Berlin: Difference between revisions

[[Wiki.trustroots.org]] is an independent wiki with information for people who are actively exchanging hospitality.
m (Brought the header to the top again)
(removed hong kong links, some of the headlines seem still odd to me for Berlin)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Germany}}
{{Germany}}
{{Berlin}}
{{Berlin}}
 
{{TOCright}}
{{stub}}
{{stub}}


Line 22: Line 22:


These hostels come highly recommend by CS travellers:
These hostels come highly recommend by CS travellers:
*[http://www.yesinn.com/hk/ehostel.htm XX]
 
*[http://www.youthsquare.hk/en/#/YLoft YLoft XX]
*[http://www.dragonhostel.com/ XX]
*[http://www.gardenhostel.com/ XX]
*[http://www.hopinn.hk/en.html?article=&id=22 XX] (single rooms here are for a higher budget than the ones listed above)
*[http://sites.google.com/site/checkinnhk/home XX] (also slightly higher budget than the ones listed above)


===Mid-range and Higher end Accommodation===
===Mid-range and Higher end Accommodation===
These are another option for budget travellers if your couchsearch doesn't work out and hostel reservations are hard to make. Team up with other CSers and you can share costs.
These are another option for budget travellers if your couchsearch doesn't work out and hostel reservations are hard to make. Team up with other CSers and you can share costs.
*[http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/china/hong-kong-r1973696/ Lonely Planet's list of mid-range hotel options]
 
*[http://www.caritas-chs.org.hk/eng/lodge_srv.asp XX] $420(single)-$720(triple)/night, $7,500-$11,700/month
*[http://hotel.ywca.org.hk/eng/AnneBlack/anne_room_rates.htm XX] $600-$1,100/night
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/jul/04/top-10-budget-hotels-hong-kong Top 10 budget hotels in XX] Prices are listed in Euros.


=== Short/Long term stay ===
=== Short/Long term stay ===


Some websites that our CS-ers recommend, if you're looking for flatshare/renting a flat in Hong Kong:
Some websites that our CS-ers recommend, if you're looking for flatshare/renting a flat in Hong Kong:
*[http://berlin.gumtree.com.hk Gumtree]
*[http://berlin.craigslist.hk/hhh/ Craigslist]


Or try our [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=36058 "Apartment/Flat-Share Hunting"] subgroup under the CS Berlin group.
Or try our [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=36058 "Apartment/Flat-Share Hunting"] subgroup under the CS Berlin group.
Line 54: Line 42:
is the fastest way to get to the airport from XX.  Express trains run every XX minutes from around XX a.m. to XX a.m. Journeys from the airport to XX take approximately XX minutes and a round-trip ticket costs XX.
is the fastest way to get to the airport from XX.  Express trains run every XX minutes from around XX a.m. to XX a.m. Journeys from the airport to XX take approximately XX minutes and a round-trip ticket costs XX.


*[http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/timetable_index.html  Timetable]
*[http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/tf_index.html Fares]


'''Bus''' to/from the airport from/to various parts of the city
'''Bus''' to/from the airport from/to various parts of the city
*[http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/routes/airport-bus/route/index.aspx?intLangID=1 Airport Bus Routes (Day + Night services)]
'''Transfer to MTR'''  Buses S1 or S56 take you from the airport to the nearest MTR station (Tung Chung Station).


'''Taxi'''
'''Taxi'''
Line 69: Line 52:
The subway/underground in Berlin is called the U-Bahn.
The subway/underground in Berlin is called the U-Bahn.


The U-Bahn is efficient and reliable and it covers the major areas of the city. It can also be taken across the border to XX. Note that you'll need a visa to enter XX.
The U-Bahn is efficient and reliable and it covers the major areas of the city.
*[http://www.zonu.com/images/0X0/2011-05-30-13808/Berlin-subway-2001.gif  Route Map]


===Buses===
===Buses===
Line 81: Line 63:


'''One thing to watch out for'''
'''One thing to watch out for'''
===Ferries===
'''Outlying Island ferries''' -  There are several companies which operate ferries to XX Island. For schedules and fares, check the links.
*[http://www.nwff.com.hk/eng/fare_table/ New World First Ferry] HK Island/ Kowloon, outlying islands and Macau
*[http://www.hkkf.com.hk/index.php?op=timetable&style=en Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings Ltd.] Hong Kong, Lamma and Peng Chau
'''XX ferries'''
*[http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/prd.html Turbojet]
*[http://www.nwff.com.hk/eng/fare_table/local-macau/?section=Macau New World First Ferry]
*[http://cotaijet.com.mo/en/destinations/index.aspx Cotai Jet]
*[http://www.macaodragon.com/website/default.aspx Macau Dragon]
*[http://www.cksp.com.hk/eng/home.html Chu Kong]


