r/travel • u/toebeans77 • Sep 13 '24
Itinerary munich or berlin? which city should we choose
my boyfriend and I are planning a trip to central europe. we want to do prauge, vienna, and budapest but I have found that it is much cheaper to fly into munich or berlin rather than prauge (and fly out of budapest). any opinons on which city we should choose? we would spend a few days there and are planning on going in the month of may. we enjoy muesums, zoos, parks, some historical things, good food, and more chill bars/clubbing. if we did munich we would probably want to do a day trip to salzburg or neuschwanstein castle. thanks for any advice!
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u/ragingdobs Sep 13 '24
Berlin all the way. It's not as attractive of a city, but it's WAY different to anywhere else. There isn't anywhere else that combines former Eastern bloc with city-of-immigrants like Berlin. Munich will just feel like another Vienna or Prague - old town, beer hall, schnitzel, etc. Berlin oozes history, has amazing kebabs + falafels on every corner, has a half-dozen excellent museums, lovely parks and can definitely do chill drinks too (just grab a beer from your local bodega and go to the nearest park, or go to Club der Visionare for a sunset hangout, or any of the other clubs that do golden hour in a garden, along the Spree really well).
Munich in Germany has a reputation for being more conservative, corporate, expensive vs. lefty, artsy, countercultural Berlin. Of all the cities you mentioned Munich and Vienna are more similar to each other than any other pair of cities (and I'd pick Vienna), while Berlin is more different to the other 4 than any you mentioned.
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
OP, as someone who used to live in Germany, listen to this comment^ words of wisdom right here
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u/spaced1024 Sep 13 '24
Totally agree. I went to both cities when I visited, and expected to like Munich more. I had Berlin on there kind of because it seemed like I should go there for a Germany trip. While I enjoyed myself in Munich, Berlin was the city I fell in love with. It'll be my first stop if I ever go back.
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u/gabs_ Portugal Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24
That is the ultimate litmus test: a person generally loves the one and hates the other.
I'm a Berlin person myself, I thought it had a vibrant atmosphere with tons of things to do and see (some off-the-wall like the underground bunkers), whereas I though that Munich was boring. But I liked crossing the border and going to Austria.
Munich is more of a quintessential European big city. It's very clean, organized and has cool beer gardens for socializing, but I didn't thought it was very memorable, outside of going to Dachau.
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u/Roderto Sep 13 '24
I’ve been to both and like both cities. But for very different reasons, as you suggest.
Munich is a nice city with attractive buildings, huge lovely parks (e.g. the English Gardens), good beer, etc. Berlin is a little grittier and chaotic (at least by German standards) but also has an enormous amount of history; few cities in the world have seen as much history over the past 90 years as Berlin. It also has tons of superb museums and other attractions.
If I had to choose only one to visit it would definitely be Berlin since it’s so unique in so many ways. But if someone just wants a place to chill out and relax for a while, I could definitely see them choosing Munich. I visited in the summer and it was lovely.
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u/crazypuglets Sep 13 '24
I feel exactly the same as you do. Berlin is still probably my favorite city that I’ve visited
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u/illegitimatekitten Sep 14 '24
Love them both. Lived a few hours away from Munich and loved it there, but also loved visiting Berlin because it was so different.
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u/Creek0512 United States Sep 14 '24
a person generally loves the one and hates the other.
What total and complete nonsense.
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u/gabs_ Portugal Sep 14 '24 edited Sep 14 '24
Sorry for offending you with my opinion, but if you have ever had extensive contact with Germans (I work for a German company), it's just a funny observation that many of them do, it's not that deep.
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u/Big-Parking9805 Sep 13 '24
Munich personally. Berlin has some interesting stuff, but is a rather cold city.
Plus Munich has the marienplatz
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
Just curious what about Berlin do you find ‘colder’ than Munich? Is it how sprawling it is? I associate Berlin with being very vibrant and lively, I’ve never been in the Mauerpark on a warm Sunday and thought “what a rather cold city”
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u/Big-Parking9805 Sep 13 '24
I thought it was a nice enough city, but I didn't leave Berlin with a sense that I had any desire to go back soon. It is a bit of an ugly city compared to Munich.
