Ludwigsvorstadt
By Hauptbahnhof. Not great for quiet nights.
AI-generated illustration, not a photo
Where to stay in Munich, checked by someone who lives here
Enter your dates. See what is on in Munich, what to watch out for and which area suits your trip.
- Only places that are allowed to host you
- Oktoberfest and trade fair dates from official sources
- Honest notes on every area
Popular areas to stay
Four areas UK visitors ask about most, with what each is good for and what it is not. Full area guides follow in early 2027.
Schwanthalerhöhe
Residential. Not great for sightseeing on foot.
Altstadt-Lehel
The old town. Not great for budgets.
Maxvorstadt
University quarter next to the Old Town. Not great for the Wiesn on foot.
Areas compared
Typical travel times by U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus on a weekday between 9am and 6pm, including the wait for the first train.
| Area | To Theresienwiese | To Messe München | To Marienplatz | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludwigsvorstadt | 2 min | 23 min | 6 min | Short trips, Wiesn |
| Schwanthalerhöhe | 3 min | 28 min | 10 min | Wiesn, quieter nights |
| Altstadt-Lehel | 10 min | 18 min | You are there | First visit |
| Maxvorstadt | 12 min | 28 min | 4 min | Museums, cafés |
| Sendling (Harras) | 18 min | 36 min | 19 min | Wiesn by U6, local feel |
| Riem and the U2 | 27 min | You are there | 25 min | Trade fairs |
Three ways to stay in Munich
Munich limits holiday flats. This is what each option means for you.
| Hotel, aparthotel, guesthouse | Room in a local's home | Whole flat (e.g. Airbnb) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allowed? | Yes | Yes | Up to 8 weeks a year, or with a permit |
| Risk of cancellation by the city | None | Low | Possible if the listing is illegal |
| Registration number needed | No | Yes, once Munich's portal opens | Yes, once Munich's portal opens |
| Our recommendation | Best choice | Good for longer stays | Only if the host can confirm it's legal |
Sources: City of Munich, Bavarian Housing Misuse Act. Is Airbnb legal in Munich?
Why you can trust our picks
- We only recommend places that are legally allowed to host guests.
- Every area guide is written and checked by someone who lives in Munich.
- We list what an area is not good for, too.
- Every rule and date links to its official source.
Oktoberfest 2027 at a glance
The dates that decide hotel prices in September.
Sat 18 SepOpening day, first keg tapped at noon
Sun 3 OctLast day
16 daysDuration in 2027
TheresienwieseFestival grounds
Good to know: IAA Mobility ends on 12 September 2027, six days before the Wiesn opens. Book September early.
Sources: oktoberfest.de, IAA Mobility organiser (VDA).
Munich weather by month
Averages of the last 10 full years, so you know what to pack. In September daytime highs average 21 °C, and evenings in the beer gardens get cool.
| Month | Daytime high | Average | Rain | Sunshine per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.9 °C | 1.7 °C | 63 mm | 2.6 h |
| Feb | 8.0 °C | 4.0 °C | 51 mm | 3.8 h |
| Mar | 11.4 °C | 6.5 °C | 43 mm | 5.3 h |
| Apr | 15.8 °C | 10.3 °C | 49 mm | 6.8 h |
| May | 19.3 °C | 13.9 °C | 123 mm | 7.0 h |
| Jun | 25.0 °C | 19.3 °C | 118 mm | 8.9 h |
| Jul | 25.8 °C | 20.2 °C | 110 mm | 8.1 h |
| Aug | 25.6 °C | 19.9 °C | 134 mm | 7.9 h |
| Sep | 21.0 °C | 15.6 °C | 87 mm | 6.6 h |
| Oct | 16.1 °C | 11.2 °C | 60 mm | 4.3 h |
| Nov | 8.7 °C | 5.3 °C | 60 mm | 2.6 h |
| Dec | 5.7 °C | 2.8 °C | 57 mm | 2.2 h |
Coming to Munich for a trade fair?
Hotels near Messe München fill early during big fairs. Dates from the official fair websites, checked automatically, last 15 Nov 2026.
| Fair | Dates | Venue | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAU | 11 to 15 Jan 2027 | Messe München | Guide coming soon |
| transport logistic | 26 to 29 Apr 2027 | Messe München | Guide coming soon |
| IAA Mobility | 7 to 12 Sep 2027 | Messe München and city centre | Guide coming soon |
| EXPO REAL | 4 to 6 Oct 2027 | Messe München | Guide coming soon |
| bauma | 3 to 9 Apr 2028 | Messe München | Guide coming soon |
Guides for your trip
Is Airbnb legal in Munich? What UK visitors need to know
Munich restricts holiday flats. How to spot a legal listing and where to stay instead.