== Nightlife, Dining and Entertainment ==
== Nightlife, Dining and Entertainment ==
Line 103: Line 68:


===Main Nightlife Areas===   
===Main Nightlife Areas===   
'''Central''' - [http://tinyurl.com/2fyg65g Lan Kwai Fong and Soho]  /  '''Wan Chai''' - [http://tinyurl.com/2crjj86 Lockhart Road]  /
 
'''Tsim Sha Tsui''' - [http://tinyurl.com/2dex4fd Knutsford Terrace]


===Magazines and Event listings===
===Magazines and Event listings===
The  following websites can help bring you up to speed on the local club scene, nightlife, concerts, festivals and shows.
The  following websites can help bring you up to speed on the local club scene, nightlife, concerts, festivals and shows.
*[http://hk.asia-city.com/nightlife HK Magazine] Free print copies available around town.
*[http://www.timeout.com.hk/clubs/ Timeout HK] Print copies available at bookstores and some clubs.
*[http://hkticketing.com/eng/ Hong Kong Ticketing] Be sure to scroll down the yellow column on the right hand side to see all the listed shows.


===Bars===
===Bars===
Some favourite local haunts include:
Some favourite local haunts include:
(Central, Soho and Wanchai.)
*[http://www.hiphongkong.com/drink/bars/nightclubs/lounges/le_jardin_bar_lan_kwai_fong_hong_kong Le Jardin] bar, weekly meetup venue
*[http://www.facebook.com/#!/Yumla Yumla] bar, dancing, house music
*[http://www.ilovesoho.hk/features/secret-spots/club-71 Club 71] bar, al fresco, chilled
*[http://www.hiphongkong.com/drink/bars/nightclubs/underground_bars/makumba_african_bar_soho_hong_kong Makumba] African bar, dancing, World music/French influence
*[http://www.mesamis.com.hk/mesamis/menus/venues/wan-chai Mes Amis] bar, dancing, pop music


===The Underground===
===The Underground===
Line 126: Line 80:


Events, venues and organizations
Events, venues and organizations
*[http://www.hkfringe.com.hk/ The Fringe Club]
*[http://www.frommers.com/destinations/hongkong/N28933.html The Wanch]
*[http://www.hongkonghustle.com/tag/the-warehouse-aberdeen/ The Warehouse, Aberdeen]
*[http://www.whitenoiserecords.org/ White Noise Records]


===Comedy===
===Comedy===
*[http://www.takeoutcomedy.com/site/shows/ Takeout Comedy] - live standup and improv shows, local and international performers, most shows in English, Cantonese shows on Mondays and Thursday
 
*[http://comedy.hk/?ai1ec_event=hkbrewhouse-openmic&instance_id=8855 Free Open Mic Night] Every Wednesday in Central


===Restaurants===
===Restaurants===
*[http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/index.htm Openrice HK restaurant search engine]
*[http://www.frommers.com/destinations/hongkong/78_inddin.html Frommers HK restaurant listings]
*[http://www.eatdrinkhongkong.com/ EatDrink HK restaurant listings]


Vegetarian Restaurants:
Vegetarian Restaurants:
*[http://www.happycow.net/asia/china/hong_kong/hong_kong_island/ Vegetarian restaurant listings]
 
*[http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr1.htm?dishes_id=1011&amenity_id=&theme_id=&price=&inputcategory=cname&inputstrrest=&ST=1 Another list of vegetarian restaurants]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=407&post=8610921 A group discussion thread]
*[http://morethansalad.com/earth/asia/china/hong_kong/hong_kong/ Website of our CS friend Dan F - who did a vegetarian food tour in HK]
*[http://doufumafia.com/tag/hong-kong/ HK Vegetarian blog]


Vegan Restaurants:
Vegan Restaurants:
*[http://vegan.hk/restaurant-HK.html Vegan restaurant listing]
 
*[http://www.holisticasia.com Holistic Asia] For listings of holistic/alternative/complementary health and healing events.


