Last updated on Monday 4 February at 10:12 CET.
On this page you will find all the relevant practical information to help you plan your trip to and stay in Berlin.
As always, don’t forget to pack lightly, but consider bringing your walking shoes.
Please bring your own water bottle and reusable mug.
Please also use the IETM Forum to share your suggestions on how to minimise your footprint travelling to and during this meeting.
You can click on the links below to jump to the desired section.
CONTENT:
- Community guidelines
- Locations: General info about the meeting venues, including accessibility
- Map: Overview of the meeting venues
- Travel: Advice on how to get to and around the city
- Accommodation: Suggested best locations to look for accommodation
- Food and drink: Places to enjoy a good meal and drink
- Visa: Info on visa requirements
- Currency: Info on exchange offices and cash dispensers
- Useful numbers
- Environmental consciousness at the meeting
IETM Plenary meetings are unique gatherings for our members, peers, partners and friends from across the globe. These sessions are opportunities for us, individually and collectively, to champion and challenge our work, our opinions and our thoughts for the future.
In the spirit of inclusion, IETM is committed to creating a safe space in which all voices can be heard and an environment in which opposing views can exist without judgement and prejudice.
To achieve this, we encourage speakers and participants to show respect when they speak and listen to others.
- For many people in the room, English is not their native language, so please take care to speak slowly and clearly (with the use of amplification where available);
- Use the language that the individual prefers when referring to their gender, disability, or racial identity. If you are unsure what language to use, ask respectfully;
- Acknowledge and respect Indigenous sovereignty: Indigenous peoples have unique histories, cultures, customs and traditions that deserve respect and recognition;
- If a speaker or participant is using access support, please communicate directly with the individual concerned and not via their translator or support worker;
- If a speaker or participant is using a wheelchair and the conversation lasts more than a few minutes, sit down or kneel to be on their level if you can;
- Always ask for someone's permission before touching them or getting physically close to them;
- When a question is asked by a participant in a session, we would ask the moderator or speaker to repeat the question before answering it;
- Please allow all speakers and participants to complete their sentences without interruption; however, please also be mindful to allow space for many voices to be heard and for moderators to manage it;
- Respect everybody’s right to both hold and share an opinion, listen actively to what someone is saying, and ask questions if you need clarification. Show that you value their perspective and experience.
Main meeting venue
ufaFabrik
Address: Viktoriastraße 10-18, 12105 Berlin, Germany
For decades, the celluloid dreams produced on the grounds of the south Berlin UFA film lab were banned. The building was slated to be demolished in 1979, but was eventually saved in order to create the International Cultural Center ufaFabrik Berlin, the most unique work/life project in all of Europe. On its 18,566 square metres of land, 200 employees and around 30 residents work around the clock to bring harmony and meaning to issues such as housing, employment, cultural events, creativity and other social areas of life.
Various new and unconventional ideas have since been implemented including; ecological pilot projects, energy efficient buildings, innovative community concepts and social networks for people of all ages, families and neighbourhoods.
Public transport connections:
- U-6 - directly at the Ullsteinstraße underground station. Exit: Viktoriastraße.
- Bus 170 / 246 (Friedrich Karl Strasse and Attilaplatz)
- Night buses: N 84 / N 6 (Tempelhofer Damm and Attilaplatz)
For more information on public transport links, jump to the transport section.
IETM is a strong advocate for rail travel, and we therefore encourage you to travel by land if you are able to.
If you are a category 1 or 2 IETM member, you may qualify for one of our travel grants. Learn more about the travel grants here.
For any frequently asked questions about travel, you can consult our FAQ.
Getting to Berlin
By train
Taking the train is a comfortable and environmentally friendly way to travel. All train stations in Berlin are well connected with the public transport systems for onward travel.
You can reach Berlin through the following train companies in mainland Europe:
- InterCityExpress
- InterCity
- EuroCity
- InterRegio Trains
For more information on travelling to Berlin through Europe by train, you can consult the Eurail website as well as the European Sleeper to find out about night trains.
