Should you visit Munich or Hamburg?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Hamburg, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.
Hamburg
Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.
Which city is cheaper, Hamburg or Munich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Munich is €116, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is €93. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Munich and Hamburg in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Munich is about €138 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Hamburg's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is €86. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is €43.
Food
Munich food costs typically run travelers around €22 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
The price of a meal in Hamburg can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €28 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Munich €22
Hamburg €28
Typical Food prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.
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Munich Traditional Bavarian Culture, Beer And Food Tour Including Traditional Bavarian Dress:
$200
Typical Food prices in Hamburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:
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Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls
€15
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Currywurst and Pommes Frites
€5.00
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Donner Kebab and Coke
€6.00
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Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer
€15
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Donner Kebab Lunch
€4.00
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Sandwich and Coffee Break
€6.00
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Fish Sandwich from Fish Market
€3.50
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Coffee and Donut
€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.
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Historic Reeperbahn Tour with Optional Dinner in Hamburg:
$38
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St. Georg Hamburg - Food Tour:
$45
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HafenCity & Elbphilharmonie - Food Tour:
$50
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Sternschanze Hamburg - Food Tour:
$53
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St. Pauli - Food Tour:
$53
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Eat Like A Local : Hamburg Private Food Tour With Tastings:
$146
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €15 per day to get around in Munich.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €23 per day to get around in Hamburg.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Munich
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Munich:
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Single Zone Trip on Subway
€2.30
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Inner District Subway Day Pass
€5.20
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City transport day ticket
€11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:
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EXCLUSiVE OKTOBERFEST & Munich Sightseeing in Comfort Minivan + extra Transfer:
$429
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Exclusive Private Ski Course with success guarantee & Transfer to ski area from Munich:
$496
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From Munich to Frankfurt Airport - Private transfer - punctual & friendly Driver:
$344
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Friedrichshafen Airport to Munich City - One Way:
$452
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Memmingen Allgau Airport to Munich City - One Way:
$341
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Salzburg Airport to Munich City - One Way:
$322
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Munich - Budapest Transfer:
$523
-
Munich Airport Transfer:
$124
-
Munich Airport Transfer:
$182
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Munich Airport Transfers : Munich City to Munich Airport MUC in Business Car:
$112
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Munich Airport Transfers : Munich City to Munich Airport MUC in Luxury Car:
$172
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Munich Airport Transfers: Munich City to Munich Airport MUC in Luxury Van:
$124
Typical Local Transportation prices in Hamburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:
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Airport Transfer Luxury Van 8-seater:
$299
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Airport transfer executive sedan:
$148
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Airport-Transfer First Class:
$198
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Airport-Transfer Premium Van:
$180
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Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg City:
$59
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Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg City:
$77
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Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport XFW to Hamburg City:
$87
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Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport XFW to Hamburg City:
$105
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Deluxe Private Transfer From Hamburg City to Berlin City:
$249
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Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport HAM:
$77
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Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport HAM:
$62
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Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport XFW:
$87
Is it cheaper to fly into Munich or Hamburg?
Prices for flights to both Hamburg and Munich change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €23 per person, per day in Munich. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €31 per person, per day in Hamburg. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Typical Entertainment prices in Munich
Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Munich
Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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SEA LIFE Munich Admission Ticket:
$18
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Discover Munich 2-Hour Small Group Walking Tour:
$19
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Call of the Isarnixe Tour:
$21
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Skip the Line: Hard Rock Cafe Munich:
$24
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Munich Card (Group) with public transport: Save at attractions & tours!:
$33
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Nazi History 2-Hour Small Group Walking Tour:
$35
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Munich (Professional Guides) 7 Guided Walking Tours:
$40
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Private and personalized experience: see Munich with a local:
$69
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The Old Court Chapel including museum tour:
$72
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The Ultimate Munich History Experience: Private & Personalized:
$110
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The Absolutely Must See Sights in Munich - 4-hour Private Walking Tour:
$117
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History & Food - Private Walking Tour Munich 4 hours with English-speaking guide:
$117
Typical Entertainment prices in Hamburg
Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Hamburg
Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Panoptikum Hamburg Ticket:
$8.58
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Hamburg Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
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City Cruise on Alster Lake:
$18
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Express outer Elbphilharmonietour:
$19
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GROUP TICKETS HOP-ON HOP-OFF City Tour by Bus:
$20
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Hop-On Hop-Off Tour - Yellow Double Decker - GROUP TICKETS:
$20
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City Tour of Hamburg with Hop-On, Hop-Off Ticket:
$22
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Line A Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour:
$22
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Hop-On/ Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour Classic Line:
$22
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City Walking Tour JEWISH HAMBURG:
$22
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City Walking Tour DEADLY KIEZ:
$22
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Hop-on Hop-off Tour by Bus:
$23
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Munich may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €29 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Hamburg may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €14 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:
Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:
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Hamburg Pub Crawl: 4 Bars, 1 Shot per Bar:
$14
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Corona Pub Crawl with special drinks:
$62
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Private guided Club & Pub tour - Pub Crawl:
$358
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and Hamburg, we can see that Munich is more expensive. And not only is Hamburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hamburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hamburg 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 Hamburg.
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