COVID-19: Germany, Bavaria, Munich shutdown beginning March 17th 2020

17. März 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Deals General Getting Around Know Before You Go

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The public life in Munich and Germany in general is shutting down from March 17th 2020 due tom COVID-19

public life as we know it as travellers will change drastically from today, March 17th 2020.
Germany, and with it Munich, will severely restrict public life due to the growing spread of COVID-19. What this means for citizens but also for travellers, I have summarised for you in the following article.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=“50″][vc_single_image image=“1466″ img_size=“500×500″ alignment=“center“ style=“vc_box_circle_2″][vc_empty_space height=“50″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What does a shutdown in Germany and Munich mean?

On Sunday evening, March 15, 2020, the Bavarian Minister President announced that Bavaria, and thus also Munich, is declaring a state of emergency (in German: Katastrophenfall, literally „catastrophe case“ K-case).
The Federal Government followed this decision and decided to implement a complete shutdown for all of Germany.

If a disaster is declared, the government is authorized to restrict public life. In the present case, this has an impact on schools, restaurants, museums, leisure activities, but also on public transport and cross-border traffic.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=“50″][vc_single_image image=“656″ img_size=“500×500″ alignment=“center“ style=“vc_box_circle_2″][vc_empty_space height=“50″][vc_column_text]

What will change in Munich?

Below you can see the effects in Munich and Bavaria that the shutdown will have:

Educational institutions:

Schools and daycare centers are closed. Emergency care is guaranteed.
Universities and libraries are closed

Stores and Shops:

All shops are closed. Exceptions are: grocery stores, drugstores and supermarkets, beverage shops, banks, post offices, pharmacies and medical supply stores, opticians, pet shops, DIY- and hardware stores, gas stations, dry cleaners and of course online shops. Shopping malls are allowed to open shops mentioned above.

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In order to ensure the supply, the shop opening hours were adjusted and extended. The shop opening hours in Bavaria and Munich are as follows with immediate effect up to and including March 30th 2020:

weekdays: 6.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Sundays and public holidays: 12.00 AM to 6.00 PM

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=“50″][vc_column_text]Restaurants, bars and similar establishments:

May open, but only between 6 AM and 3 PM and only if it is ensured that a maximum of 30 people are in a room and that they are at least 1.5 metres (60 in.) apart.

Delivery services, takeaways and drive-in counters may remain open after 3 pm.

Hotel restaurants may continue to open, but only for the exclusive purpose of serving their own guests.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Leisure facilities:

All leisure facilities in Bavaria are closed until April 19. These are swimming pools, saunas, thermal baths, cinemas, conference and event rooms, clubs, bars and discotheques, gaming and gambling halls, theatres, museums, libraries, club rooms, brothels, sports halls, fitness studios, zoos, music and adult education centres and youth centres, sports- and playgrounds.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Restaurants, bars and similar establishments:

May open, but only between 6 AM and 3 PM and only if it is ensured that a maximum of 30 people are in a room and that they are at least 1.5 metres (60 in.) apart.

Delivery services, takeaways and drive-in counters may remain open after 3 pm.

Hotel restaurants may continue to open, but only for the exclusive purpose of serving their own guests.

Service companies and handicraft enterprises:
Can continue working as usual. This applies to craftsmen such as plumbers, and car repair shops, but also hairdressers/barber shops. Nevertheless, these businesses can open at their own discretion. Many of these businesses will not open to protect their own employees.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=“50″][vc_single_image image=“1469″ img_size=“500×500″ alignment=“center“ style=“vc_box_circle_2″][vc_empty_space height=“50″][vc_column_text]

Changes at national borders

The borders to the following countries are basically closed:

Denmark
France
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Austria

Still allowed to cross the border are vehicles/persons transporting goods, especially food, commuters and Germans returning home from abroad.

All other travellers, regardless of their nationality, who have no valid reason to enter Germany will be turned away at the border.

What are „valid reasons“?
Valid reasons include for example medical treatment, funeral of a family member, a required professional activity in Germany (e.g. commuters, seasonal workers, diplomats, etc.) or the delivery of goods.
The valid reason must be proven to the border officials by carrying suitable documents (employment contract, employer’s certificate, order documents, cross-border commuter card or similar).

Is transit through Germany permitted?
Persons who live in a third-party country and only travel through Germany for transit purposes (e.g. from Italy to the Netherlands) are generally allowed to pass through.

Each individual border official is responsible for deciding on entry. He or she decides at his or her dutiful discretion.