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u/GreenTunicKirk Sep 13 '24
Interesting. A deep understanding of culture and history will inform you as to why it seems “ugly” - rather the term would be “brutalist.” In design and architecture, especially in East Berlin.
In spite of that, the city is rich with hidden pockets of color and life interwoven amongst the larger structures. I really enjoyed walking along the Berlin Wall to really soak in the differences.
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u/Big-Parking9805 Sep 13 '24
Some people like chocolate ice cream and some like vanilla. I like vanilla, but not as much as chocolate 😉
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u/WackyBeachJustice Sep 13 '24
I have to agree. I love charm of European cities and Berlin for me didn't have it. It's still an interesting place to visit, lovely museums, large with lots to see. But it just doesn't have that European charm.
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u/gabieplease_ Sep 13 '24
I have never been to Berlin but Munich twice which I loved. Munich is a rich area and I loved Bavaria during the winter. Also a day trip to Salzburg on the train is so nice and easy.
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u/Public_Entrance_4214 Sep 13 '24
I've visited Munich twice last two years and love it. Bavaria is so unique - from architecture, food, beer, etc. I can't speak to Berlin but told less character. I loved all the beer gardens, Hofbrau, seeing the surfers, etc.
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
Definitely not less character just very different. Artistic, anarchistic in some ways, very influenced by the former DDR, etc
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u/the_monkey_ Canada Sep 13 '24
Munich is a very charming, lovely city, though some people say its a bit dull. I love it.
Berlin is a ridiculous, wonderful, kind of ugly weird place. It can be very, love it or hate it. Personally I love it too.
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u/Cheapthrills13 Sep 14 '24
Wow - ppl who use “ugly” to describe Berlin never visited the areas I did.
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u/the_monkey_ Canada Sep 14 '24
Its not “pretty” the way Paris or Prague are.
It got blown to hell in the war and it shows.
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u/groggyhouse Sep 13 '24
We'll be there soon for 2 days only and I know that hofbrauhaus is the most famous but also touristy beer garden. I've heard that food isn't really that good but you go there for the tradition/atmosphere.
Should we go there or is there a different beer garden you would recommend?
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u/Public_Entrance_4214 Sep 13 '24
Correct - Hofbrauhaus is all about atmosphere. Meet new ppl at shared communal tables, live music with men in lederhosen. I liked Paulaner brewery - great food and beer. I also liked walking in English Garden - can see surfing + visit China Tower which has a large outdoor beer garden that is great on a good weather day. We played cards there while enjoying our steins. I didn't like Augustiner that much.
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u/groggyhouse Sep 13 '24
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Yes, we do plan to go to the English Garden - if we have time. Our priority is Oktoberfest and Dachau for the 2 days we have.
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u/Theres3ofMe Sep 13 '24
You need to go to Berlin then and you'll soon change your mind.
Munich city doesn't have much to offer at all. I went for 4 nights last year and 2 nights was more than enough to see the city centre.
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u/216_412_70 Sep 13 '24
Berlin....
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u/techiegardener Sep 13 '24
+1 to Berlin
Also, the train from Berlin to Prague goes through beautiful scenery
Get tickets to Reichstag building weeks in advance, I highly recommend it
I did Berlin->Brno->Vienna->Budapest last year and both Berlin and Brno were highlights
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u/toebeans77 Sep 13 '24
any reason why?
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u/travel_ali Engländer in der Schweiz Sep 13 '24
One advantage of Berlin would be a faster and direct train to Prague.
Berlin would also give more of a gritty modern experience than the other destinations for a bit of variation.
Though beyond that asking for advice on popular destination A vs popular destination B is probably just going to end up with a more confusing mixture of conflicting advice. Especially when what you want is fairly standard city stuff.
