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Base Flying in Berlin off the city’s tallest hotel is a unique addition to the historical sights in this city. Here’s how to do it.
Berlin’s base flying experience is a unique way to experience Germany’s capital outside of its historical sites, soaring downward from one of its tallest buildings. Because Berlin is a bit hipster like that, where gliding down the Park Inn Hotel in Alexanderplatz became one of Europe’s best new additions to the world of adrenalin-fuelled gravitational fun.
The famous TV Tower of Alexanderplatz in Berlin, with the Park Inn hotel in the background
Base Flying Berlin – See the City Differently
Different to Bungee Jumping, Base Flying means that you fly horizontally and roped up on a special construction – almost 125 meters from the roof of the hotel.
Base Flying Berlin platform at the top of the Park Inn Hotel
It fascinated me and I figured that the different positioning of the harness on this (yes, I studied the website and videos in full detail) put it in a slightly lower fear category since you are face down, harnessed in the middle and not bounced back up by a single rope.
Altogether the experience lasts 30 minutes and costs 79,90 Euros via the company, Jochen Schweizer. I felt completely secure in my harness and it’s all fully tested out for both comfort and safety before you walk the plank.
The guys have a great sense of humour so any nerves you have are immediately put at ease. They also welcome you to scream all the way down, in order to entertain the crowds below in Alexanderplatz.
Getting prepared for base flying in Berlin
Then the flying position you tested out becomes reality as you dangle up and away from the plank, trying to take in the fantastic city landscape around you while switching from giddy excitement to intense pangs of fear.
What is it Like to go Base Flying in Berlin?
And I loved each and every moment of the 10-second adrenalin ride.
Even if you think you are going to hate it, the journey down is not that long. Except you might not hate it at all. I met a girl up there who was taking her sixth flight. She was addicted to the rush of base flying in Alexanderplatz and even had the dedicated t-shirt to prove it.
The rush of free-falling and complete weightless is immense as you navigate through the air high on that feeling you get when your heart skips a beat and your whole body goes numb for just a couple of seconds.
And then you land, being pulled in by two people, one of which eventually pulls out her radio and says ‘contact’.
That’s when you know you’ve made it as you look up at the giant hotel structure, savouring a moment you can’t describe because it all happened so fast and then realise that all you are doing is smiling and saying “That was AMAZING!”
I’d do it all over again, this time with a Go-Pro camera strapped to my head (since the official videos are a bit pricey).
Berlin might be rich in history, but it’s also got adrenalin in droves. Go get yourself some and take home a bit of new Berlin cool.
Many thanks to Jochen Schweizer who kindly invited me to try the base flying activity. All opinions are my own.
