Erasmus in Berlin

Information and tips for Erasmus students in Berlin

Why do your Erasmus in Berlin? There are a thousand reasons why you should have your Erasmus experience in this city, such as the quality of its university, the diversity in the city, its culture or the university environment. Berlin has endless things to do and discover; music, art, knowledge, culture or experiences are some of the things you will discover in the German capital. 

Cost of living in Berlin, Germany

The German capital is an inexpensive city when it comes to finding accommodation compared to other capital cities in Europe. The average cost of living in Berlin is around €900 per month, including accommodation, food and transport. 

There are many options for finding affordable accommodation in Berlin. For example, a shared room in a flat costs between €350-450 per month, while a private room starts at €450 and upwards. Students also choose the alternative of student residences for their stay in Berlin. The cheapest residence can be found from €530 per month, and the most expensive can be up to €1000 per month.

Groceries will cost about €150 more or less, depending a lot on what you consume. However, eating in restaurants is around €25-30 for the most expensive and €15 for the cheapest. For this reason, we recommend that you reserve around €100-150 for leisure in general (partying, eating out, going out…). 

Public transport is a bit expensive but the main reason is because everything is very well connected and in operation almost 24 hours a day. Depending on where you stay and how much you are going to use public transport, it is worth acquiring the monthly voucher which is about € 84 or opting for an “Abo” which is an annual subscription, you pay € 74 per month or € 728 at once (It costs about € 60 per month). If you are not going to use public transport much and you opt for bicycles, you can always buy single tickets (€ 2.9) or 4 tickets for € 9. 

Public transport is very well connected and runs almost 24 hours a day. German universities provide students with a Semesterticket for the entire course - for only €180 you can use all public transport for the entire semester! Another thing to bear in mind is that some students prefer to use bicycles as a means of transport. It's an environmentally friendly alternative and it allows you to exercise. You have the option to buy your own second-hand bike and save on renting it whenever you need it.

Erasmus parties and leisure in Berlin, Germany

The university lifestyle in the city is very varied, there are many students from different parts of the world! In addition, Erasmus parties are organised every week. The city is lively and you'll always find a place where you can enjoy a new experience, so you won't get bored. Bei Schlawinchen is a spot full of Berliners where you can watch the latest games and meet locals. For a wide variety of cocktails, the place to go is Schwarze Traube. It's super popular and has no menu - the only thing they ask of you is what your favourite flavour is, the rest is taken care of by the bartenders!

The party scene in Berlin is very varied, but there are plenty of techno clubs, especially around Wasrchauerstrabe. Berlin's best-known club is Berghain, the birthplace of German techno. Another popular choice is WaterGate. It has great views of the river and five floors with different types of music to suit all tastes. It's true that this city's party scene is known all over the world, although you might be surprised how many times you're not allowed to enter a venue. They don't usually have a dress code, but some have very high admission criteria. It's best to go in very small groups or in pairs.

If you're looking for something different, Berlin has a lot to offer. Apart from the partying, this German city is full of life in both winter and summer. For example, if you want to spend a different kind of Sunday with shopping, food and music, you can enjoy the lively Mauerpark flea market. There you'll find a wide variety of new and second-hand goods. You'll also be able to sample some of the city's typical food. In fact, meeting in the parks of this German city to have a drink and enjoy with your friends is one of the favourite plans for students. You can't miss Tiergarten, Berlin's main park! It measures more than 200 hectares and you can play sports and relax there. It has a biergärten (typical beer terraces), a lake and one of the highest carillons in the world.

Culture and gastronomy in Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a city that will make you fall in love with every step you take, its cultural offer is incredible and you have thousands of options to get to know the city. Here's a list of the must-see places in the city:

• Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
• Bebelplatz
• The Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom)
• The Museum Island (Museumsinsel)
• The Jewish Quarter
• Memorial to the Jews of Europe (Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas)
• Alexanderplatz
• Berlin Wall (Berliner Mauer)

The gastronomy of Berlin is different compared to the rest of Europe, its main ingredients are meat and potatoes (popular opinion among Erasmus students). The most typical dishes that we recommend are: 

• The currywurst
• Kebab
• Schnitzels
• Boulette
• Frikadellen

Advantages of doing Erasmus in Berlin, Germany

• Berlin is one of the most popular European capitals among Erasmus students, the party and university atmosphere is unbeatable!
• This German city is full of culture and art, and there's a museum for every interest!
• You can learn and practise German, a very useful language for your development in the work-world.
• You'll be able to experience German traditions and customs first hand, and you'll also be able to taste the typical German food.
• It's a good starting point for travelling to other nearby European cities, with plenty of low-cost flights to take advantage of.

Cheap Erasmus accommodation in Berlin, Germany

Do you need accommodation in Berlin and don't know how to get it? On Erasmus Play you can find the best student flats, rooms and apartments in Berlin.

Frequently asked questions from students doing Erasmus in Berlin

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