How Much Does Munich Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Munich is a moderately expensive city, often recognized as the costliest urban center in Germany. Visitors can expect daily expenses to range from $72 / €61 for budget solo travelers to over $977 / €830 for luxury stays. While prices for dining and accommodation are high compared to Berlin, the city provides exceptionally high-quality public infrastructure and numerous green spaces. Costs are generally stable, though they experience significant surges during major events. Planning for current prices is essential for those looking to experience the Bavarian capital without overspending.
Is Munich expensive to visit?
Munich is moderately expensive—expect a daily budget of $72–$977 / €61–€830 depending on whether you choose hostel dorms or five-star luxury.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Munich
$72
per person /day
$243
per person /day
$977
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $217 | $730 | $2,931 |
| 5-Day Trip | $361 | $1,217 | $4,885 |
| 7-Day Trip | $506 | $1,703 | $6,838 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to maintain a 15% budget buffer to cover the 5% Munich Accommodation Tax and the customary 5–10% tip at restaurants. This buffer also helps manage the 'Pfand' deposits paid on nearly all bottled beverages which are only recovered upon returning the container.
How Does It Compare?
See how Munich stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Munich
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Maß of Beer at Hofbräuhaus (1 Liter) Standard pricing for a liter of beer in central beer halls. Can rise to ~$18 / €15 during Oktoberfest. | $14 €12 |
| Traditional Pork Knuckle (Schweinshaxe) Usually served with a potato dumpling and sauerkraut. This is a very large meal. | $25 €22 |
| Cappuccino in City Center Price for a standard coffee in a sit-down café near Marienplatz. | $5.3 €4.5 |
Transport (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Public Transport Ticket (Zone M) Valid for a single journey in Zone M (city center). Short trips (up to 4 stops) cost ~$2.47 / €2.1. | $4.94 €4.2 |
| Single Day Ticket (Zone M) Unlimited travel within the city center (Zone M) until 06:00 the following day. | $11 €9.7 |
| Airport-City-Day-Ticket Covers both the S-Bahn journey from the airport and all city transport for the day. | $18 €16 |
| Lufthansa Express Bus (One Way) Runs every 20 minutes from the airport to Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). | $15 €13 |
| City Taxi Base Fee The kilometer price starts at ~$2.71 / €2.3. A trip to the airport costs a flat rate of ~$112 / €95. | $6.71 €5.7 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Euro Youth Hostel - Dorm Bed Real-time starting price for a shared dorm bed in 2026. Prices can double during Oktoberfest. | $21 €18 |
| Motel One Munich-Sendlinger Tor (Mid-range) Standard price for a reliable mid-range hotel in the city center. Includes high-quality linens and free Wi-Fi. | $140 €119 |
| Hotel Bayerischer Hof (Luxury) One of Munich's most iconic luxury hotels. Features a rooftop spa and 3-star Michelin dining. | $647 €550 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| BMW Museum Admission Access to BMW Welt (the showroom next door) remains free for all visitors. | $20 €17 |
| Neuschwanstein Castle Ticket Add ~$2.94 / €2.5 for the mandatory online booking fee. Tours must be booked weeks in advance. | $25 €21 |
| New Town Hall Tower (Lift Ascent) Provides a panoramic view of Marienplatz and the city. Lift-access only. | $7.65 €6.5 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| eSIM Germany (20 GB Data) Valid for 30 days across Germany. | $28 €24 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Munich focuses on hearty Bavarian portions, with a traditional Pork Knuckle (Schweinshaxe) costing $25 / €22 and a liter of beer at Hofbräuhaus priced at $14 / €12. Budget travelers can save by visiting food stalls at Viktualienmarkt or finding $5.3 / €4.5 cappuccinos in the Maxvorstadt student district.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bergwolf
$6.47–$12 / €5.5–€10Glockenbachviertel · Local chain
The ultimate late-night spot for authentic Currywurst and fries (~$10 / €8.5).
Steinheil 16
$16–$24 / €14–€20Maxvorstadt · Local chain
Famous for their 'Riesenschnitzel' (Giant Schnitzel) which is large enough to share for ~$19 / €17.
Caspar Plautz
$11–$18 / €9–€15Viktualienmarkt · Street food area
Specializes in gourmet baked potato dishes at the famous Viktualienmarkt.
Viktualienmarkt Stalls
$5.3–$14 / €4.5–€12Altstadt · Street market
Grab a Leberkassemmel (meatloaf roll) for ~$5.3 / €4.5 for a quick, traditional lunch.