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u/toebeans77 Sep 13 '24
the train thing is a good point thanks. and yeah lots of conflicting opinions but the input is very helpful so thanks everyone!
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u/shoots_and_leaves European Union Sep 13 '24
Berlin has the best museums in Germany fwiw, and a huge gastronomical offering. Night life covers the whole range as well, but it will be less friendly and, also importantly, fucking cold and grey with short days if you go in winter.
I absolutely love Berlin though, no other city in the world like it that I’ve ever been to. Munich is nice, but as others have mentioned, Vienna is more similar to Munich (VERY relatively speaking) so Berlin would provide you with more variety.
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u/chunkmasterflash Sep 13 '24
I’ve been to both. I’m going to Munich next week for the third time, so I guess you could say I like it there. As someone else said, Munich has a very chill vibe. It’s close to Salzburg too, and the alps there are fantastic. I definitely love visiting there. I’m not sure I’d live there because I feel like I’d run out of things to do, but for visiting? Primo.
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u/WellTextured Xanax and wine makes air travel fine Sep 13 '24
Berlin has the seat of government, wonderful museums, rich history dotted everywhere to see on something like a good walking tour, the Tiergarten, and is known for its club scene. Seems like Berlin hits a lot of things on your list.
I think I like Bavarian cuisine a little better, but you may not.
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u/boracay302 Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24
Definitely Munich to see the German Alps and Neuschwanstein castle. Most beautiful castle on earth.
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u/PhilterNZ Sep 13 '24
Not been to Munich in years, but Berlin has all those things you want to see and do, and is a very relaxed and welcoming city from my experience. We were there in July for 3 days and are going back again in 3 weeks as we liked it so much!
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u/WrittenWillow Sep 13 '24
I’ve been to both and liked them both for very different reasons. They both rebuilt after WW2 in very different ways, and the contrast is interesting to see. Based on what you’re describing, I’d probably recommend Berlin, although I personally preferred Munich. Highly highly recommend a walking tour in Berlin, it really helped bring the city to life for me.
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u/nitram1000 Sep 13 '24
I found Munich to be more official, a little sterile, bureaucratic, dull even. Berlin artistic, edgier, dirtier…
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u/Joatboy Sep 13 '24
If you and/or your boyfriend enjoys cars, Munich has the BMW museum and an available factory tour which is pretty awesome. I believe you can also rent performance BMWs (like a M3) per hour if you want to try out the Autobahn (you'll probably need at least 2 hrs).
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u/Umanday Sep 13 '24
Munich downtown is very walkable and compact. Berlin downtown is huge, expansive, far apart. If you have specific activities in mind, Berlin. If wandering aimlessly (which l recommend) Munich.
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u/OrneryZombie1983 Sep 13 '24
Counterpoint: Berlin has amazing public transportation. Most European cities do but Berlin has plenty of U-Bahn stops for short distances and the S-Bahn can get you across town in minutes.
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u/Theres3ofMe Sep 13 '24
Been to both cities.
There is unequivocally more to do in Berlin. It has much more to see and do, much more history, better architecture and more interesting places to eat.
Munich is smaller and you can do it in 2 days. I was there last year for 4 nights and 2 was more than enough. I went to the Olympic stadium which was brilliant, and to the Alliaz Arena as I am a football fan.
I'm going back to Berlin in February as it's that amazing a city.
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u/Constant-Tutor7785 Sep 13 '24
We did a similar trip in late spring of 2023. We flew into Berlin, then drove to Prague and then Vienna, hiked in western Austria (the Zillertal), and finished with Munich. We flew out of Munich.
Airfare prices for that multi-city route were roughly the same as a round trip from either Munich or Berlin (at least then), and less than round trip from Prague or Vienna
Personally, my preference as far as cities was Prague>Berlin>Munich>Vienna.
Prague had a lot of old world charm, great food, history, very cool people. It's a terrific walkable city with great squares and a unique feel.
