Your Cheat Sheet for a Berlin Business Trip
Airport
Australian travellers fly into Berlin Tegel Airport, which is located about 12 kilometres from the city centre. After many delays, the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt will open in 2020.
Airport transport
Head to the taxi ranks outside Terminals A, C and E. It’s approximately 30 minutes to the city centre and will cost around €40.
Best local app
Going Local Berlin is a free app developed by the official tourist body, VisitBerlin. It offers tips, event information and tours.
Best SIM card
Germans love their paperwork so setting up a temporary SIM can be unwieldy. The easiest is an ALDI Talk card, which you buy over the counter at ALDI supermarkets then activate via an app. Prepaid packages cost between €4 and €20 per month.
Travel in style
Punctuality
On the whole, punctuality is sacred in German business culture so it’s better to err on the side of caution. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early, especially for important meetings.
Tipping culture
Tipping is not obligatory as service industries pay their staff a living wage. Nevertheless, it’s very common to leave a tip if you enjoyed your meal and service – five to 10 per cent of the bill is the going rate.
Dining custom
German etiquette generally demands that the person initiating the meeting should pay the bill.
Average price of a cup of coffee
€3 for a cappuccino
Local transport
Public transport is by far the best way to get around the city (berlin.de). The U-Bahn, S-Bahn and trams are quick and efficient and a one-way ticket in zone 1 will set you back €1.70.
Population
+3.7 million
Greeting and salutations
Germans are quite formal and like their hierarchies so it’s common practice to use titles and last names when meeting in business settings for the first time. A man should be addressed as Herr (Mr) and a woman as Frau (Mrs).
Language
Berliners speak excellent English, especially in tourist-heavy areas. But it never hurts to offer a hallo or danke (hello and thank you).
Currency
The Euro. AU$1=€0.63 (subject to change)
Average temperatures
Winter -2°C – 3°C
Spring 4°C – 13°C
Summer 13°C – 22°C
Autumn 6°C – 13°C
