You can forget about catching an Uber in Berlin. The car-hailing service has been banned in Germany following a 2015 court ruling that found it violated regulations requiring all transport companies to use licensed drivers. But don't worry, there's a workaround. Indeed, the German capital, which styles itself as the Silicon Valley of Germany, has a number of efficient apps to transform even a first-timer into a bona fide Berliner.
-
My Taxi
Essentially an Uber clone, My Taxi lets you request a driver, track his or her progress and pay via your smartphone. The main difference: All the cars are licensed taxis, not private vehicles. For a cheaper alternative, try Allygator, a shared shuttle service designed for Berlin clubbers trying to get home after a night of indulgence. It charges just a few cents a mile for transport throughout the city.
-
Find Your Food Truck
As its name suggests, this foodie essential provides a comprehensive guide to enjoying Berlin's growing army of hipster food trucks. The app lists truck locations, opening dates and times, includes photos of the day's menu and lets you make lists of your favorites to track them down later.
-
Durst
More of a specialist app, this guide to late-night kiosks and corner stores (what the locals call spati) ensures you'll never waste time looking for a one-for-the-road beer, cigarettes (this is Europe, after all) or a midnight snack.
-
Qfriend.co
One for the clubbers, this site, active only on Berlin weekends, provides live updates of events throughout the city, crucially noting line lengths and wait times for the current hotspots.