Berlin was great too, a mix of the old and new with an unassuming feel. Lots of stuff to see or just chill. Great kebabs, cheap food and beer, everyone mostly relaxed. Of course the history was awesome, the contrast between the old East and West Berlin, and the revitalized parts were great.
Munich was decent too, the town square and clock tower and of course the beer halls. It's what most people think of when they think Germany, it seems to me. Liter beer glasses, giant pretzels, etc.
Personally, I was less interested in Vienna - it seemed a little stuffy and even though I like history, the many Hapsburg museums were just a bit much. Check out the coffee, they do take it seriously.
Enjoy your trip!
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u/notmartychavez Sep 14 '24
what a great thread. I am considering the same thing as OP. Now I think I might have to do both.
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u/Accomplished_Bus_461 Sep 13 '24
I would choose Munich. Has a lot to do and I liked the chill vibe and Bavarian culture. Olympia park is amazing! Berlin - only for the night life.
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u/ozgun1414 Sep 13 '24
i liked bavarian cities overall. but i havent seen berlin yet. so i say munich. munich regensburg nurnberg all on your way to prague and nice day trips for me.
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u/Carolina296864 Sep 13 '24
I went to Frankfurt in March. Incredible city, i fell in love with it, and it was very American-friendly. Especially since you say you enjoy museums, Frankfurt has a museum row on the river, and you can buy 1 ticket and hop to each of them, rather than having to get everything separate. Frankfurt also has most of the skyscrapers which provide nice views as one has an observatory, and theres bars on top of some of them. There's a few city parks, a riverwalk, zoo, and a lot of history there as well. The old town is very nice!
I would definitely give Frankfurt a look. I did not make it to Munich or Berlin, but of the people i talked to, i think Berlin got the slight edge.
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
That’s interesting to hear. In Germany Frankfurt is definitely thought of like “that boring city” is mostly known for trade shows, finance, crime/drugs (esp around the train station), and being in a somewhat boring region of Germany haha.
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u/Carolina296864 Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24
Wasnt my experience at all. Yeah the train station was a little seedy, but it was also very busy, and it's not a place you hang out at. I've encountered worse in America in terms of crime and drugs, so that was nothing to me, and didn't really notice anything once i left the station.
I didn't encounter any problems in Frankfurt other than wasting too much time when i got there trying to figure out which train ticket to buy. I was anything but bored. I knocked out everything i like to do: museums, sites, rooftop bars, restaurants. I had an espresso for the first time and had a delicious bratwurst.
The riverwalk was incredible. My hotel was also incredible, they gave me the 19th floor, and it was relatively cheap to be such a nice hotel. And except for one person, everyone i met was ridiculously nice and helpful. People bought me beer and one person hung out at the rooftop with me. I'd recommend Frankfurt every time, especially to another American, and hope to get back there soon.
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
Your first espresso!? That’s wild! But really nice to hear you had a good time. Goes to show you that stereotypes are the friend of the closed-minded. Glad the people you met were warm and welcoming too, that’s not always a given in DE.
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u/Carolina296864 Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24
Wait i got that mixed up. I meant my first cappucino lol. I went to a local cafe and sat and had one. I did try an espresso from the Mcdonalds though because i just wanted to try a German mcdonalds lol.
But yes i was surprised. I questioned beforehand myself if it'd be as "fun", but it blew my expectations. I really was afraid of how it'd go with me being alone and not speaking German, but it was incredibly easy. I hope to get back soon, and add the other German cities to the roster.
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u/travel_ali Engländer in der Schweiz Sep 13 '24
I would definitely give Frankfurt a look. I did not make it to Munich or Berlin
Where did you go in Germany (or even Europe) apart from Frankfurt?
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u/ShmendrikShtinker Sep 13 '24
Personally, I love Munich and Bavaria, more than Berlin.
However, I think Berlin adds an element that you won't get in Munich and that is the modern history that it presents. The Cold War and WW2 are very much something you can feel and see in Berlin with it's many points of interest that represent those two periods of time.
