Munich (München) is the most beautiful, richest and most expensive city in Germany. At the same time, it is one of the most livable cities for students — because it is not just an academic city, but a city of life.
Bavarian culture, beer gardens, the Alps, the Englischer Garten, museums, nightlife, döner shops, festivals — Munich has everything. It has only one problem: it is expensive.
In this guide, you will find all the activities students studying at TUM or LMU in Munich can do, the cost of living, social life and the hidden corners of Munich.
Munich: The City's Structure and Student Districts
- Marienplatz: The heart of the city (tourism, shopping, nightlife)
- Schwabing: Young and lively (university, culture, bars)
- Maxvorstadt: Art and museums (near LMU)
- Neuhausen: Families and a quieter life (comfortable, secluded)
- TUM Garching: About 20 km away from the city, with an off-campus feel
- LMU Ludwigstraße: 2 km from the city center (Schwabing)
- Science/Engineering: Garching, farther away
- Dormitories: Schwabing, Garching, Maxvorstadt
- WGs: Schwabing, Sendling, Bogenhausen
- Apartments: Expensive, usually in outlying districts
Cost of Living in Munich
| Expense | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 500-900 € |
| Food | 250-400 € |
| Transport | 70 € (Semesterticket) |
| Social/Entertainment | 150-300 € |
| Other | 100-150 € |
| Total | 1.200-1.800 € |
Expensive things:
- Accommodation: A 600 € WG is equivalent to a dormitory price in the Ruhr
- Eating out: Pizza 15 €, döner 10 €
- Cafés: Coffee 4-5 € (everywhere)
- Nightlife: Beer 7 €, club entry 10-15 €
- Cinema: 12-15 € ticket
Cheap things:
- Museums: 1 € on Sundays
- Gardens: Englischer Garten is free
- Sports: University sports are free
- Library: The university library is free
- Oktoberfest: Entry is free (a mug of beer ~15 €)
- Walking: Strolling all over the city is free
Activities to Do in Munich: 30+ Ideas
Nature: The Alps and Gardens
- Englischer Garten (English Garden): One of the largest city parks in the world, free; swimming in the river in summer, colorful leaves in autumn
- The Alps (30-60 km): Garmisch-Partenkirchen (mountaineering), Eibsee, Neuschwanstein Castle (10-20 € train + tour)
- Lakes: Starnberger See (20 km), Ammersee (40 km), Chiemsee (60 km) — train + bicycle
Culture and Art: Museums and Exhibitions
- Deutsches Museum: Science and technology (~7 €)
- Alte Pinakothek: Classical painting (~7 €)
- Neue Pinakothek: Modern art (~7 €)
- Pinakothek der Moderne: Design and sculpture (~7 €)
- Museum Card: All museums for 2 days for ~14 €; most art galleries are free or 3-5 €
Nightlife: Bars and Clubs
- Beer gardens: Augustiner-Bräu, Hirschgarten
- Student bars: Concentrated around Schwabing
- Clubs: Blitz Club (techno/house), P1 (luxury), Muffatwerk (indie), Harry Klein (techno)
- Prices: Beer at a bar 5-7 €, club entry 10-15 €
Sports: Free and Cheap
- University sports: Football, volleyball, tennis, swimming — free, registration is simple
- Mountain biking: Rental ~15 €/day, 10-20 km to the Alps
- Swimming: In the river in the Englischer Garten (free), Müller'sches Volksbad (~5 €)
- Yoga/Pilates: University classes and outdoors for free
Food: Turkish and World Cuisine
- Turkish/Middle Eastern: Döner (10-12 €), pide (8-10 €), baklava and künefe
- Asian: Thai (10-15 €), Vietnamese (9-12 €), Japanese sushi (10-20 €)
- Classic Bavarian: Weisswurst (~7 €), Leberkäse (~7 €), Schweinshaxe (~18 €), Breze (2-3 €)
- Vegan/Vegetarian: Munich has a strong vegan scene; vegan döner (~10 €)
Festivals: Throughout the Year
- Oktoberfest (September-October): The world's most famous festival, free entry, beer ~15 €/mug
- Christkindlmarkt (December): A Christmas market at Marienplatz, mulled wine 5-8 €
- Filmfest München (June): An international film festival
- Tollwood (July-August): A music, art and theater festival (tickets 10-20 €)
Performing Arts: Theater, Opera, Concerts
- Bayerische Staatsoper: World-class opera, student discounted tickets 15-80 €
- Gärtnerplatztheater: Operetta and comedy, more affordable tickets (10-40 €)
- Concert halls: Philharmonie (classical), alternative/indie venues
Socializing in Munich: Building a Network
- DAAD Munich: Meetups for scholarship students
- Turkish Student Community: Weekly meetups
- Erasmus Network: International students
- Sports clubs: Football, volleyball, yoga
Café culture is like a second home in Munich: studying with a laptop is normal, you can sit for hours with a single coffee (4 €) and WiFi is available everywhere.
