Berlin Marathon

crosbie

Hi all. Doing the Berlin Marathon this year. Do you think it works out cheaper to book the separate items yourself (flights, accommodation etc.) rather than going with someone like sports travel international???

Krusty_Clown

Definitely. How much are they charging?
Marathon - 55 Euro
Accomodation - 3 nights SC for 2 people - 267 Euro (133 each).
Return Flights inc luggage 180pp.
Per person - 368 euro, Plus food, taxis, entertainment, etc.

crosbie

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Definitely. How much are they charging?

The sports travel tour for Berlin is not open yet. Just from checking flights on Aer Lingus it seems that they are really cheap at the moment so I don't want to loose out but all things seem to mount up quickly so I was thinking the 'group tour' may be cheaper.

aburke

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Marathon - 55 Euro

I think its up to €70 now - will rise again on April 24th.

Krusty_Clown

Another selling point for self-booking! You can take advantage of early or late bargains! I have never traveled with one of the marathon booking companies, but I rebel against the package holiday concept, every chance I get. Spend the extra money you save on a fantastic meal, or a new pair of runners.

My accommodation is in the Embassy district, just south of the Tiergarden, a leisurely 10 minute walk to the start of the race. Not sure where the marathon package guys would locate you, but there were definitely other forum posters who went to Berlin with the package company who would know more.

Peckham

Would be amazed if Sports Travel International were cheaper than booking it solo. Only reason I can see to book with them is to either (a) get an entry to one of the lottery/qualification time marathons (i.e. London, NYC or Boston), or (b) wanting all your transfers etc. to be looked after.

I'm fully booked up. Travelling over alone (but plenty others from here going), and flights/accomodation/marathon entry came to €400 total.

Clum

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

My accommodation is in the Embassy district, just south of the Tiergarden, a leisurely 10 minute walk to the start of the race.

I thought I was a leisurely 10 minute walk last year but the layout of the start/finish area changed all that. I got to the runners area in 10 minutes but there's a lot more walking after that. Give yourself plenty of time. The runner's area is huge! It's about a 10 or 15 minute walk from some of the bag drop tents to the start. This caught me out big time and my 'warm up' for the marathon was a 5 minute marathon paced run to get to the start before the gun went off. Heart Rate was way up before I even started.

It's a great layout though. Loads of room to relax after. I highly recommend a pint of alcohol free Erdinger, which are handed out, while resting on the grass in front of the Reichstag watching the remainder of the race on the big screen.

Peckham

Clum wrote: »

I highly recommend a pint of alcohol free Erdinger, which are handed out, while resting on the grass in front of the Reichstag watching the remainder of the race on the big screen.

That sounds very nice!

HardyEustace

Peckham wrote: »

That sounds very nice!

One of my favourite memories from Berlin 08. It was just heavenly. Sunny weather, nice beer, good company, marathon over. Life was good.

crosbie

Thanks for all the opinions guys. Think I'm just going to book it solo so. We will have to get a list together of who is going closer to the time!

Woddle

crosbie wrote: »

Thanks for all the opinions guys. Think I'm just going to book it solo so. We will have to get a list together of who is going closer to the time!

Last year I booked with sports travel and yep it costs a little more but I was glad I did it. As their rep Colette was a little gem in sorting us out at the expo and getting us to the race nice and early. Its amazing how relaxed you are when someone else is doing the donkey work for you and taking unwanted stress away.Also you get a bit of a nice group mentality going on and it makes for a good celebratory night out. So for first timers in Berlin it could be worth it. I'm going back this year and I did book it on my own as I now know the lay of the land.