A Travel Price Comparison for Germany Munich vs. Frankfurt for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Munich or Frankfurt?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Frankfurt, 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 economically thriving, bustling, and high energy 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. See Munich travel costs.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a connected, energetic, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Frankfurt travel costs.

Munich and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Munich than Frankfurt. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Munich is very popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Frankfurt attracts visitors for its historical sights. Munich is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also well known for The Nymphenburg Palace. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Munich different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Munich or Frankfurt.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Munich can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Both Munich and Frankfurt offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Munich or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Munich is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Munich is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

The people in Frankfurt know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Munich or Frankfurt Better for Music?

Munich is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Munich has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Munich or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt offers a nice historic old town area. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Frankfurt?

Munich is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Munich specifically to go shopping. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Munich or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Munich and Frankfurt are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

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.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly destination. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Is Munich or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Munich is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Munich or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Munich or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Munich and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Is Munich or Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

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 Frankfurt can take you anywhere. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Is Munich or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Munich and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Munich?

How long in Munich or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Munich and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than in Frankfurt. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

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

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

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

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Frankfurt. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Munich or Frankfurt?

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Frankfurt 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 Munich or Frankfurt?

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. 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.

A week in Munich or Frankfurt?

Munich is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the modern big city of Frankfurt. 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 Historical Tours in Germany, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Munich and Frankfurt, we can see that Munich is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Munich or Frankfurt?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Munich and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Munich or Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Munich as well as Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Munich is around the same temperature as Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Munich this time of the year. In the summer, Munich often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In the autumn, Munich is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Munich in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Munich usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during autumn. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Munich usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Munich or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Munich during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. In January, Munich is generally much colder than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Munich average around -1°C (31°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Munich often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Frankfurt. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city.

Munich is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Munich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during spring. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Munich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Munich