===Karaoke===
===Karaoke===
*[http://www.musicbox-hk.com/karaoke Music Box]
*[http://www.redbox.com.my/redbox/eng/default.asp Red Box/Green Box]
*[http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr1.htm?amenity_id=1012 Karaoke listings on Open Rice]


*[http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/play/hong-kong-karaoke-010208 CNNGo's take on the 5 best karaokes in HK (Mar 2010)]


==Sports, Activities and the Great Outdoors==
==Sports, Activities and the Great Outdoors==
'''Hiking'''
'''Hiking'''
*[http://www.hiking-in-hong-kong.com/hiking-trails/area/index.html Hiking in Hong Kong trail index]
 
Be sure to check these boards for regular hiking activities
*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=407 Hong Kong CS Group]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=15546 Hiking in Hong Kong Subgroup]


'''Running and Hiking events'''
'''Running and Hiking events'''
*[http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/opencms.war/opencms/_info_/homepage.jsp?__locale=en Oxfam Trailwalker]
 
*[http://www.hkhillrunning.com/ English guide to hill races in HK]
*[http://www.standardchartered.com.hk/sustainability/local_community_initiatives/standard_chartered_hk_marathon/en/index.html Standard Chartered HK Marathon]


'''Swimming and Beaches'''
'''Swimming and Beaches'''
*[http://www.hkoutdoors.com/hong-kong/hong-kong-beaches.html HK Outdoors Beaches guide]


'''Camping'''
'''Camping'''
*[http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/camp/en/p_campsite.php List of Hong Kong campgrounds]


'''Wakeboarding and Waterskiing'''
'''Wakeboarding and Waterskiing'''
*[http://www.thelist.com.hk/listings/sports-water/wakeboarding-waterskiing-0 The List]


'''Windsurfing and Kayaking'''
'''Windsurfing and Kayaking'''
*[http://www.ccwindc.com.hk/Cheung_Chau_Windsurfing_Centre/Gear_Rental_Price_List.html  Cheung Chau windsurfing and kayaking]
*[http://kayaks.com.hk/en/index.htm Sai Kung Windsurfing Centre]


''' Diving'''
''' Diving'''
*[http://www.asiadivesite.com/hong-kong-dive-sites/ HK diving info]
*[http://www.scdc.org.hk/diving.html South China Diving Club]


'''Rock Climbing'''
'''Rock Climbing'''
*[http://www.hongkongclimbing.com/ English guide to outdoor climbing in HK]


'''Para-gliding'''
'''Para-gliding'''
*[http://www.hkpa.net/ Hong Kong Paragliding Association]


'''Snowboarding'''
'''Snowboarding'''
*[http://www.slopeinfinity.com/index.html Slope Infinity] Indoor snowless snowboarding


== Language Exchange ==
== Language Exchange ==
There are lots of language exchange options available in Hong Kong from one on one meetups to clubs that meet regularly in person to social networks available online at your convenience. Mandarin/Cantonese for English seems to be the most popular combination wanted here but there are also many other languages on offer from Japanese to Russian. Here are some of your options:
There are lots of language exchange options available in Berlin from one on one meetups to clubs that meet regularly in person to social networks available online at your convenience. Here are some of your options:


For one on one exchange:
For one on one exchange:
*[http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/personals/language-exchange/ Asiaxpat Language Exchange notices]
*[http://mylanguageexchange.com/Search.asp?selCountry=41&selTxtChat=true mylanguageexchange.com]


Groups that meet regularly:
Groups that meet regularly:
*[http://www.meetup.com/Mandarin-English-Language-Exchange/ Meetup.com Mandarin English Language Exchange]
 
*[https://www.facebook.com/hklcec?sk=wall Hong Kong Language and Cultural Exchange Club (this group has social outings just for fun or for language/cultural exchange)]


Language exchange social networks:
Language exchange social networks:
*[http://www.livemocha.com/ Livemocha.com is an online social network for language exchangers]
Hong Kong CS language groups
*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=41357 HKCS Language Exchange sub-group]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=407&post=10077149 Mandarin English Exchange Group Ruggers Bar]
'''Paid language courses'''


HKU Space has a [http://hkuspace.hku.hk/programme/category/languages-humanities#&sort=start_date+asc variety of language courses available] including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian.
Paid language courses:
*[http://hkuspace.hku.hk/prog/intensive-intro-putonghua Intensive Introductory Putonghua for non-Chinese speakers]
*[http://hkuspace.hku.hk/prog/int-mandarin Intermediate Putonghua for non-Chinese speakers]
*[http://hkuspace.hku.hk/prog/cantonese-i Cantonese level 1]


[http://www.ymcahkcollege.edu.hk/en/skillsupgrading.htm The Hong Kong YMCA] also has courses in Mandarin and Cantonese for non-Chinese speakers.


