When you see return flights to Berlin for £49 per person during February half term which means no school fines, you book them. I booked these on 15th December 2025 and, as always, we travelled with hand luggage only. I always say that return flights under £50 per person are a bargain and if we are free, I will book them every single time.
We have visited Berlin before and you can read all about that trip on the here, but this post focuses on what we did this time, where we stayed and how we travelled around the city with ease.
Our Flight Itinerary from London to Berlin
Our outbound flight departed London Stansted at 5:55am and arrived into Berlin Brandenburg at 8:45am. The return flight left Berlin Brandenburg at 10:15pm and landed back at London Stansted at 11:05pm.
It was an early start to reach Stansted, so once again we used National Express. It is cheap, reliable and makes those early airport transfers much easier, especially when travelling with a child.
I thought that I would mention that passport control on arrival was absolutely horrific. We were stuck in the queue for almost two hours. Everyone was exhausted and visibly miserable, and there were only four passport officers in their booths. The line was barely moving. I am sure part of this is due to the new EES system, which is quite confusing.
You have to scan your passport, provide fingerprints and go through the whole process, yet you still then queue again for manual checks. I understand it will not be in full effect until April, but after such an early start, the last thing you want is to spend hours standing in a queue. It definitely was not the greatest start to the trip.
Where We Stayed: Smartments Berlin Prenzlauer Berg Review
We stayed at Smartments Berlin Prenzlauer Berg, which is around 30 minutes from Berlin Brandenburg Airport and in a very convenient location. There is a station right outside the hotel, which makes getting around incredibly easy, and an Aldi and Burger King within a short walking distance. I paid £123 for two nights.
The apartment-style set-up included Wi-Fi, a kitchenette, a bathroom, a fridge, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, electric kettle, coffee and tea facilities, cookware and utensils. For a short city break, especially if you like the flexibility of preparing simple meals, this works well.
However, there were two major downsides. The pillows were honestly some of the worst I have ever experienced and I did not sleep well at all. More importantly, there is no luggage storage. I never realised quite how important luggage storage was until this trip. I had simply assumed it would be available, and it made me realise that in future I will always check before booking. It is the only reason I would hesitate to stay here again.
Getting Around Berlin and the Berlin WelcomeCard
Getting around Berlin is very simple. I mainly relied on Apple Maps, which worked perfectly for navigating trains and trams. There is excellent public transport coverage across the city.
We used the Berlin WelcomeCard, which covers zones ABC if you choose that option, including travel to and from the airport. It makes things straightforward and cost-effective. With the Berlin WelcomeCard, kids travel free on public transport up to and including 14 years old when accompanied by an adult with a valid card. Children under 6 always travel free anyway. Always double-check the most up-to-date age rules before travelling.
Luggage Storage at Ostbahnhof
On our last day, we left our luggage at Ostbahnhof station. The lockers cost €3 for 24 hours, which is very reasonable. We also used lockers when we travelled to Dresden for the Harry Potter experience. The smart thing to do is remove your valuables and keep them with you, and then you are sorted.
Using Ostbahnhof made sense logistically as it is not too far from the airport and close to where we were heading next, which was ANOHA, the children’s Jewish Museum.
ANOHA Jewish Children’s Museum
ANOHA is part of the Jewish Museum Berlin and is designed especially for children. We visited on our last trip and it was so good that my daughter specifically asked to return. Of course I said yes, especially as entry is free.
It is extremely popular, so the best thing you can do is book tickets in advance as soon as you know your travel dates. I did not book, which meant we had to queue for non-ticket holders and the wait was quite long. Learn from me and book ahead.
Anti-slip socks are required and cost €3 if you buy them there. I was so annoyed that I forgot about this rule because we have plenty at home from trampoline parks. Bring your own if you can. The floors are very slippery, so I completely understand the rule. To be honest, some adults could probably benefit from them too.
Security is understandably tight because it is part of a Jewish museum. You must use the lockers for your bags and cannot take them inside. There are no exceptions as far as I am aware. You also cannot wear shoes. The upside of this strict system is that the space feels very clean, organised and safe.
It is honestly one of the best free indoor activities for children in Berlin and a fantastic addition to any family itinerary.
Harry Potter and Tropical Islands
While we were in Germany, we also visited Harry Potter: The Exhibition and Tropical Islands Resort. I have written separate detailed reviews on both experiences, so rather than repeating everything here, make sure you read those dedicated blog posts for full guides, tips and honest reviews.
Ending Our Berlin Trip
On our final evening, we grabbed some food, collected our luggage from the locker and headed back to Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The whole journey was simple and stress-free.
Berlin is an easy city to navigate, even with children and even with hand luggage only. If you can grab return flights for under £50 per person, it makes for an affordable half term/weekend city break that feels like a proper adventure without the long-haul price tag.
