If you’re an expat in Berlin and you’re addicted to your phone, you’re in luck because there are some seriously cool apps available to make your life in Germany’s capital city easier. We’ve compiled a list of the most practical ones for you to download before your trip to Berlin.
Do you ever consider how much our phones have evolved into an extension of ourselves? There is an app for everything – from finding your beat on a night out in Friedrichshain to ordering takeout in Mitte with a tap or two. Of these apps that made our top seven, some of them are uniquely Berlin, but if not, they are certainly widely used and appreciated here by residents and visitors. In all cases, we’ve linked to the company website, and in all cases, you’ll find the app easily by typing the company’s name into Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.
Jelbi: Navigate Berlin on the go like a local
Jelbi is an excellent app for navigating Berlin. It combines various modes of transportation, such as buses, trams, bikes and e-scooters, into a single app. You can purchase tickets, plan routes and receive real-time updates on delays or disruptions.
Uber: Banned in Berlin but present anyway
Uber is controversial in Berlin. The taxi industry has done its best to make sure the service is banned Germany-wide. But it operates here anyway and is very popular, much to the chagrin of the taxi drivers (in a cab, you should probably refer to Uber as “the-company-that-shall-not-be-named”). However, unlike many taxi drivers in Berlin, your Uber driver won’t keep you waiting for 10 minutes at the end of your ride until their mobile payment terminal finally finds a signal.
eBay Kleinanzeigen: Buy and sell second-hand stuff locally
eBay Kleinanzeigen (eBay Classifieds) is a popular platform in Germany for buying and selling used goods. You can also use the app to look for job openings or services like cleaning or tutoring. Communicate with prospective buyers and sellers, set up ads and upload photos easily and configure payment options so you can buy buy buy. There is no option to set it to English, though. Great for figuring out German language interfaces, then!
ImmobilienScout24: Because a flat search needs your 24/7 attention
Finding a place to live in Berlin is insanely difficult. ImmobilienScout24 certainly has a monopoly on the listings. Use the app to find your new pad filtered by budget, location, size, price and plenty of other preferences. Save your favourite listings and receive notifications when new ones become available. Tip: have your application document package ready to go with one tap! You’ll probably only have a few minutes to send it before the new listing gets taken down.
Doctolib: Find a Berlin doctor who can actually see you this week
Doctolib is a healthcare app that makes scheduling appointments with doctors and other medical professionals simple. You can use the app to search for practitioners by specialty or location, read reviews from other patients, and book appointments. It’s particularly useful to be able to sort by availability (only show docs who can fit me in tomorrow!) or the type of insurance you have, as not all providers accept publicly insured patients, so you can filter out the fancy skin clinics. If you don’t speak German, you can limit your search results to doctors who speak your language.
WheelMap
If your legs are working perfectly well and you’re not carting a tiny human around in a pram, this aspect of life in Berlin might go straight over your head. But for those people who are mobility impaired or sporting a buggy, this social project is an absolute game changer. WheelMap helps you find wheelchair-accessible restaurants, shops, public transport stations, you name it. Good samaritans label entrances that are suitable or unsuitable for wheelchair access and upload pictures. The more you use it and the more you contribute to it, the better it gets for everyone.
Too Good To Go: Grab a local bargain and reduce food waste
By linking restaurants, bakeries, and other food businesses with customers looking to purchase their excess food at a reduced price, the Too Good To Go app reduces food waste. If you’re on a tight budget or want to test new dishes without going overboard, this is a fantastic alternative. In addition, you can feel good about saving the environment and decreasing food waste. Not yet available in English, which means this is a great way to practice your German, save money and keep your belly full at the same time.
These apps will ease and improve your new Berlin life in a variety of areas, including transportation, healthcare and entertainment. Whether you’re moving here for business, education or adventure, get downloading and explore the city!
If you want more stuff like this delivered to your inbox, join our newsletter at no charge. We’ve got videos, articles and plenty of other treats on life in Berlin for English-speaking foreigners.
Have we missed a Berlin app that you swear by? Leave a comment below.
Leave a Reply