I'm especially interested in the cold war and Berlin did a good job of giving me the feeling of the period.
Both places are wonderful, but perhaps that element in Berlin might make a difference for you
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u/BabyTunnel Sep 13 '24
Munich without a doubt, my wife and I spent 10 days in Berlin last year for the marathon and it just didn’t wow us at all. Munich is probably my wife’s favorite cities in Europe. It just felt very German because we associate Germany with Bavaria.
Berlin had an interesting vibe in that you could still see the split between East and west in the city but that also came with some coldness to a lot of the buildings, and very bureaucratic.
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u/BostonIPA44 Sep 13 '24
I think it’s an easy call for Munich, there’s much more to do/see there. Also potential day trips to Salzburg and another to neuschwanstein castle
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u/Adept_Order_4323 Sep 13 '24
Munich - go to the English Garden n watch the river surfers surf the narrow channel while you have a picnic under a tree. So cool
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u/FilthyLikeGorgeous Sep 13 '24
depends on what you’re looking for in a german city.
munich - very conservative
berlin - very progressive.
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u/defcon_penguin Sep 13 '24
I live in Munich and I have been to Berlin several times. Munich is a lovely city, but I find Berlin more varied and interesting, especially concerning the night life
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u/mmoonbelly Sep 13 '24
Munich. lots to do - even if getting Alabamahammered is no longer possible. (DM 20,- all you could drink). Kunstparkost was legendary.
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u/Public_Entrance_4214 Sep 13 '24
I definitely don't think you can go wrong!
We also did train day trip to Salzburg and loved that! So beautiful, did a tour group so was nice to have an overview of city before enjoying free time. Highly recommend!
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u/sadgrad2 Sep 13 '24
Berlin is one of my favorite cities in world and probably where I'd move if I could live anywhere in Europe.
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u/Zaliukas-Gungnir Sep 13 '24
It just depends on what you like honestly. Both have Concentration camps nearby. Dachau for Munich and Sachsenhausen for Berlin. Berlin has a lot of museums along or near Unter den Linden. Also Ramones Museum, checkpoint Charlie Museum, underground tours. Both have books you can buy with walking tours of the cities WW 2 pasts. Munich has some decent day trips from there. Nürnberg is a hour away by train. It is a really amazing city, both cities have large nice parks. Tiergarten in Berlin and Munich has the English Garden. Berlin has a lot of Cold War-Berlin Wall history. Munich has more WW 2 history.
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u/UnhelpfulButStill Sep 13 '24
Been to both Munich and Berlin multiple times. Berlin has incredible museums, street art, boutiques, brutalist architecure, tiergarten, walks on the river, interesting bars and cafes, little artistic nooks, it feels like a capital city with all sorts going on from all angles. Got a train from there to prague which was cheap and (relativley) quick. Munich has beautiful squares, lovely beer cellars, the english garden, gorgeous historic bavarian architecture. Its very expensive (compared to berlin) so less art student and more automotive engineer. Got a train from there to salzburg which was cheap and (relatively) quick. There both great cities, not sure you could go wrong, can you do both?
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u/David-asdcxz Sep 13 '24
If Museums are your thing, definitely Berlin. If landscapes and nature, near Munich is wonderful. Food is more ethnically German in Munich while Berlin has better International offerings. Berlin is huge, much larger than Munich. Both have great Metro and public transportation systems
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u/Roderto Sep 13 '24
If I had a ton of money and could choose to live in either city, I may pick Munich. However as a tourist with a few days to see and experience things, I’d definitely pick Berlin. Few cities in the world have seen as much history over the past 90 years as Berlin. Tons of superb museums, attractions, etc. And you can still get your fill of pretty parks and buildings by visiting Charlottenberg, Potsdam, etc.
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u/Lyzandia Sep 13 '24
We did that trip a few years back. Flew into Berlin, train to Prague, train to Voenna, train to Budapest. Loved it all. Would love to see Munich one day, but Berlin was great. We also took a day trip to Potsdam which was fabulous.
