We are going in the summer 2010 to Berlin. Would like to know what part of the city is best to stay?
Would like to be near subway and other public transportation.
Do I need a car?
Also would appreciate any recommendations for places to stay, restaurants with great food (not fancy), and places to go.
Thank you very much!
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
You will not need (or want) a car in Berlin. The transportation system is excellent--buses and metro will get you almost anywhere you want to go in the city.
We stayed in Western Berlin near Savignyplatz and Bahnhof Zoo--the location worked out great for us. We stayed at Rick's recommended Pension Peters. There are good restaurants in the neighborhood.
As you can see (pdf) public transportation is a relatively fine grid (at least inside the "ring"), so distance to the next subway/S-Bahn station is a matter of street and house number, not quarter nor district.
What location is "best" depends on your priorities.
Somewhere in or on a direct line to Mitte (sights: B. gate, Reichstag, museums; nightlife: Oranienburger St.) would be a "standard choice," but as always, your mileage may vary.
You don't need a car in Berlin. And as a tourist it is actually quite a bad idea to bring one (parking!).
