Student Travel Program Student Guidebook – Berlin

Prepare to Fly 2 Packing 2 Work Attire 2 Useful Items 2 Phone & WiFi 2 SIM Cards 2 Useful Apps 2 Arrival in Berlin 3 Getting To Us 3 Landing 3 From Tegel (TXL) 3 From Schönefeld (SXF) 4 From Berlin Central Station/Hauptbahnhof 5 Public Transportation 6 Using the BVG 6 Ticketing 6 Alternative Modes of Transportation 7 Staying in Berlin 7 Housing 7 Food/Shopping 7 Food/Groceries 7 Drug Store/Misc Items 7 Clothing 8 Money/Banking 8 Cash vs. Card 8 Tipping 8 Travel Notifications 8 Ick bin ein Berliner! – In and Around Berlin 8 Berlin Culture – How to Act like a Berliner 8 A Random Collection of Tips for Life in Berlin 8 Sightseeing 10 Restaurants/Bars 10 Nightlife 11 Neighborhoods 11 Day Trip/Weekend Destinations 12 Team 12 Contact/Help/FAQs 12

Prepare to Fly

Here we provide a few tips on how to get ready for your trip to Berlin and a few things to keep in mind before you fly.

Packing

Work Attire The office dress code is very casual – jeans, a comfy sweater or t-shirt are more than acceptable. We also are big fans of walking around in slippers or socks! Beyond office-wear, Berlin style is very diverse, fashionable and functional. You can honestly wear whatever you like – no one will look twice. Clubbing style is also extremely casual. You’d be more likely turned away from a club for dressing up too much instead of dressing down. So don’t stress about bringing a selected wardrobe – dress how you feel comfortable, and bring layers for weather readiness.

Useful Items Your devices can all be used and charged in Germany with adaptors. It’s nicer to already have one before you arrive, but you can buy them here as well. Check whether your devices (especially hairdryers/straighteners) are compatible with European voltag. Electrical outlets in Europe run on 220-230 V (but so you know, we have a hairdryer in the office).

If you're staying in our office, it might also be a good idea to bring along a small shower tote for your toiletries, since our shower facilities are located down the hall from our sleeping accommodations. You can also easily find one in stores close to the office, if you prefer.

Phone & WiFi

SIM Cards Prepaid SIM cards for data-on-the-go can be purchased at electronics retailers (Saturn, Media Markt) or some grocery stores (Aldi, REWE) in the city – if this is necessary for you, we can help you obtain one after your arrival. Some popular prepaid SIMs are Callya from vodafone, Lycamobile or AldiTalk. Otherwise, you can communicate using our office WiFi or the free WiFi available in U-Bahn (metro) stations, cafes and other locations throughout the city. Some American phone providers also offer international extension packages, so make sure you check with your provider as well!

Useful Apps ● Google Offline Maps – not technically an app, but super useful if you need a little directional assistance while on-the-go without data. You can download the entire Berlin metro area in advance. ● WhatsApp – web-based messaging service connected to your phone number used by most Europeans (and most people at the office). Highly recommended!

● BVG App – you can buy public transportation tickets here with a credit card, plan travel routes and look at network maps. ● Mytaxi App – if you plan to use taxis.

Arrival in Berlin

Getting To Us These sections provide you with some instructions on how to reach our offices from various destination points. Maps included!

Our Address: Torstraße 19, 10119 Berlin

Landing There are two airports in Berlin: Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF). Tegel is often the destination for long-haul international flights while Schönefeld typically serves inter-European travelers. You can easily use public transport to reach our offices from either airport. Taxis are another easy, though more expensive, option. Both airports have free WiFi, which you can use upon your arrival to get in touch with us should you have questions, to buy transport tickets via the BVG app, or just to tell friends and family you’ve arrived safely!