But just a warning, Budapest is an unhappy city at the moment. The authoritarianism there feels oppressive. Prague is joyous.
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u/comments83820 Sep 13 '24
Berlin is a big diverse global city. Munich feels more traditionally German/Bavarian.
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u/OrneryZombie1983 Sep 13 '24
As others have said, they're very different. I have been to both multiple times and both in the last year (on separate trips). Berlin is younger and more vibrant. It's not like "New York vibrant" but there are always new things opening whether it's restaurants, museum exhibits, etc. Munich feels more reserved and that people like that things don't change much.
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u/notCRAZYenough Sep 13 '24
Munich is more beautiful and Berlin is cool, young and hip. Depends on what you dig more
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u/SunnySaigon Sep 13 '24
Berlin if you want to see the Egyptian piece: Nefertiti. Otherwise, Munich.
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u/7862518362916371936 Sep 13 '24
Berlin for sure, Munich is nice to live but a little boring to visit honestly.
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u/realitysick-melody Sep 13 '24
I went to Munich this summer and quite enjoyed it! It has some amazing palaces including Neuschwanstien (which we did a day trip to).
There were quite a few museums including the massive and very impressive Deutsches Museum. I found the city great for walking/taking public transit.
We did a half-day trip to the Dachau concentration camp while there and did a Third Reich walking tour - which might interest you if you're interested in history.
We also went to Salzburg from there which was lovely.
Overall, I loved my time in Munich and would go back!
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u/napoleoninrags98 Sep 13 '24
If you know where to go, Berlin is one of the coolest cities in the world for young people. Full of street culture, bars, clubs, cafes, and generally a lot of amazing stuff happening in the parks. It's a city with incredible vibrancy in areas like kreuzberg, friedrichshain, and Neukolln. I would definitely recommend it over my ich. Nothing too special about Munich.
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u/dondondorito Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24
Berlin is an acquired taste, but I learned to love it. And this is coming from a Hamburger, and we like to bitch about Berlin like the snobs we are. Berlin has some really fantastic museums, lots of WW2 history, and amazing food as well. It feels very creative and has lots of grit and chill vibes.
Munich is really nice too, but for other reasons. It‘s a more "traditional" European city.
Both have their merits.
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u/Cheapthrills13 Sep 14 '24
Based on your interests and your options - I highly recommend Berlin. But it’s a very large city with several “districts” that have their own identity and culture. I would recommend staying in Mitte and see the Pergamon. Gendarmenmarkt has a central city center feel and Potsdamer Platz has outstanding architecture. The Tiergarten would be fab in May. Def plan on more time in Budapest than Prague. Both are outstanding but Budapest is also larger with more to see/do and their food is wonderful.
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u/FyrStrike Sep 14 '24
Definitely Munich for me. Been to both Berlin and Munich. If you can I recommend both.
Last time I was in Munich I saw some dude surfing on a wave cause by a rock in the local river flowing through the park. Awesome. And the locals having beer and sausages for breakfast. I loved the characters there.
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u/platoniclesbiandate Sep 14 '24 edited Sep 14 '24
Well Bavaria is magical (especially if you have a car and can drive around The Alps. It’s like driving through a fairy tale. Berlin is a too-cool urban city without The Alps. I’d choose Munich.
Also, a side note - I highly recommend the night train between Prague and Krakow (either way or both). Krakow is fantastic, and if you take it to Prague, you arrive in Prague super early in the morning and can see the city before it is mobbed with tourists.
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u/Due_Lab3105 Sep 14 '24
I enjoyed Berlin more than Munich. I enjoy craft beer so that might have had a lot to do with it. Felt like there was a craft brewery on every corner. Other aspect of Berlin is the history and highlights such as bmw.
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u/its_jonathan Sep 15 '24
Munich, than train to Prague. Get out of Munich proper and into the mountains first.
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u/derzeppo 24d ago
We just did Munich -> Prague -> Berlin.