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Changes in flight and ship traffic

The German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community created a specific website for all such travel related questions. Information in English can be found under the following link:

https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/EN/topics/civil-protection/coronavirus/travel-restrictions-border-control/travel-restrictions-boarder-control-list.html[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Natural hazards you can encounter in Munich and southern Bavaria

12. März 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

Every place you travel to has specific natural hazards you can encounter during your visit. Some places on earth are safer than others and some natural hazards can really be a pain as they occur often. Here you will find out what to expect in Munich and southern Bavaria and what to do if you’re affected during your stay. But don’t worry. Munich and southern Bavaria are very safe regions concerning natural hazards like floodings, thunderstorms, and severe downpours.

Storms and severe winds

In Germany can encounter storms with wind speeds up to 64 knots (12 bft, 120 km/h, 75 mph). Fortunately, severe storms only occur every 5-10 years. The last severe storms that hit southern Germany were in 1990 (storms „Vivian“ and „Wiebke“), 1999 (storms „Lothar“ and „Martin“), 2007 (storm „Kyrill“), 2015 (storm „Niklas“), and 2020 (storm „Sabine“)

Different storm-names

Like Hurricanes, the European windstorms get names. The European windstorms usually appear during late winter (January – April) or autumn (September-November). An interesting fact is, that the different European weather services name the same storms differently. So if you travel across Europe and you watch the media in different countries while there is a storm going on, you’ll notice that the name changes from country to country. For example, the 1999 December storm was called „Anatol“ in German-speaking countries, but got the name „Adam“ in Denmark, „Carola“ in Sweden, and „December hurricane“ in Great Britain.

In contrast to Hurricanes in the USA, European windstorms (German: „Orkan“) usually appear without rain or thunderstorms. It is actually just extremely windy. Sometimes there can even be a clear sky. Usually, these storms last for one to four days and therefore not that long.

What to do?

Fortunately, severe European windstorms are rare, but there can still be mediocre storms that affect for example air or rail traffic.

There is actually not much you can do as a tourist when it’s stormy. Try to check the local media before traveling. If possible, try to rebook your flight to another destination near Munich like Milan or Zurich and take the train from there (if these airports are not affected).

When you’re about to travel to Munich or Bavaria or more destinations in Germany and Europe and you’re unsure about severe weather, get as much information as possible.

But how to get detailed information about the weather situation, when you’re not able to speak or read German? Just follow these few steps:

Check Meteoalarm.eu. Meteoalarm is a website run by EUMETNET, a network grouping the different European National Meteorological Services – https://www.meteoalarm.eu/
Check the official German Meteorological Service (DWD) website for severe weather warnings: https://www.dwd.de/EN/
If you’re a weather geek and need some in-depth analysis of European severe weather, navigate to severe-weather.eu, where you can find lots of articles about ongoing and coming weather phenomenons.

The Munich taxi system – The complete guide for travellers

26. Februar 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Getting Around Know Before You Go

Learn how to use a taxi in Munich and find out about the costs

Getting around in Munich is easy. The most relaxed and convenient way is using a taxi. But how does the Munich taxi system work and is it expensive to ride in a cab? There are often questions like these popping up in traveller forums. Also there is a fear to get scammed by taxidrivers. So here is a complete guide on using taxis in Munich and Germany. We will have a look at the following questions many travellers have:

how to get from and to Munich airport by taxi?
Are there "good" and "bad" taxi companies in Munich?
Do all taxi companies in Munich charge the same prices?
How are taxi tariffs calculated in Munich?
May I take every taxi in Munich, or are there differences between companies and areas?

I travelled a few countries and realized, that using taxis is something that tourists do more regularly than citizens and they often have questions like these. As a local you know what to to and how to use taxis in your hometown. But especially for first time visitors the taxi system in Germany may be new.

The different taxi companies in Munich

Actually there are more than 1.500 different taxi companies in Munich, but you usually won’t notice a thing, as most of them are consolidated in taxi offices. With about 4.000 Taxis Munich has the highest density of taxis per inhabitant in Germany (2.5 taxis per 1.000 citizens). Even the capital of Germany (Berlin) has a lower density (2.3 taxis per 1.000 citizens).

There are two taxi offices in Munich, which manage nearly all taxis in Munich.

Taxis in Munich and Germany

Colour: All taxi cars have to be couloured in the same colour-scheme in Germany (exceptions in a few German states, but not in Bavaria). Every taxi has to be painted in „bright ivory“. Actually it looks like cream white or a very bright yellow.

Advertisements: Some taxis have advertisements on their doors. There is no difference between taxis with or without advertisements, so no worries about that.

Taxi signs: All taxis have a specific yellow/black taxi sign on their roof.

