Munich
Practical know-how for Munich: when to go, getting around, money, tipping and the small things that make a trip easier.
Plan your Munich trip
- Flight + Hotel PackageRecommended Best option if you want the trip arranged together. View Packages Packages
- Hotels Prefer to book accommodation separately? View Hotels Hotels
- Flights Already have accommodation? View Flights Flights
- Things To Do Tours, attractions and experiences. View Activities Activities
- Best time to go
- May–October for beer gardens; Oktoberfest runs from late September.
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Tipping
- Round up or add 5 to 10%, telling the server the total when you pay.
- Language
- German. English is widely spoken in cities.
- Plugs
- Type C/F (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.
- Emergency
- 112
Getting there and around
Airport: Munich (MUC). Direct flights from London take about 1h 59m.
Public transport: a single ticket is typically £2.4–£3.2. A day pass or a travel card is usually better value if you ride several times a day.
Money and tipping
Currency: Euro (€).
Tipping: Round up or add 5 to 10%, telling the server the total when you pay.
Take a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees if you can, carry a little cash for markets and small cafés, and when a machine offers to charge you in pounds, choose the local currency.
Typical daily spend: see the Munich cost guide.
Language, culture and daily rhythm
Language: German. English is widely spoken in cities.
Rhythm of the day: Almost all shops are closed on Sundays. Many cafés and smaller places still prefer cash.
- Carry some cash: card-only is not universal.
- Many bottles carry a small deposit (Pfand) you can get back at supermarkets.
- Validate public transport tickets and always carry proof of payment.
Booking ahead and saving money
Book ahead: Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip. These are best reserved in advance.
Free things to do: 10 of the 14 places in our Munich guide are free. See them.
Book timed-entry sights, popular restaurants and weekend trains ahead. Flights and hotels are usually cheapest booked 6 to 12 weeks out for city breaks, and earlier for summer beach holidays.
Safety, health and watch-outs
Emergency number: 112.
- Ticket inspectors on trams and trains hand out on-the-spot fines.
- Christmas markets are busiest in the evenings and at weekends.
A UK GHIC gives you access to state healthcare in the EU on the same terms as locals, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. Take out insurance that covers medical care, cancellation and your activities.
Practical details
Plugs and voltage: Type C/F (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.
Tap water: Tap water is safe, though restaurants usually serve bottled.
Entry and documents: Entry rules, passport validity and any pre-travel registrations change. Always check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice page for your destination before you book and again before you travel.
General guidance for Germany, written for UK travellers. Rules, prices and opening hours change: check official sources (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, venue websites) before you travel.