short trip ticket munich

40+ Munich Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go

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Famed for Oktoberfest, giant pretzels & fun leather pants, the beautiful city of Munich, Germany is a picturesque wonderland that is (in my very biased opinion) one of the best cities to visit in Europe.

But it’s not all beer-fuelled frolics and comically carby treats. Navigating Munich for first-timers isn’t the easiest task, especially if you want to do the city justice and explore more than just the biggest tourist sights.

So, allow me to share all my best Munich must knows with you as someone who lived there for over five years.

In this post, I’ll be sharing all my best Munich tips to make sure you fall head over heels for this former home city of mine. Get ready – it’s a long one!

Save this list of Munich Travel Tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Steal my ready-made Munich itineraries

Before we dive into my detailed rabbit hole of Munich travel tips, I’d first like to scare you off with some prior fruits of my fangirly labour.

Over the years, I’ve entertained so many visitors and fielded so many Munich queries that I’ve already pre-assembled some itineraries for the city that I consider pretty perfect.

So, before you read on, save yourself some work and steal these itineraries for…

• Munich in one day
• Munich in two days
• Munich in three days

2. Understand Munich’s year-round offerings

Alright, now onto the real Munich tips!

First off, let’s tackle when to visit. While millions flock to Munich every year for Oktoberfest, there are really are solid reasons to visit year-round, like…

• November/December: Munich Christmas Markets
• February: Fasching
• March – April: Starkbierfest
• April – May: Frühlingsfest
• Summer: Beer garden season and small local folk festivals
• September – November: Oktoberfest , Fall Foliage, etc.

So, don’t limit yourself to just visiting for Oktoberfest – there are plenty of enticing incentives no matter the season.

NOTE: If I were to pick months to avoid though, they would probably be November and January, when the weather is iffy and there are fewer big events happenings.

2. Plan to spend more than just a day or two in Munich

In terms of how long to spend in Munich, I get wildly offended when people think you can complete the city in a day or two.

Sure, you can tackle most of the main sights in that time but I’d really advise four days minimum to properly cover the city and maybe do a day trip or two to some of the amazing spots nearby.

One of the best ways to enjoy Munich is relaxing in a beer hall/beer garden, gulping down a beer or five, and just generally soaking up the immaculate vibes of this liveable city.

So, don’t rush through Munich. Give yourself some extra time and I promise you’ll have a much better experience.

3. Learn the pros and cons of staying in different areas

Now, let’s chat about where to stay in Munich.

Generally, anything within the M-Zone (the white area in this map ) and near an U-Bahn station is convenient enough for most visitors. Munich is small and it doesn’t take too long to get anywhere.

If money is no object however, ideally you’ll want to stay within the Altstadt (Old Town), which puts you within walking distance of Munich’s major attractions. 

If you want to be a bit out of the tourist core, then some other potential neighbourhoods include…

• Lehel : Quiet and pretty, but pricey. This was my old neighbourhood and I loved being able to walk into town without dealing with the crowds of Altstadt.
• Glockenbachviertel: A very vibrant neighbourhood full of cool restaurants and bars, with easy transport links into the center of town.
• Haidhausen: Very pretty little neighbourhood with a village-like feel, and still well connected to the centre by public transport.

Lastly, there’s the area around Olympiapark which I love but honestly it’s not the closest to Munich’s main attractions so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for first time visitors.

NOTE: You’ll often find that hotels are cheaper near Munich’s main train stations, but just beware that these are generally less “pretty” areas of the city. If budget is a key priority though, they’re not bad, especially if you need to be in the area for catching a train or going to events like Oktoberfest for instance.

4. Don’t miss Munich Airport’s Brewery!

One of my favourite Munich fun facts is that it’s home to the world’s first airport brewery – Airbräu, located at Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport (AKA Munich International Airport).

Besides the novelty of it being an airport brewery , unlike most airport options, the food and drink here is both delicious and reasonably priced (a 1L Maß of beer for only €5.90!!!)

So, if you have a later flight, then it’s definitely worth getting to the airport early for some pre-flight indulgence, or to grab a leisurely bite after your flight before heading into the city.

5. Beware of “Munich West” Airport

Now, while Munich Airport is an excellent airport and the most likely point of entry for most international visitors, another “local” airport to beware of is the one known as Memmingen Airport or Allgäu Airport, sometimes billing itself as “Munich West” when servicing budget carriers like Ryanair , Wizz Air or easyJet.

While this name is becoming increasingly less common (likely due to complaints), it’s important to note that “west” in this instance really does mean west… as in, 1.5 hours west from Munich’s city centre.

So, just keep that in mind if you’re booking flights and you see it pop up as an option. While it can often have very affordable flights, the trade-off is you need to hop on a paid shuttle for 1.5 hours before arriving into town.

6. Public transport is the best way to get around

In terms of getting around Munich, public transport is a convenient and cost-effective option, so there’s no need to buy a pricey hop on/hop off bus tour or rent a car.

With a reliable and punctual network of buses and trams, in addition to the U-Bahn (the underground metro system) and the S-Bahn (the suburban train system), Munich’s public transport will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go.

I have a full guide to Munich’s public transport that explains everything fully, but here’s a quick overview:

• Transport on Munich’s local network all use the same tickets so you can mix and match different modes of transport as needed
• There are no fare gates. Instead you’re expected to buy and validate your own ticket, then show it if a ticket controller comes on board
• Tickets can be purchased in-person at machines (press the UK flag to activate the English menu) OR more conveniently, you can download the MVG app which allows you to search routes and buy the correct tickets really easily

7. Remember to validate your ticket correctly

If you plan to use public transport during your Munich trip, one of THE most important must-knows is that you need to validate your ticket properly to avoid getting fined. Just having a ticket isn’t enough.

You can validate your tickets though machines that look like this:

Alternatively, if you use the MVG app, you can just buy/validate tickets right on your phone, and you’re much less likely to mess up.

8. Look into special tickets to save money

Another important Munich must-know is this: very rarely will buying a single one-way ticket be the best option.

There are tons of different ticket types and discounts that are suitable for visitors, so if you’re looking to save money, here are some public transport tickets to consider:

CityTourCard: This is a made-for-tourists offer that bundles unlimited public transport for set days with travel to/from the airport along with some discounts for paid attractions. Only really worth it if you plan to visit a lot of the included attractions/want peace of mind.

Stripe Tickets: This is often the best value for visitors who are using public transport sparingly. With a stripe ticket, you buy 10 stripes that you redeem as you go. The # of stripes you must redeem depends on how far you’re going, but most journeys within one zone are worth 2 stripes. Overall, this works out to be cheaper than buying single tickets every time.

Day Tickets: This allows you unlimited travel for the day, and is usually worth it if you plan to do three or more trips on public transport that day. You can even get a group day ticket that covers journeys for multiple people.

Short Trip Tickets: There’s also the short ticket so if you’re only going 2 stops or less on the Ubahn or 4 stops or less on the bus/tram, you can buy a short ticket which is much cheaper.

IsarCards: These are weekly/monthly passes that give you unlimited travel during the period of validity and may be worth it if you’re in Munich for a longer time.

9. Buy a Bayern Ticket (AKA Bavaria Ticket) for day trips

Besides local transport offers, there’s another epic discount for state-wide train travel that I must alert you to: the amazing Bayern Ticket (AKA Bavaria Ticket).

This ticket gives you unlimited travel on regional trains and public transport within Bavaria for one whole day, making it perfect for day trips… especially if you’re travelling with others, because the per person cost is cheaper for every additional person you add.

Best of all, it works on local public transport too! The amount of money I’ve saved using this ticket over the years is truly mind-boggling, so I hope you get good use out of it too!

10. Do at least one day trip during your visit

On that note, Munich is an amazing base for various day trips, so if time permits, I’d highly recommend venturing out of the city to see some of the amazing spots nearby.

Here are some popular ones that I’ve written day trip guides for:

• Neuschwantein Castle
• Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest)

There are also many beautiful lakes close to Munich that I can recommend checking out:

• Starnberger See (Lake Starnberg)

11. Beware that there are several large train stations in Munich

When booking train travel, first-time visitors to Munich can often get confused by the different station names, SO beware that there are several large train stations in the city, and depending on where you’re staying, you may be closer to one over the other.

Here are the main stations to look out for:

• München Hauptbahnhof (HBF) – the Central Station 
• München Ostbahnhof – the East Station
• München Pasing

So, again, when booking tickets, be sure to identify which station is closest to your accommodation rather than going in/out of the main central station (Hauptbahnhof) every time.

12. You can bring your own food to beer gardens

If you’re looking for Munich money-saving tricks, here’s one for you.

Many first time visitors don’t know this, but when it comes to large self-service beer gardens (like the Chinese Tower for instance), you can actually bring and consume your own food, a right protected by law in the  Bayerische Biergartenverordnung (Bavarian Beer Garden Ordinance).

Under this ordinance, when you’re in a Bavarian Biergarten, so long as you buy a drink, you’re welcome to hang out and enjoy whatever snacks you smuggle in… within reason, meaning you’re not meant to bust out a BBQ and grill up a full hog roast, but bringing little nibbles like salads, dips, salads, sandwiches, etc. is all fair game.

Of course, this general rule only applies to self-service areas of large beer gardens, and not individual restaurants that may have patio space. When in doubt, look for places that are labelled “Biergarten” rather than “Wirtsgarten”.

If you see servers, table service, or table cloths, these are generally red flags that you’re not allowed to bring and consume your own food.

13. Most beer gardens are self-service

On the topic of beer gardens, you should know that beer gardens are mostly self service, so in most cases you’d walk in, grab your own beer, grab your own food, and then pay at the Kasse (or cashiers).

When in doubt, just observe what others seem to be doing.

14. Beware that you must often pay a deposit for glassware

When visiting beer gardens or Christmas markets, first-time visitors are often surprised that their total bill is more than they anticipated.

This is more often than not due to the Pfand (or deposit) that they charge on glasses, which is an additional charge that you get back when you return them.

PS: If you are given a special coin or token when buying your refreshments, be sure to hang onto them because they must be returned with your glassware to get your deposit back.

15. Familiarize yourself with Bavarian must-eats

Now let’s move onto one of my favourite topics… food !

Sadly, if I were to talk about all the best foods to try in Munich, this post would take you a decade to read, so for the sake of your attention span, I’ll be highlighting just my top choices below.

Schweinebraten or Schweinshaxe (Roast pork): Schweinshaxe is the more famous giant pork knuckle, but I personally prefer the Schweinebraten which is tender pork shoulder that usually comes with less skin. Whichever you choose, it has to be wolfed down with a potato dumpling (Knödel) and beer gravy.

Obatzda: A delicious Bavarian dip that’s available at most beer gardens and beer halls. Made up of soft cheese, butter and various seasonings, this creamy orangey mound of heaven is best enjoyed with a giant doughy pretzel.

Hendl (Roast chicken): A rather self-explanatory specialty, but an important one consisting of perfectly roasted chicken. This is the best meal after you’ve had a few beers.

Käsespätzle : Bouncy little noodles served with melted cheese and crispy onion. SO good, and one of the best vegetarian-friendly Bavarian foods to try in Munich.

Kaiserschmarrn: A torn pancake dessert topped with sugar and served with jam or apple sauce.

Dampfnudel: A steamed dumpling served in a pool of vanilla sauce.

Bavarian breakfast: Involves Weißwurst (white sausage) with sweet mustard, a pretzel and wheat beer. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it !

16. Don’t forget to peel your Weißwurst

On that note, one of my most important Munich tips is to peel your Weißwurst and eat it properly. I shudder to think of all the poor souls who have fallen victim to this confusing trap over the years.

When it comes to Weißwurst, do not… I repeat DO NOT eat the skin.

Make an incision down the middle, peel it off, then dip the questionable-looking (but tasty) contents into a pool of sweet mustard. It’s honestly amazing, so long as you eat it properly.

17. Do NOT eat the gingerbread hearts

Speaking of silly Munich food mistakes to avoid: do not under any circumstance eat the adorable gingerbread heart cookies you see on display all over the city.

They are not meant to be eaten and are more decorative souvenirs than anything else. Bite into one and you may well break a tooth (or at least suffer with a mouthful of crumbly sadness). You’ve been warned.

18. Try beer from each of Munich’s ‘big six’ breweries

Now, let’s move onto my second favourite topic: beer!

Unsurprisingly, the beer in Munich is fantastic and you won’t regret trying it. Brewed according to a 500 year old purity law that dictates beer may only be made of water, hops, barley and yeast, the beer here is consistently and dangerously drinkable.

There are 6 main breweries in Munich that brew beer within city limits. These are the only ones allowed to be served at Oktoberfest, and are generally speaking the main ones served at restaurants and beer halls across the city.

Unlike bars or restaurants in North America, most places here only serve beer from one brewery, which makes choosing easy. You say if you want a Helles (a light beer), a Dunkel (a dark beer) or a Weißbier (wheat beer) and they’ll bring you what they have.

It is rare that you’ll be able to pick from multiple breweries when you order, unless you’re going for wheat beer or something different, so take note of which brewery that restaurant or beer hall serves when you walk in by looking for signs like these hanging from the outside:

Trying a beer from each of the Big Six is a fun goal to have in Munich, but my personal favourite (and kind of the locals’ go-to) is Augustiner. It’s rarely exported so be sure to try it while you can!

19. Try some classic Munich soft drinks too

If you’re not into beer, then don’t worry, wine and soft drinks are also common.

The go-to soft drink in Munich is either an Apfelschorle which is half apple juice half sparkling water or a Spezi which is half cola and half orange soda. Both are delicious.

Besides Apfelschorle (which is made with apple juice), there’s a whole wide world of Schorle options, which pair sparkling water with different juices to make a spritzer. If you’re looking for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy while exploring Munich, make sure to test a few Schorle – they’re the best!

20. Steal my Munich restaurant recommendations for tourists

Now I know many of you will be wanting specific food recommendations and restaurants for Munich, and I do have a full list of the best Munich restaurants for tourists here , but here are some quick recommendations broken down by cuisine:

• Bavarian: Augustiner Klosterwirt – a great Bavarian beer hall type place with speedy service and delicious food
• Italian: L’Osteria – giant pizzas for an affordable price, with many locations around the city
• Ice Cream: Der Verrückte Eismacher – a legendary ice cream spot with very unique flavours including Augustiner beer and a rotation of strange ones like Döner Kebab or Sauerkraut. Definitely worth a sample (don’t worry – their main flavours are good too!)

21. Take advantage of 1 euro museums on Sundays

One of my best money-saving tips for Munich is hands down the amazing fact that many of the city’s top museums offer 1 euro entry on Sundays.

So, if you time your visit for a Sunday, definitely take advantage of this. It’s such a cheap way to get some culture in, plus many of the museums are located close together so you can easily visit multiple in day. 

If you’re looking for museums to visit, Maxvorstadt is THE neighbourhood to run to, with several amazing museums to choose from.

Of course, go to the ones that align with your interests but my personal favourite art museum is the Pinakothek Moderne (which focuses on modern art) and if you are interested in history, you’ll also find the NS Documentation Center in this area, which details the rise and fall of the Nazi Party which of course saw its start right here in Munich.

22. Consider a pass from the Bavarian Palaces Administration

Now if you’re really into castles and palaces, it may be worth buying a pass from the Bavarian Palaces Administration.

This one pass includes admission to over 30 palaces and castles across Bavaria, including big names like Neuschwanstein Castle , the Munich Residenz, and Herrenchiemsee.

Their annual pass is only €50 which is honestly a bargain if you visit multiple palaces. For most visitors however, the 14 day pass (€35) might make more sense.

They also have a €31 pass that covers Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. 

23. (Maybe) Consider a Munich Card or Munich City Pass

In terms of other sightseeing cards, the two main ones within Munich are the Munich Card and the Munich City Pass.

Despite their confusing name similarity, the cards are actually quite different.

In summary, the Munich Card is a cheaper card you buy that gets you discounts on attractions, whereas the Munich City Pass is a pricier card that includes entry to a bunch of attractions for one set price.

Are these cards worth it? I personally don’t think so unless you are planning to visit many museums and attractions at full price. Given that so many of the included attractions are only 1 euro on Sundays, there are definitely more cost-effective ways to see them.

But hey, if your trip doesn’t coincide with a Sunday and you plan to do a lot of the paid attractions included, then it can save you some money. Just make sure you do the math first to ensure you actually save!

24. Don’t miss Munich’s best hidden gems

Beyond Munich’s big paid attractions, there are a number of cool ‘hidden gems’ that many first-time visitors miss. Some are of course more well known than others these days, but here are a few to have on your radar just in case.

Neues Rathaus: This is the most photographed building in Munich, but few people realize they actually do public tours which include a visit the AMAZING Law Library, which is hands down one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

Justizpalast: Near Stachus, AKA Karlsplatz, there’s the Justizpalast which in my opinion is one of the prettiest interiors in Munich. It’s free to visit, you just need to pass an airport style security check and before long, you’re inside drooling over the magical interiors which look like this:

Asamkirche: This stunning little church near Sendlinger Tor is hardly a secret these days, but many visitors still pass by without taking a look inside, which is a huge shame because it looks like this:

St Michael’s Church: This beauty is often overlooked because it’s surrounded by so many shops like Sportchek or TK Maxx, but the inside is well worth a visit, especially if you’re morbidly curious and want to see the crypt inside which houses some of the most famous names in Bavarian royal history like King Ludwig II, the guy responsible for Bavaria’s most famous fairytale castles.

Olympiadorf: One of the most unique student accommodations in the world, featuring bungalows repurposed from Olympic athlete lodgings from the 1972 Olympics. The houses have since been re-painted by the students living there, making each individual place different. Biased side note: this was my first home in Munich and you can head to Bungalow L4 to admire my handiwork. Spoiler – it’s Lion King themed.

25. Explore Munich’s alternative side

I know that Munich and ‘alternative’ aren’t words that tend to go together, but there is a cool alternative side to Munich that most visitors miss.

So, if you want to discover some of it, here are some places to put on your radar:

• Werksviertel-Mitte: A cool area behind Ostbahnhof train station with lots of cool murals and unique small businesses housed in shipping containers.
• Bahnwärter Thiel: A hip hang out spot that hosts various parties and events, with different bars scattered across a large venue decorated with repurposed shipping containers and structures.
• MS Utting: Literally an old boat perched on a bridge that is now a hangout spot where you can get food and drink, plus they host fun events like a Christmas market every year.

Lastly, if you’re into street art, there are also big murals to admire all around the city, including around Hauptbahnhof, Giesing, Westend and in some tunnels along the Isar. Here’s a list of places to go street art hunting in Munich.

So, yeah… take that Berlin. We’ve got cool stuff too.

26. Enjoy Munich’s many amazing green spaces

One of the best things about Munich is its abundance of lush green space, so make sure you take advantage of it while you’re in town.

