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Abzocke Cardpoint ATM machine??
Just now, I've read my (ING) Bank statement, the transaction was 65.99€, from cardpoin… Few days ago I've withdrawn 60€ from an ATM machine next to späti, next to beussel grill, near S-Beusselstrasse.
Just now, I've read my (ING) Bank statement, the transaction was 65.99€, from cardpoint VK, which means it was 5.99€ or 10% fee to pay for the service.
I remember, I've already withdrawn money from this same machine few months ago, but this is the first time I paid this fee.
I tried to google cardpoint, found lot of negative reviews with "Abzocke".
The thing is, the fee was not shown on the display as total €.
Is this legal? If it is, since when?
Those Cardpoint machines are run by Euronet, and they've been pulling this for years around Wedding. The fee is technically legal because they're private ATMs, but EU law requires the total amount including fees to be shown on the confirmation screen before you hit "OK." If it wasn't displayed clearly, that's a violation.
ING is pretty good about disputing these fees if you file a claim through their app within a few weeks. I've heard from neighbors that they'll usually refund it once, sometimes with a warning.
For next time, the Volksbank ATM at Beusselstraße 34 is free and never had issues. Or just go into any Rewe with your card at checkout and get cashback up to 200€ with no fee.
honestly that 5.99 fee is wild, cardpoint machines are notorious for hiding the fee in the fine print on the screen. it's legal because they're private operators, but the EU payment services directive says they have to show the total amount including fees before you confirm. if the screen didnt clearly display 65.99 before you hit ok, you can file a dispute with ING and they'll prob refund it within a week or two.
for future just hit the Commerzbank ATM on Wiclefstraße, it's like a 3 min walk from Beussel grill and free for any card. or if you're near the S-Bahn there's a Deutsche Bank one inside the station entrance that never charges fees either. save yourself the hassle
Yeah, that's a known issue with those Cardpoint machines. They're private ATMs run by a company called Euronet or similar, not tied to a bank. The fee should have been shown before you confirmed the withdrawal, but sometimes it's buried in small text or the screen layout tricks you into clicking through too fast.
Technically it's legal because they're a private service, but since 2021 EU rules require fee disclosure before the transaction. If they didn't show it clearly, you might have grounds to complain to your bank or raise it with the Bundesbank's financial oversight. In practice, ING usually reimburses disputed fees if you submit a claim within a few weeks.
Next time, just walk two minutes to the Sparkasse ATM at Beusselstraße 21, it's free for any EU card. Or use the Postbank one inside the Rewe at Beusselstraße 7.
Berlin on a Budget: Tips 2026
Stay in hostels like Generator Berlin Mitte (starting at 25 EUR per night) or book a room via Airbnb in less central districts like Neukölln or Wedding for lower rates.… 🏨 Affordable Accommodation
Stay in hostels like Generator Berlin Mitte (starting at 25 EUR per night) or book a room via Airbnb in less central districts like Neukölln or Wedding for lower rates. Consider visiting in the shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) when prices drop by up to 30%.
🚇 Cheap Transport Options
A single public transport ticket costs 3.50 EUR for zones AB, covering most attractions. For longer stays, buy a 7-day ticket for 41 EUR or a Berlin WelcomeCard for unlimited travel and museum discounts. Locals often bike everywhere using the city's extensive bike lanes or rent a bike via Nextbike for 1 EUR per 30 minutes.
🍽️ Eating on a Budget
Grab a currywurst from a street stall for around 3.50 EUR or a döner kebab for 5-6 EUR. For groceries, head to Aldi or Lidl where a loaf of bread costs 1.50 EUR. Many bakeries sell pre-made sandwiches for under 4 EUR, perfect for a picnic in Tiergarten.
🎫 Free Attractions
Visit the Reichstag dome for free (book online in advance) and explore the East Side Gallery, a 1.3 km open-air gallery on the Berlin Wall. On Sundays, many museums offer reduced entry or free admission, such as the Museum für Naturkunde (first Sunday of the month free).
💰 Money-Saving Tips
Locals avoid tourist traps by eating at Späti (corner shops) for cheap drinks and snacks. Use the Berlin Pass for free entry to over 50 attractions if you plan to visit many sites, but calculate costs first as it starts at 59 EUR for 48 hours. Always carry cash, as some smaller shops and cafes don't accept cards.
🏛️ Discount Museum Days
Most state museums are free on the first Sunday of each month, including the Pergamon Museum and Neues Museum. On Thursday evenings, the Jewish Museum offers free entry from 6 PM to 8 PM. Check individual museum websites for updated schedules.
🌳 Free Outdoor Activities
Spend a day at Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport turned public park with free bike rentals and BBQ areas. Rent a paddleboat on the Spree River for 10 EUR per hour or join a free walking tour (tip-based) that covers major landmarks like Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie.
yeah the guide's got the main stuff down, one thing i'd add is that the späti culture is legit for saving money but specifically the ones in kreuzberg near kottbusser tor have the cheapest beers, like 0.80 eur for a can of sterni. also if you're doing the sunday museum thing, skip the pergamon queue and go to the hamburger bahnhof instead, it's way less crowded and has cool contemporary art plus the building itself is a converted train station so it's a vibe
for food, i'd say the best budget move is not the döner but the falafel at yafa on sonnenallee, 4 eur for a massive plate and it's open till late. and tbh the reichstag booking is a pain but if you miss it, the rooftop at the kollhoff tower near potsdamer platz is like 4 eur and gives you a solid view without the hassle
solid write-up, one thing i'd add is that the 7-day ticket is actually 41 eur for AB but you can get a 4-trip ticket for 12 eur if you're only here a couple days and it works out cheaper than single trips. also the museum sunday freebie is great but it gets packed, like at the pergamon you'll be queuing for 30 mins minimum. for a quieter free option, try the brücke museum in grunewald on a weekday afternoon, it's small but has killer expressionist art and no crowds. oh and for a cheap meal, hit up mustafa's gemüse kebab at mehringdamm, that line is long but it's worth the 5 eur for the hype tbh
honestly the cash tip is huge, a lot of tourists don't realize how many places are still cash only here. something the guide missed is that you can get a really cheap coffee at most bakeries for like 1.50 eur if you stand at the counter instead of sitting down, way cheaper than the hipster cafes. also if you're near a späti grab a beer for like 1 eur, way cheaper than bars obviously