Local Tip
Have some cash for Spätis (late-night kiosks), bakeries, currywurst stands and small bars, and take it from a bank's machine, such as Sparkasse or Deutsche Bank, rather than an independent one on a nightlife street.
Where to change money in Berlin
Berlin's staffed counters include ReiseBank's station branches and Euro Change's three shops. Before handing over notes, ask for the final euro amount after commission so you can compare.
- ReiseBank station branchesCounters at Hauptbahnhof (Europaplatz 1; first floor, reached from platforms 13/14; daily 09:00 to 19:00), Ostbahnhof, Bahnhof Zoo and Friedrichstraße, plus Spandau (Altstädter Ring 1). ReiseBank says its branches offer up to 100 currencies.
- ReiseBank exchange machine, Bahnhof Zoo Open 24 hours, this self-service machine turns Swiss franc, US dollar, sterling, Danish krone and Swedish krona notes into euros, and card holders can withdraw dollars, pounds or francs from it.
- Euro Change Shops in the Europa-Center (U-Bahn Kurfürstendamm), at Friedrichstraße 80 in Mitte and at Hubertusstraße 14 in Steglitz. Weekdays 10:00 to 19:00; Saturdays until 18:00 at the Europa-Center and 15:00 at the others. Its current rates are published on its website.
Changing money at the airport
At BER, Travelex has an exchange desk in Terminal 1 (level E0, Arrival 1) with over 48 currencies, plus cash machines paying out euros, US dollars or pounds at Arrival 1, baggage claim A1-A4, the U1 station level and the Terminal 2 check-in area. Euronet has machines at baggage claim B1-B4 and check-in areas 1-8. Neither is a bank, so withdrawing here can cost more than at a bank's machine in town.
ATMs and cards in Berlin
Bank-run machines (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Volksbank) are usually a safer bet than independent ones, which cluster in nightlife districts such as Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Neukölln and can add a high flat fee to your own bank's charges. If a Berlin machine or café card reader asks you to pick euros or pounds, take euros: the sterling rate is set by the operator and rarely favours you. Cards are widely but not universally accepted; a 'Karte' sign may mean girocard only, and some places refuse cards below about €5 or €10.
Paying for transport in Berlin
BVG buses have been cash-free since September 2024: drivers sell only single, day and short-distance tickets, paid by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or BVG prepaid card. Station ticket machines (BVG and S-Bahn) take cash, with change, and cards; on trams, older machines accept coins only and newer ones cards and phone payments. Stamp paper tickets on the platform before boarding the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, or on board a bus or tram. The BVG app also sells tickets.
Good to know
- Tip 5 to 10 per cent in restaurants by telling the server the total you want to pay; if paying by card, Berlin's official portal suggests giving the tip in cash.
- Taxi drivers don't expect a tip, but rounding up to the next euro after a good ride is common.
- For cash payments above €2,500, ReiseBank requires evidence of the source of your money.
Key Areas in Berlin
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Exchange bureaux, banks and cash machines, as mapped by OpenStreetMap. The map loads only when you ask for it.
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Berlin travel money FAQ
Where is the best place to exchange money in Berlin?
For notes over the counter, try ReiseBank's station branches or Euro Change's three shops and compare the euro total each quotes for the same amount. With a debit card, a bank's cash machine spares you exchanging notes at all.
Can I pay cash for a ticket on a BVG bus?
No. Since September 2024 drivers have accepted only cards, phone payments or the BVG prepaid card. To use cash, buy a ticket beforehand from a BVG or S-Bahn machine at a station.
Can I change money in Berlin late at night or on a Sunday?
Yes, at Bahnhof Zoo, where ReiseBank's machine changes five major currencies into euros around the clock. The Hauptbahnhof counter opens 09:00 to 19:00 every day; Euro Change opens Monday to Saturday only.
Checked September 2026. Fees, fares and opening times change, so check locally before relying on them. Sources: ReiseBank · Euro Change Wechselstuben AG · BER Airport · BVG · Berlin.de · visitBerlin
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