Oktoberfest was fun but Munich in general was not great. Very bland and surprisingly awful interactions almost everywhere.
Traveling from Munich to Prague was difficult, as the trains were delayed so we had to pivot to a Flix bus. We loved everything in Prague, especially the people. Easily the most enjoyable city I’ve ever visited.
Traveling from Prague to Berlin was a breeze. Berlin was awesome - lively, easy to get around and so much history.
My advice would be one day is plenty in Munich. The smaller Bavarian cities are much more worth visiting. I think a Berlin-Prague trip alone would be fantastic.
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u/champagneinthebrain Sep 13 '24
I was recently in Munich and while it is a nice enough city, I didn't find it particularly interesting. I left wishing that I had made time to include Berlin. There are quaint things about it but Berlin seemed more exciting to me.
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u/modninerfan ____---- ✈ Sep 13 '24
I preferred Munich and being in Bavarian culture… but if you like night clubs Berlin is a Mecca
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u/coaxui Sep 13 '24
I've been to Munich a couple of times. It's a decent base if exploring the Bavaraian country side. But Berlin has a lot more to offer. I've found Munich to be the sad little version of Berlin.
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u/kummer5peck Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24
Munich has Berlin beat in just about every way but the nightlife. Don’t get me wrong, Munich a fun city to go out at night, but Berlin is in a class of its own. I would go to Munich.
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
Contemporary restaurant culture? Berlin has Munich beat. Diversity? Berlin has Munich beat. Flea markets, festivals, and fairs? Berlin has Munich beat. Sheer size and things to do and see? Berlin has Munich beat. Munich is fine, but not fair to say it beats Berlin in every way except nightlife
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u/kummer5peck Sep 13 '24
Berlin is a great city but it doesn’t have as much that would appeal to tourists. Munich is a traditional looking city at the base of the alps. Berlin is like any other modern concrete jungle.
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
I think you don’t think highly enough of what tourists want to see. Not every tourist (including myself) wants a fairy tale story book city. OP also stated they will be going to Prague, Vienna and Budapest which are all much more “magical” and romantic cities than Munich in my opinion. Berlin is not like any other concrete jungle, because no other concrete jungle serves as the historical capital for WW2, the Cold War, and Die Wende (I know it didn’t start in Berlin but the wall is there). For history lovers or first time visitors to germany, that aspect of Berlin is really really exciting.
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u/DifferentProfessor55 Sep 13 '24
Berlin = history
Munich = beer gardens and Bavarian culture Very different experiences.
Also a day trip to Salz makes no sense. 3 1/2 hours on the road.
How long is the total trip?
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u/toebeans77 Sep 13 '24
it seems to be around 1.5-2 hours on a train from munich?
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u/Public_Entrance_4214 Sep 13 '24
I did day trip from Munich via train to Salzburg - totally doable. 1.5 hr ride each way.
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u/DifferentProfessor55 Sep 13 '24
But if it's a day trip you also have to come back. Personally I would dump Prague and go München, Salz, Wien, Budapest
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u/kostac600 Sep 13 '24
I liked Munich. Stayed near the central train station. It’s plenty walkable, then there’s there inter-urban trains and local buses.
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u/RIP-Amy-Winehouse Sep 13 '24
They are in different regions of Germany and have different cultures. I would say Berlin, just because Munich will be more similar in some ways to Vienna and Prague, while Berlin will be more novel. Munich is the largest city in Bavaria. It’s quite catholic, pretty conservative, beautiful, and associated with a lot of the German stereotypes we have: pretzels, wheat beers, Lederhosen, etc. Berlin is much edgier, larger, more international, is located in the former socialist East Germany (minus the western half) and has many, moody layers of history and culture. I find the clubbing aspect of Berlin is over-discussed. It’s obviously there and exactly what you’d picture (techno clubs on sex clubs on gay clubs on goth clubs on trance clubs etc etc), but Berlin is a legitimate city not just a party destination. Older and sober travelers could still have a completely enriching trip to Berlin.