From Tegel (TXL) You will need a public transport ticket for zones AB for this transfer (see Public Transportation section for ticketing options). You may decide on a single ride, a day ticket, or other ticket options depending on the length of your stay and preferences for getting around. Before you ride, make sure to validate your ticket on the designated space provided by using the validation (stamp) machines.

Tickets can be bought at yellow or red kiosks, onboard buses and trams, or with credit card via the BVG app. The kiosks at the airport accept international credit cards, but be aware that kiosks in local stations often only accept German-style debit cards. Kiosks always take cash (coins and notes up to 20 Euros).

Once you’ve bought your ticket, follow airport signs for bus transfer. You will take the TXL bus that departs in front of Terminal A. The TXL bus begins at the airport, so don’t worry about which direction – just look for TXL in big letters on the front display.

The bus ride takes 35 minutes and has 12 stops before you get out at Alexanderplatz. At Alexanderplatz, follow signs for the U-Bahn (underground metro). You need the U2 towards Pankow and you’ll get off at the next stop Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Look for the exit toward Torstraße. Now it’s just a 3-minute walk to our offices on Torstr. (see walking map from U-Bahn exit below).

Find building number 19 and use the electronic directory’s up/down arrows next to the door to search for our bell. Ring at “Miamed Li”. Take the elevator on your right in the foyer area to the 6th floor and ring the bell on your right, where you’ll be received by our office managers, Anna and/or Dennis. Woohoo, then you’re here! We’re excited to welcome you!

From Schönefeld (SXF) You will need a public transport ticket for zones ABC for this transfer (see Public Transportation section for ticketing options). We recommend simply buying a single ride for this transfer, because you typically won’t need all 3 zones for other trips within Berlin. A single ride for ABC costs 3,40€. Before you ride, make sure to validate your ticket on the designated space provided by using the validation (stamp) machines.

Upon arrival at Schönefeld, use the free airport WiFi and buy your ABC zone ticket via the BVG app to avoid long lines at the kiosks. Exit the building and follow signs for the train station. It’s a 10-minute walk along a wide path, and most other people head this way as well (so follow the crowd!). After descending the stairs or ramp into the underground passage, you’ll see additional ticket kiosks, in case you cannot purchase via the app. After purchasing, look on the ground and follow the red line towards the tracks for the regional trains (Regionalbahn). There are many options for getting into the city from the airport (S-Bahn, bus, taxi, regional), but we recommend the regional trains because they are faster and require less switches. The regional trains are large and red (they look different than the S-Bahn) and are designated with the letters RE or RB. You should take either the RE7 towards Dessau, Hauptbahnhof or the RB14 towards Nauen, Bahnhof. Both trains take about 25 minutes to arrive at S+U Alexanderplatz Bhf, where you’ll exit. It’s about a 15 minute walk from Alexanderplatz to our offices, so if you prefer to walk and can access offline maps, this is doable. To walk a bit less, follow signs for the U-Bahn (underground metro). You need the U2 towards Pankow and you’ll get off at the next stop Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Look for the exit toward Torstraße. Now it’s just a 3-minute walk to our offices on Torstr. (see walking map from U-Bahn exit below).

From Berlin Central Station/Hauptbahnhof Should you arrive from within Germany/Europe by train, you will likely come into the main train station Berlin Hauptbahnhof. You will need a public transport ticket for zones AB for this transfer (see Public Transportation section for ticketing options). You may decide on a single ride, a day ticket, or other ticket options depending on the length of your stay and preferences for getting around. Tickets can be bought at yellow or red kiosks, onboard buses and trams, or with credit card via the BVG app. Before you ride, make sure to validate your ticket on the designated space provided by using the validation (stamp) machines.

The best option is either to take the tram or the bus from here to our offices. That means you can also buy your ticket onboard from the bus driver or the tram ticketing machines (be aware: they only take € coins). Follow signs for either the bus or tram. You can take either the M8 towards Ahrensfelde/Stadtgrenze or the M5 towards Hohenschönhausen, Zingster Str. Both trips take about 20 minutes and your stop is Mollstr./Prenzlauer Allee. Alternatively, you can take the Bus 142 towards S Ostbahnhof for about 15 minutes and also exit at Mollstr./Prenzlauer Allee. The bus and tram stop are both just a 3-minute walk to our offices on Torstr (see walking map from bus/tram stop below).