The English Garden is already well known as one of the top must-dos in the city, but there are many others scattered around the city with far fewer crowds and just as much beauty, like…

• Olympiapark: Not a hidden gem by any means, but a really cool park to visit with lots of modern structures and attractions
• Westpark: A pretty park on the west side of the city that’s home to a beautiful Japanese and Chinese Garden
• Nymphenburg Palace Park : A sprawling royal estate filled with unique attractions including a palace and botanical garden

27. Seek out alternative viewpoints

One of the most popular things to do in Munich is climbing up St Peter’s for a view over Marienplatz, but there are plenty of other nice views that don’t get nearly as much love.

Here are some I’d recommend:

• Neues Rathaus: A nice view over Marienplatz that has an ELEVATOR which means you don’t need to climb. My favourite lazy view in town!
• Frauenkirche: This view has only recently re-opened after 10 years of restorations. It’s an incredible panoramic view over the city that combines some steps with an elevator. Great if you want to see what it’s like inside one of the city’s most iconic structures!
• Olympiatower: Amazing views over the Olympic Park, accessible by elevator.
• Olympiaberg: A free alternative to the Olympiatower, with amazing views that’s especially nice at sunset.

28. Explore more beer halls than just Hofbräuhaus

And speaking of breaking away from the usual must-dos, another key Munich tip is that Hofbräuhaus isn’t the only fun beer hall in town.

In fact, every big brewery in Munich has their own beer hall (if not multiple) so don’t limit yourself to just visiting this one!

I’m a big fan of the Augustiner Stammhaus:

29. Don’t get your hopes up for the Glockenspiel

And to cap off my attraction-related Munich tips, I’m going to indulge in a bit of Glockenspiel slander.

Despite being advertised as one of the top things to do in Munich, the Glockenspiel performance in Marienplatz is honestly not that exciting so don’t get your hopes up too much.

NOTE: If you definitely want to see this performance but can’t be bothered to wait among the tourist mobs, one of the best places to watch it is from Café Glockenspiel if you can manage to get a table by the window.

30. Remember: Munich is in Bavaria

Alright, now onto some culture and etiquette tips for Munich.

The first is to remember that Munich is the capital of Bavaria, and locals (known as Bavarians) are very proud of this fact.

Given that Bavaria was its own kingdom up until 1871 when it joined the German Empire, the culture here is considered by many to be distinct from the rest of the country, so when asking questions or speaking about local customs, be sure to specify ‘Bavarian’ rather than German, as some locals can be picky about this fact!

31. Bavarians have their own language but you won’t encounter it much in Munich

Alongside its unique cultural customs, Bavarians do also have their own unique language: Bavarian (or Bayrisch).

But before you panic about learning it for your trip, do know that you won’t find many people speaking Bayrisch in Munich.

As a tourist, you may encounter it on a few signs and menus here and there (Minga for instance is ‘Munich’ in Bayrisch), but generally speaking you’ll get by fine with basic German and of course English.

Now, venture out into the countryside and that may be a different story…

32. Learn some language basics before your visit

Of course, when you come to Munich, a bit of effort should be made to learn some basics in terms of the local language.

While you’ll get by fine with English in most touristy establishments, being able to say hello or thank you is a must, so commit the following phrases to memory:

• Hello (for any time of day): Servus or Grüß gott
• Thank you: Danke or Danke schön

33. Don’t make fun of Lederhosen and Dirndls

Now, another important Munich etiquette tip is to not make fun of Lederhosen and Dirndls, otherwise known as Trachten (traditional clothing).

While the idea of leather pants may seem funny to you, these garments are actually Bavarian traditional dress, often worn for special occasions like weddings, church, and special festivals (as you may have seen at Oktoberfest).

So, remember: making fun of or wearing cheap versions of Trachten can be seen as rude or offensive to locals (though you’ll find the spectrum of caring is vast and varied).

34. Don’t take staring personally

Another important Munich tip: don’t be freaked out if people seem to be staring at you.

Culturally, Bavarians do not find it rude to stare at strangers. This is why they often won’t even look away when you stare right back at them.

This was a cultural quirk that I never adjusted to even after five years in the city, so let me warn you now: you will probably get stared at a lot in Munich.

Don’t let it ruin your trip though! Because they consider it no different than taking a glance to observe you, they do it to everyone, even each other.

35. Do not jaywalk in Munich

Another cultural must-know to be mindful of in Munich is that Bavarians do not jaywalk for the most part, especially around children.

Unlike other parts of the world where jaywalking generally goes unpunished, it actually is policed here, both by actual police (who will happily issue you a fine if they catch you) and also by locals who love to point out any wrongdoing.

So, remember, avoid jaywalking unless you enjoy getting scolded by Bavarian Omas.

36. Beware of bike lanes in Munich

Munich is one of the safest cities I’ve ever been to, but a key danger that many first time visitors forget about is cyclists aaand bike lanes.

There are bike lanes all over the city that are side by side with pedestrian lanes, making it all too easy to walk into one by accident.

So, be careful, take note of any cycle symbols on the sidewalk and make sure you don’t get mowed down by a bike.

37. Make sure to bring cash and coins wherever you go

As I mention in my Germany travel tips article, while many places do accept card payments these days, cash is still king in many instances, so having small bills and coins on you is a must, especially because you need to…

38. Prepare to pay for bathrooms everywhere

Sadly, you do need to pay for public bathrooms in Munich, even in ordinarily free places like train stations or McDonalds, so having coins for this purpose is handy. 

While some of the newer machines will take card, some of the older ones won’t, so having an emergency cash stash is a must.

NOTE: Besides paid toilets that have physical barriers, it’s also considered a norm to tip at many beer gardens and large beer halls, where there are bathroom attendants who keep the area clean. In these cases, it’s generally expected that you leave 50 cents or a euro as tip. 

39. Beware that most shops are closed on Sundays

Sundays are a special day in Munich where museums are 1 euro and all shops are….. closed !

Yup – Sundays are generally a day of rest in Germany, so if you need to go shopping or get groceries, do so on any day but Sunday. While restaurants and cafes will still be open, most shops and supermarkets won’t be.

In a pinch though, shops at train stations, gas stations and the airport will still be open.

40. Dress for the season, not the weather

Now in terms of what to pack for Munich, here’s a random tip for you: Bavarians tend to dress for the season, rather than the weather. So, even on a hot balmy day in October, locals will be wrapped up in jackets, so if you want to blend in, keep that difference in mind!

At the end of the day though, I say just wear whatever’s comfortable… but be prepared for some additional stares coming your way. I’ve noticed they’re often especially shocked by the sight of bare legs outside of summer time.

41. Keep an eye out for fun, local events

Lastly, remember that there is tons to do in Munich outside of the typical touristy musts.

After all, the city is home to millions of locals, and there are often fun pop-ups and local events to take advantage of.

The Bored in Munich events calendar is a perfect resource for this. They also do weekly event roundups!

I hope this list of Munich travel tips was helpful!

If you’re here after all those Munich travel tips, congrats – I’m beyond proud of you! Hopefully by now, you’ll feel much more prepared for your big Munich trip, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

1 thought on “40+ Munich Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go”

This is such a fun and interesting post. You have shared your experience and passion for Munich with your post. You have introduced me to some of the coolest things to do and see in Munich, such as admiring the Frauenkirche and joining the Oktoberfest. Your photos and videos are awesome, they show how much you enjoyed Munich.

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Ticket prices and travelcards

Fares for Munich's public transport network are the same for every mode of transport making it really easy to travel. See all the different ticket types here!

Fares for Munich's public transport network are the same  whether you're catching a tram, train, metro or bus. There are a number of different ticket options depending on how many journeys you're planning to take:

Single ticket

The ideal option if you're only planning on making one trip a day on public transport. The fare depends on how many of the four zones of Munich you're travelling between. The majority of the city centre tourist attractions are located within zone 1, so if you stay within that area, you only need the cheapest ticket. However, if you're planning on making more than one trip during the day, we recommend buying one of the travelcards.

• Short trip: € 1.80 ( US$ 2). A maximum of 4 stations in less than an hour
• 1 zone : € 3.90 ( US$ 4.30)
• 2 zones : € 7.70 ( US$ 8.60)
• 3 zones : € 9.70 ( US$ 10.80)
• 4 zones : € 11.60 ( US$ 12.90)

Children between 6 and 14 years old only pay € 1.80 ( US$ 2) per journey no matter how long the trip is. 

Stripe ticket

Stripe tickets are a strip of 10 single tickets that can be used for multiple people and journeys. The voucher is divided into 10 parts and depending on the destination, one or more of these parts are validated. For more than two trips on the same day, it's more advisable to buy a ticket valid for one day.

They cost € 17 ( US$ 18.90), and one of the parts is used for a trip of less than one hour and 4 stations, at € 1.70 ( US$ 1.90) and two parts per person for each zone of the city in which the trip is made.

Day tickets

Valid for unlimited travel from the moment of validation until 6 am the following day, these are individual and can only be used by one person at once, but save lots of money if you're planning a day with multiple public transport trips.

The fares for the  1-day ticket  depend on the zone covered:

• Innenraum  (Inner District): € 9.20 ( US$ 10.20)
• München XXL  (includes Dachau): € 10.50 ( US$ 11.70)
• Aussenraum  (Outer District - Inner District NOT included!): € 11.50 ( US$ 12.80)
• Gesamtnetz  (entire network - all of the above): € 12.70 ( US$ 14.10)

3-day ticket

Valid for as many trips as you want from the time of validation until 6 am on the fourth day. It's only valid for one person at a time.

The  3-day ticket  only covers the Inner District (Munich urban area) and costs  € 16.80 ( US$ 18.70)

Group day tickets

The perfect option if you're travelling as a couple, a family or a group : you get unlimited travel for up to five adults for the selected amount of time (and two children between 6 and 14 years old count as one adult). Again, these tickets are valid from the moment of validation until 6 am the following day (or three days later, depending on the option chosen).

Fares for the 1-day group ticket vary based on zones:

• Innenraum : € 17.80 ( US$ 19.80)
• München XXL : € 19.20 ( US$ 21.30)
• Aussenraum : € 20.30 ( US$ 22.50)
• Gesamtnetz : € 23.40 ( US$ 26)

Airport + day tickets

Allows you to travel from the airport to the city centre and includes unlimited travel on the entire public transport network until 6 am the following day.

The single ticket costs € 15.50 ( US$ 17.30) and the ticket valid for a group of up to 5 people costs € 29.10 ( US$ 32.30).

You can buy these tickets at all ticket machines at the airport and at most S-Bahn stations: select "MVV Münchner Verkehrs- and Tarifverbund" and then "Airport-City Day Ticket".

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While Munich has an excellent public transport system, you may sometimes find it more convenient to travel by taxi. Find fares and top tips here!

Where to stay

Munich has a wide range of accommodation: find the perfect district for you and book hotels, hostels and apartments at the best possible price.

The Ultimate Munich Public Transport Guide: Ticket Prices, Deals & Zones (2024)

March 20, 2023

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Confused by the Munich public transport system? Looking for a Munich zone map and an up-to-date list of fares? Let us simplify that for you!

This simple guide was created to help you understand Munich’s (somewhat confusing) public transport system in a simple and concise way. Los geht’s!

How to Use Munich Public Transport

Munich operates on an honour-based fare system, which means there are no entry gates/barriers to any U-Bahns, S-Bahns, trams, or buses.

Instead, ticket controllers conduct random inspections for tickets (often dressed incognito). Those caught without a VALID ticket will be fined, so be sure to validate your ticket beforehand at one of the blue validation machines.

The ticket inspectors in Munich are notoriously merciless when it comes to having the right ticket, so it’s not enough to simply buy a ticket – you must make sure your ticket is the correct one, and properly validated as well.

Where To Buy Munich Public Transport Tickets

The easiest way to ensure you have the right ticket is by using the MVV Journey Planner or MVG’s updated app, MVGO .

MVGO lets you book tickets via HandyTicket ( Deutschland Ticket soon!), get connection information, and see live departure times directly through the app.

The app can be used to show transportation locations in real time, features localized language changes and additional support for those who are mobility impaired – so everyone can have their own personalized Munich public transport guide!

But that’s not all! You can also use MVGO for bicycle, e-bike and e-scooter rentals throughout the city.

First, you find (through the app) where to find the rental type you’re looking for. Then, you use the app’s QR scanner to scan the specific bike or scooter you want to use, registering it to your ID. After that, the bike is all yours until you put it back! It’s all part of MVG’s bike extension.

Munich Public Transport Ticket Tariff Breakdown

The ticket you need depends on the following factors:

• How many zones you’re travelling through
• How many stops you’re travelling
• How many trips you’ll need

In terms of zones, Munich is divided into 7 tariff zones – the largest of which is the M-Zone, which includes most of the city centre.

As a tourist, you’d most likely be staying within the M-Zone unless you’re traveling to/from the airport. The more zones you must travel through, the more expensive your ticket will be.

For trips where you are only moving 4 stops maximum on regular buses/trams or only 2 stops maximum on the S-Bahn, U-Bahn or Express buses, you are eligible for a cheaper Short Trip (Kurzstrecke) ticket. Otherwise, you must buy a regular one-way ticket (Einzelfahrkarte).

All single tickets in Munich are one-way only. This means you can only use the ticket for a single trip in one direction, regardless of the validity time of the ticket.

Transfers are fine, so long as you are travelling in a single direction). So if you plan to do a single trip, buying a single ticket makes sense.

If however you plan to use public transport multiple times throughout your time in Munich, then getting a stripe ticket, day ticket, or IsarCard (weekly/monthly pass) may make more sense.

Children are of course eligible for cheaper tickets. The discounts are as follows:

• Children under 6: Travel free
• Ages 6-14: Cheaper fares (exact rates below)
• Youth 15-20: Eligible for the cheaper U21 Stripe Ticket

Munich Public Transport Ticket Deals

Of course, there are also perks for passengers and a variety of deals you should definitely be familiar with!

Free Rides On Your Birthday

With your own ID set up, you’ll be able to register when your birthday is on the app, which will record for the free use of the trains on that day!

Therme Erding Ticket

You can purchase a ticket for the thermal bath/water park in the Therme Erding . This ticket includes fare to and from the baths, 4 hours on-site and use of the galaxy slide paradise and wave pool.

If you’d like, once you arrive you may also pay for an extra day pass and access to the saunas. The return fare ticket is good for use until 6 am the following day.

The Bayern Ticket

The Bayern ticket is perfect for groups looking to do some travelling across the countryside, allowing for up to 5 adults to travel at a reduced rate on all regional trains.

The ticket works with a base fare of 29€ and adds 10€ for each subsequent adult up to a total of 5. This ticket is also great for day trips with children, as one adult can ride using this ticket and not pay for any children under the age of 15, no matter how many they have.

The 49 Euro Ticket / Deutschland Ticket

The 49 euro ticket is a new feature in Germany. This ticket will be good for unlimited monthly rides on any regional train in the country on any day of the week (including holidays!)

The ticket can be purchased online and is recorded digitally to each person’s ID (the ticket is not transferable). Since it is being offered as a monthly subscription model, the ticket can be canceled at any time, so don’t worry about getting locked into any annual membership costs!

The Munich Card

Last but not least, we have the Munich card . The Munich card can be purchased as a single, group, or children’s card with uses for anywhere between 24 hours and 5 days.

This card will give you unlimited travel within the time paid for and up to a 70% discount at over 100 of the top attractions in the city – The Deutsches Museum, the Pinakothek der Moderne, Sea Life and Nymphenburg Palace to name a few.

The card is also good for discounts at the most popular restaurants in the city. You can download the guidebook that comes with the ticket for a full list of discounts available!

Munich Zone Map

As mentioned above, Munich is divided into 7 tariff zones . You can view a colour-coded map of the tariff zones here.

The zones (and their colours) are as follows:

• M Zone (White): Encompasses the majority of the central Munich area
• Zone 1 (Yellow)
• Zone 2 (Red)
• Zone 3 (Light Blue)
• Zone 4 (Green)
• Zone 5 (Orange): Where Munich Airport is located
• Zone 6 (Blue)

Once you know which zones you’re travelling through, buying the right ticket should be simple!

• For a single trip, buy an Einzelfahrkarte for the zones you’re travelling through (or a Kurzstrecke if travelling less than 4 stops on a regular bus/tram or less than 2 stops on the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Express Bus)
• If you plan to travel multiple times in a day, look into buying a day ticket for your zones
• If you expect to travel multiple times but not necessarily all in the same day, consider buying a Stripe Ticket to validate as you go
• If you expect to travel a lot within a week or month, consider buying an IsarCard

Current Prices for MVV Public Transport Tickets in Munich 2024

• Single ticket short-distance: 1.90 euros
• Single ticket zone M/2 zones: 3.90 euros
• Single ticket children zone M-6: 1.80 euros
• Strip ticket: 17 euros
• Strip ticket U21: 9.30 euros
• Group day ticket (zones M to 5): 17.80 euros
• Single day ticket (Zone M): 9.20 euros
• Children’s day ticket: 3.60 euros
• Bicycle day pass: 3.40 euros
• IsarCards: Vary based on time of validity/zones. Full list here

More Questions About The Munich Public Transport?

Let us know in the comments! We hope you found this guide helpful.

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2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Munich Public Transport Guide: Ticket Prices, Deals & Zones (2024)”

Just wanted to say thank you so much for this guide! I’ve been struggling to navigate Munich’s public transport system and this post was so helpful. The breakdown of ticket prices and zones really clarified things for me. I’m definitely bookmarking this for my upcoming trip to Munich!

So happy to hear we could help out with that (:

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Public transport in Munich

Tickets at a Glance

This page provides you with an overview of the various MVV tickets for public transport in Munich.

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Tickets for public transport in Munich

For spontaneous or occasional riders

• Single ticket entitles one person to one ride in one direction.  More information on Single tickets  
• A Stripe ticket (Streifenkarte) is a ticket that is good for several rides and/or several people and is less expensive than several single tickets.  More information about the Stripe ticket  
• A Day ticket is available either as a single or partner option for an unlimited number of rides per day.  Details on Day tickets  

Weekly, monthly or annual tickets – For regular use

• Good for an unlimited number of rides during a specific period (a week, month, or year) in the region for which they were purchased. Senior citizen, pupil, trainee, and student fares are also available.
• The last three groups require a customer card that includes a passport photo. These cards are only issued at the MVG Customer Center in Poccistrasse, at DB-Zeitkartenstelle München Hauptbahnhof, and the S-Bahn München Hauptbahnhof Service Centre.  More information on weekly, monthly or annual tickets  

Special Fares for Certain Groups

• Children under the age of 6 ride for free, children from the age of 6 pay a children’s fare.
• Young people between the ages of 15 and 20 may cancel only half the stripes that adults would have to cancel.  More on the U21 offer  
• The severely disabled (green-orange ID + supplement + token) and their escorts ride for free.

