awheaton

Two 20-somethings who like a good beer and culture. We are staying a week each in Berlin and Munich, but as homebases as we're traveling to Neuschwanstein, Salzburg, Potsdam, and Hamburg for sure, so we are looking for hotels/apartments/whatever near transportation (train stations). Where have you stayed in Munich and Berlin?

madamtrashheap

Your budget and preference for hotel vs hostel vs apartment will determine properties to recommend. But as far as areas go:

Berlin - Prenzlauerberg or Kreuzberg will likely suit you best.

Munich - there are many places in the vicinity of the main train station (Hauptbahnhof), but don't limit yourselves to staying there. Look at and areas of Gärtnerplatzviertel (GPV) and Glockenbachviertel (GBV) which are both part of the city district of Isarvorstadt-Ludwigsvorstadt. They great for cafes, pretty parks and people watching.

lavandula

In Berlin it doesn't matter so much where, as how close to the U-Bahn. The map can be deceiving - Berlin is a very spread-out city and you will do a lot of walking. We stayed in Mitte, on the border of Kreuzberg / Friedrichshain but near to the Museumsinsel, last August. If our apartment had been closer to the Insel I would have been happier. Instead we were opposite a youth hostel on Köpenicker Strasse. Very noisy and close to a street of shops selling beer and spirits (bad move, the residents of the YH had all-night parties on the doorstep and also rang our doorbell at 3am). I had to be close to a certain library otherwise we would never have picked that location. Do your homework about the immediate neighbourhood as I never dreamed it could be so crappy!

Lavandula

AisleSeat

As I mentioned in your other thread, the area around the main train station has lots and lots of hotels of all classes. That is in a great location for convenient access to the middle of town and the train station. Sendlingertor is another good area convenient to the Zentrum but not quite as close to the train station. What is your budget?

We look to 2 and 3 star hotels in that area. One we stayed in recently that we really liked was the Drei Lowen. You can sometimes get a good deal on the downtown Marriott Courtyard (which is more of an American style hotel with bed spread type comforters rather than typically German down comforters).

Munich's mass transit system is fast, convenient and easy to navigate.

Bpesta

Have you considered renting an apartment? Have done that plenty of times using vrbo or homeaway and love the additional space as well as the feeling of "living" in a great place while on vacation.