Public Transportation

Using the BVG The public transportation system in Berlin is very extensive and relatively easy to use – so don’t be intimidated! You can pretty much reach any destination with the network of trains, trams and buses. The online network map can be found here. Trains typically operate from 4 am – 1 am on weekdays and around the clock on weekends. Night buses replace train service outside of operating hours on weekdays.

The BVG system runs on an honor code; passengers flash their tickets for bus drivers, but almost never have to show their tickets otherwise. Occasionally “controllers,” who wear plain clothes and carry ticket scanning devices, will come through the train and ask to see your ticket (“Fahrkarten, bitte!”). Show your physical ticket or the QR code in the ticket section of the BVG App. Don’t forget your ticket, or it’s a €60 fine! Also be aware of the conditions of your ticket – how long it is valid and in which directions (example: single-ride tickets are valid for 2 hours, but cannot be used for round trips). Ticket conditions can be reviewed online or at any kiosk.

Ticketing You can find an overview of BVG ticket types and prices here. For shorter stays, you will likely use a combination of single ride, daily or weekly tickets, depending on how often you use public transport. For longer stays, you might consider buying a monthly ticket, especially if you use public transport daily. A BVG ticket can be used for all S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram and bus transfer.

Most of your destinations will be within zones AB, which you can see on the network map linked above, so we recommend only buying tickets for these zones. If you need to reach a destination in zone C, you can buy an inexpensive extension ticket to pair with your AB ticket.

Tickets can be bought at yellow or red kiosks, onboard buses and trams, or with credit card via the BVG app. There are English language settings on all ticketing kiosks. With the exception of airport and central train station machines, ticket kiosks often do not accept credit cards. However, you can always pay with cash (coins and notes up to 20 Euros) or European-style debit cards (girocard). You may buy single ride or daily tickets from bus drivers with cash or from ticket machines onboard trams (tram machines only accept € coins). After purchase, make sure to validate your ticket on the designated space provided by using the validation (stamp) machines.

Alternative Modes of Transportation If public transport isn’t for you, other options to get around Berlin include taxi (we recommend mytaxi instead of Uber, as Uber just calls regular taxis and charges an extra fee), carsharing (DriveNow, car2go) or bicycle. There are also numerous bicycle-sharing options in Berlin.

Staying in Berlin

Housing You will likely be staying in our office accommodations during your time in Berlin. This may be a private room or a bunk in a part of our shared office space, depending on availability. Shower and laundry facilities are also available in the office, but please be aware that these facilities are shared space. Our kitchen and living spaces are communal and are available for you to use at all times. If you’d like to take advantage of these (free!) accommodations with us, we will do our best to make your stay as comfortable as possible. If you prefer to arrange your own accommodations at your own cost, hostels and Airbnbs are typically less expensive than hotels – but there are plenty of options situated close to our office!

Food/Shopping

Food/Groceries All food is free in our kitchen at AMBOSS – help yourself to snacks, sandwiches and drinks. If you’d like to shop for some special items for yourself, please just mark these with your 3-letter initials before storing them (or they might be gone!). Popular grocery stores include Edeka, REWE, Kaufland, Lidl, Penny and Netto. “Bio” or organic stores like Al-Natura or denn’s Bio are also quite popular, though a little more expensive. Alternatively, Turkish-brand grocery stores like Eurogida also offer a really wide selection of international goods. You can pay with card at most grocery stores. Note: Keep in mind that most stores are closed on Sundays in Germany! If you really need something, some grocery stores located inside train stations still have limited operating hours on Sundays.