Pets and Bikes

• Every passenger may take one dog. Additional dogs travel at the children’s fare.  Find out more about taking dogs by using the MVV Ticket Information
• Bikes may only be taken on the S-Bahn and on the underground but not during rush hour.  Find out more about transporting bicycles by using the MVV Ticket Information

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Special churches in Munich you should visit

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My Europe Days

Amazing Journeys Through Europe

How To Get Around Munich Easily & Cheap

Getting into the city.

Franz Joseph Strauss International airport or Flughafen Munchen (MUC) is located 38 kilometres Northeast of Marienplatz (Munich City Centre). This airport is operational since 1992 and has 2 terminals. Over 80 passenger airlines operate to this airport. This place is a hub of Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Line, Air Dolomiti and Condor Flugdienst. There are multiple options to get into the city from the airport.

S-Bahn: The urban train service (commuter train) S-Bahn is one of the best options to reach Marienplatz. The S-Bahn train station is located between terminal 1 and 2 at the basement level. Follow the white ‘S’ signage in green circles after getting out of arrival hall. Two lines S1 and S8 continuously operate from 4:04am to 1:44am alternatively at an interval of 10 minutes. S1 line goes via Munich West while S8 line connects Marienplatz via Munich East.

Both the lines also connect Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) . Journey time is roughly 35 minutes. A single journey ticket costs 11.20 Euros by any line. You can purchase your ticket either from the manned ticket counter at the station or from the ticket vending machines.

Bus: Lufthansa Express Bus is another option to reach Munich City Centre. The bus leaves from outside the Munich Airport Centre (MAC). The bus stop is only a few minutes’ walk from Terminal 1 and 2. This nonstop bus journey takes around 40 minutes to the city centre and the fare is 10.50 Euros per adult, if booked online. Ticket can also be purchased from the service centre at level 3 of Munich Airport Centre or from the bus driver… fare is 11 Euros. There is a bus every 15 minutes. The first bus leaves MAC at 6:36am and the last one departs at 10:36pm.

Taxi: There is a Taxi Rank outside the airport building. Taxi takes around 45 to 50 minutes and the fare is around 55 to 60 Euros. Alternatively, you can travel to New Munich Exhibition Centre on a flat rate of 63 Euros. Taxis are available 24X7. Apart from taxis, there are options for renting a car… see details under Car Rental section below.

You can choose from a wide range of private transport and transfer services (including airport transfers) and book online from this Viator site .

Public Transport

U-Bahn is the underground metro railway system in Munich. You can reach virtually every part of the city by U-Bahn trains and the overground rapid transit system S-Bahn complements this service. Look for a white ‘U’ sign on a blue background to locate your nearest U-Bahn station. U-Bahn has 8 lines and covers a railway network of 103.1 kilometres connecting 100 stations.

Operation hours on weekdays is from 4:15am until 1:30am (it may vary slightly for some lines) and on weekends from 4:00am to 2:00am (for detail time table visit MVV website ). Parts of U5 and U6 lines come overground for certain distances. All U-Bahn trains pass through the city centre area. Service frequency of U-Bahn is around 5 minutes during peak hours. The underground architectures of Munich U-Bahn stations are great attractions by themselves, for this reason, subway stations are also known as ‘Subterranean Museum’.

S-Bahn is the overground rapid transit system (Commuter trains) or the urban railway system of Munich. Hauptbahnhof or Central Station is the main railway station in Munich. This station connects Munich with other German destinations as well as international destinations like Amsterdam, Venice, Salzburg, Milan etc. There are 9 S-Bahn lines out of which two lines S1 and S8 connect the airport with the city centre.

S-Bahn service is open from early in the morning till post-midnight during weekdays and 24 hours on weekends. Service frequency is usually 20 minutes but in some areas, you will get a train every 10 minutes during peak hours. S-Bahn connects 150 stations in and around Munich. S-Bahn network has 442 kilometres of track and its average running speed is 50 kilometres per hour. Look for a white ‘S’ signage on a green background to locate an S-Bahn train station.

Bus network in Munich is vast and it extends to over 460 kilometres. Apart from covering inner city it also connects suburbs with the city centre. Within the city area, these buses help connect with U-Bahn, S-Bahn and tram stations. Apart from regular services, there are night lines as well that connect the city centre. Look for capital ‘H’ signs to spot a bus stop or a tram station.

Metro buses are available every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak. You will find dedicated bus lanes and priority signalling within the city. Most bus lines within the city enjoy priority signals and there are more than 60% signals out of 784 traffic lights that have priority signalling systems for buses. Wheelchair accessible buses ply both day and night.

Trambahn network in Munich complements other modes of transport such as bus, U-Bahn and S-Bahn. Tram network spans more than 80 kilometres and has 148 stops. Service is available from early morning till post-midnight. There are also night lines connecting the city centre. Service frequency is 10 minutes during peak hours.

There are designated taxi ranks at all important points. These taxi ranks are also marked on the city’s tourist map. The base fare of a metered taxi is 3.70 Euros, thereafter the rate per kilometre is 1.90 Euros for up to 5 kilometres, from 5 to 10 kilometres the rate per kilometre is 1.70 Euros and over 10 kilometres 1.60 Euros. 28 Euros per hour is the waiting charge. Calling taxi over the phone will incur an additional charge of 1.20 Euros. Luggage in the boot is 0.60 Euros per piece. Following are a few taxi calling numbers…

• Taxi-Munchen eG- +49 8919 410, +49 8921 610
• IsarFunk- +49 8945 0540

Tickets and Passes

Munich’s integrated public transport is controlled by MVV and they offer one ticket for multiple modes of transport. You can ride S-Bahn, U-Bahn (subway/metro), Tram and Bus with one ticket within the validity period and zone.

Single Ticket is valid for a single trip; break journey and switching transports are permitted (within the validity period) but a round trip or return journey is not permitted. You can purchase a Short Trip Single Ticket (1.50 Euros), Single Tickets for 1 zone (2.90 Euros), 2 zones (5.80 Euros), 3 zones (8.70 Euros) or 4 zones (11.60 Euros). It can be purchased from ticket vending machines. Short Trip Tickets are valid for 1 hour while a Single Zone Ticket is valid for 3 hours, and more than 1 zone tickets are valid for 4 hours. Ticket validation is not required if you purchase tickets from ticket machines on trams or buses, otherwise, you need to validate them before your journey.

Stripe Ticket is slightly economical than a single ticket. It is available in 10 stripes pack and every stripe is as good as one single short trip ticket. For a short trip validate one stripe. For a single zone for one person you need to validate two stripe tickets and travel within Munich. Stripe Ticket costs 14 Euros (so a stripe costs 1.40 Euros) and can be purchased from ticket vending machines. Validity period is the same as Single ticket. You need to validate your ticket. Remember unused stripes do not expire.

A Single Day Ticket is very useful for tourists. For a single day, you can take unlimited rides on MVV transports within the stipulated zones. This ticket is valid for a person over 15 years age (for children there is a children day ticket for the age group between 6 to 14 years at 3.20 Euros). Single Day Ticket is valid for the inner district, outer district and for the entire transport network of Munich while a 3 days ticket is valid for the inner district of Munich only.

The ticket validity period is activated from the first validation until 6:00am next day. Inner district Single Day Ticket costs 6.70 Euros, an outer district day ticket is 6.70 Euros, a day ticket for Munich XXL is 8.90 Euros and for the entire network, it is 13 Euros. A 3 days ticket is 16.80 Euros. Tickets can be purchased online or from ticket vending machines. To know more about the different zones visit This Page .

* Note that all the above-mentioned tickets can be purchased through MVV mobile app as well.

City TourCard is a good tool for a tourist visiting Munich. It offers unlimited rides by MVV transports either for the inner district (Munich city area) or for the entire network of Munich public transport. Additionally, you can enjoy discounts at more than 80 tourist attractions. The validity of City TourCard varies from 1 to 6 days. Following are the prices… City TourCard for the inner district- 24hours is 12.90 Euros, 48hours is 18.90 Euros, 72hours is 24.90 Euros, 4day card is 26.90 Euros, 5day card costs 32.90 Euros and a 6day card is 38.90 Euros.

City TourCard for the entire network- 24hours is 22.90 Euros, 48hours is 33.90 Euros, 72hours is 44.90 Euros, 4day card is 46.90 Euros, 5day card costs 56.90 Euros and a 6day card is 66.90 Euros. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines, ticket offices or online at The Easycitypass Website .  There are also group City TourCards available for 5 persons (2 children between 6 to 14 years are considered as 1 adult).

A Munchen Card too is designed for tourists with loads of discounts and free rides by public transports. Like City TourCard it too has designated zones of travel but the discounts here are much higher. It offers up to 70% discounts at various attractions, shopping, dining and tours (with turbopass.com’s partners only). It is available for adults, children and a group of 5.

Following are the prices… For inner district (Munich city area)- 1day card is 9.90 Euros, 2day card is 15.90 Euros, 3day card costs 22.90 Euros, 4day card is 27.90 Euros and a 5day card costs 33.90 Euros. For the entire network- 1day card costs 15.90 Euros, 2day card is 26.90 Euros, 3day card is 39.90 Euros, 4day card costs 49.90 Euros and a 5day card is 54.90 Euros. Munchen card can be purchased from ticket machines at U-Bahn stations, MVG customer service centres at Marienplatz and Hauptbahnhof, and online at www.turbopass.com .

* Note that for both City TourCard and Munchen Card, validation is must although cards purchased online or through mobile app do not require validation.

Getting To Major Attractions

The starting point is considered Marienplatz for all the journeys below.

Munich Residenz can be reached within 2 minutes by U6 and U3 lines of U-Bahn. You will get a train every 5 minutes and you need to disembark at Munchen Odeonsplatz station.

Asamkirche can be reached easily by U6 and U3 lines of U-Bahn within a couple of minutes. Get down at Sendlinger Tor. Alternatively from Rindermarkt, Marienplatz, take a bus (line 62) and get off at St. Jacob Platz.

Englischer Garten requires one change, take a U3 U-Bahn train for Giselastrasse and from there take a line-54 bus for Hirschauer Strasse. Total journey time is around 8 minutes. You can also take a line-58 bus from Giselastrasse to Tivoli Strasse. In both cases, you need to walk for 200 to 300 metres at the end.

For Nymphenburg Palace take an S-Bahn train (S3) from platform 2 to reach Laim. It is a 10-minute ride but from there you need to walk for almost one and a half kilometres. Alternatively, you can take bus 151 from Laim for Hirschgartenallee, which will take another 4 minutes and then walk for around 800 metres.

BMW Museum can be easily accessed by U-Bahn train U3. Disembark at Olympiazentrum station. Journey time is around 12 minutes and from there it is a 4-minute walk (300 metres).

TierPark Hellabrunn or the Hellabrunn Zoo can be reached either by U-Bahn or by bus. But using U-Bahn here has a disadvantage… You need to walk for 1 kilometre at the end. Take a U3 train for Thalkirchen station and the journey time will be around 8 minutes, from there you need to walk. You can take a line-52 bus from Rindermarkt and travel straight to TierPark stop. It will take 20 minutes by bus. Walk for around 300 metres to reach at the gate of the zoo.

For Munich Olympic Park take line-21 Tram from Theatiner Strasse, Marienplatz and disembark at Olympia Park West. It is a 16minute ride.

  Note that many attractions are located in and around Marienplatz within one to one and half kilometres distance, and are quite walkable.

Nuremberg – If you are a history buff you should visit Nuremberg which is full of Medieval and Gothic style architectures. Take a train from Munich Hauptbahnhof station (Platform number 22) for Nuremberg Central station. Journey time is around 1 hour 10 minutes. There are several trains that leave Hauptbahnhof daily for Nuremberg. Fare is around 20 Euros (without discounts).  You can also choose a pre-booked guided day trip. The cost will be around 50 Euros per person and the total tour time is around 10 hours.

Bamberg – Bamberg is known as little Venice of Germany. Bamberg is also famous for its beer. It is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes journey by direct train from Hauptbahnhof. You will get a train every hour during peak time. There are also pre-booked tours available for Bamberg. The cost of the tour is around 150 Euros per person.

Neuschwanstein Castle – This is a top attraction and visiting this place is like entering the world of fairytale. Book the castle entry ticket online in advance. Take a train from Hauptbahnhof to Fussen; it will take around 2 hours. You need to then take bus number 78 from Fussen which will take 10 minutes to reach the nearest stop. From there you need to walk uphill to reach the castle. You should report to the castle’s ticket centre at least 90 minutes before your allotted time, otherwise, your time slot might be cancelled.

Salzburg – A day trip to Salzburg (in Austria) from Munich could be a great idea particularly if you are a music fanatic wanting to visit the hometown of Mozart. You will love this ‘Sound of Music’ town. It takes nearly 2 hours by train from Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg. There are trains almost every hour. Pre-booked tours are also available for this day trip. Both Germany and Austria are Schengen Countries, so the same Schengen Tourist Visa will work for both Munich and Salzburg.

Bicycle Rentals

Munich is a biker friendly city with several dedicated cycling routes. Over 17% of all traffics here constitute of bikers. Munich is known as the ‘Bicycle Capital of Germany’with over 1200 kilometres of biking tracks. You can choose to explore on your own (use MVV’s biking route planner) or even cycle on guided trails.

The best way to hire a bike in Munich is by downloading the ‘Call a Bike’ app on your smartphone. Deutsche Bahn Company’s bike rental scheme is known as ‘Call a Bike’. This is a dockless service. You can locate a bike with the help of the app and also get the lock opening code. Returning the bike is also simple… just lock the bike with a fixed object and inform Deutsche Bahn through the app, that’s it. The hiring rate is 8 Cents per minute and 15 Euros per day.

Following are a few other well-known bike rental companies…

• Radius Tours (www.radiustours.com/en/bike-rental/information-and-prices.html)
• Munich Bike Tours & Rentals (www.biketoursmunich.com/)
• MUC bike (www.mucbike.de/)
• Segway Munich (seg-to-rent.de/#regdl=kategorien)

Following are some interesting bike trails…

• Take the M-Water trail and find out Munich’s source of drinking water.
• Munich’s circular cycle route is an interesting one. Total route length is 170 kilometres and it can be split into 20 separate trails.
• The Isar Bike Trail is along the River Isar. You can see Isar merging into the Danube.
• Mangfall Bike trail connects Munich with Rosenheim. Enjoy the trail through an old industrial town.

Car Rentals

One can drive in Munich with a valid home-country driving license for the first 6 months, age must be minimum of 18 years. There are however many rental companies that do not allow drivers below 21 years. You do not require an IDP in Germany. The lowest car rental rate starts from 17 to 18 Euros. Following are a few well-known car rental companies…

• Sixt Rent a Car (www.sixt.com/car-rental/germany/munich)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (www.enterprise.de/de/home.html)
• Europcar Munchen- (www.europcar.de/)
• AVIS Autovermietung Munchen (www.avis.de/rund-um-avis/mietwagen-stationen/europa/deutschland/münchen/)

Scooter/Motorbike Rentals

There are numerous companies renting scooters/motorcycles in Munich. Be it a 50cc scooter or BMW or Harley Davidson, almost every model is available for hire. To ride a scooter/motorcycle you must be more than 16 years old and have a valid 2-wheeler license. The rental rate varies… you can hire a Vespa for 59 Euros per day or a BMW G650GS for 89 Euros per day. Following are a few rental companies…

• Vespa Munich (www.vespamunich.com)
• AdMo (www.rental-motorcycle.com/europe/germany/munich_rental.html)
• Bike Travel Service (www.bike-travel-service.de/)
• Allround car and bike hire (allroundrent.de/)

Transport Tips

• Remember Einzelfahrkarten is a single ticket, Streifenkarte is strip ticket and Tageskarte is a day ticket.
• Do not forget to validate your ticket prior to your journey, failing which there can be hefty fines.
• Most public transports have low floors thus wheelchair accessible.
• Most buses and trams have ticketing machines on board. Keep enough coins to purchase tickets onboard.
• Bills (i.e. banknotes) will not work on ticketing machines placed on-board the trams, only coins are accepted.
• After purchasing tickets online, take a printout (A4 size) and keep it with you with a proper photo-id. Although validation is not required for online tickets, bus driver or an inspector might ask you to show the printout or voucher.
• Group tickets are economical. Go for group tickets if you are travelling in a group. Visit the MVV website for details.
• Munich’s transport system is barrier-free, but that does not mean you do not purchase a valid ticket or validate them. Remember ticket checkers in Munich do not wear uniforms.
• Keep an eye on the electronic display boards at the U-Bahn platforms to know whether your train is a normal one or a shorter one (during off-peak hours, trains often have only 2 compartments).
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3 days in Munich, Germany – an itinerary for first time visitors

What to see in munich in 3 days – the top tourist attractions and highlights in one compact itinerary.

Munich is a truly amazing city and should be part of any road trip through Germany. The city has a visible history of more than 1,000 years and is the perfect mix between old traditions and new technology . There are just so many things to do in Bavaria’s capital you could easily spend a whole month here. Since most tourists don’t have that much time, 3 days in Munich is perfect to see all the top highlights and maybe a secret insider tip along the way.

I have been living in Munich ( München or Minga is how the locals call it) for the past 20 years and spend most of my time exploring my beautiful hometown. So, I know exactly what you should see, which places are overrated, and where you’ll find some hidden gems . I want you to have the best possible experience and not rely on a travel guide written by a blogger who merely spent 24 hours in a city to shoot some pictures (But talking about pictures, make sure to check out my list of the best photo spots in Munich ).

Munich is a very walkable city, but you’ll be using public transport quite a bit as well. Especially for day three, where you should consider getting the MunichCard ( buy it here ) for free public transport and discounts on entrance fees. There are also some amazing guided walking tours you should be aware of, but you can easily organize everything yourself as well if you don’t like groups or try to be frugal.

Definitely also check out my guide on how many days you need for Munich . 3 days is quite ideal, but it’s not the only option you got.

Note: I earn a small commission for purchases made through GetYourGuide & booking.com links in this post

Day 1: Exploring the Old Town

On your first day in Munich, you will be covering all the top tourist attractions in the old town. It’s basically what you would see if you were only staying one day in Munich . Most of the attractions are within easy walking distance, so depending on the location of your hotel, you might not even need a day ticket for public transport! If you do, then the Munich Card would make sense, as you will have to pay a couple of entrance fees.

The Morning:

• 8:30 am:  Start at Odeonsplatz and visit the amazing  Theatiner Church
• 9:00 am:  Walk towards the  Munich Residenz Palace   (do the short tour but buy the ticket for the amazing treasury vault to see afterward).
• 11:50 am:  Head towards the central square ( Marienplatz ),  enjoy the Glockenspiel  at noon & then climb Alter Peter  for the best views of the city (or do it after lunch depending on how fast or slow you are).
• Noon : It’s time for lunch . Check out the  Viktualienmarkt  and buy some snacks. It’s a good location to sit down in the beer garden to enjoy a stein of local beer (or maybe two). In winter, the beer garden is closed, so rather go to the Ratskeller below the Old Town Hall.

