10 Must-Have Apps for Visiting Munich
Gone are the days when tourists were stuck with a map and guidebook to help navigate and understand a city. There are now loads of great apps available that can bring another dimension to your Munich trip. Whether you want to get around the city quickly with e-tickets for the U-Bahn, or use augmented reality to learn about the plants in 18th-century gardens, there’s an app to help.
mytaxi
With Uber in decline in Germany, the go-to app for getting around by car is mytaxi. It’s really quick and easy to set up, and once you’re done, you can order a taxi through the app or just get a fare estimate. The app gives you info about your driver and tells you how far away they are; it also allows you to pre-book a taxi, which is great if you need to plan ahead to catch a train or plane. You can pay through the app.
Prinz
Prinz combines Yelp-style reviews with local information to create a great all-round city guide. You can mark your favourite attractions to create a tailored sightseeing list. As well as bookmarking locations, you can add your own notes. There’s also a magazine section with articles about Munich.
BlaBlaCar
If you’re planning to explore beyond the city, BlaBlaCar is a good option. Users can look for a lift share for long journeys, making this a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way of getting around. It now has over 40 million members worldwide.
MVV
Though most sites recommend MVG Fahrinfo, the more practical public transport app is MVV. Fahrinfo duplicates the same route and time information as you get on Google maps and at the stations themselves. With MVV, you can buy tickets directly through the app and store them on your phone. It also has a journey planner and a network map, as well as messages about disruptions. It’s easy to use and is a great way to skip the ticket queues and make sure you get the best-value ticket option.
Komoot
One of the great things about Munich is being so close to the Alps, as well as the many beautiful lakes and woods near the city. If you’re planning on exploring, Komoot is a great tool to help you find your way. Choose one of the suggested routes and it will provide you with real-time navigation and maps. If you don’t want to look at your phone, or are biking, it also offers step-by-step voice navigation, allowing you to focus on the view.
Munich Travel Guide by etips
This app is strong on images, and a great starting point if you know nothing about the city. It suggests itineraries based on the length of your trip, helping you to whittle down what you want to see. Perhaps the most useful feature is that it gives a short, encyclopedia-style explanation of the key sights, which is also available offline.
clubago
As the name suggests, clubago is all about finding a place to have a drink or a dance. Its search filters are what sets it apart: you can specify exactly what type of bar or club you’re looking for, as well as time and location. Whether you want upscale cocktails in the heart of the city or an edgy electro night, this free app will help you track down your perfect night.
The Official App (muenchen.de)
The city’s official app is a great way to get an overview of what’s going on in Munich, as well as some really practical information such as where to find a doctor, pharmacy or ATM near you. The search function is fantastic and will show you a range of options and how far away they are. There’s even a lederhosen shopping search.
Schlosspark Nymphenburg
Though there’s an admission fee for the palace rooms, it’s free to wander around the beautiful gardens. If the 180-acre park seems a bit daunting, there’s a dedicated app that uses augmented reality to help you learn more about the many plants and fountains you’ll see. There are also a number of pre-loaded tours to make sure you don’t miss any of the park’s famous sites, and the best part is it doesn’t use up any of your data.
Culture Trip
Last but definitely not least, if you haven’t already downloaded the Culture Trip app, it’s a great companion to have on an upcoming trip. Written by writers who live in and know the city, it’s the best way to get off the tourist trail and enjoy Munich like a local. With insights on everything from the best food markets and must-see museums to retro spots and fashion boutiques, make sure you have all our articles at your fingertips.