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Germany — Stop 1 of 5

Munich

16 – 22 September 2026 — 6 nights

Hire car pickup Oktoberfest 6 nights Bavaria Beer capital
Main Event

Munich is the base for Oktoberfest — the world's biggest beer festival runs Sep 19 – Oct 4. That's smack in the middle of our stay. Check the dedicated page for tent reservations, tips, and what to wear.

Oktoberfest Guide

Munich (München) is Bavaria's capital and Germany's third-largest city — but it punches well above its weight. It's simultaneously a beer-soaked, lederhosen-wearing party town and a genuinely beautiful city with grand boulevards, royal palaces, world-class museums, and a massive English Garden. It also happens to be the gateway to the Alps, which is why Salzburg is a perfectly doable day trip.

We arrive on 16 Sep via S-Bahn from the airport. We pick up the hire car on 22 Sep — the last full day in Munich — use it for the Salzburg day trip, keep it overnight, and drive to Prague at 5am the next morning. Six nights here gives us plenty of time to hit Oktoberfest, explore the city, and not feel rushed.

Practical Notes

  • Currency: Euro (EUR). ATMs everywhere, cards widely accepted.
  • Language: German. English widely spoken in tourist areas.
  • Weather in September: 15–22°C. Can get chilly at night — bring a layer.
  • Airport to city: S-Bahn S1 or S8, ~40 min, ~€13.60 (or covered by a zone 1–5 day ticket).
  • Hire car: Picked up in Munich on 22 Sep (last full day). Used for Salzburg same day, then Prague drive 23 Sep.
  • Tipping: Round up or add ~10% at restaurants. Not mandatory but appreciated.
GR
English Garden (Englischer Garten)
One of the largest urban parks in the world — bigger than Central Park. Has a river surfing spot (the Eisbach wave), beer gardens, a Japanese pagoda, and the Chinese Tower beer garden. Free entry, open always.
Free Outdoor Beer Garden
CA
Nymphenburg Palace
The summer residence of Bavarian royalty. Grand Baroque palace with beautiful grounds and canals. The Palace Museum inside is worth the entry. About 6km from city centre — easy by tram or hire car.
~€15 entry Tram or drive
BM
BMW Museum & BMW World
BMW World is free to enter — a spectacular showroom of current and concept vehicles in a stunning building next to the Olympic Park. The BMW Museum next door covers the brand's history (~€10). Car enthusiasts will love this.
BMW World: Free Museum: ~€10 U3 Olympiazentrum
MK
Viktualienmarkt
Munich's legendary open-air food market in the heart of the old town. Fresh produce, Bavarian specialties, a great beer garden in the middle of it. Perfect for a morning browse and lunch.
Free to enter Mon–Sat Central
DM
Deutsches Museum
The world's largest science and technology museum. Planes, ships, mining, electronics — you could spend a full day here. On an island in the Isar river, 5 min walk from Marienplatz.
~€15 entry Full day
OC
Oktoberfest 2026
Running Sep 19 – Oct 4, 2026. Held on the Theresienwiese (Wiesn), about 1km from city centre. Multiple themed beer tents, fairground rides, roast chicken, pretzels, and a genuinely brilliant atmosphere. Book tent reservations months in advance for a guaranteed table.
Book tent ahead Free entry to grounds U4/U5 Theresienwiese
WT
City Walking Tour
Free walking tours (tip-based) depart from Marienplatz every morning. Cover the Old Town, Residenz, Hofbräuhaus, and more. A great way to get your bearings on day one. Several operators — look for the ones in coloured t-shirts near the Glockenspiel.
Free (tip suggested) ~2.5 hours
DC
Dachau Memorial Site
The first Nazi concentration camp, now a powerful memorial and museum. About 30 min by S-Bahn from Munich (S2 line). Free entry, guided tours available. A sobering but important visit — plan 3–4 hours.
Free S2 Dachau + bus 726 3–4h
BC
Bike Tour of Munich
Munich is very flat and very cycle-friendly. Guided bike tours cover the English Garden, Isar river, and more. Mike's Bike Tours is the most well-known operator — depart from near Marienplatz.
~€30–35 Half day
MP
Marienplatz & Neues Rathaus
The central square of Munich's old town. The New Town Hall's Glockenspiel carillon puts on a 15-minute show at 11am, noon, and 5pm daily. Climb the tower for city views (€3). Everything radiates from here.
Free (tower €3)
HB
Hofbräuhaus
The most famous beer hall in the world. Founded in 1589. Touristy? Yes. Worth it? Also yes. Order a Mass (1-litre stein), get a Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), listen to the brass band. Classic Munich experience. Open daily 11am–midnight.
CentralNo reservation needed
FC
Frauenkirche
Munich's most iconic landmark — the Cathedral of Our Lady with its distinctive twin onion-domed towers visible from all over the city. The towers cap at exactly 99 metres (by local regulation, no building may be taller). Free entry to the cathedral.
FreeCentral
OP
Olympiapark
Built for the 1972 Olympics. Striking tent-roof architecture, great for a walk or jog. The Olympic Tower observation deck has panoramic views on clear days (you can see the Alps). Also home to an outdoor concert stage, swimming pool, and ice rink.
Park: FreeTower: ~€9U3 Olympiazentrum
RP
Residenz Munich
The former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs — the largest city palace in Germany. Houses ten museums. Even the exterior and inner courtyard are impressive. Worth a guided visit for history buffs.
~€9 entryCentral

MVV Network

Munich's public transport is run by MVV. The network includes U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (suburban rail), Tram, and Bus. All use the same ticket system and the city is divided into zones — most tourist sights are in the Innenraum (Inner Ring).

U
U-Bahn (Underground)
8 lines (U1–U8). Fast, frequent, and clean. Runs 5am to ~1am weekdays, all night Friday and Saturday. Great for Oktoberfest (U4/U5 to Theresienwiese) and BMW Museum (U3 to Olympiazentrum).
S
S-Bahn (Suburban Rail)
Connects the airport to the city (S1/S8, ~40 min). Also used for Dachau (S2). Airport single ticket is €13.60 or included in a day ticket (zones 1–5).
TK
Tickets & Passes
Single: ~€3.90 (city zone). Day ticket (Tageskarte): ~€9.20 for one person in the inner zones. Group Day Ticket (up to 5 people): ~€16.60 — great value for the four of us on one day. Buy from machines at any station. Validate before boarding.
Group day ticket: great value
CA
Hire Car & Parking
We pick up the hire car in Munich on 22 Sep — the day of the Salzburg trip. Drive to Salzburg and back, keep the car overnight, then depart for Prague at 5am on 23 Sep. The city centre has an environmental zone — major rental cars have the required green sticker by default. For Salzburg, take the A8 autobahn west.
Salzburg: A8 Autobahn west Confirm AT border cross
Quick Facts
  • CountryGermany
  • Dates16–22 Sep
  • Nights6
  • CurrencyEuro (EUR)
  • LanguageGerman
  • Time zoneCEST (UTC+2)
  • Calling code+49
  • Tap waterSafe to drink
Prev / Next
  • Arriving fromBrisbane (BNE)
  • Next stopPrague
  • Depart23 Sep, 5am
  • ModeDrive ~4.5h
Salzburg Day Trip →
Oktoberfest Guide →