A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers London vs. Munich for Attractions, Nightlife, Music, and Families

Should you visit London or Munich?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Munich can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a iconic, global, and international city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Munich

Munich is a high energy, multicultural, and economically thriving city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

London and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Munich?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Munich. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is more touristy than Munich and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

Big Ben

How is London different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

London is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put London on the map. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Is London or Munich Better for Theater?

London is a must-visit destination for its shows and theatre. However, Munich is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Munich is not a theatre destination.

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

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

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Munich makes for a great culinary experience. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is London or Munich Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both London and Munich.

London is a must-see party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Munich is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Is London or Munich Better for Music?

London and Munich are both destinations where visitors can find terrific live music.

London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Munich is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Munich?

If you're looking to go shopping, London and Munich both offer plenty of terrific spots.

Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Munich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Is London or Munich Better for Christmas?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas activities. However, Munich does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, London is not to be missed. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Munich does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Munich Better for Christmas Markets?

London is a must-visit destination for its Christmas markets. However, Munich does not offer Christmas markets.

The active Christmas markets during the holiday season make London very popular during this season. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Munich does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Munich Better for Families?

London is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Munich is a very family-friendly destination. 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 London or Munich Better for Couples?

London is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Munich is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Is London or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both London and Munich are terrific places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit London, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Munich is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is London or Munich Better for Students?

For students, both London and Munich are terrific places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Munich is a great destination for students. 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.

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

London and Munich both offer terrific public transit to get you around.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of London can take you anywhere. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Munich has a great public transit system. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

Is London or Munich a more walkable city?

London is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around London on foot is easy. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or London?

How long in London or Munich?

In either London or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in London than Munich because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Munich 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 London.

One day in London or Munich?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Munich. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in London or Munich?

London is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Munich 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.

Five days in London or Munich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in London or Munich?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy big city of Munich. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, 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 London and Munich, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Munich much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Munich would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munich 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Munich.

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

Which is Bigger, London or Munich?

London has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London or Munich?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit London or Munich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Munich. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

London is cooler than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Munich. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Munich. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, London is around the same temperature as Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Munich during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives more rain than Munich. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and London during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Munich can be very cold during winter. London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, London is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, London often gets more sunshine than Munich. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in January than Munich. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Munich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Munich. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Munich because of the activities around the city.

London is cooler than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Munich during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Munich. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and London