The Afternoon:

• 1:30 pm:  Walk down the pedestrian area toward the Church of Our Lady
• 2:30 pm:  From here, walk or take the subway from Marienplatz to marvel at  Königsplatz where the Art Quarter starts.
• 3:00 pm:  The Alte Pinakothek  is probably the most famous museum in Munich, but if you don’t like Old Masters (Da Vinci, Raphael, etc), pick the Neue Pinakothek for modern art and some amazing architecture. Here is a list of the 20 best museums in Munich , for some further alternatives.
• 5:00 pm:  Take bus #100 towards Ostbahnhof and get out at Haus der Kunst. From here it’s only 100 meters to the famous  Eisbachwelle  – a surfing spot right in the middle of the city .
• 5:30 pm:  Time to take a walk through the adjacent Englische Garten . Walk past the Monopteros temple and check out the lively beer garden at the  Chinese Tower ( note : in winter the beer garden is closed and it would be too dark anyways; In December there is a lovely Christmas market here, though).
• 7:00 pm:  Head towards  Hofbräuhaus . There’s usually live music, excellent traditional food, and of course Bavarian beer. Stay as long as you like. You could also eat your fill at the Chinese Tower and skip this depending on the weather.

Alternative with guided walking tour:

If you decide to book a guided walking tour because you love to learn a bit more about Munich while you explore the old town, then you have to reorganize this itinerary. In this case, start at the Residenz Palace as soon as it opens (you’ll only have 90 minutes tho!), then head to the meeting point of your walking tour. In the afternoon, do the Alte Pinakothek and then head to Englische Garten.

Most guided tours start around 10:45 am because the first show of the Munich Glockenspiel will be at 11 am. If you want to start at different times, you’d have to book a private tour ( like this one ).

Also, in summer a lot of locals also enjoy swimming in the River Isar, which could be a lovely option for a particularly hot day.

Day 2: Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

There are more than 20 amazing day trips from Munich . I really urge you to consider staying a day or two longer and use Germany’s third-largest city as a home base to explore fantastic UNESCO World Heritage sites in the vicinity . The most popular (and probably also the most rewarding) day trip is from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle.

You will need a full day to see it . There are some offers for half-day trips, but considering it takes 2 hours to get there, I feel it’s a bit of an eyewash. Besides, there is another castle right next to Schloss Neuschwanstein called Hohenschwangau, so you’ll have plenty of time to fill that day with excellent sights.

I really recommend booking a guided tour by bus to see the “Sleeping Beauty Castle”? Why? Well, first of all, it’s the easiest and fastest way to get there. But most importantly, the official bus tours also visit Schloss Linderhof , another amazing fairy tale castle.

It is impossible to see both castles using public transport. Which means you have to rent a car or book a tour. The tour has the bonus of being more relaxed, more comfortable and the guides will add some historical depth to your day trip.

Recommended tours:

• The most popular bus tour to Neuschwanstein castle (I tested it again recently and it’s still very well organized & good)
• This is the luxury version of the same tour company (mainly bigger seats and free snacks and drinks)
• If you want to see the UNESCO World Heritage site “Church of the Wies” instead of Linderhof Castle, then book this combination tour with Neuschwanstein castle

Here is a more detailed guide on how to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich .

Day 3: The North of Munich

There are 5 castles and palaces in Munich: The Residenz (which you visited on day 1), Alter Hof (which will be part of every walking tour), Schloss Schleissheim, Blutenburg, and Nymphenburg Palace. The latter was the summer residence of the Bavarian Kings and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Munich. If you are staying 3 days in Munich, then absolutely make sure to visit one of them, they are worth it!

The morning: BMW World & Museum

Subway line U3 will get you straight to the Olympiazentrum. In summer 1972, the Olympic Games took place in Munich and this park was built to host them. 30 years later it is still in use and counts as one of the prime examples in the world of how such a mega event can change a city for good. If you want, take your time and stroll through the park a bit, it’s quite lovely.

Right next to the subway station, you will find the outstanding BMW Welt , which is one of the best addresses for car lovers on this planet . The architecture is quite fascinating as well, so photographers will love this place as well.

If you walk across the street (right below the impressive bridge) you’ll find the BMW plant and right next to it the BMW museum . Here, you can explore more than 100 years of car history. It’s quite great and one of many attractions that make Munich so special compared to Berlin , Frankfurt, or other big cities in Germany.

If you want, you can use the remainder of the morning to walk towards the Olympic Tower. Buy a ticket for the elevator to the top and enjoy a breathtaking view of Munich. There is a restaurant at the top, so you could even stay here for lunch!

The afternoon: Nymphenburg Palace & Bavarian National Museum

Bus 180 will get you to Nymphenburg Palace . You will have to walk the last 500 meters, but that’s because Nymphenburg is surrounded by a park and there are no bus stations right in front of it.

First, do a tour of the castle itself. It’s quite beautiful inside, especially the mighty Steinerner Saal ( Stone Hall ) which is probably the most luxurious and extravagant hall in Munich. You’ll also see the apartment where King Ludwig II was born (the monarch who built Neuschwanstein Castle).

After that, it’s time to explore the fantastic park of Nymphenburg. It’s actually even more beautiful than the Englische Garten in the city center. Apart from many artificial lakes and channels, you’ll also find 4 smaller palaces hidden away in the forest : Amalienburg, Badenburg, Pagodenburg, and Magdalenenklause. If you bought a ticket, you can go inside (it’s worth it!).

From here, you have a couple of different options: You could either decide to explore the rest of Nymphenburg. There is a fantastic botanical garden right next to it (there’s a connecting gate in the north right behind the Magdalenenklause).

There is also an outstanding carriage museum , a museum dedicated to the world-famous Nymphenburg porcelain, and a natural history museum for kids.

Instead, you could also, head back to the city and explore the Bavarian National Museum . It will close at 5 pm, so you would have to leave Nymphenburg no later than 3 pm. This Bayerische Nationalmuseum is my personal favorite museum in Munich and it’s nothing short of outstanding. It’s an art & design collection with a strong focus on Bavarian artwork from the last 1,000 years.

Seeing all of Nymphenburg, the BMW World & museum, the Olympic Tower, and the Bavarian National Museum in one day will be a very tight itinerary. So, decide for yourself where you might want to walk through a little faster. If you skip the tower or the National Museum, things will be easily doable, though.

• 8:30 am: head towards BMW World
• 10:00 am: Explore the BMW Museum
• 11:00 am: Time to walk towards the Olympic Tower and enjoy a lovely view + lunch
• 0:30 pm: Take the bus to Nymphenburg and explore the palace & park
• 3:00 pm: Take the tram 17 to the city center and change to bus 100 at Hauptbahnhof to the Bavarian National Museum

alternative ways to play your Munich 3-day itinerary

If you have the time, it’s easy to spend 5 days in Munich – there are just so many places to visit in my hometown. Munich is so much more worth visiting than almost every other town in Germany. I tried to incorporate the top tourist attractions most visitors would love to see into one 3-day itinerary. That being said, there are plenty of alternatives.

If you don’t want to see a different castle each day, you could use the other half of the third day to visit the Dachau Concentration Camp . It’s a very popular half-day trip and one that will let you explore the darkest chapters of the Third Reich and the Nazi regime.

Recommended tour: Dachau Memorial Half-Day trip .

Related Blog post: Visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

If you are more a technical guy or girl, then you could also visit the Deutsche Museum instead. It’s the biggest and most visited technical museum in the world and could easily occupy you for a day, though you can see most of it in 4-5 hours.

All in all, there are 60 museums in Munich . This means you have endless options to adjust your personal Munich 3-day itinerary. Here’s the list of the 20 most popular museums .

What to do in Munich at night

Munich has quite an active nightlife and there are many clubs in the city. If you like bars, then the Glockenbachviertel, especially Müllerstraße will be your first address. For clubs, Sonnenstraße until Maximilliansplatz will be your best bet. Most clubs are rather posh and expensive though (like the rest of Munich).

You should also know, that Munich is home to one of the top 10 opera houses in the world . If you are interested, you could try to score tickets for one of their evening performances. Here is the website of the Bayerische Staatsoper . There are also some outstanding theaters (like Residenztheater, Gärtnerplatztheater, Kammerspiele, and Deutsches Theater) but you’ll probably have to understand German to make the most of it. The opera has subtitles.

In summer, beer gardens are favored by the locals, but there are also quite a lot of beer halls. I already mentioned Hofbräuhaus, but the Augustinerkeller or the Löwenbräukeller are excellent alternatives.

There are also nightwatchman torch tours through Munich. This could be a very special way to end your day in Bavaria’s capital. Book it here .

And just in case you were worrying, Munich is safe at night ! Perfectly so!

Where to stay in Munich

Munich is an expensive city, especially when it comes to hotels. I recommend staying in the immediate city center so you can experience the nightlife, but be prepared to pay a premium for that opportunity. Staying near Marienplatz also makes exploring the city easier and reaching your bus/train for a day trip. Nothing is worse than wasting half of your time on public transport just because you wanted to save 20 euros on accommodation.

Here are my tips for hotels with good value for your money:

Luxury hotels in Munich’s city center:

• Bayerische Hof
• Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
• Rocco Forte The Charles

Mid-price options

• Motel One Sendlinger Tor
• NH Collection München

budget hotels in the city center

• King’s Hotel CityStay
• Arthotel Munich

Best time to visit Munich

After all these options and alternatives to spend your 3 days in Munich, you are probably wondering about the best time to visit. Well, generally speaking, summer is the best time to visit Munich . This means June, July, August, and September. Long days and warm temperatures make it excellent to experience the Bavarian culture. It’s also the most crowded time.

In recent years, summers have also been incredibly hot. Since very few places are air-conditioned it can be a bit too sweltering. All other months, especially March, April, October, and November usually have a high chance of mixed weather with overcast skies and rain. Still, the many museums will be just as pretty then, big promise

Oktoberfest in the last two weeks of September is a very popular, but also incredibly expensive, time to visit Munich. If you don’t mind the crowds and the premium, then I’m sure you will have the time of your life drinking beer from a 1-liter steins at biggest folk festival in the world.

In December, the whole city turns into one big Christmas market . I am not even joking, because there 25 (!!) different ones throughout Munich you can visit.

January and February are usually the least crowded months of the year. When it snows, Munich may be cold, but it will also transform everything into a winter wonderland (if you are lucky – otherwise you end up with grey mush lining the streets).

Last but not least, the weekends are always very busy as a lot of local tourists come shopping in Munich. Most public museums are closed on Mondays , so that is definitely something to consider before you visit.

If you want to learn more, check out this post here where I talk a bit more in detail about the best time to visit Munich .

Phew, this was my guide to planning your itinerary for 3 days in Munich. I tried to provide you with all the important information, but feel free to ask any questions in the comments.

3 thoughts on “3 days in Munich, Germany – an itinerary for first time visitors”

Thanks very, very much for putting this together. I’m going to print it and give a copy to each of my family members for my trip. It’s going to really help me in my planning stage.

Thanks again.

Thank you for this great compilation of ideas. 🙂

One thing to note: I don’t think the Opera House is open in August. I saw “theater holiday.” Bummer.

No, the Opera house is typically closed in AUgust until mid-September. But then again, I never said it was open. There are also some days during the week where there is no performance. But yeah, thanks for pointing it out. I’m sure others will find it helpful!

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How to Visit Munich on a Budget

Munich is one of the most celebrated destinations in Europe . From its raucous Oktoberfest  and beer gardens to its colorful historic sites, this is a place to be savored. What follows are some money-saving tips designed to save your travel budget from stress and strain. 

When to Visit

If you're interested in Oktoberfest , plan on arriving in September, when festivities begin. Also plan on higher prices and huge crowds. It's best to allow yourself an escape plan, and rail service connects the city with places such as Salzburg (90 minutes, sometimes less than €20) or Vienna  (usually an overnight trip, about four hours each way, tickets starting at €29).

If you don't mind the cold and dark of winter, you'll enjoy lower prices and very short lines. Snowfall here is generally greater than other parts of Germany . 

Where to Eat

Munich hosts Germany's largest student population (about 100,000), so you know there is plenty of affordable food available in the university districts. Neighborhoods such as Maxvorstadt border several campuses. It only makes sense for the restaurants in that area to offer low-cost food. Another area to try is Gärtnerplatz .

The city's many beer gardens serve up a number of affordable meals. Try  hendl , an inexpensive and tasty roasted chicken plate.

Many beer gardens will allow you to bring your own food if you buy drinks. As with any European city, there is an abundance of cheese, fresh bread, and other picnic staples available at the market. Many times, these items are cheaper than in North America.

Where to Stay

As with food, the more expensive rooms are located closest to the city center. As you  search Munich for accommodations , be aware that there are several types of rooms in Bavaria . Smaller bed and breakfast establishments here are called pensions. The owners frequently enjoy providing hospitality, good tour tips, and a comfortable bed. There are some variations in the definition of a pension, but generally, it means the place is short on amenities such as pools, spa treatments, and sometimes, in-room bathroom facilities.

Look for the "I" sign in train stations and other public places. People at these information kiosks can sometimes help find a room during busy periods at reasonable prices. They will charge a nominal fee. If you use the information kiosk at the city's main train station ( Hauptbahnhof ), you might not have to walk far. Many of the city's budget rooms are located in this area. The smaller pension-style places usually offer a full breakfast with the price of a room. I

It's sometimes possible to use Priceline or some other online bidding site to secure a business-class hotel room. Residence Inn chose Munich for one of its first European properties, and the hotel draws good reviews and offers a location on the public transportation lines but outside the city center.

A search of Munich's Airbnb.com inventory will turn up scores of budget options. A recent search showed 117 entries for less than $25 USD/night, and the selection multiplies quickly with a jump to $50-$75/night.

Getting Around

The Munich U-bahn is an economical way to see the city. If you'll be in town for a few days, consider buying Mehrfahrtenkarte , which means "multiple trip tickets." Blue tickets are for adults and red for children. Tageskarte   or "day tickets" offer unlimited travel for 24 hours. Munich's main train station is about a 15-minute walk from the Old Town and Marienplatz. 

For those spending longer periods, the S-bahn, U-bahn, and buses are tied together in what is called the MVV network. A weekly IsarCard  costs €15 for two zones (called rings) and increases in price as you add a wider geographic area.

Munich Nightlife

For years, Schwabing was Munich's artistic district that beckoned would-be actors, painters, or revelers. Many say it has lost some of its charm, but it's still a popular spot after dark. Trendy nightclubs and restaurants abound. There is not the variety here that you'd find in Berlin or Amsterdam, but there should be enough to keep you busy for a while.

Nightlife City Guide  is a resource to consult for information about clubs, hours of service, and specialties.

Top Attractions

The Marienplatz is the heart of Munich's Old Town. Adjacent to these cobblestoned treasures is Frauenkirche or Church of Our Mother, painstakingly restored after World War II damage. To the south, through the Isar Gate lies the giant Deutches Museum . It's the world's largest science and technology display. From there, it's a short distance to Tierpark and the zoo. Go north to the Olympiapark U-bahn stop to see the site of the 1972 Olympics and the BMW World Headquarters.

More Munich Tips

• Work larger museums in sections.  The Deutsches Museum, for example, is so large that a visitor easily could spend two full days exploring and still not see everything. It's better to choose the areas that interest you the most and save the others for another trip.
• Be patient and alert at Oktoberfest. Public intoxication en masse is an ugly thing, and there are those who descend on Munich to take advantage. Keep valuables stowed securely.
• Learn a few words of German. The words Sprechen Sie Englisch? will go a long way in the realm of politeness and diplomacy. Germans usually appreciate attempts to respect their language, no matter how poorly you butcher it! There are places where the German-language menu items are cheaper than the English version, so it doesn't hurt to learn the names of some food items.
• Munich is a great "home base" for other explorations. In addition to Salzburg, the popular Romantic Road trip can be done in a day, beginning and ending in Munich. You can explore the medieval walled city of Rothenburg, which was virtually untouched by war. EurailPasses are good for the bus trip through this region, with a return rail trip from Wurzberg. On a less pleasant but highly significant note, the Dachau concentration camp is a short trip north from Munich and remains a sobering reminder of Germany's Nazi past. Learn more about making Munich a hub.
• Realize Munich and Bavaria are distinct from other German cities. Munich revels in the Lederhosen image that most tourists have of Germany, but most other cities outside of Bavaria do not. Enjoy the region's attractions, linguistic differences, and rich history.

Related Articles

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Buying tickets

BUYING TICKETS: Tickets for getting around Munich on public transport can be bought from machines at all train and tram stops. Some hotels sell them too. The machines are relatively straightforward and speak English (look for the black flag button). Innenraum passes cover the inner city. If you want to get out further to places like Dachau or the Starnbergersee lake, get an XXL pass . If you’re in Munich for a few days I advise getting the Tageskarte if you’re on your own, or the Partnerticket if you’re with a group of up to five.

Types of regular tickets

City tour card.

Formerly called the Welcome Card, the City Tour Card is a public transport ticket which also gives you discounts on over 30 Munich attractions and city tours (Nymphenburg Palace, Bavaria Filmstadt, the Bier- and Oktoberfest Museum etc,). If you’re planning on hitting up a few museums, etc, during your stay it's worthwhile getting this one instead of a normal public transport ticket. City Tour Card costs: Single Ticket *One day inner city (1 Tag innenraum) €10.90 *Three day inner city (3 Tage Innenraum) €20.90 *Three-day entire network (3 Tage Gesamtnetz) €32.90 Partner Ticket *One day inner city (1 Tag innenraum) €17.90 *Three day inner city (3 Tage Innenraum) €30.90 *Three-day entire network (3 Tage Gesamtnetz) €53.90

You can buy the City Tour Card from ticket machines, the tourist offices at the Main Train Station and Marienplatz and online here (Site only in German). Remember you still have to validate the City Tour Card at the stamping machine. Visit www.mvv-muenchen.de for more details.

Other tickets

Kurzstrecke (short distance), “blacking” it.

Moving around Bavaria

Buying tickets to cover the state of Bavaria is straightforward. The Bayern Ticket (Bavaria Ticket) is great for day-trips and you can buy it from ticket machines at train stations.

Up to five people can use this ticket to take any regular (not the express IC or ICE) trains anywhere in Bavaria and to Salzburg in Austria.

The Bayern Ticket costs €23 for one person and €4 extra for each additional passenger. It’s easy to buy them from the touch-screen machines at the train station before you travel. Over-the-counter service costs €2 more. The ticket is valid from 9am on weekdays (but 3am on weekends) and until 3am the next day. To find out about train times and connections, visit the Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) website .

