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

Should you visit Munich or Houston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Houston, 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. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Houston

Houston is a one-of-a-kind, diverse, and sprawling 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.

Munich and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Houston?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Munich than Houston. While Houston is larger than Munich, Munich has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Munich is more touristy than Houston and is known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA.

How is Munich different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Houston. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

Munich is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Munich or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Munich is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Munich just to party. 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.

Many people head to Houston for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

Is Munich or Houston Better for Music?

Munich is a world-class destination for its live music scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Houston?

Munich is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Munich or Houston Better for Families?

Munich and Houston are both great 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.

Houston is a very family-friendly destination. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Munich or Houston Better for Couples?

Munich is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Munich or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Munich. 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.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Munich or Houston Better for Students?

Munich is a world-class destination for students. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Munich is a very popular place to visit 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.

It's common for students to visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Munich is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Munich can get you around easily. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Munich or Houston a more walkable city?

Munich is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known 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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Munich?

How long in Munich or Houston?

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

Families should spend more time in Munich than Houston. 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 Houston. 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 Houston 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 Houston?

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

A weekend in Munich or Houston?

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.

Houston 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 Houston?

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 Houston. 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 Houston?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the one-of-a-kind big city of Houston. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and Houston, we can see that Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Munich and Houston, 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 Houston?

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 Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Munich is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 20°C (68°F), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In July, Munich usually receives less rain than Houston. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Munich or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Munich during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Munich in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Munich is much colder than Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Munich usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Houston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Houston. Most visitors come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Munich can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Munich is much colder than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Munich in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Houston. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Munich or Houston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Munich as well as Houston. The spring months attract visitors to Munich because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In April, Munich is generally much colder than Houston. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (53°F), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Munich usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and Munich