Although we encourage land travel as much as possible, we are aware that the German train company Deutsche Bahn is currently subject to delays and cancellations. We therefore encourage you to allow plenty of time for your journey and advise you to download the DB App for real time travel information. In the event of a cancellation, you can ask for a refund through the following online form. Please note that most tickets are valid for every DB train travelling that day, so if your train is cancelled, you will be able to get on the next one.
Train stations in Berlin
Berlin Central Station (Berlin Hbf)
Berlin Central Station is the central hub for rail traffic in the capital. Here, inter-city and regional trains connect with Berlin's local rail, underground, tram and bus network:
- S-Bahn (suburban railway) lines S3, S5, S7, S9 and S75 link the Central Station with the East and West of the city.
- U5 U-Bahn (underground) line connects the station to the government district and leads directly to the Brandenburg Gate.
This station is located in the Northern part of the city.
Berlin’s Ostbahnhof railway station is one of the city’s key contact points.
An important link for the traffic in the North-South direction.
By bus
National and international coach services to Berlin arrive and depart at the central bus station in the Charlottenburg district, opposite the ICC International Congress Centre and close to the S Bahn Stop Messe/ICC (S41/42) and U Bahn Kaiserdamm (U2).
You can find a selection of long distance buses in Germany here.
Car pooling
If you choose to drive to Berlin, don’t forget to ask other participants if they want to share a ride by posting on our Forum.
Berlin has direct connections to the European network of motorways, making it easy to get to and from most European cities.
Please note that in Berlin, you will have to pay to park or use the hotel parking if possible. Parking spots can be expensive and are in high demand in the city, and therefore hard to find. Please check with the hotel you have chosen for parking options. You can find information on how and where to park while you are in town on this map.
By plane
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) serves the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region and is located on the southern outskirts of Berlin.
The airport consists of two terminal complexes:
- Terminals 1 and 2 are located in a newly built airport building; direct connection to Berlin centre from BER Airport station (S-Bahn, regional trains and buses)
- Terminal 5 is a 10 minute drive away from the main building. To reach Berlin center you first have to take an S-Bahn to Terminal 1 / 2 BER Airport station, then take an onward connection.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport has a link to highway A113 which leads to the city centre.
Getting around Berlin
In Berlin, the public transport consists of buses and tramways, as well as an underground metro and trains. A one-way ticket for public transport costs between 3,80€ and 4,70€ depending on the length of your journey. You can also purchase a daily or weekly ticket, which covers all types of public transport.
With 16 S-Bahn (suburban railway) lines, 10 U-Bahn (underground) lines and more than 200 landlines (trams & buses), public transport in Berlin is one of the most efficient in Europe, both day and night with continuous S and U-Bahn at weekends, safe and regular night buses during the week.
There are three fare zones:
- Zone A: Berlin inner city, the heart of the city
- Zone B: Berlin extra-muros (B), Tegel Airport, the suburbs and the lakes
- Zone C: Brandenburg (C), Brandenburg Airport, Potsdam, Oranienburg
Travel validity for One-way tickets
- Ticket is valid only for the selected fare zone (AB, BC or ABC)
- One journey in one direction
- Changes permitted
- Round and return trips are not permitted
- 120 minutes validity
For more information on daily, multiple trips and weekly tickets please visit BVG
Accessibility
You can find more information about accessibility on public transport on BVG.de
Where to stay
As one of the most touristic cities in Europe, Berlin has many accommodation options to choose from. This year, IETM invites its participants to select the best option for them and within their budget. Hotel rooms range from 80€ to more than 300€ a night and we advise you to book your accommodation as soon as possible, with May being a popular period for Berlin tourism.