Drug Store/Misc Items The CVS/Walgreens-style of pharmacy/drug/miscellaneous store doesn’t really have an equivalent in Berlin, as any type of medicine (even just for a cold) will need to be bought at a classic pharmacy (Apotheke). But in addition to small selections at grocery stores, stores like dm and Rossman have a really wide array of bath

products, makeup, household goods, photo services, small gifts, paper products, vitamins, and pretty much anything else in the etcetera category.

Clothing If you’re looking to spice up your wardrobe, there are options from classic shopping centers (with names like Arkaden or Shoppingzentrum) to department stores (Galeria Kaufhof, Karstadt) to countless boutiques, second-hand and vintage stores, and flea markets.

Money/Banking

Cash vs. Card Cash, cash & more cash! Berlin and Cologne are still very cash-based cities. You can expect cash-only payment at many cafes, snack stands and bars. You can easily withdraw cash for a fee at different bank ATMs once you get here, though your bank may have specific agreements with certain German banks where you won’t pay transaction fees. (Tip: avoid the “Euronet” ATMs – they charge hidden fees of nearly €10 per withdrawal! Use bank ATMs.) Currency exchange is available at the airports and major train stations, but this is somewhat costly.

Tipping Tipping is not so much percent-based in Germany as it is just rounding up. For smaller bills, rounding up or adding an extra Euro is considered polite. For larger bills a few extra Euros is always appreciated (we suggest a tip of about 10% for bills of 20-30+ Euros), but the rules for tipping are not as well-defined. Tip amounts are told directly to your waiter before paying, whether with card or cash, as Germans do not like leaving money lying around on tables in American fashion. So if you’re bill is €22,30, you could just say “make it 24 please!” and you’ll already sound like a pro.

Travel Notifications Putting travel notifications on your cards or calling your bank to inform them of your travel plans before departure is never a bad idea, though it may also not be strictly necessary.

Ick bin ein Berliner! – In and Around Berlin

Berlin Culture – How to Act like a Berliner

A Random Collection of Tips for Life in Berlin

Don’t Walk in the Bike Lane Berlin may not have the same hustle and bustle as NYC, but the bikers are the same. In Germany, pretty much everyone follows the rules of the road. So try not to stand in the bike lane, unless you enjoy bikers ringing their bells at you.

Street-Crossing Etiquette You might think it’s ridiculous to wait at the crosswalk when there are no cars for miles, but if you cross on red a mother might glare at you (or reproach you) for setting a bad example for her child (no really, that has happened to all of us). If there’s kids around, just wait for the green running man.

Seat Yourself Most cafes abide by a self-seating policy, so just head on in and grab an open table. Don’t worry if the waiter doesn’t come immediately – the service culture is a little more laid-back in Berlin and waiters don’t check on you every few minutes. Don’t be afraid to wave to them if you’d like to order or pay!

Complimentary Water (or lack thereof) Unfortunately all that free H2O is not a thing in German cafes and restaurants (neither are refills, sadly). You might get the evil eye if you try to just order free tap water – it is more polite to order bottled still or sparkling water, which yes, often costs more than the house beer. So use it as an excuse to try all kinds of new German beers while you’re here!

Public Drinking Yes, it is allowed! And nothing is better than taking a few beers, a picnic blanket and a frisbee to the park with friends on good weather days. Technically it’s not allowed on the trains, but people do it. Just be respectful while having fun, and you won’t have a problem!

Public Transportation Etiquette Berlin is more relaxed than other German cities when it comes to acceptable behavior on public transport. Especially on the weekend, subway cars can have the feel of a pre-game dorm room. While drinking onboard public transport is tolerated (though technically not allowed), just be mindful of others. On weekdays, public transport is typically pretty quiet and passengers keep to themselves. Some cars have special seating for priority passengers, so be kind if you realize someone might need the seat more than you do. And reserve designated stroller/bike space for any passenger who may need it, they’ll appreciate it!

