Berlin transportation and other questions
 

We are arriving at 8:30 or so on a Friday morning at Tegel and will be staying in the Savignyplatz area. Then we will be leaving out on the following Tuesday morning from the main rail station, taking a train to Essen.

My questions are, what is the best way to get from Tegel to Savignyplatz? We will have some luggage. There are two couples, but I am completely happy taking public transporation, S Bahn, U Bahn, bus, whatever. And where do we get this transportation from the airport, buy tickets, etc.

Tuesday on the way out to the main rail station ( I think it's called Lehrter Bahnhoff? Is that right?) from Savignyplatz, what is the best public transportation to take?

Also we will be needing either a pass or buying individual public transportation tickets for 5 days I guess, although we will be leaving early on Tuesday. We could buy 4 or 5 one day passes, a 7 day pass or the Welcome Card. How many days is that good for? We won't be doing a lot of museums so I don't know if that's the best option. What kind of value is that? Can we buy our tickets for all those things at Tegel? And do we need an extension or something to get to SavignyPlatz? Which would be most economical for us and where do we buy them?

Also I am thinking of making a reservation at the Reichstag restaurant for lunch the day we arrive so we could get in there right away. Any thoughts on that? I'm running the marathon on Sunday so I need to get on the right time zone and see some things our first day.

One more question: Has anyone done any of the pub crawls? We are young 50's and I think it would be a good way to see some of the clubs/pubs our last night in Berlin. Not looking to get trashed but just see some variety, meet some people, have a few drinks. Which ones are the best and what is your opinion on them? We like to have a good time.

Thanks so much for your help

Don't know about public transport, but a taxi directly from our hotel, the Arcotel Velvet at the intersection of Oranienburgerstr and Friedrichstr, was 15.10 euro. For 4 people with luggage. We had 3 carryon size suitcases and one big suitcase plus a briefcase and small backpack.

For 4 people we found taxis about as inexpensive, or even less so, than public transport--depending on where we were going. If you hail a cab in Berlin and are going less than 2 km you can request the set Kurtzstrecke fare at 3 euro.

We didn't do any pub crawl tours, but we took the free 3-1/2 hour walking tour that New Berlin Tours offers. http://www.newberlintours.com/nbt

It was excellent. If their pub crawl is anywhere near as good, then it should be a winner.

Berlin was great--don't miss the Pergamon Museum.

Tegel is served by bus, but not by U Bahn or SBahn. It's a quick ride to the Zoo Bahnhof where you can pick up the U Bahn (subway) all around town. It's easy to do if you are familiar with getting around Berlin, but upon arrival at 8:30am I'd recommend you simply take a taxi to your hotel and avoid the hassle of figuring out fare, directions, etc.

Public transportation in Berlin is fantastic and easy to figure out - combination of subway, street car, and bus work well to get all around town.

Best thing to do may be to pick up a 1 day pass on your 1st day, or simply buy a 7 day pass and become familiar with the layout. Find the subway that's closest to your hotel and venture out wherever you wish. Use surface bus/tram to take you on some of the longer jaunts, like Reichstag to Alexanderplatz, etc.

When you want to return to hotel, simply get on the subway and navigate your way back to hotel.

Even if it may come out a few more $, I like the convenience of day passes or 7 day pass so I'm not looking for change or always needing to buy a ticket. With a pass you can hop on any subway or surface transport and be on your way.

Bus X9 to Zoo station. Savigny Platz is one stop on the S-Bahn and 3 U-Bahn lines from there.

http://www.bvg.de/index.php/en/Bvg/Start

J62 gave you some great advice and I don't really have much to add. I also recommend a pass of sorts, it was so great to hop on and off or use the underground whenever we wanted. And an all day pass is cheap too!

I was blown away by the public transporation system in Berlin. It was so easy and efficient. Usually the bus is not my first choice but there it was. The bus terminals tell you how long you have until the arrival and they offer great views of the city. We took the 100 line (I think that was it?) around town to get the lay of the land. It was great!

Have fun.

Thanks for your replies.

I've also heard about the 100 Bus being a great way to see the city. I've looked at all the different passes and city cards. I think to buy one with museum discounts would only make me crazy trying to do things I don't want to do to save some money. I'm thinking of buying the 7-day pass. It's 25,40 E. By the time we buy 4 one-days passes at 5,80 each and a single ticket to the train on the last day at 2,10 we've got virtually the same money invested and the 7-day would be much more convenient.

As far as Tegel to Savignyplatz, I printed off a map of Tegel, and if we feel good and aren't too disoriented we'll take the bus into the Zoo station. Our hotel is only 4 blocks or so from there or we can take the S bahn to Savignyplatz. If we're exhausted we'll get a taxi.

I think we'll skip the Reichstag restaurant as that will be one thing I HAVE to do. We'll get a view of the city from the TV tower or something.

I still think we'll do a pub crawl on our last night after we're a little oriented to the city. Don't want to have a few drinks where we can't find our way back to the hotel :)

Bus 100 is great but i also enjoy taking the elevated S-Bahn that runs right thru the heart of the city, passing most famous sites - you get a nifty view from the elevated nature - hop on at Zoo station, then oogle the smashing new Central Station, now Europe's largest train shed and known for its huge expanses of glass...then it rolls by the Reichstage area and all the new federal buildings, Brandenburg Gate and then to Alexanderplatz and the TV tower.

Did you notice if any of u bahn or s bahn staions have elevators or escalators for disabled people. I have trouble with steps but the #100 bus should be easy.

Many stations have escalators, some of which run in either direction: if the escalator is stropped, whichever person goes on first defines the direction.