Solo Travel in Berlin: The Essential Guide

Planning a solo escape but not sure where to go next? Or you’ve already got Germany’s capital in mind? In this post, find out how you can get the best out of your solo Berlin trip!

I’ve actually visited Berlin multiple times now, both as a solo female traveller and with others. And it’s absolutely one of my favourite city breaks in Europe. It’s a city that mixes iconic sights and fascinating recent history with an alternative undercurrent. Some of my favourite Berlin experiences have simply been wandering around and taking in the sights – followed by a well-earned German beer at a Friedrichshain bar!

Find out why Berlin is a perfect destination for solo travellers, and my top tips on how to go it alone in Germany’s capital!

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Berlin Solo Travel Essentials

Why Berlin is a great solo travel destination

While it may not be as entry-level for solo travel as Iceland or Venice, Berlin is an incredibly rewarding destination for solo travellers.

There are loads of museums to get lost in (one of my favourite solo travel activities!) and plenty of history to explore. Berlin is also a very multicultural city, which means there’s plenty of art and culture from around the world to take in.

If you’re interested in sampling the Berlin nightlife, it’s absolutely not weird to go out clubbing in Berlin alone. We stuck to the Friedrichshain bars, but if you’re passionate about electronic dance music, Berlin is your perfect place for dancing alone – and with friendly strangers!

Plus, English is very widely spoken in Berlin, so if you’re an English-speaking visitor you likely won’t have many problems communicating.

Is Berlin safe for solo travellers?

Berlin is generally considered a safe place for solo female travellers, with relatively low crime rates. Violent crime in particular sees lower crime rates than comparable cities. Like any large city, the most common crime against tourists is petty theft and pickpocketing.

Of course, you should take caution after dark and avoid dark, unlit pathways. I generally felt safe walking around busy areas at night in Berlin, but avoided shortcuts across parks and down alleyways. The public transport is extensive and reliable, and as a woman travelling alone, I felt comfortable getting the S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains in the late evenings.

Berlin also has a strong LGBTQ+ scene, and is generally considered a welcoming and diverse destination, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Safety tips for solo travellers in Berlin:

• As you would in any major city, stay alert to your surroundings.
• Avoid walking through unlit, quiet parks and streets at night.
• Keep your valuables safely secured at all times. Ideally, you should leave valuable items like passports in a locker or safe at your accommodation, and try not to travel with large amounts of cash.
• Stay in touch with someone you trust, letting them know your plans and checking in regularly.
• If you’re out late in Berlin, consider getting a licensed taxi or Uber back to your accommodation.
• Keep an eye on your drinks at all times – never leave a drink unattended, or accept drinks from strangers that you haven’t been served yourself.
• Carry some spare cash in case of emergency.

Is Berlin expensive for solo travellers?

I found Berlin to be about in the middle price-wise for European destinations. Trip essentials like accommodation and meals tend to come in less expensive than cities like London and Copenhagen, but more expensive than some Eastern European destinations such as Bucharest and Krakow.

My tips for a budget-friendly solo trip to Berlin:

• Consider booking a hostel dorm room to save money on accommodation. Berlin has a great hostel scene, and I’ve shared some of the best below!
• Berlin has plenty of museums to explore – and some of them are free! Check out the Topography of Terror (an essential Berlin museum), the Allied Museum and the Deutscher Dom.
• If you’re visiting on the first Sunday of the month, take advantage of free entry at over 60 Berlin museums, including all exhibitions on Museum Island.
• Book a tip-based ‘free’ walking tour to acquaint yourself with the city and check out the best sights.
• If you’re using public transport multiple times in a day, check whether a 24 hour ticket works out as better value than single tickets.
• Save money on sightseeing buses by taking the M100, M200 or M300 local bus routes, which go past Alexanderplatz, Berlin City Hall, the Reichstag, and other impressive Berlin locations.
• Eat at Berlin snack bars, serving fast casual kebabs, loaded fries and currywurst for between €8 and €12 per dish.
• Don’t miss out on getting cashback when you’re booking – TopCashback is my favourite UK cashback site which gives you money back for your normal spending!

How to get to Berlin

By air

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is the city’s major international airport, with flights arriving from major cities all across the world.

I’ve flown from London to Berlin via both easyJet and Ryanair, which takes just under two hours.

By train

Berlin is a major train transportation hub, with regional trains from many other German cities including Hamburg (avg. journey time around 2hrs) and Munich (4hrs).