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Munich Public Transport: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Munich S-Bahn!

It’s not just you: Munich public transport can be hella confusing.

Before I visited Munich, I thought I’d be super organised / anxious, and check out how to buy tickets for the S-Bahn. My hotel was out of the city center, and I knew that it was going to be the main public transport system I’d be using during my trip. Best to get acquainted with it! And I was sure that the official DB site’s instructions would be super-clear, right?

Ehhh. not so much. I love you, Munich, and I actually love to travel on your generally-excellent public transport. But everything you read on the DB site completely goes out of your head when you arrive in Munich, and you can’t find an option on the ticket machines for a darned 3 day group ticket to save your life.

So we’ve got two options, guys. We can wander lost through the Munich S-Bahn system forever, until we become ghostly from the lack of sunlight, and German mamas tell their kids scary stories about das S-Bahn geist . Or I can tell you how to buy single day or 3 day tickets in a simple, illustrated guide, and you can travel the city like a pro.

I like the latter option! Let’s do it!

By the way, if you’re looking for things to do in Munich but you’re short on time, check out my guide to making the most of one day in Munich!

How to buy tickets on the Munich Subway

Okay, we’re going to go over some basics first.

Firstly, don’t worry if this stuff seems pretty freakin’ confusing when you initially check it out. I’ve been to Munich twice, and it certainly threw me for a loop when I was freshly-arrived at Munich Airport (not helped by the fact that it was a public holiday, and there was zero staff around to help! Yay!). The public transport system in Munich is actually really intuitive once you get used to it, but it’s just a case of getting over that first hurdle.

So let’s get the foundation knowledge in place, and then we’ll go into how to buy single tickets, and the rather brilliant 3 day tickets which can save you rather a lot of cash!

What’s the difference between the U-Bahn and the S-Bahn?

When you arrive on the Munich train station of your choice, you’ll probably see some signage pointing you towards various letters – DB, S, and U . Who dis?

As you may have already guessed, it’s actually rather simple. DB stands for Deutsch Bahn. S stands for S-Bahn, and U stands for U-Bahn.

Deutsch Bahn is your city-to-city, overground trains . If you’re heading from Munich to Nuremberg, for example, you’ll be jumping on one of these.

U-Bahn is your standard subway system. Think New York subway, or London Underground. It operates below the surface of the city center.

S-Bahn is a hybrid service – it serves as a local overground train system throughout the suburbs of Munich, but then descends underground (and uses the same system as the U-Bahn) in the city center.

Makes sense? The S-Bahn is a local train which serves the greater Munich metropolis, but it shares the U-Bahn’s system in the city center, after which it pops out into the open again. The U-Bahn covers just those very central stations, right in the middle of the city.

Happily, you buy tickets for the U-Bahn in almost exactly the same way as the S-Bahn , so if you need Munich U-Bahn tickets you can use this guide too! Hurrah!

What are the Munich public transport districts?

Okay, this is one of the more confusing, and stressful, elements of working out which ticket you need. I had to consult my Munich-resident German friend to work out which district I needed, and he succinctly called the official site “trash” when it comes to working it out. So here comes the simple version.

Basically, the map of Munich has four big concentric rings drawn over it. The white center ring – the bullseye – is the “ inner district “. This is where you’ll find the vast majority of hotels and restaurants, and all those lovely attractions you’ve been reading about.

The other districts, which are green, yellow, and red , are the “ outer district “, and you’ll pay more to travel to them if you’re in the inner district – you pay for how many zones your journey passes through. To be honest, if you’re just visiting Munich as a tourist for a few days, you’ll probably only venture out into the outer district to visit Dachau (green district) , or to get to the airport (red district) .

Oh, and there’s also the Munich XXL , which is the white and green districts banded together. Again, pretty handy for visiting Dachau.

So how do you work out which district you need? If your stop is on this map , congratulations! You’re in the Inner District, and cheaper, less-confusing fares are yours! If your stop is on this map , you’ll have to count how many zones your journey passes through in order to get the correct ticket.

Types of Munich tickets, and where to buy them

Sorry, technophobes – it’s most likely that you’re going to have to buy tickets for the S-Bahn from a machine . Munich laughs at your pain.

Generally, stations don’t have a human ticket seller, so it’s actually pretty important to get accustomed to the ticket machines as soon as possible. The good news is that once you get used to them, they’re actually fairly simple to use!

If you’re visiting for a few days, the chances are that you’re purely going to need a single ticket , or day tickets , to get around the city. If that’s the case feel free to skip this section (I won’t be offended, I promise!), and go on to the next one where there’s lots of lovely step-by-step photos!

Still here? You’re a curious one, aren’t you? As a reward, here’s a brief description of the other Munich tickets you may have a use for:

Stripe ticket : A long ticket with ten spaces – travelling through one zone will require you to validate two spaces (or “stripes”). So it saves you a bit of money in comparison to buying a bunch of single tickets, but you have to know to fold the ticket correctly in order to validate it. You’re probably better off sticking to a Munich day ticket, unless you’re confident – because getting it wrong will lead to a €60 fine.

München Card : A handy little card which gives you a day ticket for Munich public transport (for anywhere between 1 and 5 days), and free entry for a bunch of Munich attractions. Hurrah! You’ll have to specify whether you want it for the inner district or the entire network – the latter will cost you more – and you can buy it online before you even leave home.

How to buy a S-Bahn single ticket

Okay, now we’re on to the good stuff. I’m going to keep this as simple as possible, rather than give out a ton of unnecessary info. So here’s how to buy a ticket for a single trip on the Munich S-Bahn.

Buying a ticket using the red DB ticket machines

These screens are from the red DB ticket machines – you’ll see them on the main platforms of train stations, including the airport and Hauptbahnhof (the main train station).

 1.   This will be the first screen you see. Eeeeeek! What if you don’t speak German??

Not a prob. Hit that UK flag down at the bottom.

2. Ahh, this looks a bit more manageable!

As you can see, I was standing at Fasangarten station when I took these photos (getting very wet; I hope you appreciate my sacrifice!). Simply tap the empty space where it says “To”.

3 . This is all straightforward enough – start typing your destination using the touchscreen, and it’ll suggest destinations on the left-hand side.

You’ll notice that it suggests some popular choices before you even start typing, so if you’re heading somewhere like the Hauptbahnhof, Marienplatz, or the airport, just give it a tap.

4. As you can see, I’ve selected a ticket to the airport – Fasangarten is in the Inner District, so it’s costing me a little more as I’m travelling through all four zones. Notice as well that my ticket is already validated – I can select to issue the ticket without validation (if I’m buying the ticket in advance to use later), but in this case, I don’t need to worry about validating it in a machine.

If that’s all you need, hit the green Pay button, and you’re done!

5 . Need another ticket for a travel companion? Hit that button at the bottom marked “Another Ticket”.

6. You can get your second ticket here – unless you need anything different from the ticket that you’ve previously selected, hit the “Same Destination” button at the bottom.

7 . Ta-da! You now have two tickets for a single journey on the S-Bahn. Hit that green Pay button, and enjoy your trip!

You can also see from this series of screens how easy it is to buy a Munich day ticket – simply select the “Single all-day ticket” option you can see above on the left.

Using the blue S and U-Bahn ticket machines

These are the machines you’ll see if you descend into a subway – and to be honest, they’re rather more straightforward. If you’ve read through the above steps, they follow much the same principles, but there’s less hoops to jump through. Let’s  have a quick look!

1.   Here’s the first screen you’ll see, once you’ve used that handy translation button on the right-hand side. Hit the top button for “Single tickets & strip card”.

2. Hit that “Single tickets” button, and you’ll be directed to a very straightforward “To” and “From” scenario. Pay up, and you’re done!

How to buy the Munich group ticket

Okay, the 1 and 3 day group ticket for the S-Bahn can be a little trickier to find on the system, especially on the DB ticket machines. BUT, they can save you a whole pile of cash. If you’re travelling with at least one other person, and you’re going to be there for a full day, or three full days, it’s definitely worth getting a group ticket.

It’s also a good idea to know in advance if you’ll need a ticket which only covers the inner zone (the white ring), or the entire network (all four rings). Again, bear in mind that the airport is in the furthest ring out.

Buying a group ticket on the red DB machines

1. First off, translate the screen into English (or another language of your choice) using the same buttons as in step 1 of “Buying a Single Ticket”. Unless you really want to practise your German.

2. You may be tempted to press that “Search for offers” button in the top right. DON’T DO IT. That way leads to madness, and a very uncooperative search system, in my experience. Instead, hit that large box under the “To” and “From”, where it says “All offers”.

3. You’ll see this screen next. Hit the “Group tickets” button on the right-hand column.

4 . Here’s the next menu. If you want a group day ticket, hit “MVV Collective all-day ticket”. If you want the same thing, but for three days (woo!), choose MVV Group 3-day ticket Inner zones” on the right.

5. This is how it should look when you go to pay for it – notice again that you can buy it in advance, for a date of your choosing. Or you can buy it unvalidated, and just use it when you need it. Handy, eh?

6. And here’s how it looks for an all-day group ticket.

Yay! You’re done! Trust me, that may look simple, but it took me a fair bit of fiddling about with ticket machines until I found the easiest way to access those sweet ticket offers. This lets you go straight to it with a minimum of fuss!

Buying a group ticket on the blue S and U-Bahn machines

1. Again, the blue machines make life rather easier for you. Start off on this screen, and hit “Day tickets” (second one down).

2. So far so good! Either select “1 person” if you’re an adult on your own, or “2-5 persons” if you’ve got company.

3. Hit the appropriate number of days, and pay. How simple is that?

The lesson to be learnt here is to use the blue machines if you can – they’re considerably simpler, and don’t overwhelm you with options!

Do I need to validate my ticket?

The simple answer here is “yes” .

The more accurate answer is “yes, unless it doesn’t fit the machine”.

At first I had a bit of confusion with Munich public transport tickets, because I was so terrified of getting fined by the inspectors (and yes, you do see a fair amount of them on the trains, so don’t even think of getting on without a ticket and risking the €60 fine). I was trying to insert practically everything into a validation machine, until it dawned on me that I had bought my tickets already validated. Scroll up to the screenshots above, and you’ll see that when you go to pay, it’ll tell you that your ticket is already validated.

There’s a simple way to make certain. If your ticket needs validating, it’ll fit into the blue validation machines you’ll see on the platforms/subway stations. If it doesn’t fit, then it’s already validated, and you don’t need to worry. Think of it this way: if it fits, you sits!

Remember also that the single journey tickets are one-way – there’s no return tickets here. Also, you do have a time limit in which to reach your destination. Scroll back up to the screenshot where I showed you how to buy a single ticket, and you’ll see on the right, the time limit is in red.

You can see that I bought the ticket at 8.05am, and that it’s valid until 12.05pm. The length of time is dependent on what journey you’re making, so give it a check when you purchase.

Munich Airport to city center

Okay, I’m going to say it: trying to go from the airport to Munich city center via public transportation can be a gigantic pain in the backside. Which is a shame, because that’s where the majority of hotels are, and therefore where you’re most likely to be going.

The things is, it actually works fine – it’s the same transport system which works everywhere else in the city – but it can be hella confusing when you’ve just arrived. It’s not terribly well signposted, and you’ll most likely be wondering who you buy a ticket from.

Munich airport to Munich by train

Let’s make this simple. If you want to travel by train, you’ll almost certainly have to buy your ticket from a machine. You can buy the hyphen-heavy “Airport-City-Day-Ticket”, which gives you a full day’s transport on the entire network (it’s available for groups, too), or just buy a single ticket. It just depends which one works out better for wherever you’re headed.

Grab your freshly-printed ticket, and head down the escalator or elevator to the station itself.

This is where it may seem confusing – which platform do you need? Argh!! But it’s actually not too bad: the airport is at the end of two S-Bahn lines, so you can’t go off in the wrong direction. You’ll either need the S1 or S8 service, depending on where you’re going (check the last section in this article for a handy link to the map). You’ll spot the number on the front and side of the train when it arrives, and it’ll either have a destination of Munchen-Ost (S1), or Munchen-Pasing (S8).

Both of these services connect up with other lines once they get closer to Munich city center (and both of them go to the Hauptbahnhof, which is the central HQ), so you’ll definitely be able to reach your destination!

Munich airport to Munich by bus

Underground transport systems not your thing? Good news: you can travel to Munich city center by bus and overground train, though it’ll take a little longer.

Walk to terminal 1, and catch the number 635 bus to Freising. It’ll helpfully deposit you at Freising train station 20 minutes later, whereupon you can buy a ticket on the overground ticket to the Haupbahnhof.

Want a third option for Munich airport transportation? There’s the Lufthansa Express Bus , a shuttle bus which runs between the airport and the city center for a remarkably reasonable price – and they don’t even mind if you didn’t fly with them! The sweeties!

If it’s possible to have a favourite S-Bahn station, then mine is Munchner Freiheit!

Useful apps for Munich public transport

I found apps super useful for using the transport system in Munich. Let’s have a look at a couple!

MVV Munich :  The official Munich public transport app. I’ve heard that it’s not amazing for purchasing tickets, but the MVV app shines when you just need to look up a departure time. Select “Trips” from the drop-down menu, and punch in the two stations you’ll be traveling between. Hey presto, you’ve got the departure time – and if you’re going to be doing the journey regularly, you can save it as a favorite. Handy!

DB Navigator : The official app of the overground trains. You can use it in a similar way to the MVV app (it works for looking up times of train between two S-Bahn stations, for example), but it does a lot more! It’s super useful if you’re planning a day trip, such as to Dachau , Nuremberg or Salzburg , but you can also use it all over Europe. Want to look up how to get from Budapest to Paris ? You can do that in this app; it’s genuinely one of the best apps for anyone going on an extended trip of the continent.

Moovit : A general-purpose public transport app – it’s not great for looking up travel outside of an area (if you try to look up a journey from Munich to Nuremberg, for example, it’ll throw a bit of a tantrum), but brilliant for looking up train, buses or trams within the city!

Munich S-Bahn map / Munich U-Bahn map

Want to check a Munich public transport map ? Click here to see one which combines the S-Bahn and U-Bahn on to one, handy map!

Notice that the number of the line can be seen the terminus at either end (for example, the S3 starts and ends at Holzkirchen and Mammendorf), and that S-Bahn lines are marked with “S(number)”. U-Bahn lines are “U(number)”, accordingly.

Munich U-Bahn hours of operation are super convenient, running from 4am to 1am . The S-Bahn drivers get an extra 15 minutes lie-in, operating from 4.15am to 1am .

And that’s pretty much everything you’re going to need to know!

Share this guide to Munich public transport, and buying tickets for the S-Bahn!

I know from personal experience that it can be confusing when you first arrive in Munich, and you’re trying to work out how to get a simple ticket. It makes you feel like an idiot, and an appalling traveler, and you may be tempted to drown your sorrows by going face-down into a plate of schnitzel. I feel your pain, honey.

So let’s avoid breadcrumb-in-eye injuries, and share this guide! Ticket shame will be a thing of the past. The world will be glorious once more. You can do that by hitting those lovely share buttons over on the side.

If you want to be super-prepared for your trip to Munich, and share this at the same time, how about pinning the below images to Pinterest? That way, you’ll have it saved for when you need it – you can read through those step-by-step photos before you use the ticket machine, and avoid having impatient locals queued up behind you!

By the way! This article contains some affiliate links. These incur zero extra cost to you, should you choose to purchase the service provided, but they give this blog some commission which goes towards the running costs. Any additional money earned is spent on importing giant schnitzels, because I will never tire of going face-first into those things.

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Best Day Trips from Munich in 2024

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Munich is one of the most vibrant cities in Germany and a must-see for most visitors. It’s home to Oktoberfest, historic buildings, world class museums, beautiful green urban spaces – and, of course, beer!

But did you know that Munich makes a great “home base” because there are so many options for day trips? There are numerous day trips you can take from Munich whether by car, train or guided tour.

Don’t miss out on the beauty of Bavaria! Add a day trip or two to your Munich itinerary. Here’s a list of the best day trips you can take from Munich.

3 Ways to Plan Day Trips From Munich

Since Munich is in the perfect location for taking day trips, you can easily make it your Bavarian home base. This is especially convenient if you want to see Munich and other sights Bavaria has to offer but don’t have enough time to spend a few days in each separate location.

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By making Munich your home base, you can explore both Munich city center and go in and out of the city for day trips to other cities, the Alps, and famous castles. You can day trip by train, rental car or guided tour.

Day Trips By Train

Using the train to take day trips from Munich is super easy and convenient. You might need to get up early and return late in the evening to fit everything in but the nice thing about taking the train is that you rest, relax or even take a nap on your way to or from a day trip.

If you plan to day trip by train, and don’t want to worry about missing your train, we highly recommend staying near the Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof). These options are just a short walk away:

• Leonardo Hotel München City Center – 3-minute walk
• Flemings Hotel München-City – 5-minute walk

You can also read our Munich accommodation guide for additional hotel options in Munich.

For most day trips we highly recommend buying a Bayern Ticket (Bavaria Ticket). This inexpensive regional train ticket gives you one day of unlimited trips on regional trains (so not ICE, IC or EC trains) within Bavaria for up to 5 people traveling together. So it’ll save you a lot of money over buying individual point-to-point tickets!

The only time we don’t use a regional train ticket like the Bayern Ticket is when the day trip is further away and we can reach it much more quickly by booking point-to-point tickets on faster ICE, IC or EC trains. Check out Deutsche Bahn for more information about these tickets (you can book trains there, too). 

Day Trip By Car

If you want more flexibility while traveling, a rental car is the way to go. While you can reach all of the day trips below by train, sometimes it’s much faster to drive.

Having a car also allows you to leave and return whenever you want, and you map your own route at your own pace. If you rent a car, make sure your hotel offers parking. Read our Munich accommodation guide for hotel options that offer easy rental car parking.

Day Trips With a Guided Tour

If you don’t want the hassle of figuring out train schedules and you’re not interested in renting a car, consider a guided tour! Since Munich is such a popular city to visit, you have several options (see below – we’ve linked under each place if there are any available). You can also take a look here to see to more options for guided day tours from Munich.

With a guided tour all you have to do is book the tour on your preferred day and then show up at the meeting point. You can relax and enjoy the day without having to figure out where to go, worry about missing your train or getting lost in the car, and you have a guide who can answer questions and share interesting cultural and historical information.

I especially like guided day trips when I’m traveling solo or if I’m short on time and don’t have hours to plan a day trip.

Overview of Day Trips from Munich

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Day Trips from Munich

1. neuschwanstein castles, hohenschwangau castle & füssen.