Car brands: taxis are often Mercedes-Benz’s but there is no rule that taxis must be Benz’s. You will also find VWs, BMWs, Chryslers, Toyotas and even Porsches or a Maybach.

As mentioned, there are many taxi companies in Munich and most of them are consolidated in the two taxi offices Taxi München e.G. and IsarFunk, but of course it is possible to call the taxi companies directly if you wish. To be honest this is something mostly residents do. As a tourist, I recommend hailing a taxi, or order a taxi through the taxi offices or mobile apps, which is much more convenient.
If you wish to contact the many taxi companies directly, you can search the web for those companies.

Finding a taxi in Munich

When you’re in the inner city of Munich, you usually won’t have a problem to find a taxi as there are many of them driving around and there are also taxi ranks (cab stands) near main attractions and areas where lot’s of pedestrians are (e.g. rail stations, subway stations, hotels and tourist hotspots). But when you’re a bit off in the outskirts, you will have a hard time finding a taxi. There, you usually have to call a taxi office or use a mobile app for ordering a taxi

The taxi tariffs in Munich

The taxi tariffs in Munich are regulated and supervised by the City of Munich. The taxi tariff is set by a specific taxi tariff decree, therefore you can be sure that every taxi driver will charge you the same price for the same route. Here I will show you the taxi tariffs in Munich (as of 2020):

Base fare

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3.70

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4.05

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3.10

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per kilometre (1-5 km)

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2.00

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2.20

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1.70

per kilometre (6-10 km)

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1.80

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1.95

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1.50

per kilometre (10+ km)

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1.70

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1.85

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1.40

order fee

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1.40

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1.50

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1.17

baggage fee (per bag)

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0.70

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0.75

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0.60

waiting time (per hour)

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30.00

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32.60

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25.15

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=“50px“][vc_column_text]These fares are programmed into the taximeters every taxi in Munich has. The tariff system seems quite easy, but most citizens will agree that the prices using a taxi are somehow not predictable. This because of the fare per kilometre is added to the waiting time fare. The waiting time fare always takes action, when the taxi doesn’t move. This is the case when the taxi is stopped by a traffic light, traffic jam or similar things. Every minute the taximeter will then add 0.50 EUR (approx. 0.60 USD, 0.40 GBP). Thats 1/60 of 30.00 EUR waiting time fee[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=“50px“][vc_column_text]

Taxi prices for specific routes in Munich

Here you will find the approximate price for routes in Munich usually tourists will do. Please note these prices are approximate and change due to traffic density, baggage and order fees.

Munich International Airport to Munich Main Station: ~90 EUR (ca. 100 USD, ca. 80 GPB)

Munich International Airport to Munich Trade Fair (Riem): flat fee: 67 EUR (ca. 75 USD, ca. 60 GBP)

Munich International Airport to Oktoberfest Grounds: ~100 EUR (ca. 110 USD, ca. 87 GBP)

Munich Main Station to Munich East Station: ~20 EUR (ca. 22 USD, ca. 17 GBP)

Munich Main Station to Nymphenburg Castle: ~20 EUR (ca. 22 USD, ca. 17 GBP)

Munich Main Station to Munich Trade Fair (Riem): ~30 EUR (ca. 33 USD, ca. 26 GBP)

Munich Main Station Oktoberfest Grounds: ~20 EUR (ca. 22 USD, ca. 17 GBP)

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Learn how to tip in Germany – The ultimate guide for travellers

25. Februar 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

One of the most asked questions in traveller forums is:

And it is not just a phenomenon that affects travelers who come to Germany or Munich. Since almost every country and culture has its own established rules and customs regarding the art of „tipping correctly“, at some point every traveler asks this question.
I would like to introduce you to the art of tipping in Munich and Germany. It differs to a large extent from the habits you may know from your home country.

Tipping in Germany, Bavaria and Munich

Let it be said in principle: In every part of Germany, tips are always given, although not as extensively as in other countries like the USA. But especially in gastronomy, it is done as a nice gesture by almost everybody.

So who should you tip as a traveler in Germany and where should you rather not tip? Here is a simple list for you where to tip.

The tipping procedure

If you come from a Mediterranean country like Greece, Italy, or Spain or from other parts of the world for example from the USA, the „German way“ of tipping will confuse you at first and you will feel uncomfortable. This is where we tend to have a culture clash. Different points of view meet and often tourists will think that German waiters and waitresses are generally unfriendly. But this is not the case. It is just a different way of interacting with each other. I will now explain to you how tipping is done in Germany. Try to memorize the procedure so that you do not risk experiencing a culture shock 🙂.

