Major city · Germany
MunichMünchen
Give Munich 3 nights: one for the Altstadt and museums, one for a castle or Alps day trip, one for beer gardens and the Isar. Book beds 6–8 weeks ahead.
Munich is Bavaria's capital and Germany's third-largest city, 1.6 million people on the Isar with the Alps an hour south. Most first trips use it as a base: the old town and art museums fill two days, and Neuschwanstein, the Zugspitze or Salzburg fill more. It is Germany's most expensive city for beds, so where you sleep decides your budget.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Oct; late Sep for Oktoberfest
- avoid Jan–Feb (grey, few snow days), Oktoberfest weekends if you dislike crowds and peak prices
- Airports
- MUC · FMM
- Nights
- 3–4
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Munich112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Munich, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Germany-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.Germany-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Germany-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.Germany-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Germany-wide
- SafetyMunich is one of Europe's safer big cities; the real risks are pickpockets at Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz, tram and bike traffic…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers…Germany-wide
- Emergency numbers112 fire and ambulance · 110 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and public holidays nearly everywhere except stations and airports.Germany-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMUC Munich Airport (S1 or S8 S-Bahn to the centre, 40–50 min; runs all night at reduced frequency).
- Getting aroundU-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus share one fare system (MVV).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a beer-garden Mass€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)€12–15 (≈ US$14–18)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi€18–24 (≈ US$25–30)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€15–30 (≈ US$18–35)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Pinakotheken, Deutsches Museum)€7–15 (≈ US$9–18)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€160 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€320 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €130 (≈ US$160) · High €240 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MUC Munich Airport (S1 or S8 S-Bahn to the centre, 40–50 min; runs all night at reduced frequency) · FMM Memmingen ("Munich West") (110 km (68 mi) west; Ryanair and Wizz use it. Bus or train onward, 1.5–2 h)MUC Munich Airport (S1 or S8 S-Bahn to the centre, 40–50 min; runs all night at reduced frequency) · FMM Memmingen ("Munich West") (68 mi (110 km) west; Ryanair and Wizz use it. Bus or train onward, 1.5–2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best*
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Munich: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
14 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
14 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus share one fare system (MVV). Buy a single, a day ticket or a weekly IsarCard at machines or in the MVV app; validate paper tickets before boarding. The centre is walkable, and a bike or the Isar paths beat the tram in summer.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Neuschwanstein and Füssen
cautionDoor to door: 3–3.5 h
Train to Füssen (about 2 h), then bus 73/78 to Hohenschwangau
Long for a return day; dated castle tickets sell out. Sleep in Füssen if you can.
Zugspitze
goDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1 h 20 min), then the cogwheel train or cable car
Clear days only; check the summit webcam before buying.
Salzburg
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Railjet or EC direct from Hauptbahnhof
A full day; the old town is 20 min on foot from the station.
Dachau Memorial
goDoor to door: About 1 h
S2 to Dachau, then bus 726
Free entry; allow 3–4 h and go early.
Andechs Abbey
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
S8 to Herrsching, then bus 951
Brewery and beer garden above Ammersee; half day.
Freising
goDoor to door: About 45 min
S1 from the airport line, or train from Hauptbahnhof
Cathedral hill and Weihenstephan brewery; pairs with an airport day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Altstadt
Marienplatz on foot; the most expensive beds and the noisiest weekends.
Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
Around Hauptbahnhof and the Oktoberfest grounds; best value for rail arrivals and nightlife.
Maxvorstadt
Quiet, studenty, walkable to the Pinakotheken; good mid-range doubles.
Haidhausen
East of the Isar, French quarter cafés and the Ostbahnhof; 10 min by S-Bahn to the centre.
Northern Munich (Schwabing)
English Garden and Olympiapark on the doorstep; 15–20 min by U-Bahn to Marienplatz.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €70–110 (≈ US$85–130) excl. bed
- Mid
- €120–190 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
- High
- €220 (≈ US$300)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid hotel1 × 3 nights × €160 | €480 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × €130 | €780 |
| S-Bahn from MUC, both ways2 × €25 · check | €50 |
| MVV day ticket, inner area2 × €9 · check | €18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20 | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €137 |
| Trip total≈ €251 per person per day, bed included | €1,505≈ US$1,800 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a beer-garden Mass | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Bavarian main (sausages, roast pork, schnitzel) | €12–22 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Museum entry (Pinakotheken, Deutsches Museum) | €7–15 (≈ US$9–18) |
| MVV single ride, inner area | €3.90 (≈ US$5) (check) |
| 5 km taxi | €18–24 (≈ US$25–30) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €15–30 (≈ US$18–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Beds are scarce and pricey: book 6–8 weeks ahead, months ahead for Oktoberfest.
- Oktoberfest tents fill by early afternoon on weekends; no reservation means queueing at opening.
- Neuschwanstein sells dated tickets and closes some rooms for work: check the official site before you go.
- Pickpockets work Hauptbahnhof, Marienplatz and full trams; keep bags zipped in front.
- Cash still rules in small bakeries and beer gardens: carry €20–50 (≈ US$25–60).
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MunichMünchen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
Embassy
The US has a consulate-general in Munich; the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland handle most cases through their embassies in Berlin (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MUC → Hauptbahnhof, S-Bahn: about €13 (≈ US$16), 40–50 min (check)
- Taxi MUC → Hauptbahnhof: fixed fare, about €100 (≈ US$120) (check)
- MVV day ticket, inner area: about €9 (≈ US$11) (check)
Say or show
- Grüß Gott — Hello / Good day (gruess gott)
- Danke — Thank you (dahn-kuh)
- Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please (dee rekh-noong, bit-tuh)
- Ein Bier, bitte — One beer, please (ine beer, bit-tuh)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kahn ikh mit kar-tuh tsah-len)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (voh ist dee toy-let-tuh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Munich. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct; late Sep for Oktoberfest · avoid Jan–Feb (grey, few snow days), Oktoberfest weekends if you dislike crowds and peak prices · month by month →
- 2 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MUC: last S-Bahn times, taxi fallback, night-bus rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Altstadt, Maxvorstadt, Isarvorstadt, Haidhausen.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Deutsches Museum, Residenz, Nymphenburg, BMW Welt) and eat pages with last orders.
- Oktoberfest and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialMunich official tourism
- officialCity of Munich
- officialMunich Airport
- officialMVV — Munich transport network
- secondaryWikivoyage: Munich, revision 5309803 (CC BY-SA 4.0)