Neuschwanstein Castle is probably the most popular day trip from Munich. It’s one of Germany’s most well known tourist attractions and one of the world’s most famous castles, attracting over 1.5 million visitors from all over the world every year. 

Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes that add to the castle’s beauty, even though it does get quite touristy. Even so, if it’s your first time visiting Germany, it’s definitely worth visiting to see it for yourself. It’s gorgeous year round, and especially magical during the winter season .

Neuschwanstein – and Hohenschwangau Castle, where King Ludwig spend time as a child – are located in the village of Hohenschwangau, which is near the small town of Füssen. These two towns are worth exploring in their own right and they’re also great places to stay if you decide to spend more time in the surrounding area.

If you just want to tour Neuschwanstein, you can do that on a day trip from Munich. If, however, you want to see both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschangau, and especially if you want to see both castles and Füssen, you’ll need to stay overnight.

Unfortunately, it’s pretty much impossible to tour both castles on one day trip from Munich. On our last trip we tried to make it work and decided to instead just spend the night in Füssen (we loved Hotel Sonne ) so we could see everything.

Directions from Munich: The drive from Munich is approximately 75 miles or around 2 hours. To get there by train you’ll take a regional train(s) from from Munich’s Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Füssen and then a bus from Füssen to Schwangau. The journey time is also about 2-2.5 hours.

Recommended tour: If you don’t want to deal with the stress of rental cars or public transportation, we recommend booking a guided day trip from Munich directly to the castle. This guided tour includes transportation by van, which takes you along a scenic route of the Bavarian Alps, and a walking tour of the castle.

2. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site (KZ Gedenkstätte Dachau)

Built in 1933, Dachau Concentration Camp was the first Nazi concentration camp. It was originally built by the Nazi party to hold political prisoners. The concentration camp stood for over 12 years, at one point holding over 200,000 prisoners from all over Europe, over 40,000 of which were murdered. 

The memorial site now stands on the grounds of the former concentration camp. There are several original structures that are still standing, which you can learn about via information throughout the memorial, an audio guide or in a guided tour. There are also permanent exhibitions and an informative documentary that pays homage to the victims and survivors (Aaron watched the documentary and highly recommends it, especially if it’s your first time visiting a concentration camp). 

Dachau is a dark but intrinsic part of German history and one that Germany doesn’t shy away from. A great way to learn about a country is to visit important historical sites like Dachau. It may not be an easy place to visit but it’s a valuable learning experience and highly recommended.

Directions from Munich: The easiest way from Munich is by public transportation. It takes around 40 minutes. Take the S2 train in the direction of Dachau/Petershausen to the Dachau station. Once there, you have to take bus 726 to the entrance (KZ-Gedenkstätte). If you’re driving, exit at Dachau-Ost and follow the well-marked signs. There’s a large parking lot near the entrance to Dachau.

Recommended tour: Since visiting Dachau can be a difficult experience, we recommend booking this guided tour led by qualified professionals who are authorized by Dachau. That way you’ll learn the context of what you’re seeing and you’ll get the most out of your visit to this powerful memorial.

3. Oberammergau & Linderhof Palace

Oberammergau is a small town in the Bavarian Alps, known for a variety of cultural activities and sights. The most famous one is the Oberammergau Passion Play which is performed only once every ten years, in years ending with a zero. The production involves thousands of town residents who participate as actors, singers, technicians, and more. 

The town is also known for its long-standing traditions in woodcarving and fresco paintings. You can admire it in the Oberammergau Museum which features ancient handcrafted artifacts and intricate carvings by local artisans.

Even if you just take a stroll through Oberammergau or stop for a meal or beer, it’s a fun place to visit. And Oberammergau is just a few minutes away from Linderhof Palace. It’s the smallest of King Ludwig’s castles but is one of the most picturesque, known for its symmetrical architecture and beautiful gardens.

Directions from Munich: 

• Oberammergau is around an hour drive from Munich. You can also take a train from Munich to Murnau, then take the Innsbruck train to Oberammergau. 
• Linderhof Palace is around 20 minutes away from Oberammergau. There is a bus connection to Linderhof (bus 9622).

Recommended tour: If you’re looking to make the most out of a day trip, this tour takes you to Linderhof Palace, Oberammergau, and Neuschwanstein Castle in one day! It includes the bus transportation, a tour guide and audio guide, plus you can buy the entrance tickets to the castles on the bus.

4. Mittenwald & Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Mittenwald is another beautiful town in the Alps, located near the Austrian border. One of their most popular attractions is the St. Peter und Paul Church in the main square of the town center. It’s known for its colorful frescoes and golden baroque decor. The town is also known worldwide for its manufacture of violins, violas, and cellos – they have a whole museum dedicated to it!

Mittenwald is also great for those looking for outdoor activities in nature. To the south, you’ll find Leutaschklamm, a ravine with wooden pathways that’s located between the two borders and atop the Leutascher Ache river.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is actually comprised of 2 separate towns (Garmisch and Partenkirchen), is a super easy day trip from Munich. Winter is a great time to visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen because the town is a winter sports resort known for hosting skiing championships and the Winter Olympics. Many of the chalets and venues are still used to this day, drawing ski enthusiasts of all levels.

If you’re not a fan of winter sports, don’t worry! If you visit during other parts of the year you’ll have lots of opportunities for hiking and climbing in the surrounding mountains, most notably the Zugspitze and the Partnach Gorge. Don’t want to hike? Explore Garmisch, then walk over to Partenkirchen. Stop for a laid back meal, beer or Kaffee und Kuchen (we had a delicious coffee, tea, and cake at Wildkaffee Cafe) while enjoying the alpine scenery. You can also hop on a train or bus to Mittenwald.

Directions from Munich: It takes about 1 hour to drive to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and 1.5 hours to Mittenwald by car. The best option for public transportation is to take a regional train from Munich central station to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then on to Mittenwald. The average train ride with changes is 1-2 hours.

5. Zugspitze 

Zugspitze is Germany’s highest peak. It’s located to the south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and has a height of 9,718 feet. After taking the Zugspitzbahn, gondola or cable car to the summit, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking views of the glaciers and the mountain peaks from four different countries. 

In the winter, it’s a great place for skiing and sledding. But it’s just as fun during summer, when you can go hiking and climbing since there are several low-level trails that are more accessible. To end your hike, you can grab a beer in Germany’s highest beer garden or enjoy a meal in the small mountain restaurant!

Directions from Munich: The best way to reach Zugspitze is to go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The drive from Munich is just over an hour, and it’s about the same by train. Then board the Zugspitzbahn and head to the top!

Recommended tour: This day trip brings you comfortably to Zugspitze from your hotel in Munich via air-conditioned van. It’s also a great option for those looking to travel and hike with a small group. 

6. Innsbruck, Austria

There are actually several day trips you can take to different cities in Austria. One of them is Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian state of Tyrol. Like the previous day trips, the city is also known for being a major winter sports destination. But beyond that, there’s a lot more to see in the city.

Begin your day trip in Old Town Innsbruck by exploring the stores and cafes and trying out delicious Viennese pastries. Another must do is to walk by the river and admire the beautiful colorful buildings against the backdrop of the mountains. Other key landmarks include the Innsbruck Hofgarten and the Golden Roof. 

You can also ride the Nordkette Cable Car for stunning views of the city, valley, and Alps! We did this once and then hiked ALL the way back down to Innsbruck (even meeting alpine cows with bells around their necks)…it was fun but we were sore for a few days afterwards!

Directions from Munich: The drive from Munich to Innsbruck is around 2 hours. The fastest trains to Innsbruck take around 2 hours but those with more changes can take up to 3 hours.

Recommended tours: This guided tour includes transportation from Munich and a live guide who will tour you around the famous landmarks in downtown, including  Swarovski’s Crystal Worlds, an experience attraction with a museum, park, and restaurant. 

7. Reutte, Austria

Reutte, also located in the state of Tyrol, is a lesser known Austrian city that’s close to the Lech river and some Alpine lakes . There are around 10 crystal clear lakes you can visit nearby. Some of the most visited ones include Lake Heitwangersee and Lake Plansee which draws sailors, windsurfers, rowers and even sightseeing boats during the summer. For Lake Plansee, you can also hike the woods, explore waterfalls, and even swim in the clear waters.

Directions from Munich: Reutte is actually quite close to Füssen, around 20 minutes away by car. But if you’re coming from Munich, the car ride is almost 2 hours. Many of the train routes involve several changes, so driving would be your best bet.

8. Berchtesgaden & Eagle’s Nest

The Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest area is not only one of the top day trips from Munich but it’s a major tourist destination of Germany. Berchtesgaden is not only a town with great historical significance but it also boasts unmatched natural beauty. The photo above shows you the view we had from our apartment!

For those interested in the historical background of Eagle’s Nest and the area in relation to World War II, visit the Obersalzberg Documentation Center. Eagle’s Nest is another educational site but it’s also where you can get some of the best views of the Alps. Note, however, that due to its high elevation location, Eagle’s Nest is closed during the winter season.

For nature lovers, the Berchtesgaden National Park is a must! The landscape is rich with dense forests, rugged mountains, narrow gorges, and beautiful lakes and glaciers. If you’re traveling with kids, check out the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines for a fun tour that takes you deep inside the mines (via 2 miner’s slides!) and even an underground lake.

Directions from Munich: The train from Munich to the Berchtesgaden train station takes around 2 hours and 35 minutes. Most require a change in Freilassing. The drive from Munich takes around 2 hours via Autobahn München-Salzburg A8. 

Recommended tours: If you want to take a scenic route in a luxury tour bus, this guided tour drives through the German Alpine Way to the foothills of Berchtesgaden and brings you to Eagle’s Nest.

9. Königsee

There are many lakes near in the Berchtesgaden area. Lake Königssee is the most popular one and for good reason – it’s stunning! Most of the lake lies within the Berchtesgaden National Park and is easily reached from Berchtesgaden by bus or car (or a very long walk). This beautiful lake is the third deepest lake in Germany and is surrounded by the imposing Mount Watzmann. 

The best way to explore the lake is to go on a boat ride in the clear, emerald waters. From these boat tours, you can see other famous landmarks like the St. Bartholomew Church and hike your way to Obersee Lake and Röthbach Waterfall. During the crossing to St. Bartholomew, you’ll get to hear the world-famous Königssee echo as the boatman plays his trumpet. Highly recommended!

Directions from Munich: The drive from Munich to Königsee is around 1 hour and 50 minutes. There are no direct trains. You’d have to follow the same route from Munich to Berchtesgaden and then take a local bus to Königsee for a total journey time of around 3 hours.

Recommended tour: If you’d like to head directly to Königsee without going through Berchtesgaden, then this full-day tour will take you directly to the lake.

10. Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is known by many as the setting of the musical “The Sound of Music” and as the hometown of the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It’s one of the best day trips to take from Munich because of how unique the city is while also being small enough to see most landmarks in one day.

Salzburg’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the well-preserved Baroque and medieval architecture seen in the picturesque streets of the downtown area. Salzburg is home to many castles and palaces like Salzburg Fortress, the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, and Hellbrunn Palace. Another landmark worth visiting is Mozart’s residence which has been turned into a museum. While in Salzburg, try some Mozartkugeln – small chocolate covered marzipan and pistachio candies named after Mozart.

Directions from Munich: The drive to Salzburg is around 1.5 hours from Munich. The direct train from Munich to Salzburg is approximately 2 hours.

Recommended tour: If you don’t want to worry about transportation, this guided tour already includes a roundtrip train ticket . For those who are big fans of “The Sound of Music,” check out this tour that brings you to the countryside where the movie was filmed . You’ll even get to listen to the soundtrack as you go between each stop! 

11. Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee Palace

Chiemsee is considered the “Bavarian Sea” due to its size. It’s composed of three main islands: Herreninsel, Frauenchiemsee, and Krautinse which is completely uninhabited. 

Herreninsel is home to the area’s most famous landmark – Herrenchiemsee Palace. This is another one of King Ludwig’s castle which was based on the Palace of Versailles. The interiors are extravagantly decorated as an homage to King Louis (the Sun King). There is even an exact replica of the famous Hall of Mirrors, complete with ceiling frescos and sparkling chandeliers. The castle has an interesting location since you can only reach it by boat.

Frauenchiemsee, on the other hand, is a small island that houses a Benedictine monastery. The monastery is famous for their marzipan and liquor spirit, which is produced by the nuns. 

Directions from Munich: The most direct route from Munich to Chiemsee by train takes about 1 hour (you’ll travel to Prien am Chiemsee). The car ride from Munich to the same place is also a little over an hour. You can then take a boat to the palace.

Recommended tours: Since you can only reach the castle by boat, we suggest booking this boat trip day tour that takes you to both islands of the Chiemsee . It also includes the transport by train from Munich.

12. Nürnberg (Nuremberg)

Nürnberg (or Nuremberg in English) is the second largest city in Bavaria after Munich. It’s a historic medieval city that’s both an important cultural and educational center and tourist destination. It’s home to many prestigious universities and institutions and of course, their world famous Christmas Market. It’s a great day trip to make in the winter!

The market takes place in Hauptmarkt, the city center where you’ll find other landmarks within walking distance such as St. Giles’ Church and the Old Town Hall. A must-see landmark is the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg, one of the most important surviving medieval fortresses in all of Europe. The historic city walls have also been well-preserved. A great thing to do to get to know the city is to walk along the walls and discover medieval gates and towers throughout. 

Directions from Munich: Driving to Nuremberg takes around 2 hours. There is a direct train from Munich Hbf to Nuremberg Hbf that can be much faster as it only takes 1 hour.

Recommended tours: One of the best ways to explore a city for the first time, and especially when you’re short on time, is by taking a Hop On Hop Off bus tour. It goes through six stops covering famous Nuremberg attractions including the historic Old Town, the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg, Memoriam Nuremberg Trials, and Hauptmarkt.

13. Bamberg

Bamberg is an historic town located in northern Bavaria, near where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. Another interesting thing about Bamberg’s location is that it’s spread out over seven hills, each crowned by an old church. For those who have time to venture out, you can follow the Seven Rivers Path which takes you to the countryside.

For those wanting to stay in the center, the medieval Old Town (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) has a lot to offer. Start off by crossing the Obere Brücke, a pedestrian bridge that gives you amazing views of “Little Venice,” a former fishermen’s district with half-timbered buildings and little boats floating in the moorings. The highlight is the Old Town Hall, one of the most photographed architectural structures of Bavaria. The facade is adorned by frescoes while the inside houses the beautiful old Rococo hall and the Ludwig Collection.

Directions from Munich: There’s a direct train from Munich that takes almost 2 hours but if you’re coming in from Nuremberg, the train is only around 45 minutes. The car ride from Munich to Bamberg takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Recommended tours: If you’re looking for a traditional tour, this 2-hour Bamberg walking tour takes you to all the city’s historical buildings, churches, and bridges. Bamberg is also known for its beer. In this guided beer history tour , you’ll get to learn about the brewing process, sample some beer and also see some of the main tourist attractions along the way.

14. Dinkelsbühl

Dinkelsbühl is one of the most beautiful old towns along the northern leg of the famous Romantic Road. It’s located to the south of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and to the north of Munich. This former Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire is still surrounded by a lot of old medieval walls and towers. 

Much like the rest of the stops along the Romantic Road, Dinkelsbühl is characterized by colorful half-timbered houses. The most famous one is the Deutsches Haus, which has a highly ornamental timber framing. Another important sight is the St.-Georgs-Kirche, a Gothic hall church filled with intricate art and six altars. 

Directions from Munich: The fastest way to Dinkelsbühl via car takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. There are no direct trains from Munich. All of the train routes involve at least 2 changes in Nuremberg and Dombühlf for a total journey of a little over 3 hours one way.

15. The Romantic Road

The Romantic Road is one of the most popular tourist attractions in southern Germany. This picturesque route runs through Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, making for an excellent road trip. It traverses through an area with many of Germany’s best castles starting from Nuremberg Castle in the north all the way down to Neuschwanstein Castle in the south.

The Romantic Road route will transport you back to the medieval times as you pass through many towns that have preserved their original architecture from the middle ages. Along the way you’ll see everything from quaint cottages, fairytale castles, and the beautiful countryside. Many of the highlights are already popular day trips in themselves like Neuschwanstein, Dinkelsbühl, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber (more on that below).

If you have a car you could get out of Munich and drive some of the Romantic Road in a day. But if you find yourself wanting to see multiple stops on this route, consider a multi-day road trip instead of a day trip.

Directions from Munich: The most traditional way of doing the route is by car, starting in the North in Würzburg and finishing in the South in Füssen. But if you’re coming from Munich, the best way is to do it South to North. Since Füssen is around a 2-hour drive away from Munich, you’ll likely want to start north of Füssen.

Recommended tour: If you only have time for a day trip but still want to see a significant part of the southern part of the Romantic Road, this day trip from Munich brings you to multiple stops including Harburg Castle, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlinger Ries, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

16. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

As previously mentioned, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the highlights of the Romantic Road. Much like Dinkelsbühl, it’s one of the very few German cities that have completely intact city walls. From this you can tell that it’s one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the region. 

This charming town is full of the classic elements of any Romantic Road medieval destination like colorful half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. To get panoramic views, we recommend climbing up the medieval Town Hall. You can also walk a covered walkway on top of the walls and towers surrounding the city. Other highlights include St James’ Church and the central square, Marktplatz.

Directions from Munich: The drive from Munich is quite long, at a little over 3 hours. But it won’t be a problem if you’re stopping along the way to other stops in the Romantic Road. It’s best to do this journey by car since the train route requires several changes.

Recommended tour: The Romantic Road tour from Munich includes Rothenburg ob der Tauber as its final stop. This tour is guided but it also allows you to explore the city at your own time and pace.

16. Regensburg

Regensburg is another city known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and importance during the Holy Roman Empire. It’s located in Eastern Bavaria, along the Danube River. The Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of stately churches and aristocratic houses.

Since it’s on the Danube, you can get spectacular views of the river on the Old Stone Bridge, one of the oldest standing medieval bridges. It’s now only used for pedestrians. Afterwards, head on to the Old Town center and visit the impressive Regensburg Cathedral, a Gothic church with spires towering at over 300 feet. 

Directions from Munich: Regensburg is around 1 hour 50 minutes away from Munich by car. There is a direct train from Munich to Regensburg, which takes around an hour and a half.

17. Stuttgart (Christmas Markets!)

Stuttgart is another major German city and the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg. It’s globally known as an automotive hub, being the birthplaces of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Since it’s a big city, you might want to stay in Stuttgart for a couple of days in order to see all the landmarks like the automotive museums, downtown, and the Wilhelmina zoo and botanical gardens. 

Another main attraction is the Stuttgart Christmas Market – one of the biggest and oldest in all of Europe! This Christmas market has nearly 300 stalls selling everything from decor, toys and crafts and sweet holiday treats like Glühwein and cinnamon roasted almonds. It would be a long day but if you’re into Christmas markets, it could be worth it to visit on a day trip from Munich!

