Backpackers in Munich for 5 days

In Munich, I'd NOT miss Dachau Concentration camp = you can certainly do it on your own, but you will see and learn so much more with a guide. We like Bighattours.com or Tours by Locals. Radius Tours is ok, but not our favorite.

I don't find Neuschwanstein worth it - you can search on this site for it and many don't find it worth the time. The photos are stunning, but the actual trip is underwhelming. Dachau and a Third Reich tour is so much better in my opinion, but you may be looking for different things.

Changed to Dachau from castle. Will do that instead

You don't say what your interests are but if you are interested in hunting and fishing, just west of the Marienplatz is a hunting and fishing museum "Deutsches Jagd- und Fischereimuseum". I am not a hunter- and fisherwoman. But I did enjoy touring the museum with my husband who goes deer hunting every autumn, albeit in an area with few deer. We stayed an hour or two.

Your might also research tours offered on the site of the 1972 Olympics held in Munich. This park is located relatively close to the BMW Museum. I have only been to the park to shop at the weekly flea market. It is beautiful area. Food is available there.

I hope you and your buddy have a fantastic adventure.

Traveler Girl

In Munich it's all about getting to know the city's attitude to life. Yes, sightseeing is important, but also time for relaxation.
Public transport will take you anywhere in the city and I'm sure you'll find your way around easily (MVGo App).

I would definitely skip HB and go to one of the beer gardens instead. I think I've already mentioned here more than once in the forum that there is nothing more Munich than a beer garden :-) OK to drink water as well ...
https://www.munich.travel/en/topics/eat-drink/beer-garden

So I would just walk through the Haidhausen district and end the evening in the beer garden at Wieder Platz.
https://www.munich.travel/en/pois/urban-districts/wiener-platz
https://www.munich.travel/en/categories/discover/urban-districts/local-love-munich/local-love-haidhausen

From the Residence you can quickly reach the English Garden through the Hofgarten. There in the English Garden is also a beautiful beer garden at the Chinese Tower. On the way there you pass the Eisbach Surfers and also the area where the nude bathers are sure to go in the summer.
https://www.munich.travel/en/pois/sports-leisure/eisbachwelle

The question is what interests you, because it might be also interesting to wander around the Maxvorstadt district. Maxvorstadt impresses with its bustling student life, as there are two large universities there. Maxvorstadt is also known for the art district (Kunstareal) with all the large museums. By the way, the NS Documentation Center is also one of them.
https://www.munich.travel/en/topics/urban-districts/districts-of-munich/maxvorstadt-the-cultural-heart-of-munich

Maybe you're also interested in the Werksviertel behind the Ostbahnhof. Unfortunately, the Ferris wheel there is only open on certain days, but google knows when for sure :-)
https://www.munich.travel/en/topics/convention-bureau/news-highlights-2024/the-werksviertel-in-seven-tips

Culture Beach could be something as well - in 2025 May to October: https://www.munich.travel/en/pois/sports-leisure/kulturstrand

Or a visit to ‘Bahnwärther Thiel’ or to the 'Alte Utting' (a boat on a closed railway track where one can eat and drink and have a good time) in the evening. Both can be found in the Schlachthofviertel, which still shows a piece of Munich that you don't find so often anymore. Namely Munich, which hasn't participated much of the city's wealth and which is neither pretty nor well-prepared.
https://www.munich.travel/en/topics/urban-districts/local-love-munich/local-love-schlachthofviertel-the-charm-of-the-casual
https://alte-utting.de/

What about the Allianz Arena? Proud home of FC Bayern Munich football club including museum: https://www.munich.travel/en/pois/sports-leisure/enjoy-world-class-football

Munich... where to go, what to do, how to get there and back... as a 70's-era "backpacker" I didn't sweat details like these until I first set foot in a place. But that was 55 years ago, heh, so...let's talk about getting around today...

You will be "taking an AM train June 2nd to Munich..." and then moving around the city for 3-4 days, then you will "will fly out to the airport on the 6th..." (which I think means you need ground transport to the airport from central Munich.)

You can cover Salzburg > Munich and Munich > MUC airport, plus any/all public transportation (subway, bus, S-Bahn, tram, train) within Germany's borders in between those trips by pre-purchasing a €58 subscription for the Deutschland-Ticket.

https://int.bahn.de/en/offers/regional/deutschland-ticket

Please read the "Man in Seat 61's" instructions for D-Ticket details:

https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-germany.htm#Deutschlandticket

The important thing here is that you do not have to fuss with any additional ticket purchases for your time in Germany. And the D-Ticket protects you in case of a transportation error on your part... for example... you will not be find if you step onto a train going north by mistake on some stretch track that is not covered by a southbound ticket you bought. The D-Ticket is valid for every mode of transport except the high-speed trains (IC, ICE, EC)

I will also suggest taking a day trip to some smaller place that interests you in Germany. How about the German Alps for a day?? The D-ticket covers a train trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (85 minutes by direct train) and/or nearby Mittenwald.

G-P and the Zugspitze:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Garmisch-Partenkirchen.JPG/1024px-Garmisch-Partenkirchen.JPG

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187302-Activities-oa0-Garmisch_Partenkirchen_Upper_Bavaria_Bavaria.html

https://hastingshouse.typepad.com/hastings_house_us/2006/09/germanys_highes.html

Mittenwald:
https://www.butterandfly.net/wp-content/uploads/Mittenwald-Germany-14.jpg

https://hastingshouse.typepad.com/hastings_house_us/2007/04/mittenwald_germ.html