Step 1 - You're ready to pay your bill

There comes a time when the best meal is eaten or the best drink is drunk and you would like to pay. In Germany, it is quite common to draw the attention of waiters and waitresses to you by discreetly signaling to them. And here the culture shock already begins. In some cultures, it is customary for waiters and waitresses to constantly inquire about the guests‘ well-being. Thus, rule number one is: get yourself noticed as soon as you want to pay.

Step 2: The waiting staff arrives at your table

After the waitress/waiter has arrived at your table, you tell him/her you would like to pay. Please be aware in Germany it is common practice to pay separately or to split the bill, especially if you are in a group of friends. This type of paying is known in parts of the world as „Going Dutch“. In Germany, it is very common.
So it may happen that the waitress/waiter will ask you whether you would like to pay the complete check or whether she/he should prepare separate checks.

Step 3: Paying & tipping

Now things are getting a bit hectic and the moment of the final culture shock has arrived. Paying the check with simultaneous tip calculation.
Germans are very effective when it comes to paying. The payment process consists of several interconnected actions. So we will slow down here a bit and separate the task.

Step 3a: Checking the bill

First, the waitress/waiter will present you the bill. Look at the total amount you have to pay. Note that VAT is already included and that there is no „service charge“, „automated gratuity“ or „recommended gratuity“ in Germany. So you only have to pay the amount you can see as the total on the bill.

Step 3b: Calculating the tip

Now things happen quickly: You have to calculate the desired tip in your head and add it to the total amount of the bill while the waitress/waiter waits next to you. You have read that correctly. The waitress/waiter will usually wait next to you and not as in other countries leave the table again so that you can decide in a more relaxed way how much you want to tip. Often foreigners feel the waiting staff wants them to leave quickly as they wait beside them for payment. For Germans, this is normal and part of everyday living. The waiting staff doesn’t want to hurry or stress you, it’s just the culture here.

Step 3c: Finally paying (with tip)

After you know how much you want to pay including the tip, you tell the waitress/waiter the final amount. She/he will then usually give you the change for the specified amount. In case you are paying by card, she will usually enter the stated amount into the card payment terminal and you can pay as usual (PIN or signature).

How much tip should I give?

Now you know how tipping works in Germany. But the most important question is still unanswered. How much do you actually tip? Many travel books and also the internet often give the answer: 10% of the total amount.
But this is only a basic rule of thumb. Actually, it is a little different, but not necessarily more difficult. As a traveler, you just have to get used to it. So in the following rules of thumb, you will get the ultimate knowledge about how much you should tip in Munich, Bavaria, and Germany.

Rules of thumb when tipping in a restaurant

Keep in mind that tipping in Germany is not necessary, as tips are not used to top up the low wages of the service staff. Tips are just a nice „add-on“ for the waitresses and waiters, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tip.

Many travel books state you don’t have to tip in Germany. That is true… you don’t have to, but tipping is very common and considered as polite and nearly everyone does.

Always add up to the next round amount. For example, 28,70 € is rounded to 30,00 €, but don’t let the tip fall under 1,00 €. A tip of 0,90 € or less is considered impolite (unless you’re a backpacker or student on a budget, then a lower tip is ok).

The more people you are and the higher the amount of the total bill, the higher should be the tip. A good amount is between one and two Euros per Person.

Example: 5 persons with a bill of 123,40 €. A total including the tip of 125,00 € is good, 130,00 € is very polite and 135,00 € is quite generous.

The more high class a restaurant is, the higher is the tip. While it is completely ok to add up to the next round amount in a regular restaurant or beer hall, you should be more generous when going out for fine dining. I would then recommend around 10% to 15% of the total bill and rounded to an even number.

Example: Two persons with a bill of 137,70 € in a high-class restaurant. 150,00 € is good, 155,00 € is generous and 160,00 € is very generous.

Rules of thumb when tipping other services

Cleaning staff in a restroom

In public restrooms, but also partly in the restrooms of larger restaurants, theatres, and similar facilities, cleaning staff can be found. Often these staffs have a table and a seat at the entrance of the restroom. On this table, you can often find a plate or a bowl where you can leave coins – tip.

Even if it may seem you have to pay a fee, you do not have to pay for the use of the toilet (unless it is indicated!). However, the cleaning staff will be happy for a small tip, which you can throw into the plate or bowl after leaving the restroom.

An amount of 0,20 € to 0,50 € is sufficient.
If there is a tip or not, everybody should decide by himself.

Taxi drivers

In Germany, it is common practice to also tip taxi drivers or other taxi-like drivers as soon as you have reached your destination or finished your journey.