You can also get the train to Berlin from various other European destinations, including Amsterdam (6hrs), Prague (4hrs) and Vienna (7hrs 40min).

By coach

Flixbus operates low-cost bus services linking Berlin with the rest of Europe – with direct coaches from many cities including Budapest (11.5hrs) and Copenhagen (9hrs).

Getting around Berlin

Berlin is a well-connected city, with plenty of public transport options.

• The U-Bahn is Berlin’s metro service, and one of my favourite ways to get around the city quickly.
• The S-Bahn is the city’s train service, which runs between main stations in Berlin as well as suburbs to further afield. The S-Bahn S9 and S45 services run between the airport – just make sure you buy a ticket for the ABC fare zone. I nearly got caught out on this one on my first solo Berlin trip!
• There are also tram and bus services that run all across the city.

Places to stay as a solo traveller in Berlin

On both of my visits to Berlin, I stayed in hotels rather than hostels. That’s not to say that there aren’t some great hostels in Berlin, though! Staying in a hostel is a great way to meet other people as a solo traveller, while often saving money on the cost of a full hotel room.

The best hostels in Berlin for solo travellers

Berlin has a lively hostel scene, offering dorm beds and areas for socialising. If you prefer to sleep in your own room, many Berlin hostels also offer private rooms.

• Circus Hostel is one of the best-loved Berlin hostels for solo travellers, in a great central Mitte location. They host regular social events such as quizzes and karaoke.
• EastSeven Berlin is the best-rated hostel in Berlin on Hostelworld. It’s a great place for solo travellers (they don’t accept groups) to meet and socialise in a relaxed, family-like atmosphere.
• Kiez Hostel is located in the lively Friedrichshain area, just five minutes from the East Side Gallery, with artistic decor and cosy rooms.

Hotels in Berlin for solo travellers

If you’re more about having your own space than sharing a dorm, there are plenty of hotels in Berlin that are ideally suited to solo travellers.

• Schulz Hotel Berlin Wall ($$) is an affordable hotel option just a stone’s throw from the famous East Side Gallery! The rooms are comfortable, and the lobby’s gorgeous. There’s plenty of seating and a bar for relaxing with a book during some solo travel downtime.
• 25hrs Bikini Berlin ($$$) is the hotel I stayed in on my first solo trip to Berlin, and I was absolutely obsessed with the decor and cosy hammock in my room!

Essential sights to see on a solo trip to Berlin

Brandenburg Gate

One of Germany’s most iconic landmarks, and probably the most photographed too! The neoclassical style Brandenburg Gate was built in the 1700s, and stands as a symbol of history, peace and unity. Perched on top of the twelve columns, look out for the chariot drawn by four horses.

Checkpoint Charlie

One of my favourite free things to do in Berlin is explore the fascinating history of the Cold War and Berlin Wall. Checkpoint Charlie was one of the most famous border crossings, and the most-used checkpoint for diplomats, military, and visitors from other countries. Now a major historical site, a replica guardhouse was built and a free museum established across the road to share the history of the Berlin Wall.

Reichstag Building

Berlin’s Reichstag Building has been the seat of the current German parliament since 1999. The original Reichstag was completely destroyed by a fire in 1933, and between 1995-1999 the building was completely redesigned with a large glass dome on the roof. You can take a free Reichstag building tour, but you need to book in advance – this is one that I still need to tick off my Berlin bucket list!

Learn more about the German Bundestad on a Reichstag and Government District guided tour.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (the Holocaust Memorial), is a tough but must-visit site in Berlin. The memorial was designed to create a sense of disorientation and isolation, with 2711 concrete blocks arranged on a sloping grid. The solemn atmosphere creates a place to reflect and pay respects to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

East Side Gallery

If you’re spending your solo Berlin trip tracing the history of the Berlin Wall, there are remnants that still stand across the city. The largest by far is the East Side Gallery, which is a 1.3km stretch of original wall slabs, now painted with over a hundred murals. Commissioned in 1990, the gallery saw artists from all over the world come together to paint works inspired by Germany’s history and hopeful future.

Book an East Side Gallery Walking Tour to learn more about the murals on display.

Friedrichshain

One of my personal favourite areas of Berlin, Friedrichshain has an edgy, alternative vibe. Walls everywhere are adorned in street art, stickers and posters. The colourfully decorated buildings are home to a range of independent cafes, restaurants and bars. In the sunshine, the former train depot of Urban Spree is one of my favourite places to hang out in Berlin!

See more of Friedrichshain on an alternative Berlin walking tour!

