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To Berlin Pass or Not to Berlin Pass?
I will be kind here and not force any generous and loyal readers to read an entire article to discover the answer to my question. Drum roll if you please sir...Yes, you should purchase a Berlin Pass, or should you? Well, it depends on who you are and what your goals are when visiting the historical legacy that is Berlin. As I always say there are two sides to every story.
Berlin has quite a history from wars to political conflict to the physical division of its people. With so much history to uncover and an island literally called Museum Island, it can be quite overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you avoid FOMO? And most importantly how do you gain enough knowledge and see enough to shamelessly brag about your travels? On a serious note don't travel for anyone else and definitely not for your Instagram stories. #realtalk
My boyfriend and I decided to explore Berlin because it was on our bucket list, I have watched many documentaries on the World Wars, but also it was one of the cheapest flights from Newcastle, England, where we were living at the time, can you say convenient?
The Berlin Pass
The Berlin pass has an extensive list of attractions that we certainly could not cover in our short adventure. We purchased a 3- Day pass, the passes range from 1 - 5 days. They seem to have re-branded since we last went on our excursions. The pass is now referred to as the 'Go Berlin Pass'. We paid 95 euros each, which is just less than R 2 000. I won't lie when I converted this, it shocked me a little, what is happening, South Africa? When you're earning euros or pounds the price may seem less shocking. So bear with me my fellow South Africans as I explain why it may be worth it.
When you consider what is included and add up all the individual prices, well there's no question. If you've never been to Berlin you can be sure to get the full taste with this pass. Although iconic attractions such as the Berlin wall and Holocaust memorial involve zero cost. With the pass, you can go on a guided bike or walking tour.
A guide will offer more detailed and in-depth information. It's also a great opportunity to meet people and learn, all in one. If you consider the costs for just the museums then you would pretty much cover the cost of the pass. However, if you're not a museum person this may be less enticing.
Here is my list of highlights we experienced using the pass.
1. I Love Berlin Bike Tour
I have literally labeled this as number one because it was my biggest highlight. Never have I done a bike tour when traveling. I was pretty skeptical of cycling around a major city with less-than-ideal skills in bike riding. So if I managed I am sure you will too. The guide was full of that good old American energy. He was keen to give us the best views and experiences possible.
We went on the 3.5 Hour Historical Berlin Tour (28 euros). Exploring the Berlin Wall, Jewish Quarters and Memorial, Third Reich and Nazi Buildings, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and a beautiful cycle through the Tiergarten. We were sure to stop for lunch and a beer, of course. (This is not included in the price for the tour).
2. Hop-On-Hop-Off Big Bus
I am an advocate for honesty and I intend to provide full disclosure on this Bus. We simply used it as a form of transport. The pass includes a 'classic one-day tour', which costs 30 euros if you're not using the pass. When we jumped onto the bus I just remember that Lloyd (my boyfriend) and I looked at each other and laughed. The bus was pretty run down and on the dirty side. You know times are tough when you're using masking tape to keep a microphone together.
We of course got to experience and see different parts of the city while seated on top. However, with the microphone in question, we struggled to hear our tour guide clearly. As I say this got us around the city very conveniently. I hope that whatever bus you hop-on and hop-off of is of better quality than ours.
3. Berlin Dungeon, Madame Tussauds, and Sea Life.
We've all heard of the above in many major cities. I have never experienced these attractions and they were excitingly included in the pass. I think these attractions are quite overpriced and don't offer much in terms of historical exploration. There is little education or in-depth insight into the culture of a city, but they are fun, right?
Madame Tussauds
We wandered around Madame Tussauds, learned a bit more about some celebrities, and took some embarrassing photos. We had a good laugh. I wouldn't nominate myself to pay for this ticket at the cost of 25 euros if it wasn't already included in the pass.
The Berlin Dungeon
I am not a fan of horror films, I just don't like intentionally torturing myself. However, I have never laughed so hard and enjoyed torture so much as I did at the Berlin Dungeon. It was like one long ride, scary stories, characters, and the confusion of the mirror room that brought tears of laughter. To round it off we were lifted a few meters into the air and dropped to the ground, with no warning, on the Free-Fall Tower.
This is individually priced at 22.50 euros, also not cheap and I would not have paid for it before, but after experiencing it. I would, without a doubt, pay for it now. If you had your calculator out, by this point you will notice that with the bike tour, hop-on hop-off bus, Madame Tussauds, and the Berlin Dungeon (105,50 euros) you would have covered the cost of the pass with still so much to see and do.
The AquaDom
As South Africans, we are accustomed to some pretty amazing aquariums and for those that live on the coast, you've got the ocean. At the cost of 19 euros, I wouldn't intentionally purchase this ticket. However, the show stopper is that the AquaDome has the largest free-standing cylindrical aquarium, which was a unique experience and I think worth it if you have children, or often have inner child moments.
Aquadome. Source: dailymail.co.uk
Update: Unfortunately the aquarium burst on December 16th leaving 2 injured. There were sadly only a few fish to survive. There is a high possibility that the aquarium won't be resurrected.
4. Berliner Dom and Museum Island
The Berliner Dom (the Berlin Cathedral) is a neo-baroque building, built in 1905 that dominates Berlin's skyline, it's hard to avoid. It is an impressive structure and had to be rebuilt after its destruction in WW2. If you are not using the pass the Dom costs 7 euros, affordable and worth it, even just for the view of Berlin from the top of the cathedral.
There are five museums on the island, this may sound underwhelming however when you consider that one of the Museums, the Pergamon, was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1999 and is considered Berlins Acropolis, it is less disappointing.
You can discover Egyptian and prehistoric collections, German and European painting collections, including Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Caspar David Friedrich, and 19th-century excavations of German archaeologists in Pergamon and Asia Minor. Some of you fell asleep reading that, and others started planning their trip to Berlin.
The pass also includes other museums, such as the Checkpoint Charlie (14.50 euros) and DDR museums (9,80 euros), both providing great insights and realistic experiences of life 'behind the wall'.
I hope after gaining some insight into potential experiences and the various individual prices, you feel as though you have made your decision. If you can't picture yourself going to all those museums, going to Madame Tussauds or Sea Life then the price of the pass may not be worth it. I, of course, haven't mentioned all that the pass includes but only some major highlights. You can visit their page to get more information and work out some calculations.
Perhaps you won't buy the pass but you should definitely visit this vibrant and historic city that is at its peak of freedom and isn't afraid to show it off. If you are eager to explore Europe you can read more on my post here.
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