After the driver has told you the price or shown it to you on the taximeter, you can pay either with cash or with a card.
If you pay cash, tipping works the same way as in a restaurant. You calculate the total amount including the tip in your head and tell the driver the amount. The driver will give you the appropriate change. When paying by card, you specify the desired amount and simply pay with a PIN or signature. For some trips, you can pay in advance via a mobile app and add a tip to your bill if you like. It is ok to add up to the next round amount.

Examples: A Taxi ride within Munich for 23,80 €. Adding up to 25,00 € is good. A taxi ride from Munich International Airport to the city center for 86,30 €. Adding up to 90,00 € is good.

Takeaways and fast-food chains

In the many fast-food chains, coffee shops, and takeaways it is not necessary to tip. Usually, you enter the shop, order something and take it with you in a package or eat it at the shop.

It is not necessary to leave a tip here, even if there is a tip jar at the cash desk.
Of course, you may tip if you like, but you shouldn’t have a bad conscience if you decide not to do so.

If you decide to throw a little tip into the tip jar, take some spare change. 0,50 € to 1,50 € is good.

Do you have any further questions on tipping in Germany? I will be happy to answer them!

Munich, München or am I in Monaco?

28. Januar 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

Munich, München or am I in Monaco?

What does „Munich“ actually mean? It can be quite confusing for tourists as there are several names in different languages for Munich. So here’s a comprehensive explanation of the term „Munich“ and it’s meaning.

Munich Pronounciation

Munich is the term used in the English language, as well as in French and other languages. In German, Munich actually is called “München” [mʏnçən]. For native English speakers it is quite hard to pronounce the name of the city right. This because of the use of the so called German „soft ch“ and then there’s an so called Umlaut (Ü) just in front of it. So pronouncing München right is really challenging if you never learned German. So usually you will call it „myn-shen“ or „myn-cken“. No worries, everybody will get you want to say „München“. And you’re not alone. Even some guidebooks tell it’s spoken “myn-shen”. As mentioned it’s very hard to produce a sound that phonetically barely exists in your own language. Just think of Germans not being able to produce the „th“-sound and substituting it with „s“ or „z“. Same here. So to pronounce the „soft ch“ correct, just think of the English word „Loch“ but the ch more like a harsh „h“ like in „huge“ and not like „ck“.

In Italian, by the way, Munich is called “Monaco”. To avoid any confusion about “Monaco”, the small, wealthy state in France’s south, Italians often call Munich “Monaco di Baviere” (Monaco in Bavaria).

Munich - The origins

Now you know how to pronounce München, but what does this weird name actually mean? It’s now time to go back to the year 1158.

It’s the era of knights, maids, farmers and merchants. Bavaria consists of huge forests and medieval towns and cities. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa rules the Holy Roman Empire, an area consisting of what today is Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, nearly complete Belgium, half of Italy, and quite many parts of Poland and France.

A rather young relative of Frederick Barbarossa named „Henry the Lion“ was Duke of Saxony, a dukedom in northern Germany. As he supported Frederick becoming Emperor, Frederick gave him the Duchy of Bavaria as present.

Henry found out, that there was a quite rich bishop, the bishop of Freising, who controlled the salt trading routes from the Alps to western and northern Germany. All salt traders had to pay a toll to the bishop to get over the bridge of River Isar in the town of Freising. So Henry built another bridge just a few miles south of Freising town, near to a Benedictine monastery and a small settlement. Then, Henry went to Freising, burnt down the bishop’s bridge and rerouted the trading route to the small settlement. So the traders had to pay a bridge toll to Henry. As you can imagine, the bishop was really upset and complained to the Emperor. The Emperor confirmed the trading rights for Henry’s settlement, but also forced Herny to pay an annual compensation to the bishop of Freising.

This decision of Emporer Frederick in the year 1158 is known to be the first official mention of Munich. At that time every text was written in ancient Latin language and the settlement was named „forum […] apud munichen“ which can be translated to „market/settlement where monks live“. So „munichen“ is actually an old latin word for monks. Over the years the word changed to „München“.

The Best time to visit Munich – March?

3. Januar 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

The best time to visit Munich - March?

When is the best time to visit Munich? Whenever you go to a destination abroad where you’ve never been before, you will ask yourself: When should I go there? Are there “good” or “bad” months? Of course every city looks far better on a nice sunny day than in heavy rain. There are only a few places in the world where it doesn’t matter when to go, as the weather conditions are always perfect. Unfortunately, Munich is not such a place. Also hotel prices vary throughout the seasons. Here I will tell you about the best months of the year when you should visit Munich, and of course when you should avoid visiting Munich. This time I will tell you about the things you can expect throughout March in Munich.

