Travel from Tegel airport
May 9th, 2011, 10:26 AM
#1
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Travel from Tegel airport
What is the best way to get from Tegel Airport to a hotel? My son is heading out for a study abroad and the professor gave them directions which consist of taking a bus from the airport to a train station, then getting off at a train stop and walking a few blocks. I'm thinking this is going to be a lot of work with carrying multiple suitcases and such.
Are taxi's reasonably priced to get around? Would they take advantage of a young man traveling on his own?
Are taxi's reasonably priced to get around? Would they take advantage of a young man traveling on his own?
May 9th, 2011, 10:52 AM
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Which hotel?
Taxis are not excessively expensive, but the city is quite large so eventually the fare can be anything from €15-40.
The average fare to a hotel in the Western city center is around €20, the Eastern city center more like €25.
Taxi drivers switch on the meter when they start, and switch it off at the destination. You pay the fare, and can round up to the next Euro if you want to give a tip. If the fare is already close to a full euro amount, for example €21.80, rounding up to €23 would be acceptable. A 15 or 20 pct tip would be way out of line.
No comment on whether they will take advantage of him. I'd say that depends on how cute he looks. Just kidding.
Taxis are not excessively expensive, but the city is quite large so eventually the fare can be anything from €15-40.
The average fare to a hotel in the Western city center is around €20, the Eastern city center more like €25.
Taxi drivers switch on the meter when they start, and switch it off at the destination. You pay the fare, and can round up to the next Euro if you want to give a tip. If the fare is already close to a full euro amount, for example €21.80, rounding up to €23 would be acceptable. A 15 or 20 pct tip would be way out of line.
No comment on whether they will take advantage of him. I'd say that depends on how cute he looks. Just kidding.
May 9th, 2011, 11:04 AM
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Thanks so much for your help! He has to stay at a lodge over in the Kreuzberg area which I understand is on the east side with the airport being in the northwest.
I live near Chicago and know an airport run can easily run $50 or more to the airport so I wasn't sure if that was what to expect over there as well. I just figured it would be worth the cost just for the convenience with all he has to take with him for his stay. It's not just the usual clothes and such. He has to take some school books, art supplies and other required items for his classes he is taking there.
By the way, I think he's cute but then again, I'm a mom!
I live near Chicago and know an airport run can easily run $50 or more to the airport so I wasn't sure if that was what to expect over there as well. I just figured it would be worth the cost just for the convenience with all he has to take with him for his stay. It's not just the usual clothes and such. He has to take some school books, art supplies and other required items for his classes he is taking there.
By the way, I think he's cute but then again, I'm a mom!
May 9th, 2011, 11:18 AM
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The subway to Kreuzberg is one of the oldest in Berlin, most parts run like the Elevated above ground. And not all stations are equipped with elevators. So traveling with lots of luggage could be quite a hassle.
You can check on this map if the station he will have to use has elevators:
http://www.bvg.de/index.php/de/binar...20909/file/1-1
If not, you can still opt for the taxi. I'd say he'll pay around €25.
P.S. You could also check if you can ship all those heavy books and stuff ahead.
P.P.S. One item you may want to consider in addition to the ATM question on your other thread: Tell him to get a mobile phone that works over here and a German SIM card. The low-end phones cost next to nothing (around €20) and are available in "handy shops" (yes, one German anglicism that makes no sense whatsoever in English) everywhere. Without a mobile phone, it will be very hard for him to stay in touch with his fellow students. And with you. Plus, he does not pay for incoming calls here (as long as he stays in Germany).
You can check on this map if the station he will have to use has elevators:
http://www.bvg.de/index.php/de/binar...20909/file/1-1
If not, you can still opt for the taxi. I'd say he'll pay around €25.
P.S. You could also check if you can ship all those heavy books and stuff ahead.
P.P.S. One item you may want to consider in addition to the ATM question on your other thread: Tell him to get a mobile phone that works over here and a German SIM card. The low-end phones cost next to nothing (around €20) and are available in "handy shops" (yes, one German anglicism that makes no sense whatsoever in English) everywhere. Without a mobile phone, it will be very hard for him to stay in touch with his fellow students. And with you. Plus, he does not pay for incoming calls here (as long as he stays in Germany).
May 9th, 2011, 01:48 PM
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It is quite easy to get into Berlin and Kreuzberg on the bus and the metro but if he is carrying a lot of luggage I guess he should treat himself with a taxi. The bus could be quite crowded even though it is just a very short ride to the first metro station. And he will probably be very tired and suffer from jet lag after the flight from the US.
