In a nutshell
- Looking for a cheap hotel in Berlin? You’re in luck — Berlin is still relatively affordable by international standards, even though prices can vary quite a bit depending on timing.
- We’re sharing 15 budget-friendly places to stay in Berlin — from guesthouses and hostels to hotels and apartment hotels.
- Don’t want to read everything? Our top pick is the Hotel Gat Point Charlie — an affordable hotel in a prime location right at Checkpoint Charlie.
Budget stays in Berlin: Here’s how it works
Before we get to our recommendations for cheap hotels in Berlin, here are two important tips to keep in mind.
Tip 1: Be flexible about your hotel’s location
Berlin is a fairly large city, and its attractions and things to do in Berlin are spread out across the entire city center, from east to west.
In Berlin, distances are always significant, and there’s no single central neighborhood that perfectly covers all your needs.
You won’t be able to get by without public transportation, regardless of where you stay in Berlin. Keep that in mind when choosing your hotel.
All the budget accommodations in Berlin we feature here are:
- centrally located in the city center,
- well connected by public transit,
- within walking distance of several attractions.
Tip 2: Book early
At almost all places to stay in Berlin, prices fluctuate significantly throughout the year.
Is there a marathon, a soccer championship, or a cardiac surgeons’ conference in Berlin right now? Events and trade fairs like these drive up hotel prices across the entire city.
So the rule is: the earlier you book, the cheaper it gets.
For all the budget hotels in Berlin we feature here:
- booking early locks in the lowest price
- flexibility with your travel dates is a big help
Our Top 3 Hotels
Don’t feel like reading through everything and just want to know which cheap hotel in Berlin is our top pick?
Here are our top 3 picks for an affordable stay in Berlin:
Hotel Gat Point Charlie: a solid classic without the frills, in a prime location.
Pension Absolut: a charming guesthouse in Prenzlauer Berg – our local favorite.
BIG MAMA: a cool mix of hostel and hotel in a quiet, central location.
Budget Hotels in Berlin
We’ll start with affordable, centrally located hotels in Berlin that offer all the comforts of a classic hotel, great transit connections, and excellent value for money.
Hotel Gat Point Charlie
Berlin-Mitte, 150 m from U-Bahn station Stadtmitte
Our top pick among cheap hotels in Berlin is Hotel Gat Point Charlie. Why? Simple: the location!
The Gat Point Charlie is an affordable design hotel without the frills, just a few steps from Checkpoint Charlie.
It’s perfect if you’re spending a weekend in Berlin and want to stay as centrally as possible without breaking the bank.
Many of Berlin’s top highlights are reachable from the hotel in under 20 minutes on foot, including the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Unter den Linden, and Gendarmenmarkt.
You can also walk to many of Berlin’s museums, including the Jewish Museum, the Berlinische Galerie, and the Martin-Gropius-Bau.
Even though our number one pick isn’t the cheapest option on our list, it simply offers the best overall package — a classic city hotel in a central location at a fair price.
Old Town Hotel
Prenzlauer Berg, 8 minutes by public transit to Alexanderplatz
The Old Town Hotel is a bit of an under-the-radar pick if you’re searching for affordable accommodation in Berlin.
It’s a cozy, budget-friendly hotel with a chic design in Prenzlauer Berg — and the transit connections are excellent.
Right across from the hotel, you can catch a tram that takes you to Alexanderplatz in just a few minutes. The nearest S-Bahn station, Greifswalder Straße, is also only five minutes away.
We especially love the colorful, stylish design and the outstanding, affordable breakfast.
Since the hotel is tucked away in a courtyard, you’ll also hear very little street noise — a real bonus in the city.
Our tip for families: Affordable triple rooms are available, which is handy for families with one child. And in Prenzlauer Berg, the nearest playground is never far away.
Hotel Lützow
Charlottenburg, 15 minutes on foot to Kurfürstendamm
Hotel Lützow is a no-frills hotel on Lützowufer and an ideal base if you want to explore Berlin’s City West.
Wondering what City West means?
City West refers to the neighborhoods of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Schöneberg, and Tiergarten in West Berlin — a large area centered around Kurfürstendamm, Breitscheidplatz, and Tauentzienstraße.
