Anyone ever been to Berlin?

[philmophlegm]

Change of plans with the whole Frankfurt thing. I now have to go to Berlin first, and then get from Berlin to Frankfurt. (This might be a challenge for my German - when bunn and I went to Bavaria on holiday, we found that between us we could just about converse in German. I could work out what to say and bunn would be able to understand what was being said. This time I'll have to do everything! And what is the German for "First class ticket to Frankfurt please"?)

Anyway, the convenient flight from Bristol doesn't go to Templehof but to the semi-obscure Schonefeld. Anyone ever gone to Schonefeld? Is it far to the city centre?

Comments

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

Schoenefeld isn't that far out and is on the UBahn network. From what I recall the ticket machines can be used in English. If your german fails then bear in mind that a lot of people will be able to speak English if you get stuck- most of the non-english speakers will be East Germans over 30, or ethnic minorities who tend to speak their own language and German.

In any event they usually listen politely to your attempts to speak their language, then politely help you out when you get stuck.

A phrasebook might come in handy anyway.

[philmophlegm.livejournal.com]

UBahn? But wouldn't that be public transport? I try to avoid the underground when I'm in London, let alone Berlin. I'll probably get a taxi. In any case, you don't see much of a city when you're under it!

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

The Ubahn is partly underground in the city centre, but mostly overground. Unlike the British version it does actually get you to where you want to go and sticks to the timetable. Oh and is clean, although for some bizarre reason, graffiti'd.