Day one of the meeting will take place in multiple locations around Berlin, whereas day two and three of the meeting will take place in ufaFabrik. We therefore recommend that you stay in an area with strong public transport links to the ufaFabrik, which is on the U6 metro line. The area around ufaFabrik has little to offer in terms of restaurants and things to see and do, so the following areas may be suitable:
- Kreuzberg
- Tempelhof
- Mitte
- Schoeneberg
Share a room or host an IETM participant
Looking for someone to share a room with? Post your accommodation offer or find a bunkmate on our Forum.
Accessibility
You can find more information about accessible hotels on visitberlin.de
The following places are located near ufaFabrik, where day two and three of the Plenary will take place:
Rudi & Rosa / Café and Restaurant
Address: Viktoriastraße 10-18, 12105 Berlin, Germany
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday from 10:00 to 23:00
Description: Regional dishes and delicious drinks, beers and coffee specialities & cakes are served daily in the newly renovated dining room and outside the door.
LPG Biomarkt / Market and bakery
Address: Viktoriastraße 10-18, 12105 Berlin, Germany
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday from 7:30 to 20:00
If you are not from an EU or EEA country, you must have a valid passport to enter Germany and it must be valid for the whole length of your stay.
Citizens of several nationalities do not require a visa to enter Germany for short-term stays (90 days within any given 180-day-time-span). To check if you require a Schengen visa to enter Germany, please follow this link.
You can find out about visa requirements for Germany and how to apply here or here.
If you need an invitation letter to apply for a visa, please register for the meeting and contact registration@ietm.org with the subject line ‘VISA LETTER - Your Name’.
The currency in Germany is the Euro. You can check the conversion rate to your currency here. Be sure to check with your bank for any fees on exchanging money and using international currency abroad.
Please note that cash payments are still largely preferred in Germany; in some places you’ll be able to pay with major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Cash exchange bureaus around Berlin:
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Reisebank
Area M Arrivals, Arrivals area, Level E0
Opening hours depend on the current flight volume.
Friedrichstrasse Station
Reisebank
Mon–Fri 7:30 - 20:00
Sat–Sun 8:00 - 20:00
Zoo Station
Reisebank
Daily from 8:00 - 21:00
Alexanderplatz Station
Euro Change
Mon-Sat from 8:00 - 20:00
Ostbahnhof (Eastern Station)
Reisebank
Mon–Fri 8:00 - 21:00
Sat–Sun 8:00 - 20:00
Emergency number for medical assistance and fire: 112
In case of emergency, the 112 emergency number is the European number to call for help and get quick and vital assistance. 112 allows you to be quickly connected to the fire department or an ambulance. It is available every day, at any time.
This service must be reached in case of a life-threatening emergency such as an accident, fainting spells, fire, etc.
Police: 110
Poison Control Centre in Berlin: +49 30 19240
Giftnotruf Berlin Charité-Universitätsmedizin
The Poison Control Centre should be contacted whenever there is a risk of poisoning with hazardous products, household products, drugs, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc. You will be put in contact with an emergency toxicology information service immediately. Free service, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Remember to keep the offending product nearby to give all the information to the emergency poison control service.
Environmental consciousness at the meeting
In addition to the precautions we take to make the impact of the Plenary on the environment as gentle as possible, we ask you to also contribute by following these tips:
- Switch off your computer and your smartphone when they are not in use;
- Connect to the venue’s public Wi-Fi instead of your 3G/4G data if possible;
- Avoid disposable tableware whenever possible and bring your own tote bag to shops and grocery stores;
- Sort your waste according to the instructions at the Plenary venues and throughout the city if possible;
- Recycle bottles and cans. In Germany, you pay a deposit each time you buy drinks in cans or bottles with a deposit mark. You get your deposit back by returning empty cans and bottles using the dedicated vending machines located in grocery stores. Some public bins in the city also have a platform, where you can leave your bottle or can for someone else to pick up;
- Bring your own water bottle and reusable coffee mug to spare the environment the plastic and yourself the money;
- Refill your bottle. Tap water in Germany is completely safe to drink. We recommend that you fill up your water bottle in the morning at your hotel, and do refills during the day. You can do so in the bathroom at the meeting venues.