Where to stay for Oktoberfest 2027
Which area to stay in, the closest stations and when to book.
Munich Airport to the city
Trains, taxis and how long it takes.
Why plan your Munich stay with us
Munich is one of the most popular cities in Germany for UK visitors, for Oktoberfest, Christmas markets, football and some of Europe's biggest trade fairs. It is also a city with strict rules on holiday flats and hotel prices that change sharply with the event calendar.
Munich Rooms is an independent guide written in Munich. We track trade fair and festival dates that push prices up, explain which areas suit which trip, and only recommend places that are allowed to host guests. You book with the hotel or a booking site directly. We never take your payment.
- Licensed places only. Hotels, aparthotels and guesthouses.
- Event dates tracked. Trade fairs and Oktoberfest, updated automatically from official sources.
- Honest area notes. What each area is good for, and what it is not.
- Official sources. Every rule and date links to where it comes from.
- Free to use. No account, no booking fee from us.
Questions UK visitors ask
When is Oktoberfest 2027?
Saturday 18 September to Sunday 3 October 2027, on the Theresienwiese.
Do I need to book early for Oktoberfest?
Yes. Rooms close to the Theresienwiese are usually the first to go, and in 2027 IAA Mobility (7 to 12 September) adds demand just before. We recommend booking as early as you can, with free cancellation where possible.
Is Airbnb legal in Munich?
Partly. A whole flat let to tourists all year needs a city permit. Residents may let their own home for up to 8 weeks a year. Hotels and guesthouses are not affected. Read our guide.
Can I be fined as a guest?
The rules and fines are aimed at hosts. The risk for you is a cancelled booking if a listing is removed.
Which area is best for Messe München?
Areas along the U2 line, from the centre to Messestadt, make the daily trip simple. Details in our trade fair guides.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 run between Munich Airport and the city centre. Check current times and fares with MVV, Munich's public transport network.
When is the best time to visit Munich?
May to September is warmest, but May to August are also the wettest months. September and early October bring Oktoberfest and mild days. See the weather table above.
What is the time difference to the UK?
Munich is one hour ahead of the UK all year round.
Should I bring cash?
Yes, some. Card payments are common, but smaller cafés, beer gardens and market stalls may still prefer cash in euros.
Do you take bookings?
No. We do not sell rooms. You book with the hotel or a booking site directly. Links that earn us a commission are marked (Ad), and the commission does not change your price.
Arriving at Munich Airport
Most UK flights land at Munich Airport, about 30 km north of the city.
- Official name
- Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß (MUC)
- S-Bahn S1 and S8
- About 47 minutes between the airport and the main station, 51 minutes to or from Marienplatz, including the wait. Source: MVV timetable, updated automatically.
- Lufthansa Express Bus
- To the main station (Hauptbahnhof) in about 45 minutes, every 20 minutes. €12.50 online, €13.50 from the driver. Source: Autobus Oberbayern, checked 15 Nov 2026.
- Taxi
- Fixed fare €96 to the main station area, €90 to the Messe area (Munich taxi tariff from 1 July 2026). Source: Taxi-München eG, checked 15 Nov 2026.
Still have a question?
Write to us. We reply within 24 hours.
More places to stay in Munich
Close to the Wiesn: Ludwigsvorstadt and Schwanthalerhöhe. For a first visit: Altstadt-Lehel and Maxvorstadt. Quieter and leafy: Schwabing and Haidhausen. For trade fairs: Riem and the U2.
No hidden costs
We do not sell rooms and never take your payment. When we link to a place to stay, you book with the hotel or the booking site directly, under their terms. Some links earn us a commission. They are marked (Ad), and the commission does not change your price.
Munich in brief for first-time visitors
A quick orientation for your first days in the city.
The areas
- Altstadt-Lehel: the old town around Marienplatz, walkable to most sights.
- Maxvorstadt: museums, the university and plenty of cafés.
- Schwabing: leafy streets next to the Englischer Garten.
- Haidhausen: a quieter, local feel across the river Isar.
- Ludwigsvorstadt and Schwanthalerhöhe: around Hauptbahnhof and the Theresienwiese.
Things to do
- Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall.
- Englischer Garten, one of the largest city parks in Europe.
- Viktualienmarkt, the food market next to the old town.
- Deutsches Museum on its island in the Isar.
- Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Olympic Games.
- Day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle or Salzburg.