hostel is bright, colorful, and more

Globetrotter Hostel Odyssee

8.5

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

"A fun hostel with a large common area with a pool table, foosball table, and TV. The reception more

Die Fabrik

8.1

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

"…I'm sure I'll stay there again when I come back to Berlin after a long journey. My son has stayed more

from

$12.21

Sunflower Hostel

8.5

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

"…For common spaces, the hostel has an open lobby and a bar; both spaces are very bright and more

from

$13.00

Baxpax Kreuzberg Hostel

8.8

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

"…I enjoyed myself in this small hostel, and the staff spoke all languages. Fantastic service- would more

Money Saving Tips

• Share the BVG “4-trip” or “10-trip” tickets with friends for lower single fares.
• Museums cut prices or go free on some Thursday evenings—check their sites.
• Bakery stands drop prices after 8 p.m.—cheap Börek and pastries.
• Use the “Too Good To Go” app for surprise meals under €4.
• Look for free open-air raves in parks instead of expensive clubs.
• Return Pfand (deposit) bottles at supermarkets—each one gives you €0.25 back.

Getting Around Berlin on a Budget

Berlin is flat and perfect for bikes. Hostels often rent bikes for €10 per day, and app bikes start at €1 per ride.

For public transport, an AB day pass covers U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses.

If you travel in a group, the “small group day ticket” is the best deal.

Night buses run when trains stop, but many central sights are walkable if you enjoy 30-minute walks.

Best Free & Budget Friendly Attractions

Free Things to Do

• Walk through the Brandenburg Gate—classic photo spot.
• Explore the East Side Gallery—1.3 km of Berlin Wall Street art.
• Book a free visit to the Reichstag glass dome for city views.
• Picnic or skate on Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport.
• Join the Sunday afternoon karaoke at Mauerpark.
• Visit the Holocaust Memorial—moving and always free.

Low-Cost Attractions

• Berlin WelcomeCard: transit plus discounts from €26 for 48 h.
• Humboldthain Flak Tower bunker tour for €15.
• DDR Museum: hands-on look at East German life, €13.50.
• Clärchens Ballhaus dance night: €8 entry for live music and swing.

Food and Drinks on a Budget

Cheap eats rule. Try Curry 36’s currywurst, Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap, and €5 bowls at Vietnamese spots in Lichtenberg.

Supermarket bakery chains like BackWerk sell sandwiches for €2.50—good for day trips.

For drinks, grab a €1.50 Wegbier (take-away beer) from any Späti and watch the sunset by the Spree.

Bars in Friedrichshain or Neukölln run happy hours until 9 p.m. Clubbing? Smaller spots like About Blank or Kater Blau daytime sessions cost less than the big names.

Experiences for Backpackers

• Tip-based free walking tours covering Berlin Wall history and hidden spots.
• Street-art bike tour through Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.
• Kayak the Spree river for about €25 half-day.
• Food crawl in Neukölln: falafel, Thai Park snacks, €1 baklava.
• Weekend techno marathon—start Friday, finish Sunday brunch.
• City festivals: Fête de la Musique in June and Karneval der Kulturen in spring—both free.

11 Hidden Gemz for Berlin (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Additional Tips & Final Thoughts

• Best time to visit: April–June or September for mild weather and cheaper beds.
• Booking in advance: Reserve hostel beds and popular club tickets a few weeks out on summer weekends.
• Avoid tourist traps: Skip overpriced currywurst near Checkpoint Charlie—walk two blocks for local prices.
• Safety first: Berlin is safe, but keep an eye on bags in busy U-Bahn stations and always lock bikes.
• Cultural respect: Recycle bottles, keep quiet in residential courtyards at night, and stand right/walk left on escalators.

Berlin rewards a curious traveler. Use these tips, stay flexible, and you’ll find yourself dancing at dawn, eating great street food, and still having cash left for the next stop on your trip.

Backpacking Berlin? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.