We've all been there. Someone suggests meeting at Alexanderplatz because it's "in the middle." But for your friend in Dahlem, that's an hour-long journey, while for your friend in Friedrichshain, it's a 10-minute tram ride. It's time to stop thinking about the middle of the map and start thinking about the middle of everyone's commute.
The Problem with "Central" Locations
Berlin's public transport network is a spiderweb, not a perfect grid. A place that looks central on a map (hello, Brandenburg Gate) can be surprisingly disconnected. Travel time is affected by:
- Transit Lines: How many changes are needed?
- Traffic: A short drive can turn into a long crawl.
- Time of Day: Rush hour vs. a lazy Sunday afternoon.
The Fairness Fail
When one person travels 15 minutes and another travels 50, it creates resentment. Fair meetups aren't just about finding a cool spot; they're about showing you value everyone's time and effort equally.
How to Plan Genuinely Fair Meetups
- 1
Gather Starting Points & Transport
Before you do anything, know where everyone is coming from and how they plan to travel (U-Bahn, bike, car, etc.). This is the most critical data.
- 2
Use a Smart Tool
This is where midway@ shines. Instead of guessing, our algorithm analyzes real-time transit and traffic data to find venues that minimize the travel time difference for everyone in your group.
- 3
Discuss the Vibe
Once you have a few fair location options, let the group decide on the vibe. Is it a quiet cafe for a deep chat or a busy beer garden?