After you hit the beer garden in the Munich Airport and get into the city, it’s time to have fun.

From steins to sausages and finding affordable beds and public transport, here are 10 ways to save on your next trip to Munich.

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• Tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

Munich budget travel tips

1. Consider sleeping away from Marienplatz

Marienplatz is in Munich’s core (Stadtmitte), and its nearby S-bahn stops Karlsplatz, Hauptbahnhof and Isartor have the most expensive hotels.

Luckily, the public transport in Munich is extremely efficient and fast. Look for hotels in the artsy district Schwabing or South of the Train Station to find a much better deal just a stone’s throw away from the sights.

Search and book our favorite hotels in Munich. 

2. Travel with IsarCards and Strip Tickets

If you’re staying in Munich for a week, look into buying a blue paper IsarCard. It cheapens your rides with a one-time fare, and unlimited S-Bahn and U-Bahn travel for seven consecutive days. Those here for less time should get the discount Strip Card, a long strip of paper that you use to punch in your one-way rides.

Taxis here are expensive, so try to avoid them

3. Drink like a local

The English Gardens and Hofbrauhaus have the rep as the most popular stein drinking spots in the city. But if you want to drink like at local, at a local’s price, venture to where the Munich people hang. The Hirschgarten is the biggest beer garden in the city (maybe the world), and you can drink beer next to live deer. Both the Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr Bräuhaus breweries have beer gardens in the summer and beer cellars in the winter that carry the same Bavarian charm as the famous ones. The steins here are around a few euros less.

And speaking of beer, here are 10 tips to save time and money at Oktoberfest.

4. Schnitzel on the go

VinzenzMurr is a chain meat house that hands out hot slices of pork, schnitzel and sausages to go with mustard and on a roll for €2-3. Cheaper than buying at a restaurant, and just as good. Want a selection? Try the small meat houses along the Viktualienmarkt as well.

Related: 5 Classic Munich dishes for around €1

It’s hard to beat a pretzel for breakfast. Beer is optional! Photo: Bernt Rostad

5. Breakfast on the cheap

The bakeries in Germany are the absolute yummiest in Europe with plenty of sweet and savory picks. From big salty brezen pretzels to cheese croissants and jam pastries, Munich is heaven for pastry and bread lovers. Keep an eye out for Müller, a popular chain with many items for as little as €1 or 2.

6. Buy beer in gas stations

We know this sounds a bit out there, but trust us on this one. Gas stations in Munich can be a handy option for picking up a few biers. They are open late, accessible by foot and sell cheap beer. Locals who want to hang outside, come here to grab a few when the supermarkets close and the picnic party on the Isar River is still happening.

7. Order the midday plate for lunch

When eating out, look for the lunch specials called “mittag teller.” It’s not a fancy meal, more like a cheap plate of a hearty serving with a few sides. And the choice is usually traditional items like pork with potatoes and vegetables. But with prices starting at about €8-10, you won’t find a better and more filling deal in Munich.

Looking for more great deals? Check out these 5 cheap eats in Munich that locals love.

8. Affordable (and lovely) view of the city

Climb the 306 steps of St Peter’s Church downtown for a bird’s eye views of the city. Dating from 1180, it’s Munich’s oldest church and worth a look-see anyway. The cost to climb the steps is €2.

Related: 7 Free and fun things to do in Munich

9. Check out museums on Sundays

Some museums are free, some cost a few euros and some might even be closed. If you spot an exhibition or history museum you want to check out, see what offer they have on Sundays. There is usually a huge discount, and in fact, many only charge fees as low as €1.

10. English Gardens for a day

You might have thought you saw the English Gardens, but did you catch the surfers ripping the natural wave on the Eisbach creek? Get a glimpse of the naked sunbathers in the nudist part? Check out the rose garden, the Chinese beer garden, Japanese teahouse and the big lake? It’s easy to spend a free day exploring this massive park.

Your tips

How do you save in Munich? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Munich: 10 simple ways to save on your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Of course, there’s much more to Munich than the tired stereotypes of Bavaria. And if you’re craving that weisswurst, bratwurst or schnitzel, our friends at Spotted by Locals have you covered.

They’ve come up with five affordable places serving everything from traditional German fare to burgers and crepes.

Accommodations: Our favorite budget hotels in Munich

5 Top spots for Munich cheap eats

Hungry yet? Here are tips by Munich locals on where you can nosh without spending a fortune.

Alter Simpl

Türkenstraße 57

This tavern located close to the city’s main university is local Tina’s first choice for taking guests who are visiting Munich. Alter Simpl started out as a cabaret early last century and had a key hand in helping shape the city’s vibrant culture. Nowadays, this cult gastropub serves up simple yet delicious offerings, and most importantly, its kitchen stays open until 2 am daily.

A currywurst with French fries will set you back less than €7.

Tram Cafe

Wredestraße 10

Tram Cafe is the only place where a simple Nutella crepe just won’t suffice. How about a crêpe with white chocolate, almonds, and coconut, or one with spinach, corn, olives, and gorgonzola? Alternatively, you can try one of the monthly specials, like chili cheese fries that was recently on the menu.

Enjoy your hearty savory crepe for around €5 inside a real tram car!

Gasthaus Isarthor

Kanalstraße 2

This traditional Bavarian restaurant is so central it somehow even eludes most locals, let alone tourists. Local Stefan sets out the rules: “order some ‘Leberkas’ (meatloaf), get an Augustiner (the best beer in Munich) from a wooden keg and don’t dare sit down at the ‘Stammtisch’ (the regulars’ table)” — this way you’ll be sure to discover the friendly and hospitable side of Muncheners.

Alternatively, you can try Gasthaus Isarthor’s lunch menu for €5.90, or for the extra-local experience, opt for the white sausage breakfast, including beer, for €7 (available before noon).

Schnelle Liebe

Thalkirchner Str. 12

Schnelle Liebe means ‘fast love’, and this is exactly what you’ll get at this quality burger joint. They believe that fast food doesn’t need to be rubbish if you put a little love into making it — and it shows. The interior is uncomplicated and the crowds it attracts are a mix of down-to-earth and creative locals.

Perhaps ironically, just be prepared to wait a little bit if you want to catch some of the love — especially if you drop by in the evening. Burgers start at €6.

Lindwurmstüberl

Lindwurmstraße 32

In the words of local Alexander, “Oktoberfest is off 96% of the time, but you can always enjoy the typical combination of half a chicken and a ‘Mass’ of beer here, just 100 meters away from the Theresienwiese” (the main area where Munich’s Oktoberfest takes place).

Lindwurmstüberl closely follows the atmosphere to be found in the city the remaining 4% of the year, when the beer flows and the population explodes. Grab a seat on the terrace and soak in the atmosphere. A Mass (1L) of draft Augustiner goes for €7.40 and half a chicken will cost you around €9.50.

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Want to learn more about local tips in Europe and beyond? Check out Spotted by Locals, city guides featuring insider tips by locals in 70+ cities around the world. Guides for iOS/Android cost $3.99 each and include free regular updates and offline maps

The post Munich: 5 Cheap eats that locals love appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.