Topography of Terror

If you only visit one museum in Berlin, this should be top of your list. It’s a tough visit, but I consider the Topography of Terror one of the most important museums I’ve ever been to. An incredibly emotional and sobering exhibit, using photography and propaganda to educate on the rise of Nazi, and their horrific impact on Germany, Europe and beyond.

The best tours in Berlin for solo travellers

Walking tours are a great way for solo travellers to learn more about the city from a local guide. You might even make some friends on the tour too! Some of my recommendations for Berlin walking tours are:

• Get acquainted with the German capital on a comprehensive Discover Berlin Half Day Walking Tour.
• Learn more about the history of German politics with a tour of the Reichstag and Government District.
• I took an Alternative Berlin walking tour on one of my visits, and highly recommend it if you want to explore Berlin’s more edgy districts.

Solo Dining in Berlin

When I speak to people thinking of taking a solo trip, the question that often comes up is “how do you deal with dining solo?” Truthfully, it was something that I initially felt nervous about too – but with practice, I became someone who actively enjoys going out for a meal alone. My top tip for anyone feeling awkward about solo dining is to go for casual dining restaurants or street food stalls – much less awkward than a fancy restaurant!

• Frittenwerk – one of my favourite casual cheap eats in Berlin, serving up generously loaded fries and sides of currywurst.
• Curry 61: Berlin has LOADS of ‘hole-in-the-wall’ currywurst kiosks – most serving both meat and vegan options. Our favourite was Curry 61, near Alexanderplatz.
• Döner Dach: Yes, you read that right – doner, as in kebabs. And I don’t mean the ‘2am when you’re on the way back from the pub kind’. Having a kebab in a little takeaway spot at any time of the day is acceptable in Berlin, and most offer a vegan kebab option too! I’d recommend Doner Dach in Friedrichshain for some of the best in town.

If you’re game for a ‘table for one’, these are some of my favourite restaurants in Berlin:

• Chen Che Vietnamese Tea House (Mitte) – some of the best pho I’ve had outside of Vietnam!
• House of Small Wonder (Mitte) – a gorgeous spot for tasty brunch and lunch dishes.
• Salami Social Club (Friedrichshain) – laid back, easygoing pizza spot with fun toppings.

Berlin food tours

One of the problems I always have when I travel is having no one to share a plate with when I want to try a little bit of everything! Food tours are a great way around this, as dishes are often sample-sized or shared within the tour group. Here’s a few to try out in Berlin:

• The vibrant street food scene in Berlin has something for all tastes. Don’t miss the hottest spots – take a Guided Street Food Tour!
• Find the best vegan street food in Berlin, and explore the lively Friedrichshain district.
• Experience the diverse range of international cultures (and tastes!) in Berlin on an East Berlin Food and History Walking Tour.

Evening activities for solo travellers in Berlin

Evening is a time I used to struggle with a bit as a solo traveller, as I’m not a huge fan of going to busy bars on my own. I’m more of a night tours or relaxed evening kind of girl, but whatever you fancy doing, there are plenty of evening activities in Berlin suited to solo adventurers!

• If you fancy experiencing Berlin’s nightlife but don’t want to do it solo, a guided pub crawl (with free shots and club entry) is a great way to find other travellers to party with!
• See a show! The Wintergarten Variety Show is a lively and humorous extravaganza, with acrobatics and comedy. For more of a classic theatre experience, check out Deutsches Theater or Theater des Westens.
• Cosmic Comedy Club, The Wall and Quatsch Comedy Club all host regular English language comedy shows.
• From pop and classical concerts to underground punk and modern jazz, you’ll find live music all over Berlin every night of the week.

Solo day trips from Berlin

Got some time in Berlin and want to explore more of Germany? These day trips to surrounding locations are perfect for solo travellers!

• Visit Potsdam, the former capital of the Prussian Empire and visit the Sanssouci Palace and the Bridge of Spies.
• Explore Germany’s harrowing history on a day trip to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.
• Just over an hour away by train, the city of Leipzig is renowned for its musical heritage; the birthplace of the composer Wagner, and a hotbed for classical contemporaries including Bach and Mendelssohn.

More Solo Travel Guides:

• Solo Travel in Venice: The Essential Guide
• Solo Travel in Copenhagen: The Essential Guide
• Solo Travel in Stockholm: The Essential Guide
• Solo Travel in Edinburgh: The Essential Guide
• Why Iceland is Perfect For Your First Solo Trip