- Sitting for a long time with a laptop: It is normal
- Slowly drinking your coffee for hours: It is met with respect
- A quiet, library-like environment: It is preferred
- Noise and a crowded group: It is not welcome
Places to Visit in and Around Munich
- Nymphenburg Palace: A Bavarian royal palace, a 500-hectare garden (~7 €)
- Schloss Berg: On the shore of Starnberger See, 1 hour by train + bicycle
- Marienplatz: A neo-Gothic town hall, a clock tower and a Christmas market
- Neuschwanstein Castle (2.5 hours): The world's most famous castle, entry ~10 €, a guided tour is recommended
- Salzburg, Austria (2 hours): Mozart's birthplace, a UNESCO old town — ideal for a day trip
- Chiemsee (1.5 hours): The "Bavarian sea", with a boat tour and islands
- Füssen (2 hours): Alpine scenery and a mountain biking starting point
Adapting in Munich: First-Month Tips
- Expensiveness: You get used to it over time
- Competition: Students are very successful, the stress level can be high
- Weather: Winter is long and can affect your mood
- Language: Although English is widely spoken in Munich, German is necessary
- Do intensive social activity in the first week
- Join a sports club (a social network)
- Visit the museums (inspiration)
- Make friends with someone from Munich
Seasonal Preparation
- Winter (November-February): Cold down to -10°C, heavy snow; a sauna/thermal bath does you good (~10 €)
- Spring (March-May): The most beautiful season, the gardens come alive
- Summer (June-August): 25-28°C is ideal, beer gardens are open, festivals begin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is living in Munich very expensive?+
Yes, but it is livable. If you work with AT11 (20 hours a week ≈ 1.000 € per month) you cover most of your expenses.
Should I get around by car or by bicycle?+
Definitely by bicycle. A car (fuel + parking) comes to 300-400 € per month; you can buy a bicycle for 50-100 €.
Is English enough in Munich?+
It is largely enough, but in many situations German is needed. Start learning German from the first month.
Is it safe to walk in the evenings?+
It is very safe. You can walk comfortably even late at night.
Can I find Turkish food and ingredients?+
Yes, there are Turkish grocery stores. Baklava, pistachios, tea and many ingredients are easily found.
Conclusion: Munich = Expensive but Worth Living In
Living in Munich can be tough on the budget, but in terms of quality of life it is a paradise. The Alps, culture, nightlife, social life and festivals all together. It is expensive, yes, but it is worth it.
- Economically: Tough
- Academically: Excellent (TUM, LMU)
- Socially: Wonderful
- In terms of nature: Incredible
- Quality of life: The highest in Germany
As the Toedur consultancy team, we offer student-life consultancy in Munich. Accommodation, social networking and activities — we can help you make a successful entry into Munich life. Welcome to Munich; you arrive with money and return with Bavarian culture.
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