== Sightseeing ==
== Sightseeing ==
Berlin is extremely easy to get around by subway, taxi, bus, minibus, walking etc. You can easily design your own itinerary picking the places that you want to visit from below. Most people do not need a tour guide for Berlin. For an overview, here are two fun timelapse videos of Berlin featuring many of the city's famous landmarks:
Berlin is extremely easy to get around by subway, taxi, bus, walking etc. You can easily design your own itinerary picking the places that you want to visit from below. Most people do not need a tour guide for Berlin.  
#XX
#XX




'''Cultural Heritage and Building architecture'''
'''Cultural Heritage and Building architecture'''
#[http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Monument/en/trails_cw.php Sample itinerary and walk tour - Central area] with a very useful map
 
#[http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Monument/en/trails.php Temples and historic villages]


'''Markets'''
'''Markets'''
# '''Stanley Market''' Stanley is famous for its relaxed ambience, sea environs and bargain buys in the main street market. Stanley Market is open daily, 10:30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m..
 
# '''Temple Street Night Market''' Temple Street night market opens at 4 pm, but really comes alive after sunset. It offers an amazing range of inexpensive items, especially for men. There are also fortune-tellers and impromptu Chinese opera performances.


'''Temples, Monasteries, Nunneries'''
'''Temples, Monasteries, Nunneries'''
# '''Man Mo Temple''' One of Hong Kong's oldest temples, dedicated to two deities, the ‘civil’ (Man) and the ‘military’ (Mo).
 
# '''Chi Lin Nunnery''' The serene 1930s Chi Lin Nunnery (rebuilt in 1998) is spread across 3.2 hectares and is China’s largest group of hand-crafted timber buildings incorporating traditional Tang dynasty (618-907AD) construction techniques.
# '''Po Lin Monastery, Giant Buddha and Wisdom Path''' Located on Lantau, this is one of Hong Kong's largest temples and monasteries, housing the world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha, at 34 m (111ft.) high.


'''Parks'''
'''Parks'''
# '''Hong Kong Park''' Overlooked by the towers of Pacific Place and Admiralty on one side and Central on the other, the park features a hot house, a Tai Chi garden, a waterfall and the Museum of Tea Ware.
 
# '''Kowloon Park''' An oasis in the heart of Kowloon next to the Kowloon Mosque. Enjoy a walk among the trees, a bird sanctuary, fountains and a swimming pool.
# '''Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens''' Looking down on the old Government House, the Gardens date back to 1864. Look out for the gibbons and orangutans.


'''Theme Parks'''
'''Theme Parks'''
# '''Ocean Park''' [http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/]
#'''Hong Kong Disneyland''' [http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage]


'''Other references'''
'''Other references'''
#For more ideas check the [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Hong_Kong_Sightseeing Hong Kong Sightseeing Wiki]
#For a very long alphabetical listing of HK areas and sights to see check here [http://www.homeandabroad.com/c/64/64_Hong_Kong_visit_guide.html]




Line 270: Line 165:


==Cost of living==
==Cost of living==
We've had some questions about the cost of living here. Here's a link to a thread on the topic to give you some idea.[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=407&post=7577536#gpid7577536]




==FAQs==
==FAQs==
XX
XX
== Group on the hospitality network ==
If you still can't find the answer you wanted, subscribe to the
*[https://www.couchsurfing.org/n/places/berlin-berlin-germany '''Hong Kong group''']
and ask the friendly folks there!

Revision as of 16:41, 15 February 2013

Germany Main pages Places Other links

Trustroots {{ #if: Flag of Germany.png|‎ German flag}}

{{ #if: *Germany page

{{ #if: Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart, Karlsruhe) • Bavaria (Munich) • Berlin• Brandenburg (Potsdam) • Bremen • Hamburg • Hesse (Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden) • Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Schwerin) • Lower Saxony (Hannover) • North Rhine-Westphalia (Aachen, Düsseldorf, Cologne) • Rhineland-Palatinate (Mainz) • Saarland (Saarbrücken) • Saxony (Dresden) • Saxony-Anhalt (Magdeburg) • Schleswig-Holstein (Kiel) • Thuringia (Erfurt)|Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart, Karlsruhe) • Bavaria (Munich) • Berlin• Brandenburg (Potsdam) • Bremen • Hamburg • Hesse (Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden) • Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Schwerin) • Lower Saxony (Hannover) • North Rhine-Westphalia (Aachen, Düsseldorf, Cologne) • Rhineland-Palatinate (Mainz) • Saarland (Saarbrücken) • Saxony (Dresden) • Saxony-Anhalt (Magdeburg) • Schleswig-Holstein (Kiel) • Thuringia (Erfurt)}}

