Munich Starter Guide
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Located in the beautiful state of Bavaria, Munich (München) is a must-see for many visitors to Germany (hello, Oktoberfest). In fact, nearly everyone who has booked an itinerary consult with Cate wants to visit Munich!
This guide will help you start planning what to do and see in the Munich area, where to stay, best tours, day trip ideas, and more.
What to Do and See in Munich
Home of Oktoberfest, ornate Baroque churches, and legendary beer gardens, you’ll never run out of things to do in and around Munich.
Whether you’re into food, history, architecture, nature, art, or spontaneous adventures, you’ll find plenty to see, see, and experience in this beautiful city.
Best things to see and do in Munich
View our top recommendations!
Best Munich Accommodations
You’ll find a wide variety of accommodation options in Munich, including hotels, B&Bs, and apartments. If you’re only in Munich for a couple days, we recommend a hotel near the train station or in the Altstadt (Old Town) because nearly everything you want to see will be within walking distance.
We highly recommend booking your Munich accommodations in advance. We’ve had clients who are quite shocked by high prices and low availability during peak travel times (summer, Oktoberfest, Christmas, popular concert tours, etc.) so we recommend seeing what’s open for your travel dates ASAP.
Tip:
If you have our Germany Travel Planner, you’ll find recommended hotels on our interactive planning map. Seeing where these hotels are in relation to the top sights makes it a lot easier to find the perfect place to stay. If you don’t yet, have it, click here to get access.
Best Hotels in Munich and for Oktoberfest
Book from a list of our top recommendations!
Best Munich Tours and Tickets
Munich has many guided tours and special tickets to make your visit extra fun. Book in advance so you don’t have to scramble once you’re in town and potentially miss out on an activity or tour you’re looking forward to.
organized activities from our affiliates
Munich Old Town Walking Tour
organized activities from our affiliates
All Munich Tours & Tickets
Know Before You Go
Airport: Munich International Airport (MUC)
Currency: Euro
Language: The official language of Germany is German (Deutsch)
Time zone: Central European Time (CET / GMT+ 2 / 6 hours ahead of US EST)
Germany Visa: tourists from the US, Canada, and several other countries do not need a visa to visit Germany for under 90 days.
Germany Electricity Socket: Germany uses different voltage and sockets than in North America, the UK, and other parts of the world. Read our guide to adapters and converters so you can safely use your tech in Germany.
Germany SIM card: Read our guide here to SIM cards and other ways to use your phone in Germany.
Germany Car Rentals: We find great deals on rental cars here. You can also check out our scenic Germany road trips article here.
Recommended Day Trips from Munich
One of the best things about making Munich your home base while visiting Bavaria is that you have countless day trip options! You can plan your own day trips for maximum flexibility or book a guided tour for maximum relaxation and convenience. Below are some ideas to get your planning started.
Tip:
If you have our Germany Travel Planner, check out the Bavaria/German Alps planning guide and detailed guides for visiting sights like Neuschwanstein, Zugspitze, Dachau, and more. The Germany Travel Planner’s interactive map includes our photos and up-to-date tips to make it easier to decide what to add to your itinerary. Tell me more about the Planner.
FROM OUR BLOG…
Neuschwanstein Castle
Tips for planning your trip to Neuschwanstein! Read more… ➔
FROM OUR AFFILIATES…
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial
Gain valuable historical insights with this guided half-day trip to Dachau. Learn more… ➔
Rothenburg and Harburg Castle
Beautiful full day tour. Learn more… ➔
Private Van Tour to the Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee
Visit the replica of the castle of Versailles! Click to learn more… ➔
FROM OUR AFFILIATES…
Zugspitze – the Top of Germany
Travel by van from Munich to Germany’s highest peak! Learn more… ➔
Salzburg, Austria
Spend the day exploring beautiful Salzburg! Learn more… ➔
Visit Berchtesgaden &
Eagle’s Nest
Enjoy beautiful Alpine views!
Learn more… ➔
Munich Travel FAQ
Where is Munich Located?
Munich is in southern Germany in the German Bundesland (state) of Bayern (Bavaria). It’s located just a few hours from Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic and just north of the Bavarian Alps.
Where do I Get That Map?
If you have our Germany Travel Planner, you’ll find recommended hotels on our interactive planning map. Seeing where these hotels are in relation to the top sights makes it a lot easier to find the perfect place to stay. If you don’t have it yet, click here to get access.
How to Get to Munich?
Munich is easy to reach via train, bus, car or plane. If arriving from the US, consider flying directly into Munich International Airport (the second busiest airport in Germany). We find flying right into or out of Munich (instead of Frankfurt) easy and stress free.
To get from the airport into the city you can take public transportation, hop in a taxi, use the FreeNow app or book a seat on the Lufthansa airport shuttle.
Is Munich Friendly to Tourists?
Yes! Munich welcomes visitors and makes it easy to explore the city. You’ll find people who speak English (especially at tourist sites, the train station, airport, etc) and will help you find your way. We’ve always had positive experiences in Munich.
Does Munich, Germany Get Snow?
Yes! It does snow in Munich in the winter but that doesn’t mean there will be snow when you’re there. The temperature can fluctuate in the winter, which means you might encounter cold temperatures and snow on the ground or be warm enough to only need a jacket.
What’s the Best Way to Get Around Munich?
The majority of tourist sites are located in downtown Munich. If you stay in the city center, you should be able to walk to most sites. For the sites that are further away (e.g., Nymphenburg Palace, Dachau, BMW Museum) you can hop on a tram, bus, U-bahn or S-bahn.
Munich Basics
Population
1.47 million
Munich is capital of and the largest city in Bavaria, and 2nd largest in Germany.
Airport
Munich International Airport
Bundesland
Bavaria (Bayern)
Train Travel Times to Munich
Berlin ➔ Munich = 4.5 hours
Frankfurt ➔ Munich = 3 hrs 15 min
Hamburg ➔ Munich = 5 hrs 45 min
Salzburg ➔ Munich = 2 hours
Paris ➔ Munich = 7-8 hours
Rome ➔ Munich = 9.5 hours
Prague ➔ Munich = 5 hours
Fun Facts
The name Munich comes from the Old/Middle High German word Munichen, which means “by the monks.”
You can sunbathe nude in (parts of) the English Garden.
The Easy Way to Enjoy the BEST of Germany.
Planning a trip to Germany is surprisingly overwhelming – even for seasoned travelers!
That’s why we created the Germany Travel Planner.
With our 30+ years Germany travel experience and expertise by your side, you’ll navigate the complexities of trip planning effortlessly. And then enjoy a relaxed and memorable adventure filled with unique experiences tailored to your preferences!