Directions from Munich: The direct train from Munich to Stuttgart takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. The drive is longer, taking almost 3 hours. 

Recommended tour: Get to know the city by booking a Hop On Hop Off Bus tour ! This tour has three different routes and takes you to the city’s highlights including the Mercedes Benz Museum, Stuttgart TV Tower, Marienplatz, and more. It’s the perfect way to see a lot in a short amount of time.

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Cate has been traveling to Germany for 30+ years. She has lived in Germany, taught college German, and has a PhD in German Applied Linguistics. She loves helping travelers plan their dream trips to Germany!

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Home » Travel Guides » Germany » 15 Best Day Trips from Munich

15 Best Day Trips from Munich

Whether it’s hearty Bavarian food and beer you’re looking for, or jaw-dropping vistas from the top of The Alps, the various regions around Munich, Bavaria’s largest city, are a wealth of endless possibilities for any and all types of traveller.

From castles and palaces more magical and mysterious than the last, to beautiful natural escapes that are within easy reaching distance, finding the perfect Munich day trip couldn’t be easier.

Between the country’s highly reputable transport system and the ease of hiring a car in Europe, you’ll have no problem in arriving at the ideal excursion and enjoying all it has to offer within the space of a day.

To get you started, here are the best day trips from Munich :

1. Neuschwanstein Castle

Arguably the most iconic castle in Europe, if not the world, this pastel-coloured masterpiece with its complex of sprawling turrets, battlements, towers and spires is a true testament to the concept of a fairytale castle.

So much so, that it was actually used for the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s famous castles in the various Disneyland parks.

Less than two hours away from Munich, you’ll be transported to a realm of princes and princesses in a magnificent structure that is just as lavish on the inside as on the out.

You can expect a luxurious Throne Room and indulgent decorations inspired by romantic literature and opera.

This is without mentioning of course, the stunning views of the Alps that can be enjoyed from one of the many towers.

2. Linderhof Palace

The mind behind Neuschwanstein Castle, namely King Ludwig II – happened to also have another favourite spot.

Linderhof Palace, tucked away in the alpine woods near the mountains where Neuschwanstein sits, is an elegantly furnished palace built with the intention of being the king’s hunting lodge in the late 19th Century.

Like so many of the royal establishments of the era, Linderhof is supremely luxurious, containing rich wall hangings, immaculately carved fountains and beautiful gardens.

Make sure you don’t miss the Hall of Mirrors, the Tapestry Chambers and the famous Venus Grotto.

It’s worth noting that you can find some tours that combine Linderhof Palace with Neuschwanstein Castle in the space of a single day.

3. Herrenchiemsee

Built on an island that happens to be situated in the middle of Bavaria’s largest lake (a worthy tour in itself), the royal complex of Herrenchiemsee is only around 60km from Munich and truly is a sight to behold.

Partially finished but no less impressive, the palace grounds contain highlights such as the State Staircase, the Great Hall of Mirrors and King Ludwig’s Small Apartment.

The gardens are bedecked with fountains and sculptures of exceptional calibre and you can expect not one, but two museums to be found on the estate.

The King Ludwig II Museum and the Augustinian Monastery are both filled to the brim with artefacts from the King’s life and pieces of priceless furniture.

4. Salzburg

Make your way to the Austrian border and hop over to one of Europe’s most loved countries where you’ll find the impossibly picturesque city of Salzburg, surrounded by alpine snow peaks and complete with Baroque-style castles and romantic neighbourhoods.

Most famously known for being the birthplace of the immortalised composer Mozart, Salzburg is a hotbed of attractions concerning the late musician.

With it’s pretty winding roads, beautiful Old Town and scenic natural backdrop, it’s easy to see why the city was the setting of Mozart’s The Sound of Music.

Make sure you set time aside to visit Salzburg’s cathedral and the wonderful St Peter’s Abbey.

5. Nuremberg

One of the oldest cities in Bavaria, the ancient settlement of Nuremberg has been the site of many pivotal artistic and cultural events since the 14th and 15th Centuries and still holds a lot of the evidence there today.

So much importance has been attributed to the arts here that almost all of the beautiful Gothic buildings and various churches have been painstakingly restored after bombing from World War II. Discover a sense of deep history walking along the preserve walls of the city and explore the castle in the city center that offers excellent views from its vantage point on top of a hill.

6. Ingolstadt

Perfect for wandering around on foot due to it’s pedestrian-friendly layout, with wide walkways and boulevards, the old town of Ingolstadt is a veritable maze of historic buildings each more beautiful than the last.

Encircled by the preserved ruins of medieval battlements and fortifications, you’ll find highlights such as the Rathausplatz, the monumental Herzogsschloss and the Kreuztor.

Amongst the many wonders you’ll find scattered around the town, be sure to make time for the Minister of Our Lady Church, that contains the jaw-droppingly beautiful and largest stained glass window in Bavaria that was installed in 1527.

7. The Schleissheim Palace Complex

Containing not one, not two, but three magnificent palaces, the 18th Century-built Schleissheim Palace and Park is a convenient 20km away from the center of Munich, meaning its gorgeous attractions are within easy reaching distance either by public transport or by car.

The Neues Schloss is the grandest of the palaces with pavilions linking the huge sections of building and interior that is guaranteed to dazzle visitors with its subtle combinations of different styles including Baroque, Italian and Rococo.

Standout highlights include the Entrance Hall and the Grand Staircase Hall.

The other highlight every bit as impressive as the palaces is the Schleissheim Park which is a Baroque garden that has survived since 1720.

One of the most striking townscapes in Europe belongs to the skyline of Passau, a combination of Italian-style buildings and houses reminiscent of Venice overlooking the banks of the beautiful River Danube.

Located on the Austrian border, the town is perfect for those looking for a riverside getaway.

Passau’s old town is perfectly laid out to give the impression of always being close to the water’s edge, with cobbled lanes leading down from the hill to the river at regular intervals.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral of St Stephen and the pedestrianized shopping street Ludwigstrasse, where you’ll find all manner of Austrian and Bavarian goods and treats.

9. Rothenburg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Europe’s most impeccably well-preserved towns and without a doubt one of the most picturesque towns in the world.

Street after street are lined with pastel-coloured, fairytale timbered buildings and store fronts and no shortage of fine churches.

A popular stop on the famous route through various towns known as the Romantic Road, Rothenburg attracts visitors from all over the world to amble through its postcard perfect streets.

10. Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest

Perched on a vantage point-like spot that is surrounded by the striking beauty of the Berchtesgaden National Park, the town of the same name is frequently visited by travellers in search of the perfect 360 degree view of the Alps.

The town boasts an impressively old palace dating back to the 1100’s and the Wittelsbach dynasty.

Also of great popularity to tourists is the infamous Eagle’s Nest, a hideaway built into the mountain for Hitler, standing at an astonishing 1834 meters.

A perfect mix of Alpine scenery and fascinating history, the town of Berchtesgaden is best visited on a tour with a professional guide and ease of transport from Munich.

11. Mount Eckbauer

A nationwide favourite place for snowsports, Mount Eckbauer is the home of the astronomically large Olympic ski jump that is still used today.

Best viewed from the thrilling gondolas of the Eckbauerbahn, its been in use since the Winter Olympics of 1936. With unbeatable views of the snowy Alps, you can even bring a toboggan with you to descend one of the public slopes instead of taking the return gondola.

Also wonderfully appropriate for the location is the hearty Berggasthof where you can fill up on beer and traditional, deliciously authentic Bavarian food.

12. Chiemsee

Easily reachable in under two hours from Munich on public transport, you’ll find Chiemsee, the largest lake in Bavaria.

Its serene waters, backdropped by mountains make for excellent photo opportunities on both sunny and overcast days.

One of the main attractions of the lake is the Prienavera centre, a custom complex built specifically for exercise and relaxation and boasting both indoor and outdoor pools with panoramic views of the lake and unique lakeside saunas.

If all the relaxation works up an appetite, then enjoy a meal at one of the many waterside restaurants before returning to the city.

13. Walchensee

For more alpine lake magic, head about an hour away from Munich to the depths of Walchensee Lake, one of the deepest in Germany.

With a host of activities available, it’s impossible not to stay entertained when visiting, whether you surf, sail dive or fish in Walchensee’s waters.

To get a real perspective of the depth of the lake, you can venture up into the mountains the surround it and peer down into the clear water.

Once you’re up in the mountains you can also enjoy a number of hiking trails, including the beautiful pine tree-lined Mittenwald.

14. Partnach Gorge

Declared as a natural monument owing to its stunning aesthetic beauty, the Partnach Gorge offers an immersive adventure into the middle of the gorge along winding walkways that take you down cliff side paths and through waterfalls.

Make sure you wear clothes that you’re prepared to get a little wet!

15. Regensburg

Less than 2 hours away from Munich is a world famous, UNESCO listed World Heritage Site that sits on the banks of the River Danube.

A truly remarkable city with roots dating back to 179 AD, the riverside city flourished from the regular trade routes established after the Stone Age and as a result is home to some fascinating history and beautiful architecture.

15 Best Day Trips from Munich:

• Neuschwanstein Castle
• Linderhof Palace
• Herrenchiemsee
• The Schleissheim Palace Complex
• Berchtesgaden and Eagle's Nest
• Mount Eckbauer
• Partnach Gorge

15 of the best day trips from Munich by train

Bavaria’s capital is certainly amazing, but it’s the sheer amount of day trips from Munich that make it such a great place to visit. The mountains are just an hour away, there are three large lakes just as close, with amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient castles, and medieval towns all around.Even if you spent every weekend of the year exploring Munich’s vicinity, you’d still not see it all.

Our guest writer, Norman from Années de Pèlerinage, has compiled this list of the best day trips from Munich and you can visit most of them by train in 2 hours or less. There are so many things to do in Munich, but you do not want to miss seeing something of the surrounding region of Bavaria. You could easily stay a full week or more and explore the whole southern part of Germany from beautiful Munich!

You may also enjoy: 20 fabulous things to do in Munich, Germany

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Table of Contents

1. Neuschwanstein Castle

Schloss Neuschwanstein is the most visited tourist attraction in Bavaria. This is the picture book castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle and featured in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Yes, it might be crowded (1.4 million tourists per year!), but it is also beautiful beyond imagination.

This fairy tale castle was built by King Ludwig II and here are three top tips to plan your visit. First, you have to reserve your Neuschwanstein castle tickets in advance . And secondly, you have to walk quite a bit to get to King Ludwig’s castle (or take a horse carriage). And lastly, there is a second castle called Hohenschwangau right next to it, so bring some extra time to see them both.

• If you prefer to have all arrangements taken care of, check out this tour from Munich: Neuschwanstein castle small group day tour from Munich
• Looking for a hotel nearby? We recommend the comfortable and reasonably priced Hotel Waldmann or look at other hotels in nearby Schwangau
• More info: Schloss Neuschwanstein website | Driving time from Munich around 2 hours then park in the village of Hohenschwangau | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Füssen around 2 hours 45 mins, then the bus to Neuschwanstein

You may also enjoy: 3 days in Munich – our itinerary of cool things to see and do

Stay at the Hotel Waldmann in Schwangau

Search for other hotels in Schwangau

Bamberg in Germany is one big UNESCO World Heritage site. If you are looking for a beautiful medieval old town, then this is possibly the best day trip from Munich for you. There are direct trains every hour from the central station and it’s easy to spend a whole day there.

Apart from the famous half-timbered town hall, there is a fantastic palace, quite a couple of small museums, and outstanding churches and monasteries to be explored. Bamberg is also renowned for its many artisanal beer breweries, so that’s definitely one of your best chances to sample an important aspect of Bavarian culture.

• While you’re in Bamberg, we recommend this Bamberg 2-hour guided walking tour to see the old town and main sights of Bamberg.
• Looking for a hotel in Bamberg? We recommend Am Blumenhaus Hotel Bamberg or look at other hotels in Bamberg .
• More info: Bamberg tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 2 hrs 20 mins | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Bamberg around 1 hr 45 mins. There is a high speed ICE train link Berlin – Nuremberg – Munich that stops at Bamberg.

Stay at the Am Blumenhaus Hotel Bamberg

Search for other hotels in Bamberg

3. Regensburg

Regensburg once guarded an important bridge across the River Maine. Even today, you can cross the architectonic marvel from the 12th century into the fantastic medieval old town. Regensburg dates to the Roman times and you can still see the old city gates. Just one of many reasons why it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site today.

You should reserve 3 hours to see the equally famous Walhalla memorial on the outskirts of Regensburg. The neoclassical temple was built to house sculptures of famous German artists, inventors, and politicians. You get to enjoy a fantastic view of the whole river valley from the top, so don’t miss it!

• While you’re in Regensburg, why not book this Regensburg sightseeing train tour , to discover the city highlights with an informative audio-guide?
• Looking for a hotel in Regensburg? We recommend Hotel Luis Stadl or look at other hotels in Regensburg .
• More info: Regensburg tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 1 hr 30 mins | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Regensburg around 1 hr 30 mins.

You may also enjoy: Food in Munich – where and what to eat in Munich

Stay at the Hotel Luis Stadl in Regensburg

Search for other hotels in Regensburg

4. Salzburg in Austria

The beautiful town of Salzburg might be across the Austrian border, but if you are a fan of the movie The Sound of Music then visiting this city is a no-brainer. It only takes 90 minutes by train. There are special tours to the most important film locations – check out the Original Sound of Music tour . But you should also be aware that Salzburg is home to one of the biggest medieval fortresses in Europe.

Read more: Munich outdoors – where to go cycling, surfing and wild swimming

The famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, and you can still visit his birth house. You’ll find it in the amazing old town (which is another UNESCO World Heritage site). On top of all the baroque splendour, there are many ancient mines and caves in the vicinity. So, why not visit the World of the Ice Giants as well?

• Check out this tour with train travel from Munich and a guided walking tour in Salzburg: Salzburg sightseeing day trip from Munich by rail
• Looking for a hotel in Salzburg? We recommend the Boutique Hotel Auersperg or look at other hotels in Salzburg .
• More info: Salzburg tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 2 hours | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Salzburg around 2 hours.

Stay at the Boutique Hotel Auersperg in Salzburg

Search for other hotels in Salzburg

5. Nuremberg

Nuremberg is the capital of the Franconia region in Germany. The city hosted the important Nuremberg trials at the end of World War II and is famous for its beautiful Nuremberg Christmas market right in the medieval old town.

There is a beautiful fortress you can visit, but I personally love the Germanic National Museum the most. Inside, you will find beautiful artworks from all ages, and some outstanding highlights like the oldest pocket watch or the oldest globe in the world. There are also endless masterpieces by artists like Lucas Cranach and Albrecht Dürer.

• If you prefer to visit as part of a tour, we recommend: Nuremberg day trip from Munich by train including train ticket and guided tour of the city.
• Looking for a hotel in Nuremberg? We recommend the Melter Hotel & Apartments or look at other hotels in Nuremberg .
• More info: Nuremberg tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 2 hours | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Nuremberg around 1 hour.

Stay at the Melter Hotel & Apartments in Nuremberg

Search for other hotels in Nuremberg

6. Würzburg

Before 1805, Bavaria was split into many smaller duchies. Some of them were ruled by powerful prince-bishops, and Würzburg was the grandest of them all. As a testament to his sheer absolute power, Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn built a magnificent Residence palace in the first half of the 18th century. The most elaborated stucco works and frescoes adorn every inch of the Baroque masterpiece.

The Würzburg Residence was heavily bombed in the last months of World War II, just like the rest of the old town. But the local craftsmen rebuilt the palace (luckily all the interiors survived) and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site you cannot miss.

• While you’re in Würzburg, we recommend booking this Würzburg sightseeing train tour , to discover the highlights of the old city with an informative audio-guide.
• Looking for a hotel in Würzburg? We recommend the Hotel Würzburger Hof or look at other hotels in Würzburg .
• More info: Würzburg tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 3 hours | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Würzburg around 2 hours.

Stay at the Hotel Würzburger Hof in Würzburg

Search for other hotels in Würzburg

7. Bayreuth

The quaint little town of Bayreuth would not appear on any tourist map save for the outstanding projects Margravine Wilhelmine started during her reign (or rather that of her husband). Missing the splendor of the Prussian court, she commissioned a new palace, a hunting palace (the fabled Hermitage) and a new Bayreuth opera house.

This Margravial Opera House is the single most intact Baroque court theater in the world and words cannot describe the beauty of it. There is so much detail, you’d probably need days to experience it all. This is another UNESCO World Heritage site you can easily visit on a day trip from Munich.

• More info: Bayreuth tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 2.5 hours | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Bayreuth around 2.5 hours.
• Looking for a hotel in Bayreuth? We recommend the Hotel Goldener Anker or look at other hotels in Bayreuth .

Stay at the Hotel Goldener Anker in Bayreuth

Search for other hotels in Bayreuth

8. Augsburg

And talking about the UNESCO, there is one last site you should be aware of which is only 40 minutes away from Munich: Augsburg. The city has a history of 2,000 years and more. For centuries upon centuries, the famous silversmiths supplied the European aristocracy with priceless artworks.

Augsburg is also famous for its waterworks. Ever since the 14th century, the citizens of the free city used the power of the River Lech to supply the old town with the tap water, an unrivaled luxury in the late medieval ages. The system is still in use today and it is quite a marvel to look at!

• More info: Augsburg tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 1 hour | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Augsburg around 30 mins.
• Looking for a hotel in Augsburg? We recommend Hotel Maximilian’s or look at other hotels in Augsburg .

Stay at Hotel Maximilian’s in Augsburg

Search for other hotels in Augsburg

Did you know that the highest church tower in the world is located in Germany? Ulm is only 90 minutes away from Munich and here you can marvel at neo gothic the Ulmer Münster church which is 162 meters high! And the best part: You can climb that mighty tower and enjoy a magnificent view of the whole old town and beyond. There is, however, no elevator, so you do have to climb those 738 steps all by yourself.

• More info: Ulm tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 2 hours | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Ulm around 1 hr 30 mins.
• Looking for a hotel in Ulm? We recommend the Boutique Hotel am Rathaus-Reblaus or look at other hotels in Ulm .

Stay at the Boutique Hotel am Rathaus-Reblaus in Ulm

Search for other hotels in Ulm

10. Altötting

Altötting is quite the insider tip. The town is the most important pilgrimage site in Bavaria and three popes have visited it. Over the three days of Pentecost 30,000 people converge on the town for a candle-lit procession around the town square. I’m not sure, why more international tourists don’t come here, but the place is special! Almost all Bavarian kings have had their hearts buried in the famous chapel of the Black Madonna in the centre of Altötting.