Sendlinger Tor Falafel Stalls
$7.06–$12 / €6–€10Sendlinger Tor · Street food area
Reliable spot for a quick vegan/vegetarian meal under ~$8.24 / €7.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city features a comprehensive transit network where a Single Public Transport Ticket for Zone M costs $4.94 / €4.2, though a Single Day Ticket at $11 / €9.7 is better for sightseeing. For those arriving at the airport, the $18 / €16 Airport-City-Day-Ticket provides the most economical way to reach the center and continue using local transport all day.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging rates vary from $21 / €18 for a dorm bed at Euro Youth Hostel to $647 / €550 for a room at the prestigious Hotel Bayerischer Hof. A mid-range stay at Motel One Munich-Sendlinger Tor typically costs around $140 / €119 per night, offering a reliable balance of comfort and location.
Accommodation Budget in Munich
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Visit the state museums on Sundays, such as the Pinakotheken or the Bavarian National Museum, when admission is reduced to only $1.18 / €1.
- 2 Utilize the 'Kurzstrecke' (short trip) ticket for $2.47 / €2.1 if traveling four stops or fewer by bus/tram or two stops by U-Bahn/S-Bahn.
- 3 Bring your own food to beer gardens like Hirschgarten; Bavarian law allows patrons to bring a picnic as long as they purchase drinks from the venue.
- 4 Return empty glass and plastic bottles to 'Leergut' machines in supermarkets to reclaim your $0.18–$0.29 / €0.15–€0.25 Pfand deposit.
- 5 Explore the BMW Welt showroom for free rather than paying the $20 / €17 admission fee for the adjacent BMW Museum.
- 6 Look for 'Mittagstisch' (lunch specials) in neighborhoods like Schwabing, where multi-course meals are often cheaper than single evening entrées.
- 7 Drink 'Tafelwasser' (tap water), which is of excellent quality, though you should carry a reusable bottle as restaurants rarely serve it for free.
- 8 Purchase a Bayern Ticket for regional day trips; it is significantly cheaper than individual tickets for groups traveling to Neuschwanstein Castle ($25 / €21 entry).
- 9 Stay in hostels or budget hotels in the Maxvorstadt area to be within walking distance of major galleries and the city center.
- 10 Use the Lufthansa Express Bus for $15 / €13 as a cheaper alternative to taxis, which charge a flat rate of ~$112 / €95 to the airport.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Sep, Oct, Dec
+50-150%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-20-30%
May, Jun
Visiting in late May offers 18–22°C (64–72°F) weather and beer garden availability without the extreme price surge of Oktoberfest or Christmas.
Events to Watch
- ● Oktoberfest (late Sept–early Oct): Hotels can increase by +300%
- ● Munich Security Conference (Feb): Mid-range hotels sell out
- ● Christmas Markets (Dec): General +20% spike in accommodation
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Watch the river surfers ride the standing wave at the Eisbachwelle in the English Garden.
- 2 Watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel performance at Marienplatz at 11:00 and 12:00 daily.
- 3 Stroll through the massive grounds and lakeside paths of the Olympiapark.
- 4 Explore the BMW Welt showroom to see the latest automotive designs and technology at no cost.
- 5 Visit the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) to see its impressive interior and the 'Devil's Footstep'.
- 6 Wander through the stalls and soak in the atmosphere of the historic Viktualienmarkt.
- 7 Walk through the formal Renaissance gardens of the Hofgarten near the Residenz.
- 8 Visit the Theatinerkirche to admire its ornate white stucco interior and yellow Baroque facade.
- 9 Hike up the hill at Luitpoldpark for a panoramic view of the city and the Alps on clear days.
- 10 Walk through the Alter Botanischer Garten (Old Botanical Garden) near Karlsplatz (Stachus).
- 11 View the Feldherrnhalle and the historic statues at Odeonsplatz.
- 12 Visit the Maximilianeum exterior, the grand home of the Bavarian State Parliament.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Dinner at Tantris (2-Star Michelin)
A legendary culinary institution since 1971; the tasting menu is a world-class experience.
Allianz Arena & FC Bayern Museum Tour
Includes a guided tour of the stadium and entry to the largest club museum in Germany.
Bavarian Night Cruise on Lake Starnberg
A romantic evening on the 'Munich's Lake' with dinner options and mountain views.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Munich
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Munich and what they cost
Salzburg, Austria
$34 / €29 by train
$21 / €18
$77 / €65
Neuschwanstein Castle (Füssen)
$34 / €29 by train
$28 / €24
$88 / €75
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but many small cafés and traditional beer gardens still prefer or require cash.
Round up the bill or add ~5–10% in restaurants. For a ~$53 / €45 meal, leaving ~$59 / €50 total is standard.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank) to avoid fees. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high withdrawal fees (~$5.89 / €5).
Connectivity
eSIM: $28–$31 for 20GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$18 / €10–€15 for 10GB (Prepaid)
WiFi: Excellent in the city center, cafés, and major U-Bahn stations.
Use a Saily or Airalo eSIM for seamless data; local SIMs (Telekom) are cheaper but require ID verification.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Munich.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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