Back to the hotel: you can reach many of Berlin’s must-sees in under 15 minutes on foot, such as the Zoological Garden, the shopping stretch along Kurfürstendamm, and one of Berlin’s most beautiful viewpoints, the Victory Column.
Hotel Lützow has highly variable prices. With a bit of luck, though, you’ll find windows of time when you can snag a real bargain.
Hotel Vita Berlin-Messe
Charlottenburg, 300 m from U-Bahn station Theodor-Heuss-Platz
Hotel Vita Berlin-Messe is a straightforward, well-reviewed hotel just steps from the Berlin trade fair grounds.
Because of its location, the hotel is popular during trade fairs — but outside of trade fair season and major events, it can be a genuinely great inexpensive hotel in Berlin.
The U-Bahn connects you perfectly to the city center — take the U2 for a 15-minute ride to the Zoological Garden and 30 minutes to Alexanderplatz.
If you want to catch an event at the Olympic Stadium, you can even walk there and skip the packed public transit that tends to fill up during big games.
One big advantage here: breakfast is included with your booking, which saves you a noticeable amount compared to other hotels in a similar price range.
Our tip for drivers: The hotel sits outside the paid parking zones of the city center. Parking in the surrounding area is free.
Premier Inn Alexanderplatz
Berlin-Mitte, directly at S-Bahn + U-Bahn station Alexanderplatz
If you’re hunting for budget accommodation in Berlin, it’s worth keeping an eye on chains like Premier Inn.
Premier Inn is a hotel chain from the UK with many locations across Germany. In Berlin, there are four Premier Inn hotels, including the one right at Alexanderplatz.
You can stay here simply but comfortably — and the strongest argument for this hotel is its location right at Alexanderplatz. From here, you can get anywhere in Berlin easily, with plenty of public transit options right on your doorstep.
Prices at Premier Inn fluctuate quite a bit. Book well in advance and you might land a budget-friendly, centrally located hotel in Berlin for a great rate.
Book Premier Inn Alexanderplatz
Budget Stays at Guesthouses in Berlin
Guesthouses are a great option for staying in Berlin on a budget. Here are two lovely, affordable guesthouses we can highly recommend.
Pension Absolut Berlin
Prenzlauer Berg, 200 m from S-Bahn + U-Bahn station Schönhauser Allee
Our next recommendation is a genuine off-the-beaten-path find among Berlin’s affordable lodging options.
Pension Absolut is a guesthouse in a residential corner of Prenzlauer Berg that’s simply lovely — a place where you’ll feel right at home, with great value for money to boot.
What really wins us over is the warm, minimalist décor in a Scandinavian design style. You’ll feel like you’re staying with good friends — friends with great taste.
You can choose between double rooms with a shared bathroom or a private bathroom, depending on your preference or budget.
The guesthouse doesn’t serve its own breakfast, but that’s no problem at all. You’ll find plenty of cafés and bakeries in the surrounding area — or you can use the communal kitchen and prepare your own.
Pension Peters - das andere Hotel
Charlottenburg, 200 m from S-Bahn station Savignyplatz
The second guesthouse we’d recommend is located near the Ku’damm — and it’s a solid pick.
At Pension Peters, you get modern design at fair prices, with the option to add on a delicious, affordable organic breakfast.
The location is superbly central — within walking distance of the Ku’damm (Kurfürstendamm). The Zoological Garden, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and Tiergarten are all nearby.
If you’re traveling to Berlin with kids, the family rooms accommodating up to five people are a great affordable option.
Our tip: Just a five-minute walk from Pension Peters, you’ll find PAPER & TEA, a wonderful spot offering exceptional teas and beautiful tea accessories.
Cool and Unique Accommodations
Looking for an affordable place to stay in Berlin that has that little something extra? We’ve found some truly cool hotels in Berlin that won’t cost you a fortune.
Hotel Hüttenpalast: Indoor Camping in Neukölln
Neukölln, 300 m from U-Bahn station Hermannstraße
Hotel Hüttenpalast is truly one of a kind and ranks among the coolest hotels in Berlin: you sleep in retro trailers and quirky camping cabins inside a former backyard factory right in the heart of trendy Neukölln.
There’s a setup for everyone: cozy trailers for couples with a shared bathroom, or hotel rooms for two to four people with a private bathroom.
