Munich is an orderly city and it rewards knowing the rules. Almost nothing here is difficult, but a first visitor can waste a surprising amount of a short trip working out the ticket zones or standing in the wrong queue.
Twenty-nine things, grouped by when they become relevant.
Before you go
The old town is small
Almost everything inside the ring is walkable in twenty minutes. Choose accommodation on that basis rather than by distance from a station.
Late spring and early autumn are the sweet spots
Warm enough for the beer gardens, quiet enough to get a table.
Book far ahead for the autumn festival
The city fills completely for two weeks and prices reflect it.
Winter is cold but very pleasant
The Christmas markets run through December and the museums are at their emptiest.
Bring shoes for cobbles
The old town is paved in them and the surface is uneven.
Carry a rain layer year round
Alpine weather arrives quickly and leaves just as fast.
Money and opening hours
Carry cash
Germany is more cash-oriented than most of western Europe, and small places may not take cards at all.
Almost everything closes on Sunday
Shops and many supermarkets shut entirely. Museums, parks and restaurants stay open.
Bakeries open very early
They are the reliable Sunday breakfast, and often the best one. Bottle deposits are refundable at the supermarket machine rather than the bin.
Getting around
One ticket covers everything
Underground, suburban rail, tram and bus run on a single zoned system.
Validate before boarding
Stamp the ticket in the machine on the platform or in the vehicle. There are no barriers, and inspections are frequent.
The day ticket usually wins
If you plan three or more journeys, it costs less than singles.
The airport is on the suburban network
Two lines run into the centre and take about forty minutes.
Cycling is genuinely practical
The city has a dense network of marked lanes and hire schemes are widespread.
Stay off the cycle lane on foot
It is usually the red strip beside the pavement, and cyclists will not slow down.
Beer halls and beer gardens
Tables are shared
Ask whether a seat is free and sit down. This is the normal thing to do and makes eating alone easy.
A reserved sign means reserved
Look for the small marker on the table before sitting.
In many beer gardens you may bring your own food
The rule applies to the self-service section with plain tables, not the served area with cloths.
Order by the litre or the half
The large glass is the default in gardens; the smaller measure is entirely acceptable.
Wheat beer is the local speciality
Served in a tall vase-shaped glass, and poured slowly.
Toast before drinking
Eye contact, a light touch of glasses, then drink. Skipping it is noticed.
Museums and days out
Many state museums have a reduced Sunday rate
It is the busiest day as a result, so arrive at opening.
The mountains are an hour away
Regional trains reach the Alpine foothills easily as a day trip.
Book castle entry in advance
Timed tickets for the famous castles sell out, especially in summer.
The memorial site north of the city is a serious visit
Allow most of a day and do not schedule anything cheerful immediately afterwards.
Travelling alone
Solo dining is unremarkable here
Shared tables and counter seating make it entirely normal.
Public transport runs late
Night services cover the city at weekends, and the centre stays busy.
English is widely spoken
But opening with a German greeting changes the temperature of the conversation.
Give yourself one unplanned afternoon
The Englischer Garten absorbs it happily.
Munich is a city where knowing four or five conventions makes everything else easy. Learn the ticket system and the beer-garden rule and the rest takes care of itself.