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

Should you visit Munich or Chicago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Chicago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Munich

Munich is a bustling, high energy, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chicago

Chicago is a vibrant, multicultural, and edgey city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Munich and Chicago: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Chicago?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chicago than Munich. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. Chicago is famous for its thriving sports scene, its iconic local cuisine, and its world class shopping at the Magnificent Mile. It is also well known for The Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower).

How is Munich different from Chicago?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chicago 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 Chicago on the map. There are countless landmarks, museums, and iconic sights in the area. Some of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Notable landmarks include the famous Willis Tower - formerly the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the iconic Cloud Gate (the bean).

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 Munich or Chicago Better for Theater?

Chicago 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 Chicago. Theater is big here with many of the major Broadway productions visiting the city. There is also an endless list of smaller, local theaters to choose from.

Munich is not a theatre destination.

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

Chicago is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chicago is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. With everything from award-winning luxury restaurants to local dives, this city has something for everyone. It also has very distinct local flavors and dishes that create an identity and bring great pride to the locals. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Munich and Chicago.

Munich is a world class 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.

Chicago is a must-see party destination. It has a wide range of activities at night, with everything from theater and comedy clubs to dance venues, sporting events, and local bars. It's easy to fill many evenings with whatever activity appeals to you. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Munich or Chicago.

In Munich you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Chicago is known as a music capital around the world. The city is the birthplace of such interesting styles as modern gospel and the Chicago style blues.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Beaches?

Chicago is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Munich is not a beach destination.

Chicago has a beach worth visiting. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake. If the weather is nice, it's a great area to spend some time.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Chicago?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Chicago and Munich.

Munich is a world class destination for shoppers. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chicago. There are countless neighborhoods that are filled with boutiques, local vendors, and art galleries. The city has some of the country's best shopping opportunities, and the most notable area is the famous Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Christmas?

Chicago is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Munich does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Chicago. There's a number of seasonal celebrations, ice skating, and excellent shopping.

Munich does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Christmas Markets?

Chicago is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Munich does not offer Christmas markets.

Chicago has Christmas markets worth visiting. Shopping is a highlight of a trip to the city, and the Christkindlmarkt is not to be missed.

Munich does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Families?

Chicago 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.

Chicago is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city has a large number of activities for kids, including zoos, Shedd Aquarium, impressive children's museums, and large and elaborate playgrounds in Millennium Park. It's easy to keep kids entertained in this very kid-focused city.

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 Munich or Chicago Better for Couples?

Munich is a great destination for couples. Also, Chicago is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Chicago is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods. There are many varied restaurants and entertainment options that make for a great date night. There are also sporting events, parks, and gardens where couples can explore.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is renowned for backpackers. Also, Chicago is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Munich is a very popular city to visit 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Chicago. The city doesn't have a huge backpacker vibe, but it does have a number of hostels that help keep costs in check.

Is Munich or Chicago Better for Students?

Munich and Chicago are terrific places to visit for students.

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.

Chicago is a very popular city for students. The city has a large number of universities that bring in students from around the country and around the globe. It's a huge international city with economic ties and many opportunities connected to the universities.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Munich and Chicago.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Chicago can take you anywhere. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.

Is Munich or Chicago a more walkable city?

Munich and Chicago both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Chicago is very walkable. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chicago or Munich?

How long in Munich or Chicago?

In either Munich or Chicago, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Chicago has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Chicago than Munich. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 3-5 days is enough time in Chicago.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than Chicago 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 Munich or Chicago?

Because Munich is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Munich or Chicago?

Because Munich is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Munich has to offer.

Chicago 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.

Five days in Munich or Chicago?

Munich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Munich has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chicago. 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 Munich or Chicago?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Munich. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the cosmopolitan big city of Chicago. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Munich much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Munich is in Europe and Chicago is in North America, 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 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or Chicago?

Chicago has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Munich and Chicago, 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 Munich or Chicago?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Munich or Chicago in the Summer?

Both Chicago and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Munich is cooler than Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. Munich usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In July, Munich usually receives less rain than Chicago. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Munich or Chicago in the Autumn?

Both Chicago and Munich during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.

In the autumn, Munich is cooler than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Munich in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).

In the autumn, Munich often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets less rain in October than Chicago. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Chicago in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Chicago. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chicago. It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. In January, Munich is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Munich average around -1°C (31°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

Munich usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during winter. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Chicago. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Munich or Chicago in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Munich as well as Chicago. Many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Chicago in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Munich is around the same temperature as Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In the spring, Munich often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chicago. Munich usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chicago and Munich