March in Munich

During March, every citizen of Munich awaits spring. But often winter won’t go and it still stays cold, especially during the night. Snow can still fall in the first weeks of March, but it won’t stay long. After Fasching (carnival) the Starkbierzeit (strong beer season) begins in Munich. This brings the first boost to tourism in Munich, as the different brewery festivals, known as „Starkbierfest“ get more and more popular with tourists from abroad. But March can also be the first month of spring, depending on the weather conditions. When there is a dry period or days with a warm wind from the south (called „Föhn“), you may have luck to enjoy a drink in a beer garden. The temperatures then may rise up to 15°C/59°F.

My recommendation: March can be an ideal month for a trip to Munich, but only if the weather conditions are good. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially the daily temperature and be quite spontaneus booking a flight and a hotel in Munich.

National Holidays and festivities during March in Munich

Learn about the National Holidays during this month as well as other festivities you will encounter when travelling to Munich in March.

Weather in Munich - March

March is is still a cold month in Munich. You can still have snow in the first weeks. But there are more and more sunny days and, nature slowly (really slowly) beginns to spring. but expect percipitation and very cold temperatures around 5°C / 41° F. But there also can be warm days with temperatures up to 15°C / 59° F. This is usually the case when specific weather conditions like the „Föhn“ appear. Föhn is a warm downslope wind, similar to the „Chinook“ in the USA. If you’re lucky enough to catch such a weather period, you can enjoy your first beer garden visit in Munich.

Average sunshine hours:

3 hours

Daylight maximum (hours):

11,1 - 12,8

Temperature:

quite cold

Outdoor activities (walking, hiking, cycling, beergardening, etc.):

possible

Tourist Density (tourists in the city):

quite low

Stress factor:

quite low

Hotel prices:

quite low

Would I recommend travelling to Munich in March?

The prices for hotel rooms are still quite low, but the Starkbierzeit (strong beer season) more and more brings tourists to the city. As Starkbierfest is (or was) usually a local thing in contrast to Oktoberfest, the last years show that it becomes more and more popular with foreign tourists. It is still an insider’s tip as you will meet way more locals than tourists. It is still possible to go skiing in the Alps. The Alps are just 1-2 hours away by train or car. In Munich, you can visit Museums, Art Galleries and enjoy Bavarian cuisine in the traditional restaurants. Outdoor activities are still limited due to the quite cold temperatures and weather conditions, but if you catch a period with sunny days and quite warm temperatures, you can enjoy a beer garden or sitting outside in the sun of a Café. I would definitely recommend visiting Munich during March, but keep a close eye on the weather. Don’t come if the weather forecast shows rain and cold temperatures. So March can be a good choice to come, but you have to be quite spontaneus.

The Best time to visit Munich – February?

2. Januar 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

The best time to visit Munich - February?

february in Munich

Surprisingly, this is the month where it gets really icey in Munich. Late January until mid February is in my opinion the worst season to visit Munich. The sky is usually cloudy or overcast and often temperatures do not rise over 0°C (32°F). You can sometimes encounter significant amounts of snow. This time of the year is the „real winter“ in Munich.
The only thing that brings people out is Fasching (carnival) where usually some parties with people dressed in carnival costumes take place. February is also the ultra high season for catching a cold or even the flu. In February there is also the Munich Fashion Week, which additionally brings some tourists to Munich.

My recommendation: February is the month to avoid for a Munich trip. It’s cold outside and the chance to catch a cold is high. Sightseeing is limited to museums and indoor things as long as you don’t want to bring your extra thick clothes, heated boots and skiing gloves.

National Holidays during February in Munich

Learn about the National Holidays during this month as well as other festivities you will encounter when travelling to Munich in February.

Weather in Munich - February

February is a very cold month to visit Munich. Also the chance is high to see significant amounts of snow. Only a few days can be sunny, but expect percipitation and very cold temperatures around 0°C / 32° F. Even on sunny days always wear a warm jacket, a hat and use gloves and a scarf. Also don’t forget your warm boots when visiting Munich during February.

Average sunshine hours:

1 hour

Daylight maximum (hours):

9,5 - 11,0

Temperature:

very cold

Outdoor activities (walking, hiking, cycling, beergardening, etc.):

not good

Tourist Density (tourists in the city):

low

Stress factor:

low

Hotel prices:

low

Would I recommend travelling to Munich in February?

