Review & Pictures by Shaun Troke
Without the Berlin Welcome Card, I wouldn’t have seen as much of Germany’s capital as I did.
It was the end of November, when both the winter weather and the Christmas Markets were beginning.
And, there were THREE main roles the Berlin Welcome Card would play during this visit to Berlin…
THE TRAVEL T.A.D (Transport. Attractions. Discounts)
Transport
My primary use for the Berlin Welcome Card was to dash around this busy metropolis.
From Schönefeld Airport to Checkpoint Charlie, this card covers every inch of the transport network map.
And, the transportation network is impressive, not only by scale, but by how punctual the system works.
The Berlin transportation network is made up of three zones: A, B, & C (ABC)
Berlin’s two airports – Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF) – are located in zones B and C, and so, you can choose which Welcome Card (an AB card or an ABC card) suits your travel needs.
Fun fact:
Just a personal favourite: Berlin has a mix of old AND new trains on its rails…
Whether it be a rickety old train with separate carriages or a modern new train pulling one long joined carriage (installed with hi-tech LCD’s), it’s fun not knowing which type of train will come along & take you on your next journey.
Please Note: I’m really not a train-spotter or anything like that (just saying!)
Attractions
The compact Welcome Card City Guidebook pretty much covers everything you can see & do in Berlin!
And, because there’s such a vast area to cover, the Berlin Card’s accompaniment booklet also provides a few 1-2 day self-guided tour suggestions, if your itinerary isn’t set in stone.
The aims of these self-guided tours are to take you to as many attractions as possible.
There’s so much to see in Berlin, and, too much walking can easily take its toll on your feet (trust me, I experienced this!).
Which is why I was thankful to have the Berlin Welcome Card, because I could use it to get to locations quicker (using transportation), therefore allowing more time at each attraction, too.
And, you’ll be pleased to know there’s another bonus, connected to the attractions, that comes with the Welcome Card…
Discounts
The bulk of the City Guidebook focuses on where you’ll find discounts all over Berlin. I’ve just scanned the booklet again, and didn’t spot a discount that was under 25%!
And, these discounts apply to attractions (such as the Berlin Fernsehturm, pictured), tours, museums, cafes/bars/restaurants, shopping, & many more!
VALUE FOR MONEY
I had a 6-Day, Zones ABC, Berlin Welcome Card (because I was using Schönefeld Airport), and, although I didn’t use any of the discounts given with the card, I still feel I got the most out of this card.
Why?
Well, here’s the price comparison when compared to buying a regular train ticket:
- One-Day Travel Card, zones ABC = €7.70
- 6-Day Berlin Welcome Card, zones ABC = €46.50 (approx. €7.75 a day)
As you can see, the value of the 6-Day Berlin Welcome Card is around the same price as purchasing a One Day Travel Card each day…only with the Welcome Card, you’ll have the option of the 200+ discounts, too!
If exploring is going to be a huge part of your visit, this Berlin Welcome Card is a must-have.
And, you can buy your Berlin Welcome Card either online at home or at the airport when you arrive…just remember to validate your ticket once you decide to begin using it.
Although I didn’t take advantage of the guides & discounts on the Welcome Card, there’s something reassuring about having this Berlin Welcome Card on your person when travelling around the city…
That, with this validated ticket on your pocket, you have access to almost ANYWHERE in Berlin!
Interested in the Berlin Welcome Card? Find out more here: https://www.visitberlin.de/en/berlin-welcome-card
You can find out more about Berlin in our series GOING SOLO, available to watch here on YouTube!