Guard Your Pockets Berlin is a very safe city, but some tourist areas do experience high levels of petty theft. Just make sure you are aware of your belongings and always keep your bag in front of you (fanny packs are cool) and your phone out of back pockets.

Small Talk Berliners aren’t trying to be rude, but small talk just isn’t a common practice. Neither is smiling at a stranger on the street or on the U-Bahn. And if you really want to pet somebody’s dog, just ask politely first! Don’t worry though – we love small talk and friendly chatting in the office, and you can always pet our furry office pal, Piefke!

Pfand/Recycling Germans are big fans of sorting the trash – so to be like the Berliners, pay attention to the proper bins for paper, packaging, food waste or general waste. And don’t throw that plastic or glass bottle away before checking if you get some “Pfand”, or money back, by returning it to a grocery store! The cashback amount is listed on the label, if it is returnable.

Sightseeing Berlin is full of culture and sights. You can easily spend all your weekends exploring the city, and still not see everything! Berlin has a huge offering of museums, special exhibits, memorials, tours, theater/dance, music, film, public educational events, markets, parks and outdoor activities in the surrounding nature, so there really is something for everyone. Our top sightseeing picks and Berlin musts are: ● Tour the Reichstagskuppel/German Parliament Dome. Make an online appointment in advance here. (S + U Brandenburger Tor) ● East Side Gallery (S Ostbahnhof) ● Spreefahrt/River boat tour (S + U Friedrichstraße) ● Teufelsberg and Former NSA Spy Station ● Hohenschönhausen East German Prison Site ● Berliner Unterwelten Bunker Tours (S + U Gesundbrunnen) ● Mauerpark (U Eberswalder Straße) ● Turkish Market (U Schönleinstraße) ● Tempelhofer Feld (U Leinestraße/U Paradestraße) ● Summer Lake Activities at Wannsee, Schlachtensee, Plötzensee or Müggelsee

Restaurants/Bars There are endless choices of great places to eat and drink in Berlin, so we’ll leave the bulk of it to Yelp and Tripadvisor, but we’ve compiled a shortlist of our very favorites for you:

Food ● Ryong (Japanese Fusion/Vegetarian) ● I due forni (Italian/Pizza) ● Le Bon (French/European/Brunch) ● Burgermeister (American/Burgers) ● Yumcha Heroes (Chinese/Dumplings) ● House of Small Wonder (Japanese Fusion/brunch) ● Peter Schlemihl (Contemporary German) ● Al Andalos (Lebanese)

Bars ● Wohnzimmer, Relaxed Bar ● Weinerei Forum, Pay-as-you-want Winebar ● Klunkerkranich, Rooftop Bar ● Geist Im Glas, Cocktail Bar ● Clärchens Ballhaus, Bar & Dance Hall ● Zu mir oder zu dir, Smoker-Friendly Bar & DJ ● Wild Things, Winebar & Bar Food ● Offside, Pub & Whisky Bar

Nightlife Berlin’s nightlife is world-famous. Most parties don’t really get started until 2-3 am, so gear up for a long night out if you want to party with the Berliners! Many clubs are clustered on the east side of the city, and there’s a few areas where you can club/bar hop very easily. Cover prices range anywhere from €5-15, though not all clubs charge or some may have free nights. Expect to wait in line on the weekends, but it’s usually worth the wait! A couple insider tips from us are:

Famous Clubs, strict door policies (look them up!): ● Berghain, Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243 Berlin ● Kater Blau, Holzmarktstr. 25, 10243 Berlin, Germany ● Watergate, Falckensteinstraße 49, 10997 Berlin, ● Tresor, Köpenicker Str. 70, 10179 Berlin