The prices for hotel rooms are still low as in January (except Fasching/carnival). Usually there is a lot of percipitation during February and the chance to catch a cold or even the flu climaxes. It is possible to go skiing in the Alps. The Alps are just 1-2 hours away by train or car. But expect hordes of ski fanatics from all over Europe, especially around Fasching. In Munich, you can visit Museums, Art Galleries and enjoy Bavarian cuisine in the traditional restaurants. Outdoor activities are really limited due to the cold temperatures and weather conditions. Overall I would not recommend to visit Munich during February, unless you want to see the carnival festivities.

The Best time to visit Munich – January?

2. Januar 2020

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

The best time to visit Munich - January?

January in Munich

Until around January 6^th, there is still the “Christmas High Season” going on in Munich. January 6^th is a National Holiday (Epiphany) and most Germans enjoy the last days of their Christmas holidays. People go skiing to the Alps, enjoy a winter walk through Munich’s parks and woods and try to digest the masses of food eaten from Christmas to New Year’s Day. But generally after New Year’s Day everything settles.

After January 6^th all people go back to work and the extreme low season in Munich begins. January is also the kick-off of the “real winter” in Munich. It is getting quite cold, it might be snowing or have slushy rain and everything is freezing around 0°C (32°F). There might be also some sunny, but really icey days.

My recommendation: In January you can enjoy the winter feeling. If you like to take a walk in the fresh icey air, visit a few museums and try different beer halls, January might be a bargain month for you.

National Holidays during January in Munich

Learn about the National Holidays during this month as well as other festivities you will encounter when travelling to Munich in January.

Weather in Munich - January

January is a very cold month to visit Munich. Also the chance is high to see significant amounts of snow. Some days also can be sunny, but expect very cold temperatures around 0°C / 32° F and sometimes an icey wind from the east. Even on sunny days always wear a warm jacket, a hat and use gloves and a scarf. Also don’t forget your warm boots when visiting Munich during January.

Average sunshine hours:

2 hours

Daylight maximum (hours):

8:30 - 9:15

Temperature:

very cold

Outdoor activities (walking, hiking, cycling, beergardening, etc.):

not good

Tourist Density (tourists in the city):

low

Stress factor:

low

Hotel prices:

low

Would I recommend travelling to Munich in January?

If you’re ice and snow-proof and you’re not easily catching a cold, Munich during January can really be a bargain month for you. The prices for hotel rooms are really low as well as airfares. If you’re lucky, you will catch sunny but cold days to do sightseeing. You can also consider doing daytrips to the Austrian cities Salzburg, Innsbruck and even Vienna. Or go skiing in the Alps. The Alps are just 1-2 hours away by train or car. If you like to stay in and around Munich, you can also visit Museums, Art Galleries and enjoy Bavarian cuisine in the traditional restaurants. Of course outdoor activities are really limited due to the cold temperatures, but if you can live without visiting a beer garden (they’re closed during winter) and cycling through the city, then Munich is a good travel destination – even in January.

Where to find ATMs in Munich?

30. Dezember 2019

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

Where to find ATM's in Munich?

The supply of cash is extremely important, especially when travelling. If you are traveling to a country you have never been to before and you do not know the situation regarding the supply of cash, it is better to think about it and get some information.

ATM's are the quickest way

The easiest way for a tourist to get money abroad is to simply go to an ATM and get the desired amount. But here, the simplicity already ends, as suddenly, many questions appear as for example: „Can I also get money with a credit card?“, „Do I have to pay operator fees?“, „Do I have to pay exchange or bank fees?“. Should I go to an ATM in the street or inside of a bank?“ or „Are ATM-scams common in Munich or Germany?“. But the most frequently asked question is: „Where can I find an ATM in Munich?“.

Which ATM providers are there in Munich?

In Munich, there are either bank-operated ATMs or privately operated ATMs, although the private companies also need an official licence in Germany. So you can be sure that they are not fraudulent ATMs.
The largest operators of cash dispensers in Munich are:

Sparkassen (savings banks)
Private Banks (e.g. Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Hypobank, Postbank, Reisebank, Targo Bank, Unicredit)
Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken (cooperative banks)
Private Companies (e.g. Euronet, IC Cash Services, Cardpoint)

Which ATM should I choose?

Now you will surely ask yourself: „Does it make a difference for me as a tourist at which cash machine I withdraw my money? The answer to that is „yes and no“.
Basically it does not matter whether you use a bank ATM or a private owned ATM. As a foreign tourist you pay fees at every ATM. But the amount of these fees and of exchange rates vary from operator to operator. Private ATM operators usually have higher transaction fees than banks.
My tip here is (if your own bank or credit card company does not reimburse the fees) that you try to use a bank ATM.

