My wife & I will be taking German intercity rail to Berlin in a few days. From there, we and our luggage need to get to our hotel. Normally I’d be happy to take the U-Bahn but not with luggage.
What is the best mode of transport to use? I like Uber but don’t know how well it functions in Berlin.
If taxi is the option, any tips on tipping? ;)
Thank you
Use taxis infront of (main?) station. All drivers are educated and licensed. Rides are metered - no real bad surprises. Card payment shall be possible. Tip 10 % is OK - if friendly plus round-up, if unfriendly choose a minimum.
Uber is only available as professional driver service - these are not educated like taxi drivers and known for rough driving style and partly illegal behavior. FreeNow is another chauffeur service.
btw. 70-80% of public transport stations have elevators. So no need to "hulk" your luggage in these cases.
May you share name of your hotel`?
Where is your hotel? As mentioned, don't underestimate the U-Bahn and S-Bahn.
June Six Hotel Berlin City West
In your case S-Bahn is the better, faster and cheaper option.
Buy your Bahn ticket until destination Savignyplatz.
From main station (Hauptbahnhof) it is any S-Bahn S3, S5, S7 heading to West (track 16, Gleis 16). Enter train in the middle.
Savignyplatz is 4th station.
Elevator is in the middle of platform Savignyplatz going down to Bleibtreustrasse.
Walk one block back in pedestrian zone Else-Ury-Bogen along S-bahn trail to your hotel.
Enjoy your stay.
Tip: The Spätzle at Repke in Bleibtreustrasse are really good.
Tup 2: Arabic kitchen at Marooush is delicious - short walk down Knesebeckstrasse from your hotel.
I was looking for responses solely re: taxi and Uber or similar alternatives because my wife is having some difficulties walking at the moment. I know all about U- and S-Bahn. Thanks.
Perhaps we were unlucky enough to get an unscrupulous taxi driver, but the charge from the Berlin airport to Alexanderplatz on a Saturday afternoon with minimal traffic was 80 euros. If the driver tells you it’s “metered” ask for specifics on what the meter is set at. Never had an experience like that in all our travels!
From your previous post, appears you will be arriving from Nuremberg. You will arrive at the underground platforms at Berlin Hbf. You go up 2 levels by escalator or elevator to the ground floor and walk out the south entrance (Washingtonplatz) for the taxi line. It is about 200 ft walk from the elevators, less if you take the proper escalator.
That is about the same distance from the Sauvignyplatz S-Bahn station to your hotel, but maybe it will be raining. Suit yourself.
Sam, thanks for looking back at a previous post. Yes, we’re in Nuremberg now. Your comments were very helpful.