Other well-known Clubs, more chill door policies: ● Salon – Zur wilden Renate, Alt Stralau 70, Friedrichshain 10245 Berlin ● Sisyphos, Hauptstraße 15, 10317 Berlin ● Ritter Butzke, Ritterstraße 24 10969 Berlin ● Zum schmutzigen Hobby, Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin (LGBTQ+) ● SchwuZ, Rollbergstraße 26, 12053 Berlin (LGBTQ+) Neighborhoods One thing most people love about Berlin is that each neighborhood is distinct and has its own local feeling. We encourage you to get out and explore all the neighborhoods, but a few that have developed a special reputation are:

Kreuzberg – situated south of Mitte (city center) and west of the old Berlin wall divide, this neighborhood was long known for its strong Turkish influences. You’ll still find the Döner Kebap on almost every street corner, but this area has become very hip and trendy in the meantime, with lots of boutiques and restaurants/cafes popular amongst students and tourists. (Recommended transit stops: U Schlesisches Tor, U Gneisenaustr)

Neukölln – situated further south of Kreuzberg, this is a diverse neighborhood with a lot of great bars and nightlife, which feels a little more local than Kreuzberg, but has a similar young and edgy vibe. (Recommended transit stops: U Rathaus Neukölln, U Leinestr.)

Prenzlauer Berg – situated just northeast of Mitte (city center), this neighborhood has become the young family’s paradise, with quaint, tree-lined streets dotted by playgrounds, lots of really adorable cafes and home-deco shops, and relaxed bars and restaurants. (Recommended transit stops: U Eberswalder Str.)

Friedrichshain – situated east of Mitte (city center) and slightly north of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain combines some of the trendy hipster vibes of Kreuzberg/Neukölln with some of the cute/family vibes of Prenzlauer Berg. There’s plenty of life going on here, with an especially vibrant restaurant/bar stretch along the Simon-Dach-Straße and containing some of Berlin’s most famous clubs.

Day Trip/Weekend Destinations

Potsdam – Potsdam is a great destination for a day trip because you can reach it easily with Berlin’s public transportation system in about an hour. Just make sure to buy an extension ticket for Zone C to pair with your AB zone ticket, as Potsdam lies outside of Berlin proper. Potsdam has beautiful summer palaces and gardens perfect for strolling, as well as a very charming Dutch quarter with great food options.

Leipzig – Leipzig is about 90 minutes by train and 2 hours by bus from Berlin, so it can be done as a day or weekend trip. Leipzig is the city of music, home to great composers like Bach, Schumann and Mendelssohn Bartholdy. There are many small music & art museums, beautiful churches and impressive university buildings to see.

Dresden – Dresden is a little further, about 3 hours from Berlin, so it’s nicer for a weekend trip. Dresden is a stunning German city, and one that was almost completely rebuilt after its total destruction in the Second World War. The Zwinger palace complex, opera house and Frauenkirche are famous sightseeing attractions and architectural wonders. The river Elbe is an added plus in the summer!

Prague – You can reach Prague in 4.5 hours by train or 5 by bus, so definitely plan for the whole weekend. Prague is a tourist’s dream city. Every street features beautiful buildings and photo opportunities, the food is hearty and tasty, and Czech beer is shockingly cheap. Views to the castle and across the river, spanned by many bridges, are absolutely stunning.

Poznań – For a well-kept secret in Poland, take the bus 3 hours from Berlin to Poznań. Poznań’s quaint city center is full of colorful old buildings and it is pretty cute how obsessed they are with their city’s goat mascot. You can watch mechanical goats duking it out at the city bell tower or take pictures with goat statues depicting the 465-year-old “billy goat legend”. Foodies will also love Poznań for its inexpensive but really wonderful restaurants!

Team

(see website)

Contact/Help/FAQs

Q: Who is my point person for all questions/concerns related to my Berlin visit? A: Please get in touch with Anna ([email protected]) and she’ll be happy to help you with anything! Olivia ([email protected]) can also help with any question or concern you may have.

Q: Can I visit the AMBOSS office in Cologne? A: Yes! We love sharing our student visitors with AMBOSS team members in Cologne. Let us know about your interest and we will arrange visit dates with our Cologne team.