By Alex Carrington, Travel Editor at 247 Packing List · Last updated: ·

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Berlin Packing List

Berlin is Europe's most creatively alive city — art, history, music, street food and club culture in a vast, endlessly walkable metropolis. It's also one of the most affordable major European capitals. Packing is straightforward: comfortable shoes are everything, and winter requires proper layers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Berlin cheap for tourists?

Relative to London, Paris or Amsterdam — yes. Street food (currywurst, döner kebab) is cheap, the U-Bahn is affordable, and mid-range restaurants are excellent value. However, Berlin has become noticeably more expensive since 2020. Budget €80–150 per day for a comfortable trip including accommodation.

How many days do you need in Berlin?

Three days covers the essentials: Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, East Side Gallery, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg for food and atmosphere. Five days lets you go deeper — Charlottenburg Palace, Sachsenhausen, the flea markets, and proper time in the neighbourhoods.

Do you need cash in Berlin?

More than in most European cities, yes. Many independent restaurants, cafés, market stalls and smaller shops are cash-only or strongly prefer it. The trend is slowly changing but carry €50–100 in cash at all times in Berlin. ATMs are everywhere and usually fee-free with major UK bank cards.

Alex Carrington is the travel editor at 247 Packing List, building destination and trip-type packing guides from flight-delay experience, family trips and a lot of over-packed suitcases. Every list on this site is cross-checked against the destination's actual climate and airline baggage rules before publishing.