{{ #if: 363|*BW group}} {{ #if: 200|*CS group}} {{ #if: Germany|*Wikipedia}} {{ #if: Germany|*Wikivoyage}} {{ #if: Germany|*Hitchwiki}}


Berlin Main pages Smaller areas Other links

{{ #if: Flag_of_Berlin.svg|Flag of Berlin}}

{{ #if: *Berlin main page

{{ #if: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf • Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg • Lichtenberg • Marzahn-Hellersdorf • Mitte • Neukölln • Pankow • Reinickendorf • Spandau • Steglitz-Zehlendorf • Tempelhof-Schöneberg • Treptow-Köpenick • Wedding|Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf • Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg • Lichtenberg • Marzahn-Hellersdorf • Mitte • Neukölln • Pankow • Reinickendorf • Spandau • Steglitz-Zehlendorf • Tempelhof-Schöneberg • Treptow-Köpenick • Wedding}}

{{ #if: 77|*BeWelcome group}} {{ #if: 639|*CouchSurfing group}} {{ #if: Berlin|*Wikipedia}} {{ #if: Berlin|*Wikivoyage}} {{ #if: Berlin|*Hitchwiki}}





This article or its section is a stub. Please add some more info.



Berlin's Couch Situation

Berlin is a major Couchsurfing city where there are CS events happening almost every day. XX

XX

The Berlin last minute couch request group is in:

Berlin Hostels and Guesthouses

Hostels cost in the range of Euro XX to XX within the city.

The major backpacker's hostel area in Berlin are:

These hostels come highly recommend by CS travellers:


Mid-range and Higher end Accommodation

These are another option for budget travellers if your couchsearch doesn't work out and hostel reservations are hard to make. Team up with other CSers and you can share costs.


Short/Long term stay

Some websites that our CS-ers recommend, if you're looking for flatshare/renting a flat in Hong Kong:

Or try our "Apartment/Flat-Share Hunting" subgroup under the CS Berlin group.

Getting Around

Public transportation generally goes almost everywhere in the city. XX

From Airport to City

Express Train is the fastest way to get to the airport from XX. Express trains run every XX minutes from around XX a.m. to XX a.m. Journeys from the airport to XX take approximately XX minutes and a round-trip ticket costs XX.


Bus to/from the airport from/to various parts of the city

Taxi

  • to XX - at least Euro XX
  • to XX - at least Euro XX

Underground/ U-Bahn

The subway/underground in Berlin is called the U-Bahn.

The U-Bahn is efficient and reliable and it covers the major areas of the city.

Buses

Buses in Berlin are plentiful.

XX

Taxi

Taxis are expensive. XX.

One thing to watch out for

Nightlife, Dining and Entertainment

XX

Main Nightlife Areas

Magazines and Event listings

The following websites can help bring you up to speed on the local club scene, nightlife, concerts, festivals and shows.

Bars

Some favourite local haunts include:

The Underground

XX

Events, venues and organizations

Comedy

Restaurants

Vegetarian Restaurants:


Vegan Restaurants:


Karaoke

Sports, Activities and the Great Outdoors

Hiking


Running and Hiking events


Swimming and Beaches

Camping

Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Windsurfing and Kayaking

Diving

Rock Climbing

Para-gliding

Snowboarding

Language Exchange

There are lots of language exchange options available in Berlin from one on one meetups to clubs that meet regularly in person to social networks available online at your convenience. Here are some of your options:

For one on one exchange:

Groups that meet regularly:


Language exchange social networks:

Paid language courses:


Sightseeing

Berlin is extremely easy to get around by subway, taxi, bus, walking etc. You can easily design your own itinerary picking the places that you want to visit from below. Most people do not need a tour guide for Berlin.


Cultural Heritage and Building architecture


Markets


Temples, Monasteries, Nunneries


Parks


Theme Parks

Other references


Crossing the border

To France: XX To Austria: XX To Poland: XX XX

Visas

XX

Baggage Storage

XX

Cost of living

FAQs

XX

Retrieved from "https://wiki.trustroots.org/w/index.php?title=Berlin&oldid=6260"