Public transit connects you easily from Hüttenpalast to the city center. The U-Bahn gets you to Alexanderplatz in 20 minutes.
Breakfast isn’t available at Hüttenpalast itself, but you can head over to the day bar James, which serves up excellent breakfast.
Or you can simply eat your way around the world in Neukölln.
Right around the hotel — along Weserstraße, for example — you’ll find cafés and restaurants from all over the world: Italian, Asian, African, Turkish, Nepalese, and much more. Plus hipster cafés serving matcha lattes.
Space Night Capsule: wild capsule hotel
Berlin-Mitte, 400 m from U-Bahn station Spittelmarkt
Sleeping in a pod — something you’ve only seen in Japan? Not anymore — you can do it in Berlin too! Specifically at the futuristic Space Night Capsule, Berlin’s first and only capsule hotel.
There are sleeping pods for one to two people with a shared bathroom. No dormitory rooms are available. You can securely store your belongings in lockers.
It’s not glamorous. You’re really only coming here to sleep. If you need a cheap overnight stay in Berlin and can do without hotel amenities, the Space Night is a solid option.
Bring earplugs — the sleeping pods can be thin-walled.
The location on Leipziger Straße is fantastic though. You’re right in the middle of everything and can easily walk to many points of interest, like the Berlin TV Tower.
There’s no breakfast at Space Night Capsule, but there’s a bakery nearby and plenty of breakfast cafés within walking distance along Friedrichstraße or around Gendarmenmarkt.
Our tip: For dinner, we highly recommend heading next door to the restaurant China-City. You’ll find delicious, authentic Chinese food there.
Book Space Night Capsule Hotel
Art Nouveau Kurfürstendamm
Charlottenburg, 600 m from U-Bahn station Adenauerplatz
This next pick is also a one-of-a-kind stay — and the complete opposite of a capsule hotel.
The Art Nouveau Kurfürstendamm is an affordably priced boutique hotel in Berlin with individual character and outstanding value for money.
Expect high ceilings, double doors, creaky hardwood floors, and antiques — a stylish city hotel in a beautifully modernized historic building.
The location is also perfect for exploring Kurfürstendamm or the Zoo. You’ll find plenty of great restaurants around the hotel on Kantstraße.
Our tip: From the hotel’s small rooftop terrace, you get a view over the surrounding rooftops. Absolutely worth it at sunset!
Book Art Nouveau Kurfürstendamm
Budget Berlin Hotels for Families
Traveling to Berlin with the whole family? We’ve picked out an affordable family hotel that offers reasonably priced rooms for a variety of family setups.
aletto Hotel Kudamm
Charlottenburg, 150 m from S-Bahn + U-Bahn station Zoologischer Garten
The aletto Hotel Kudamm is an affordable, centrally located family hotel in Berlin with spacious rooms accommodating up to six beds, or rooms with connecting doors.
Breakfast runs close to 20 euros per person, which is on the pricier side — but children up to age 14 eat for free.
The central location on the Ku’damm is perfect, even for families. The Zoological Garden right outside the door is a wonderful activity for kids in Berlin. And Tiergarten, with its many playgrounds, isn’t far either.
Our tip: There’s also a second aletto Hotel at Potsdamer Platz, just a short walk from the Brandenburg Gate.
Here are even more family hotels in Berlin:
Budget Stays at Apartment Hotels in Berlin
Looking for an affordable apartment in Berlin with a kitchenette, or just a bit more space? No problem — we’ve got two great apartment hotels for you.
Art Apartments
Berlin-Mitte, U-Bahn station Naturkundemuseum right at the door
The Art Apartments are a great way to stay centrally and affordably in Berlin.
You’ll be in a renovated historic building with modern design — right in the heart of the city.
The Natural History Museum, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and the central train station are all within walking distance. The location is especially handy if you’re arriving in Berlin by train.
You’re exceptionally well connected to public transit from here. You practically step out the door and straight into the U-Bahn station.
The Art Apartments don’t offer breakfast. You can make tea and coffee in your apartment, and for everything else, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants right on your doorstep.
View Art Apartments in Berlin-Mitte
Habyt - The Waterfront
Lichtenberg, 400 m from S-Bahn + U-Bahn station Ostkreuz
Habyt – The Waterfront is an affordable apartment hotel with a picturesque setting on Rummelsburger Bucht, an up-and-coming neighborhood in Lichtenberg.
