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Cutting the cost of your holiday to Berlin

With the recession hitting holidaymaker’s pockets hard this year, we’re all looking to make holiday savings. If you’re lucky enough to be heading to hip city of Berlin this year, then check out our travel savvy tips first and we’ll help you to cut your costs.

The time of year that you book your trip can have a huge bearing on your holiday costs. The peak season runs throughout the warm summer months, from June through to August, so if you can avoid travelling during this busy period you’ll not only avoid the crowds, but enjoy cheaper flights and accommodation rates too.

While the hottest, and busiest, months are July and August, the autumn months have a charm all of their own, with temperatures still relatively warm, and the trees breaking out their autumn foliage. Visit in spring from May and you’ll find the outdoor café season just beginning.

The cheapest time to visit is from November to March. If you are willing to brave the cold, you’ll find magical Christmas fairs to explore as well as crisp, clear days and a breathtaking snow covered cityscape.

When it comes to flights, it pays to book early. Flight prices only tend to increase as their departure dates approach, with airlines keen to bump up prices to take advantage of last minute business travellers. Book around 11 month in advance and you’ll have the biggest choice of the cheapest airfares.

It’s easy to explore the beautiful historic part of Berlin on foot, and you can save on transport costs by hiring a bike too – you’ll find bicycle lanes all over the city and the area is incredibly bicycle-friendly.

The Berlin public transports network is one f the most efficient in the world, with buses, U-Bahn underground trains, S-bahn overground trains and trams to choose from. You can save by buying a citypass, which entitles you to free public transport and entry to top attractions too.

One more quick transport tip – there are plenty of cabs in Berlin, but if you have to use one, try to flag one down as this is far cheaper than calling a taxi firm.

Make use of the internet, in particular comparison sites that make it easy to seek out the cheapest deals. Check out flight and accommodation specialist sites like Octopus Travel where you can search for the latest deals on flights and Berlin hotels all year round too.