How to plan a trip to Munich?

Munich is an enchanting destination with its beautiful parks, impressive architecture and legendary festivals such as the Oktoberfest. That’s why it pays to plan well if you want to make the most of your stay. And that’s exactly what we’re here to tell you in this post, where we’ll walk you through the process of planning your trip to Munich step by step.

We understand that organising a trip can be overwhelming, so we want to make things easier for you with essential tips such as the best time to go, how to get around the city efficiently and the best areas to stay. Munich, like any big city, has a range of prices, but with some advance research you’ll be able to find great deals. In addition, we will provide information on practical aspects such as public transport, currency, language and other important details that will ensure your experience in Munich is an unforgettable one.

1. Prepare your travel documents for Munich

We know you can’t wait to dive into the travel guides to start preparing your itinerary, but stop there! Because first you need to make sure you have all your documents in order. Here’s what you need to prepare.

If you’re travelling from a European country, you won’t need a visa to enter; just a valid passport or ID card Make sure they’re not expired if you don’t want to be stopped from getting on the plane. If you’re travelling by road, no one will ask for documentation when you cross the border, but it’s still important to travel with documentation.

There are also other countries that are exempt from visa requirements and will be able to travel on passport alone, including Andorra, Argentina, Australia, among others, including the United States, Canada, and Latin American countries such as Brazil and Mexico.

However, if you come from a non-European country or a country not mentioned on this list, you must obtain a Schengen visa via the online form or at the embassy or consulate for €80. Along with the visa, these travellers must present a valid passport, travel insurance with minimum coverage of 30,000 euros applicable throughout Schengen, confirmation of accommodation, evidence of sufficient financial means for the stay, estimating at least 45 euros per day, and, although not mandatory, a travel itinerary to demonstrate your plans to leave the country.

And remember, if you’re travelling from within the Schengen Area, remember to apply for a European Health Insurance Card, and if you’re coming from outside the EU, check the validity of your driver’s licence when hiring a car. We also encourage you to take a backup copy of your travel documents with you on the free Passporter App 😉

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Munich

One of the most popular times to visit Munich is between September and October, when the city comes alive with the world-famous Oktoberfest, the largest beer festival, which attracts visitors from far and wide to enjoy Bavarian culture, music, traditional costumes, and of course, beer. During this time of year the weather is still pleasant, but expect that due to the influx of tourists, you’ll have a harder time finding accommodation.

Another good time of year to visit the city is in spring, from March to May, when the weather is mild and the city is in bloom, perfect for strolling through its parks and gardens. During this season you can enjoy Fruhlingsfest, Munich’s spring festival, which offers similar attractions to Oktoberfest but on a smaller, less crowded scale.

3. Find out how to get to Munich

Getting to Munich is easy as it is very well connected. If you’re travelling alone to Munich, the most comfortable and fastest option is by plane, but if you’re also planning to visit Berlin, we recommend travelling by high-speed train (ICE), which is only 4 hours away. Our first stop was Berlin, where there are more frequent flights and cheaper options, and then we travelled around the country by train.

All the options for getting to Munich:

• Air: there are direct flights from all major European cities and international connections to Munich-Franz Josef Strauss Airport. We remind you that, with the Passporter App you can compare and buy your tickets directly through Skyscanner.
• Train: there are regional and high-speed trains (ICE) connecting Munich with German and European cities.
• Bus: several companies offer routes from different parts of Europe to the Munich Central Bus Station (ZOB).
• Car: the city is accessible via the German motorway network (Autobahnen), especially the A9 from Berlin and the A8 from Stuttgart. This option is best discarded if you’re not touring the country, as you’ll encounter traffic and parking difficulties in the city centre.

Munich-Franz Josef Strauss Airport is well connected to the city centre. You can take the S-Bahn (lines S1 and S8) which will get you to Munich city centre in about 40 minutes for about €11.60. Another option is the Lufthansa Express Bus, which offers direct transfers to the central train station (Hauptbahnhof) and other key points, with frequent departures and a cost of around €11.

Once in the city, you can enjoy an efficient public transport system that includes U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (suburban train), trams and buses. Our recommendation is to buy the daily card (Tageskarte), which allows unlimited travel within selected zones, making it an economical and practical option for tourists.

The city is also cyclist-friendly, with numerous routes and bike rental stations. And for exploring the historic centre, you’ll be able to walk at your leisure as many of the attractions are close to each other.

4. Find the accommodation that matches your expectations to enjoy Munich

Munich offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to hostels and flats. It won’t be difficult to find a place to stay, but if you want to be sure of a good price, it’s best to look in advance. In the free Passporter App you can save your favourite accommodations with Booking and then book them later.