The apartments are modern, stylish, brand new, and come with a kitchenette. If you’d rather not cook for yourself, you can optionally add breakfast.
Even though Habyt is a bit outside the city center, you’re perfectly connected by public transit. Just a few minutes’ walk away, the S-Bahn takes you everywhere — from Kreuzberg to Alexanderplatz, the Ku’damm, or the Olympic Stadium.
Our tip: The sunset along the shore of Rummelsburger Bucht is seriously beautiful.
Book Habyt – The Waterfront apartment hotel
Affordable Hostels in Berlin
Many hostels also offer affordable private rooms with en suite bathrooms — which makes them a genuinely smart option if you want to keep your Berlin stay as cheap as possible.
BIG MAMA
Berlin-Mitte, Wedding: 600 m from U-Bahn station Osloer Straße
Big Mama is a bit of a lesser-known spot on our list of budget Berlin accommodations — it’s tucked away in a courtyard in Wedding, a neighborhood in Berlin-Mitte.
Once you find your way here, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the modern, laid-back design of Big Mama — and the cool mix of hostel and hotel.
You simply choose what works best for your budget. Double rooms and dormitory rooms with private bathrooms are available, as well as beds in a four-person dorm with a shared bathroom.
Even though Wedding is technically part of Mitte, you won’t be right in the thick of the tourist action. But that’s no problem at all — public transit connects you perfectly, and the U-Bahn gets you to Alexanderplatz in 12 minutes.
Acama Hostel & Hotel Kreuzberg
Kreuzberg, 250 m from U-Bahn station Möckernbrücke
The Acama on Landwehrkanal in Kreuzberg is also a mix of hotel and hostel — and a great one at that.
If you want to keep your Berlin stay as affordable as possible, go for the dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms. Not your style? Acama also offers affordable private rooms with en suite bathrooms.
The rooms are functional and no-frills, but for an overnight stay on a tight budget, that’s more than enough.
What really wins us over is the location on the Landwehrkanal in Kreuzberg. You’re just a few minutes’ walk from Potsdamer Platz, the Technology Museum, and Park am Gleisdreieck — and the U-Bahn gets you to the East Side Gallery quickly too.
Book acama Hotel & Hostel Kreuzberg
FAQ: General tips for budget accommodations in Berlin
We have a few more general tips for staying in Berlin without spending a fortune.
Where is the most central area to stay in Berlin?
It really depends on what you want to see and how long you’re staying.
If you only have a short time, choose a hotel in Berlin-Mitte — that’s where the concentration of highlights is greatest. The downside is that neighborhoods like Kreuzberg, Neukölln, or Friedrichshain will be a bit farther away.
Alternatively, a hotel near Kurfürstendamm is also a great central base in Berlin.
Where can you find affordable hotels in Berlin?
Compared to other major cities like London, Paris, or New York, Berlin offers relatively inexpensive accommodation even in the city center, known as Berlin-Mitte.
The selection of hotels in Berlin is huge — you’ll find budget-friendly options in every neighborhood, across a range of categories. It all depends on what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend.
You don’t necessarily have to stay outside the city center to find a cheap hotel in Berlin.
Where should I stay in Berlin with kids on a budget?
Our top pick for families is the aletto Hotel am Kudamm. You’ll find modern, affordable family rooms in a central location — and kids up to age 14 eat breakfast for free.
Are there affordable hotels in Berlin with parking?
Paid parking zones now cover almost the entire city center, so you’ll need to pay for any public parking spot you use. This adds up quickly over a longer stay.
Many Berlin hotels offer paid parking or underground garage spaces, but these are often pricey too.
At the Hotel Riu Plaza near Kurfürstendamm, you can park for free — though this hotel isn’t exactly in the budget category.
At Hotel Vita Berlin-Messe, with a bit of luck you can find a free public parking spot in the surrounding streets.
When is the cheapest time of year to stay in Berlin?
Berlin is a year-round destination with no real off-season where hotel prices drop significantly.
Even in winter — or when the big trade fairs kick off in spring — prices don’t reliably dip below the rest of the year.
What matters more than the month is whether a major event or trade fair is coming up. Prices also tend to rise around public holidays and school breaks, so keep an eye on the calendar when you book.