If you like to read more about ATM fees in Munich and Germany, read my post „ATM fees in Munich and Germany“ (coming soon).

Are ATM's easy to find in Munich?

Depending on where you come from, you may find it either easy or difficult to find an ATM in Munich. Especially tourists from the USA will find the search for an ATM uncomfortable. In the USA you can find ATMs (especially in big cities) in almost every shop, supermarket or restaurant. Not so in Germany or Munich.
Until five years ago you had to go to banks almost without exception to get to an ATM. Often these banks also had mini-branches not only in subway stations, at large train stations or shopping malls but also throughout the city. But then, more and more banks focused on reducing their expenses and closed many branches. The emerging gap was filled by a few private ATM companies. Today, in addition to the banks and their branches, there are more and more often private owned ATMs, which can be found in streets or shops, especially in touristy areas.

The most common places where you can find ATM’s in Munich are:

Banks (inside or outside of the Bank building)
Big train stations (Munich Main Station, Munich East Station, Pasing Station)
Big S-Bahn (urban rail) stations (e.g. Marienplatz, Main Station, Stachus (Karlsplatz), Hackerbrücke/ZOB)
Many subway stations (e.g. Moosach, Feldmoching, Rotkreuzplatz, Münchner Freiheit, Goetheplatz, Schwanthalerhöhe)
Touristy areas (e.g. Stachus (Karlsplatz), Viktualienmarkt)
Inside of touristy restaurants

Stay Healthy: Typical Travel Illnesses – Common Cold

15. Oktober 2019

by amuc001 with No Comment Know Before You Go

Stay healthy: Typical travel illnesses - Common Cold

As Munich is in the heart of Western Europe, you don’t have to fear diseases like you’re going to Africa or the Amazonas. You don’t need specific vaccinations or such things. But of course also in Munich you can catch a cold, get a headache or may encounter insect bites which may give you a hard time when you have an allergy. So here I want to explain what you can encounter as traveller in Munich.

Common Cold

Colds are probably the most common travel sickness that a tourist can get. Colds are infections of the body and primarily the nose, caused by viruses or bacteria that can cause the symptoms known to everyone, such as coughing, stuffy nose, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, hoarseness and fever.

Usually a cold begins with fatigue, a sore throat, sometimes headache, followed by a couple of days with a runny nose, cough and a feeling of being chilled or even fever.

Duration

Usually a common cold lasts up to ten days with a peak on day two and three after the first symptoms. Unfortunately, a cold can last up to three weeks. So when you’re planning a trip to Munich, and only have one or two weeks you shuld try to avoid a cold at all costs to enjoy your trip.

Risk of catching a cold in Munich during the Year

January

Very high risk

February

Very high risk (esp. carnival)

March

High risk

April

Medium risk

May

low risk

June

low risk

July

low risk

August

low risk

September

High risk (esp. Oktoberfest)

October

Medium risk

November

High risk

December

Very high risk (esp. Christmas Markets)

How to Avoid

As it is quite easy to catch a cold especially during the winter season, as a traveller you should avoid large crowds like festivals (Oktoberfest, Christmas Markets, packed public transport) or flights. Where lot’s of people come toghether, you are usually exposed to viruses and bacteria.
But as a tourist, you somehow come for such events and you can’t sometimes avoid a flight.

To be honest you can’t really avoid a common cold. But you can try to boost your immune system. Additionally you can take some precautions to minimize the
chance of getting a cold.
Here are my five tips for avoiding a cold when on route to Munich:

1. Two weeks before your flight or departure to Munich, begin to eat helathy. Lots of vegetables, less fast food and less sweets.
2. Additionally get some vitamins from your local pharmacy. Also supermarkets sell immune booster products.
3. Fly long-haul like a pro: Have a scarf, thick socks, an additional jacket, and long trousers with you or in your hand luggage.
Trust me, no matter how hot it is in Munich or at your home destination. After four hours at 18 C /64 F you will feel chilled. The chance to catch a cold is now very high.
4. Avoid ice cold beverages three days before and three days after your journey to Munich.
5. Wash your hands regularly. Also have hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly.

What to do against a cold

It is best to avoid activities that are strenuous for the body. In any case, sports, strenuous walks and unfavourable weather conditions (rain, snowfall) should be avoided.

What to do if you have a cold:

– Avoid cold drinks and drink many warm drinks (especially teas).
– Get additional vitamin boosts. Vitamin C is very important for colds.
– Pack a travel-first-aid kit with cold medications.
– Take cold medication. If you don’t know what to take, contact a pharmacy.