The city is big, so we’ve got you covered with this list of the best areas to spend your stay:

• Altstadt: the historic heart of Munich, ideal for first-timers due to its proximity to major attractions such as Marienplatz and Frauenkirche Cathedral. More expensive accommodation.
• Maxvorstadt: known as the culture quarter for its museums and universities. It offers mid-range accommodation and is perfect for those interested in art and history.
• Ludwigsvorstadt: near the central station and Oktoberfest venue. Diverse area with budget accommodation, ideal for enjoying Munich’s most famous festival.
• Schwabing: It’s a trendy district full of cafés, bars and shops. Mid- to high-priced, great for those looking for a cosmopolitan experience.
• Haidhausen: A quiet, residential area, perfect for families. It offers a mix of tranquillity and accessibility with moderate prices.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Munich

Two or three days are enough to get to know Munich and its charms. However, the capital of Bavaria is a lively city with a wide range of cultural offerings, so many tourists prefer to spend a little more time and soak up the local customs. In this post you can read more about the city and what to do during your visit: Things to do in Munich Germany

And in the meantime, here’s a little preview of the must-sees:

• Marienplatz: Munich’s central square, known for the Glockenspiel in the New Town Hall.
• English Garden: is one of the largest urban parks in the world. It offers large green spaces, a lake and the famous Chinesischer Turm, an ideal place to relax.
• Munich Residence : The former royal residence of the Bavarian monarchs, it now houses a museum displaying impressive halls, chapels and Bavaria’s rich history. The entrance fee is about €9.
• Deutsches Museum: the world’s largest science and technology museum, with exhibits ranging from nuclear physics to music technology. Admission for adults costs €14.
• Nymphenburg Palace: this vast palace complex surrounded by beautiful gardens was the summer residence of the Bavarian rulers. Visiting the gardens is free, but admission to the palace costs €8.
• Viktualienmarkt: an open-air market offering a variety of fresh produce, local delicacies and international specialities, perfect for a taste of Bavarian gastronomy.
• St. Peter’s Church: this is Munich’s oldest church, offering a mix of architectural styles and a tower you can climb for panoramic views of the city. Admission is free; but there’s a fee to climb the tower

6. Where and what to eat in Munich?

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, a region proud of its customs and culture. During your visit we encourage you to sample the local cuisine, which is characterised by a strong presence of meat, especially pork and beef, complemented by cabbage, potatoes and turnips, creating comforting and hearty dishes. Sausages also play a central role in the city’s culinary offerings, being an indispensable item on any traditional Bavarian menu. You’ll find there’s plenty of variety and each type of sausage has its own unique flavour.

Top 5 dishes from Munich:

• Weisswurst: a white sausage made from veal and pork, typically served with sweet mustard and fresh pretzels.
• Schweinshaxe: pork knuckle roasted to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, often accompanied by sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.
• Leberkäse: literally ‘liver cheese’, although it does not contain liver or cheese, this dish is similar to a meat pie, served hot with fresh bread.
• Käsespätzle: a Bavarian version of macaroni and cheese, combining spätzle (soft German pasta) with melted cheese and fried onions.
• Dampfnudel: a sweet or savoury steamed bun, served as a side dish or dessert, often with vanilla sauce or fruit compote.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Munich

Exploring Munich with a group of friends can be a unique experience as it combines the excitement of discovering the Bavarian capital with the pleasure of being accompanied. Travelling with friends has many advantages, such as enjoying local festivities together, like the Oktoberfest, sharing transport, sharing costs and always having someone to take your photo with you 😉

However, if you’ve ever travelled with friends, you’ll also know that certain challenges or disagreements can arise because different interests can make it difficult to choose activities. The Passporter app offers the perfect solution by allowing you to plan a trip to Munich as a group, making it easy to organise and ensuring that every friend is involved in the process. The experiences of other travellers serve as inspiration, and the platform becomes an album of shared memories thanks to the possibility of uploading photos. We tell you about it in this post: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Munich

• The euro is used in Munich.
• Most establishments accept card payments.
• Early mornings give you the opportunity to see the city at your leisure and have more time to visit its attractions.
• In Germany, the F-type plug is used, operating at 230V and 50Hz frequency. Don’t forget to bring an adaptor if your appliances require different specifications.
• If you are a citizen of the European Union, to enter Germany you will only need your ID card or passport, no visa is required.
• Although German is the official language, English and other European languages are commonly used in tourist areas.
• You can drink the tap water in Germany without any worries.
• While Munich is considered a safe city, it is always wise to take care of your personal belongings.
• To ensure you get the best prices, it is advisable to book flights and accommodation in advance.
• Find out about any events or festivals that coincide with your stay.
• Sign up for Passporter and explore our travel plan for Munich. Using Passporter is free of charge and makes it easy to get travel ideas from other adventurers 🙂
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Munich?

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Munich.

If you have doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Munich