A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Munich vs. New York City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Munich or New York City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or New York City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Munich

Munich is a economically thriving, bustling, and high energy city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping. See Munich travel costs.

New York City

New York City is a vibrant, energetic, and cosmopolitan city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. New York City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See New York City travel costs.

Munich and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or New York City?

You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Munich. New York City is bigger than Munich, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is more touristy than Munich and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty. Munich is well known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

How is Munich different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City and Munich. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Munich or New York City?

New York City is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put New York City on the map. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is a must-visit destination for its shows and theatre. However, Munich is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in New York City. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Munich is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Munich or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New York City is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Munich and New York City.

Munich is a world class party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

New York City is a must-see party destination. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Munich or New York City.

In Munich you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

New York City is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or New York City?

Shopping is a popular activity in both New York City and Munich.

Munich is a world class destination for shoppers. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in New York City. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Is Munich or New York City More Beautiful?

New York City is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Munich is not a destination known for its beauty.

New York City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.

Munich is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Families?

Munich and New York City are both great destinations for the whole family.

Munich is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

New York City is a very family-friendly destination. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

New York City has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Munich is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

New York City is a great city to visit for backpackers. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Students?

Munich and New York City are world-class places to visit for students.

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

New York City is a very popular city for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Is Munich or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Munich and New York City.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of New York City can take you anywhere. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Is Munich or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around New York City on foot is easy. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Munich Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Munich?

How long in Munich or New York City?

Both Munich and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Munich. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

Families should spend more time in New York City than Munich. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in New York City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in New York City than Munich. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich than New York City if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Munich.

One day in Munich or New York City?

Munich is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of New York City. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Munich or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Munich or New York City?

Munich is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New York City. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Munich or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Munich. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the energetic big city of New York City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Munich much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Munich is in Europe and New York City is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Munich would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munich and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Munich.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Munich Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Munich and New York City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Munich or New York City?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Munich or New York City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Munich as well as New York City. Many travelers come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Munich is cooler than New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Munich in July average around 20°C (68°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in New York City. Munich usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or New York City in the Autumn?

Both New York City and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Munich in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Munich is generally cooler than New York City. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (52°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In October, Munich usually receives less rain than New York City. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Munich or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City and Munich during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to New York City because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in New York City can be very cold. Munich can be very cold during winter. Munich is a little warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Munich averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

Munich usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or New York City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and New York City. The spring months attract visitors to Munich because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In the spring, Munich is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Munich in April average around 11°C (53°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In April, Munich usually receives less rain than New York City. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Munich