A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Munich for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Canberra or Munich?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Canberra or Munich? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a diverse, under-rated, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Munich

Munich is a economically thriving, bustling, and high energy city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Canberra and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Canberra or Munich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Munich than Canberra, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Munich is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Canberra is known for its hiking. Munich is more touristy than Canberra and is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace. Canberra is popular for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

How is Canberra different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Munich and Canberra. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Canberra or Munich?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Canberra and Munich.

Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Many visitors head to Munich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Is the Food Better in Canberra or Munich? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Canberra and Munich.

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Dining out in Munich is an experience not to be missed. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Munich is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Munich is a must-see party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Music?

Munich is terrific for its live music scene. However, Canberra is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Munich. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Canberra is not a live music destination.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Hiking?

Canberra is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Munich is not a hiking destination.

Canberra has hiking trails worth exploring. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Munich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Munich?

Munich is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Munich draws large crowds to its stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Many visitors go to Canberra to go shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or Munich.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Munich is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Couples?

Munich is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Munich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Munich is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Students?

Munich is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Munich. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Canberra is very popular with students. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Is Canberra or Munich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Munich is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Munich can take you anywhere. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Canberra or Munich a more walkable city?

Munich is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Munich is a very walkable city. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Munich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Munich or Canberra?

How long in Canberra or Munich?

In either Canberra or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Canberra because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Canberra, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

Families should spend more time in Munich than Canberra. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Munich, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Munich than Canberra. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Munich that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Canberra if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Munich.

One day in Canberra or Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Canberra. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Munich is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Canberra or Munich?

Canberra is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Munich is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Munich, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or Munich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Canberra. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Munich is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Munich, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Canberra or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Canberra. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Munich is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Canberra and Munich, we can see that Munich is more expensive. And not only is Canberra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific and Munich is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Canberra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Canberra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich than you might in Canberra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is Munich Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra and Munich, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Canberra or Munich?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Munich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Canberra or Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich and Canberra during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Munich in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Canberra is around the same temperature as Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Canberra in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F)in July.

Canberra usually gets more rain in January than Munichin July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Munich. Many visitors come to Canberra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In April, Canberra is generally much warmer than Munichin October. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 17°C (63°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Canberra gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Canberra usually receives more rain than Munichin October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Canberra or Munich in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Munich. Most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Munich can be very cold. Canberra is much warmer than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F)in January.

Canberra usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Munichin January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Canberra or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

In the spring, Canberra is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Canberra in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F)in April.

In October, Canberra usually receives more rain than Munichin April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and Canberra