• Read More: A pilgrimage to see the Black Madonna at Altötting
• More info: Altötting tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 1 hr 15 mins | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Altötting around 1 hr 30 mins.
• Looking for a hotel in Altötting? We recommend the Hotel Zur Post or look at other hotels in Altötting .

Stay at Hotel Zur Post in Altötting

Search for other hotels in Altötting

11. Burghausen

Another wonderful day tour from Munich is Burghausen. You can combine visiting Altötting and Burghausen, as the two cities are only a 15-minute drive from each other. Here, you will find the longest medieval castle in Europe. The castle of Burghausen is 1,050 meters long, can you believe it?

• More info: Burghausen tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 1 hr 15 mins | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Burghausen around 2 hours.
• Looking for a hotel in Burghausen? We recommend the Hotel Garni Lindacher Hof or look at other hotels in Burghausen .

Stay at Hotel Garni Lindacher Hof in Berghausen

Search for other hotels in Berghausen

12. Innsbruck

Innsbruck is one of the oldest towns in Austria and has been continuously settled for more than 3,000 years. Today, the city with a population of 132,000 thousand is famous for its picturesque old town (especially the famous golden roof) and the beautiful mountains surrounding it. You could also visit the famous Swarovski World.

• While you’re visiting Innsbruck, we recommend taking this Innsbruck customized private tour with a local to learn about the fascinating history of the city.
• Looking for a hotel in Innsbruck? We recommend the Hotel Innsbruck or look at other hotels in Innsbruck .
• More info: Innsbruck tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 2 hours | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Innsbruck around 2 hrs 45 mins.

Stay at the Hotel Innsbruck in Innsbruck

Search for other hotels in Innsbruck

13. Dachau Concentration Camp

One of the darkest chapters of our history happened during the reign of the Nazis. Millions of Jews and other political prisoners were killed in so-called concentration camps. Instead of the most horrible furnaces, you will find important memorials in these sites. Dachau was one of them, and even though it will be a bit grizzly, I still urge you to visit. We cannot undo the past but we can learn from it so it never happens again.

• If you prefer to have all the arrangements taken care of, check out this tour: Dachau Memorial Site half day tour from Munich
• Looking for a hotel near Dachau? We recommend staying in Munich at Hotel Cortiina or you can explore other hotels in Munich .
• More info: Dachau concentration camp memorial site | Driving time from Munich 30-40 mins | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) around 30 mins. Take the S2 train direction Dachau / Petershausen then the bus 726 from Dachau station to the Memorial Site.

Stay at the Cortiina Hotel in Munich

Search for other hotels in Munich

14. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

I’m sure you have seen a picture of Rothenburg ob der Tauber before. The enchanting medieval old town is extremely famous. It’s certainly not the only one, but for many the most popular stop on Germany’s romantic road. It takes around 3 hours 30 minutes to get there from Munich by train, so it will be a rather long day. I still think it is worth it!

• We also recommend this tour from Munich: Romantic Road, Rothenburg and Harburg day tour from Munich
• Looking for a hotel in Rothenburg? We recommend the Tilman Riemenschneider or look at other hotels in Rothenburg .
• More info: Rothenburg ob der Tauber tourism website | Driving time from Munich around 2 hrs 45 mins | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Rothenburg ob der Tauber around 3 hrs 30 mins.

Stay at the Tilman Riemenschneider in Rothenburg

Search for other hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

15. Linderhof Palace

The famous Bavarian king Ludwig II didn’t just build Neuschwanstein castle. In fact, building castle, palaces, and hunting lodges was basically all he did during his reign. The most intimate palace (and the only one that got finished during his lifetime), was Linderhof Palace. It’s a true gem – not especially large, but very intimate and beautiful with a very lovely park.

• Check out this tour from Munich that includes Linderhof Palace: Day trip to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles from Munich
• Looking for a hotel near Linderhof Palace? We recommend staying in nearby Oberammergau at Hotel Maxmilian or look at other hotels in Oberammergau .
• More info: Linderhof Palace website | Driving time from Munich around 1 hr 30 mins | Train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Linderhof Palace around 2 hrs 40 mins.

You may also enjoy: Tips for seeing the Oberammergau Passion Play

Stay at Hotel Maximilian in nearby Oberammergau

Search for other hotels in Oberammergau

Tips for train travel from Munich

15 day trips already sound like a lot, but in fact, we could list another 50. In this case, we’ve tried to focus on places that are easily accessible by train from Munich central station, because you can take advantage of the Bayern-Ticket or Bavaria Ticket . For 26 euros, you get unlimited rides on the regional train for one day, while each additional group member will have to pay an extra 8 euros.

This is a great bargain and one you really should make use of (especially as buses and the subway in Munich and regional cities are covered by the ticket as well). Just make sure to sign your ticket (otherwise it’s not valid). Regional trains are a bit slower, and there is no bistro on board, so you should bring a little snack and some drinks on your day trips.

As for checking your connections, the website of the German Railway service works like a charm and here you can plan your trip and even buy your tickets.

You should also bring some cash because credit cards are NOT widely accepted in the rural areas of Germany, and ATMs might be a bit harder to find.

So this is our guide to the best day trips from Munich. I hope we were able to provide you with some solid inspiration and ultimately helped you planning your Germany itinerary.

Map of day trips from Munich

Click to view the map of day trips from Munich

About the author

Norman Schwarze has visited more than 50 countries and looks back on over 30 years of travel experience. When he is not reclining in the pool of a fantastic luxury hotel or exploring one of the most remote corners of this planet, you will find him writing about his experience on his blog, Années de Pèlerinage .

You can also connect with him on Twitter , Instagram or Facebook .

3 days in Munich – our itinerary of cool things to see and do

More articles about Munich

Food in Munich – where and what to eat in Munich

50 Best things to do in Munich from Années de Pèlerinage

Plan your trip

Need a guidebook for Munich? We recommend the DK Eyewitness Top 10 Munich guide

Fly into Munich airport where there is a station to take you directly into the city centre.

If you are looking for a guidebook for your visit to Germany, we recommend the DK Eyewitness Top 10 Munich or the DK Eyewitness Munich & The Bavarian Alps .

Need a guidebook for Munich? We recommend the DK Eyewitness Munich & The Bavarian Alps guide

If you prefer to have all the arrangements taken care of, check out these day tours from Munich to some of the places we’ve mentioned.

Photo credits: Neuschwanstein castle by derwiki | Neuschwanstein castle featured photo by iankelsall1 | Hohenschwangau castle by Pixaline | Salzburg by Makalu | Nuremberg Hangman’s Bridge by Bluefish_Japan | Nuremberg in Germany by bboellinger on Pixabay | Würzburg Photo Tama66 | Augsburg in Germany Photo thfr on Pixabay | Ulm by f ietzfotos | Burghausen by Duernsteiner | Innsbruck by Lichtenfels | Dachau by ho visto nina volaire | Rothenburg ob der Tauber by Maxmann and Maxmann | Linderhof by Frenchy3000 | Dachau watchtower by Alexas_fotos | Photos of Bamberg, Regensburg, Margravial Opera House, Christmas market in Nuremberg, Augsburg City Hall, Altötting in Germany, Burghausen castle by Annees de Pelerinage

This article is a guest post* by Norman of Années de Pèlerinage travel blog.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Friday 29th of September 2023

Taking day trips by train from Munich makes so much sense. Ticket packages include attractive discounts this year as Germany promotes this environmentally positive means of exploration. It’s a great way to travel within Munich after a few liters at Oktoberfest, too. Pack light for Europe and find fashion advice for any age on Travel Fashion Girl.

Martin @ Uganda gorilla trekking

Thursday 10th of September 2020

Germany looks beautiful, it is time to tour this part of the world

Naveen Saini

Saturday 20th of June 2020

Hi, I have heard a lot about Munich. After reading the and pictures displayed in your article make me very curious to travel such beautiful places.

Alanna Koritzke

Thursday 18th of June 2020

Gosh, Germany is just so picturesque! I love it! Can’t wait to visit one day!!

Heather Cowper

Friday 19th of June 2020

@Alanna Definitely the land of picturesque castles and charming villages!

Tuesday 9th of June 2020

The well-known Neuschwanstein is one of the best castles in this world, I visited Germany many times but sadly I don't see it.

thanks for the detailed info about it I really appreciate your effort.

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• Journey Planner
• Timetable changes
• Mobile Services
• MVV Cycle Planner
• MVV Ticketshop
• All tickets, all prices
• Tickets & Day Tickets
• Offers for frequent travellers
• Online- and Mobileticket
• Tariff structure
• Buy tickets (alternatives)
• Service centres
• Mobility services
• MVV without barriers
• Visitors to Munich trade fairs
• Air travellers

Single Ticket

The Single Ticket is for a single trip in the direction of the destination. You are allowed to change and interrupt your trip. Return trips, however, are not permitted.

The Single Ticket is ideal for spontaneous journeys with the MVV – and it is even cheaper when bought at a ticket machine by cashless payment. If you're planning more than 2 trips in the Munich city area per day, we recommend purchasing the Day Ticket.

At a glance

Questions & answers, how long is a single ticket valid.

Maximum travel time 1 hour Short Trip Ticket 2 hours Zone M or 2 Zones 3 hours starting at Zone M - 1 or starting at 3 Zones 5 hours starting at Zone M - 5 or starting at 7 Zones

Do I have to validate my ticket?

Yes, you do. All tickets must be stamped prior to the start of your journey. However: tickets bought at ticket machines on trams or buses are already validated at the time of purchase. When using the ticket machines of Deutsche Bahn, you can choose whether to buy pre-validated tickets or tickets which must be validated separately.

How do you count the zones?

If a single trip passes through the same zone twice, then you must pay for this zone only once.

What are return trips?

Return trips are journeys which go in the direction of your starting point and follow exactly the same route as the one you chose for your outward journey.

Save with Cheap Public Transportation Tickets in Munich, Germany

Special discount transportation savings tickets are available for travel on S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains, buses, and trams in München in Bavaria, Southern Germany.

Munich (München) has an excellent and vast public transportation network that smoothly integrates the use of S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains, trams, and buses. Single-journey tickets are not particularly cheap but visitors may save by using special discount savings passes. The Munich Group transportation day card is a particularly good deal for couples, small groups, and families.

Buying Tickets for the Munich Public Transportation System in Germany

Using the public transportation system in Munich (München) is very simple with unlimited transfers allowed between trains, buses, and trams. However, selecting the best ticket is potentially a far more complex matter.

The Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (MVV) offers around twenty different types of tickets, which are further divided into one to twelve different travel zones, which can be divided into up to four further sub-subcategory price classes. Fortunately for most visitors to Munich, the choice can be reduced most of the time to simple single-ride tickets or day passes.

Single-Ride Tickets on Munich’s Mass Transit System

The simplest ticket for the Munich public transportation system is the single-ride ticket (Einzelfahrtkarte) but day tickets usually work out cheaper. Single tickets must be validated before boarding trains, buses, or trams. (Tickets bought from vending machines for immediate use are valid from the moment of purchase and won’t fit into the validation stamp machines.)

The price of the single ticket depends on the number of zones that the journey lasts. For single-ticket purposes, central Munich’s transportation system is divided into twelve price zones, which are in rings around the town center, which is the central zone M. A journey starting in the west of Munich in zone ring two and ends in the east in zone ring two will require a ticket for three zones as the reentry into zone two is calculated as a separate zone change.

Almost all tourist sights in Munich are in the central Zone M, including for example Schloss Nymphenburg Palace, Schwabing, Olympia Zentrum, BMW Welt and the BMW Museum .

Single tickets are valid for up to two hours for zones M and 1 and three hours for more zones. During this time, travelers may interrupt journeys and transfer to different modes of transportation as long as the journey continues in one direction. Return or circular journeys require a new ticket.

Munich transportation single tickets are €3.90 per zone. Children (6 to 14 years old) pay €1.80 irrespective of the number of zones traveled.

For really short journeys, a short-ride ticket (Kurzstrecke) is €1.90. It is valid for up to an hour and for a maximum of four bus or tram stops (or two train stations). Transfers are allowed but no return journeys.

Save with Day Tickets and Group Transportation Cards in Munich

Munich transportation day passes are great bargain deals and most travelers will save with these transportation cards if taking two or more journeys in a day.

Day tickets are bought for specific zones, e.g. Zone M covers the center of Munich (previously referred to as Innenraum). To include Dachau , buy a Zone M-1 ticket, and for Munich Airport (MUC) buy a Zone M-5 ticket (also referred to as the Airport Day Ticket). (The previous München XXL and Gesamtnetz tickets are no longer sold.)

The day tickets for Munich transportation are available in single, group, and child versions. The Group Ticket is valid for five adults (or ten children) and is the savings option even when only two adults travel together.

See Save with Munich Transportation Day Passes for more details on the day tickets. See Save with the Munich Card and All-Inclusive City Pass and save with the Munich City Tour Card for day tickets combining a travel card with discounts on sightseeing. Travelers heading out of Munich may also save with the Bayern Ticket , which covers virtually all local public transportation in Bavaria. The Deutschland-Ticket may also be of interest but note that it is a subscription season ticket with special cancelation conditions.

Home » Germany » Save with Cheap Public Transportation Tickets in Munich, Germany

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Good News for Deal-Seekers This Fall: Travel Demand Has Softened

The post-pandemic rush seems finally to be easing, which has airfares lower and hotels offering more inducements to book.

By Ceylan Yeğinsu Derek M. Norman and Christine Chung

Revenge travel after the darkest days of the pandemic contributed to travel roaring back across the globe, with airlines, hotels and cruises reporting double-digit growth and travelers using their savings, taking on debt or even selling their homes to splurge on bucket list adventures or multiple trips.

Now, at least for some travelers, that furious vacation spending is slowing down. While high-income travelers are still booking luxury experiences and jet-setting abroad, other consumers have been cutting back on travel spending to meet the high cost of living.

Data from Tourism Economics (on behalf of the U.S. Travel Association , a travel group) shows that the meteoric rise in post-pandemic travel spending that began in 2021 has reached a plateau. In earnings calls this month, top hotel chains like Hilton and Hyatt reported less demand by leisure travelers for lower-priced brands, while online travel agencies, like Expedia Group and Booking Holdings , and short-term rental companies like Airbnb also noted slowdowns.

For those still seeking a vacation or two, that softening demand means bargains — in the form of lower airfare and hotel perks.

“The revenge travel effect is finally receding, and so are prices,” said Steve Hafner, chief executive of the Kayak search engine, adding that the fall season will be an ideal time for travelers to “snag up a deal.”

Lodging costs stay steady, but perks abound

The hotel industry in the United States has reported a mostly flat performance this year , according to CoStar Group , a real estate analytics company.

“One thing we see across both sectors — both hotels and short-term rentals — is those listings that are the lowest price, attractive to lower-tier consumers, we’re seeing weakness,” said Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA , a short-term rental data and analytics company.

More incentives to book, like room upgrades, are being offered to travelers, particularly loyalty-group members.

“There are more hotels than ever before offering perks with stays,” said Melanie Fish, the head of global public relations for Expedia Group Brands. “They may not be lowering their prices, but they will offer you a bottle of champagne or free breakfast or a spa discount to stay.”

While looking through last-minute Labor Day options on Hotels.com, one of Expedia’s brands, Ms. Fish noticed properties offering rooms with 20 to 30 percent discounts.

A quick search confirms this: One room at the Moon Palace Cancún resort in Mexico was listed for nearly half of its normal price on Hotels.com for a stay over Labor Day weekend.

It’s not just Expedia brands. On Agoda.com, an online travel agency owned by Booking Holdings, a room at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa in Orlando was available for nearly 25 percent off for Labor Day weekend dates. And on Booking.com, one could find a weekend at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas in October for nearly 40 percent off, as a limited time deal .

Booking last minute, one trend that arose during the pandemic, persists.

According to research conducted by AirDNA , last-minute reservations for short-term rentals — or bookings typically made the same week of the stay — have almost doubled since 2019.

“It’s not that consumers are not necessarily going to book that trip for Thanksgiving or Christmas, it just appears that they have not booked it yet,” said Ellie Mertz, chief financial officer at Airbnb, during the company’s early August earnings call .

Air travel: Lower prices and more seats

Though demand for air travel has continued to surge in 2024, with international and domestic traffic matching 2019 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association , bookings made in June and July for the months ahead slowed down, especially for domestic travel.

“A likely explanation is a return to prepandemic levels of growth,” the trade group wrote in a recent report.

Looking toward the fall, ticket prices are lower than last year and cabin capacity remains high.

In the United States, carriers have been flying more passenger seats this year compared to last year, according to global travel data provider OAG .

“Now, we’re seeing the scale tipped in the other direction, with more flights scheduled than demand,” said Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokeswoman at Going , a travel company that monitors airfare deals.

Airfare for international flights leaving from the United States this fall is down about 3 percent compared to last year, according to Airlines Reporting Corporation, which processes the sale of tickets between airlines and travel agencies.

Domestic airfare will remain under 2023 levels for the rest of the year, according to the booking platform Hopper . The average price for a round-trip ticket in September is $240, 8 percent below the average in September 2023.

“We expect airfare to remain low through this fall before rising into the holiday season,” said Hayley Berg, the lead economist at Hopper.

Among the fall deals are round-trip flights in early October, operated by Alaska Airlines between Los Angeles to Honolulu for under $300. An international round-trip airfare from New York to Lisbon with Tap Air Portugal costs about $500. Southwest Airlines is running a fall sale , with one-way domestic flights for as low as $39, and American Airlines is advertising discounted fares to South America , including a flight from Chicago to Bogotá for a little over $300.

Get more for your money by booking a cruise?

While travel demand is decreasing for some sectors, it’s not going away.

“People aren’t going to stop traveling,” said Ms. Fish, of Expedia. “They may book closer to when they’re going to travel. They may take a less ambitious trip. They may star down their hotel stays.”

One sector of the travel industry — cruises — has reported record demand this year, in part by drawing in passengers seeking all-inclusive packages more affordable than land-based vacations.

By the end of 2024, 34.7 million passengers are expected to sail on a cruise, almost 5 million more than the 29.7 million passengers who sailed in 2019, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s trade group. Cruise capacity is forecast to increase by 10 percent from 2024 to 2038.

Lisa Trembley, 34, a behavior therapist from North Carolina, recently booked her first cruise for next May, in the Mediterranean with Norwegian Cruise Lines. The itinerary includes stops at European hot spots like Cannes in France, Corfu in Greece and Sicily.

“If I’m going to go all the way to Europe, I want to see as much of it as I can, but booking individual hotels and trains and flights is unaffordable,” Ms. Trembly said. “I never considered a cruise before, because they are kind of corny, but several friends have recommended it. It’s easy and good value for money, so I will try it.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Ceylan Yeğinsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

Derek M. Norman is a senior news assistant for the International section of The Times. More about Derek M. Norman

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

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