Is Berlin expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Berlin is moderately priced for a Western European capital: cheaper than Paris, London, Munich or Amsterdam, though dearer than Prague or Budapest. A realistic day costs about €90 per person on a budget and about €160 mid-range. Beds take most of the money; many of the key historic sites are free, and street food such as döner, currywurst and Vietnamese meals keeps food costs low.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €80 | €170 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €25 | €50 |
| Local transport | €8 | €11 | €25 |
| Per person, per day | €88 | €161 | €335 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Berlin day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Currywurst with fries | roughly €6–8 |
| Döner kebab | roughly €6–9 |
| Beer in a Kneipe (0.5 l) | roughly €4–6 (less from a Späti corner shop) |
| Public transport single ticket (AB zones) | about €3.80 |
| Neues Museum (Nefertiti) | about €14 |
| TV Tower viewing floor | about €25 |
| Mid-range dinner for two with beer or wine | roughly €60–90 |
| Mid-range double room (Mitte) | roughly €120–200 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main expense: a bed in a shared double runs about €45 a night on a budget, €80 mid-range and €170 in comfort, plus a city tax of a percentage of the room price. Food costs about €25 a day on bakeries, döner and cheap Vietnamese or Turkish dinners, or €45 with a café brunch and a restaurant dinner. Sights are relatively cheap at about €10–25 a day, because the Reichstag dome, the Holocaust Memorial, the Topography of Terror and the Wall sites are free. Transport is about €8–11 a day, since the city is large and you will ride the U-Bahn and S-Bahn often.
When it is cheaper
November and January to March are the cheapest months, with hotel prices often roughly 20–40% lower than in summer. Prices jump during big trade fairs and events such as the Berlin Marathon (September) and the Berlinale (February).
How to spend less
- Plan your museum days around the free sites: the Reichstag dome, the Holocaust Memorial, the Topography of Terror, the Berlin Wall Memorial and the East Side Gallery cost nothing.
- Check whether your dates include a Museum Sunday (first Sunday of the month), when many museums are free with an online time slot.
- Compare a 72-hour AB transport ticket with the Berlin WelcomeCard; since so many sights are free, the plain ticket is often cheaper.
- Buy drinks at a Späti (late-night shop) and sit by the Landwehrkanal or in a park, as Berliners do.
- Ask for 'Leitungswasser' (tap water) and check the price of bottled water before ordering; €5–8 a bottle is common.
- Use bank ATMs rather than standalone cash machines, carry some cash for cash-only bars, and always pay in euros on card terminals.
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Common questions
Is Berlin expensive?
Not by Western European standards. It is cheaper than Paris, London or Munich, especially for food, and many major sights are free. Plan on about €90 a day on a budget.
Is the Berlin WelcomeCard worth it?
Often not. It is mostly a transport ticket with discounts, and since many key sites are free, a plain 72-hour AB ticket can be cheaper.
Do I need cash in Berlin?
Cards are widely accepted, but many smaller bars, cafés and Imbiss stands are cash only. Carry some euros from a bank ATM.