LocalInformation

Getting there

Despite some minor glitches in the past, public transport works reasonably well in Berlin.

If you are flying in you will most likely arrive at TXL (Tegel) or SXF (Schönefeld). If you are getting to Berlin via train you will most likely arrive at Berlin Hauptbahnhof.

All airports and train stations are linked to public transport. Tickets are available as whole-day tickes for little more than six Euros, tickets that are valid for two hours (well sufficient to commute between most places in town) are available for little more than two Euros.

Information on iternaries and on the network are available at http://www.bvg.de - there is a button to switch to English at the top of the page. If you are using an Android phone consider installing Öffi, for those of you using WP8 phones head over to the market place to install Here Transit.

If you prefer to go by cab - they are available at every major airport and train station as well.

Renting a car is possible as well. Berlin is really easy - if you are used to local traffic. People do watch out for each other, parking is free in many areas (except for a few residential as well as tourist areas of course).

If you want to spend a day for sight seeing, consider renting a bike at one of the local shops to get around. Distances usually are too large for walking.

Eat and drink

There are literally hundreds of bars and restaurants in easy walking distance to the conference venue. Schönhauser Allee and the streets close to it are known for their great restaurants, bars and beer gardens.

Alternatively take U2 south to Alexanderplatz and switch to U5 east to Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. Get lost in the famous "Simon-Dach" quarter ("Simon-Dach-Kiez" as we say in Berlin) with its cobble stone streets, wide sidewalks, bars, restaurants and cool little shops.

If the weather is as nice as it has been on the weekend, it might be worth walking or cycling a little farther to Holzmarktstraße. Between the streets "An der Schillingbrücke" and "Michaeliskirchstr." (see http://bit.ly/cNqLZq) there are a few really nice outdoor beach bars right on the banks of the River Spree.

Try Il Due Emigranti (Belziger Str. 38, Schöneberg) Best Italian food! Excellent Burgers, Burritos, and Nachos in Room 77 (Graefestr. 77, Kreuzberg, U8 Station Schönleinstr.) Try the PlusPlus-Burger (no tomato, but bacon, spiegelei and penautbutter!).

Very good vietnamese food by 3 Moms (Hornstr. 1, Kreuzberg U6+U7 Station Mehringdamm), Try the Curries…

Californian-style Burritos at Dolores Burritos (Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 7, Mitte, near Alexanderplatz), choose what's on your burrito…

Must see in Berlin

If you are looking for nice restaurants or events in Berlin the local magazines Tip Berlin and Zitty are a good place to start. Looking for a cheap way to see most interesting places at once? Consider hopping on the Bus 100 - a regular bus line in Berlin that passes all major tourist attractions.