What it actually costs
When to go
Cold, grey. Oktoberfest (late Sept-early Oct) is incredible but accommodation triples and needs booking 6+ months ahead.
Neuschwanstein Castle: book exact time slot 2 weeks ahead online. Day trip from Munich (2hrs by train). Go midweek.
What locals know
Beer gardens are sacred. Augustiner Keller and Hirschgarten (Europe's largest — 8,000 seats) are where locals go. You can bring your own food to any beer garden.
English Garden is bigger than Central Park. Rent a bike, find the surfers on the Eisbach wave, and end at the Chinese Tower beer garden.
Viktualienmarkt for breakfast: fresh pretzels, weisswurst (before noon only — tradition), and a beer. This is Munich in one experience.
Day trip to Salzburg: 1.5 hours by Bayern-Ticket train (€27 for up to 5 people). Mozart, Sound of Music, and Austrian charm.
Honest warnings
Oktoberfest tents fill by 10am on weekends. Go on weekday mornings for actual seats. Reservations are nearly impossible without connections.
Munich is Germany's most expensive city. Budget 20-30% more than Berlin.
Sunday: everything closed except restaurants and beer gardens. Stock up on Saturday.
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