Comparison · Innsbruck vs Munich · Austria / Germany
Innsbruck vs Munich
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Innsbruck for Golden Roof and Nordkette cable cars; choose Munich for Oktoberfest and Beer gardens. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 97 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 97 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Innsbruck
- June–September and December–January
- Best time for Munich
- May–July, September and December
Side by side
| Innsbruck | Munich | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Austria | Germany |
| Known for | Golden Roof, Nordkette cable cars and Bergisel ski jump | Oktoberfest, Beer gardens and Marienplatz |
| Best time to visit | June–September and December–January | May–July, September and December |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$300 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 26°C (79°F) | July, 24°C (75°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | INN, MUC | MUC, FMM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Innsbruck for…
Golden Roof and Nordkette cable cars. Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol, packs a late-medieval old town around the Golden Roof, Habsburg palaces and Baroque churches into a valley floor beneath the Nordkette range. A funicular and two cable cars climb from the city centre to Hafelekar at…
Choose Munich for…
Oktoberfest and Beer gardens. Bavaria's capital mixes royal grandeur with beer-hall tradition. The compact Altstadt around Marienplatz holds the Neues Rathaus, the twin-towered Frauenkirche and the Residenz palace, while the Englischer Garten, one of the largest city parks in Europe…
Top sights compared
| # | Innsbruck | Munich |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden Roof | Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus |
| 2 | Hofburg Innsbruck | Frauenkirche |
| 3 | Hofkirche | Munich Residenz |
| 4 | Tyrolean Folk Art Museum | Englischer Garten |
| 5 | Nordkette cable cars | Viktualienmarkt |
Food compared
| Innsbruck | Munich |
|---|---|
| Tiroler Gröstl | White sausage |
| Kaspressknödel | Pretzel |
| Speckknödel | Roast pork knuckle |
| Tiroler Speck | Roast pork with dumplings |
Which is cheaper?
Innsbruck and Munich cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $170–$300 in Innsbruck and $180–$320 in Munich (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Innsbruck on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Innsbruck and Munich are about 97 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Innsbruck and 4 in Munich.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Innsbruck or Munich cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 in Innsbruck and $180–$320 in Munich (estimates).
+Is Innsbruck or Munich better for a first trip?
Pick Innsbruck for Golden Roof and Nordkette cable cars, or Munich for Oktoberfest and Beer gardens.
+How far is Innsbruck from Munich?
About 97 km in a straight line.