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wants to eat something at fmd_goodPizza Vita
want to meet at fmd_good Central Mall
wants to browse a market at fmd_goodCentral Mall
wants to browse a market at fmd_goodCentral Mall
wants to browse a market at fmd_goodCentral Mall
want to meet at fmd_good Route 9 Diner
wants to eat something at fmd_goodRoute 9 Diner
wants to eat something at fmd_goodRoute 9 Diner
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First Time Experiencing Racism in Berlin, What Should I Do?
I've been reflecting on it, and while I'm shaken, I'm also unsure what to do next. Should I report this? If so, to whom? I don't have much experience with situations like this, so any advice would be appreciated.
Thankfully, I've managed to build some connections here, and when I shared what happened, the support from my friends and acquaintances was amazing. It helped a lot in processing the shock.
For those of you who've been through something similar in Berlin, what steps did you take? Should I just move on, or is there something I can or should do to address this?
Thanks in advance for any advice. Stay safe, everyone.
i'm really sorry that happened to you, it's a gut punch when you first experience that here. one thing that helped me after a similar incident was writing down every detail i could remember as soon as i got home, even if i didn't report it right away. you can always file a report later at a police station near you, and bringing those notes makes it way less stressful. also, the bvg has a customer service line where you can report incidents on buses with the line number and time, they actually do review interior camera footage if you ask within a few days. and if you ever want to just talk it out with someone who gets it, reach out to reachout berlin, they're a counseling service specifically for victims of right-wing and racist violence, no pressure to take legal steps
It's completely understandable that you froze, that's a very common reaction to shock and aggression. One practical thing you can do is note down the exact bus line and time, then contact BVG's customer service directly through their website or the app, they do keep camera footage for a limited time and can hand it over to police if you file a report. The police station at Nollendorfplatz itself is actually right there on Kleiststraße, so if you feel up to it in the next few days you can walk in and file a report in person, they have officers who speak English and you don't need to know the guy's name to start the process. Beyond that, the Berliner Register keeps a citywide log of such incidents that helps show patterns, and you can submit what happened anonymously through their website without committing to any legal follow-up.
fwiw the m29 bus that goes through nollendorfplatz has those older buses with cameras near the doors, if you remember the exact bus number (should be on your ticket or in the bvg app) you can request footage within 48 hours. also the police station on kleiststraße is literally a two minute walk from where you got off, they have a hate crimes officer on staff, not every station does but that one does because of the area. don't beat yourself up about freezing, I've lived here 8 years and still go blank when someone shouts at me on the u-bahn, it's just a survival thing your body does
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