Berlin: World Cup Host City
City facts: Almost 3.4 million people call Berlin home. The capital of Germany since 1999, the city pulses with action. Berlin was a host city during the World Cup finals in 1974, the 1936 Olympic Games and more than 60 international football matches.
How to get there/get around: The closest airports to Berlin are Tegal, Tempelhof and Schonefeld. To find the best flight deals, search our airfare engine. Keep in mind that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you're coming overland, trains can be taken from Hamburg, Hannover, Leipzig and Dresden. The best way to travel across Germany is the World Cup Eurail Pass. This pass allows you flexible days of travel within Germany. Youths under 26 and two or more adults traveling together can also save money. Advantages include not having to deal with traffic or signs in foreign languages, easier navigation from one city to another and increased socialization with other excited World Cup fans!
If you'd rather be on your own schedule, then hiring a car might be a better option. Renting a car in Germany allows you to get off the beaten path and explore more of Germany's varied countryside. Hitting the road can give you a much needed break from other sports enthusiasts and the chance to drive no-holds-barred on the Autobahn!
S-bahn, U-bahn, trams and buses offer in-city transport.
Who's playing: Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Germany, Paraguay, Sweden, Tunisia, Ukraine
What's the schedule:
Tuesday, June 13: Brazil vs. Croatia
Thursday, June 15: Sweden vs. Paraguay
Tuesday, June 20: Ecuador vs. Germany
Friday, June 23: Ukraine vs. Tunisia
Friday, June 30: Berlin Quarterfinal TBD
Sunday, July 9: World Cup Final TBD
Full World Cup Schedule
Stadium information: The Olympiastadion is a new stadium that seats almost 65,000 fans. Reconstructed to the tune of 242 million euro, the stadium has hosted a number of historic events, including the 1936 Olympic Games.
Where to get tickets: You can get tickets to every match played in the World Cup through World Cup Blog! Find tickets by team, grouping, individual game or city. Buy World Cup tickets for matches in Berlin.
What else to do: If you need a break from the soccer madness, Berlin boasts a number of attractions including the Brandenburger Tor, Checkpoint Charlie and the remains of the Berlin Wall. Europacenter is the main shopping center, while Arkaden am Potsdamer Platz is also very popular. All will have extended hours during the World Cup.For those that just want to relax, check out Tiergarten.
Where to stay: You can find accommodation throughout the country with World Cup Blog's hotel database. It allows you to search multiple sites at once for the best deals on rooms in Germany. Use the search box in the right column, or find hotel deals in Berlin. Hostels more your style? Check out these hostels in Berlin.
How to keep in touch: If you own a mobile phone with a removable SIM card, you can buy a pre-paid German SIM card. You can find out your local German number before you arrive, and get free incoming calls while in the country. If you don't have a phone that will work, look into renting a German cell phone, which costs less than you think!
Wireless hot-spots and internet cafes can be found around the city - there are more than 50. Inquire at your hotel for the closest one.
How to protect yourself: Many insurance carriers do not provide coverage overseas. Beat the odds and make the most of your holidays with affordable travel health insurance. In case of trip cancellation, you can also recover your costs with trip protection insurance.
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