Is Berlin or Munich better for solo travelers?

Hi,

If you're music lover, then I say Berlin for exactly that. You have various choices there , not just the Philharmoniker. Berlin is the music place for all of Germany, if not Europe. I travel to Berlin for a week or two solo, stay at a Pension in a single (EZ), will be there after the first week in June this time, have also been to Munich sol but not for quite as long consecutively. Why should you feel intimidated or have concerns about being lonely? No cause for that.

One thing one has to get used to Berlin is that it is huge, going from west to east. Berlin is probably up there as among the greenest cities in the world, great to walk in the neighborhoods in Berlin, be it in Mitte, Charlottenburg, Wilmerdorf. You want diversity, Berlin is it as regards to various cuisines...Greek, Czech, Thai, traditonal German, Turkish, Chinese, Shanghai, Japanese, French, Italian, American, etc. Train wise Berlin is the hub for going on day trips within a 1-2.5 hr radius...Leipzig, Halle an der Salle, Frankfurt an der Oder, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Potsdam, Neustrelitz, Hamburg, Dresden, Magdeburg, Erfurt, Naumburg an der Saale, etc.

Given the choice of just Munich and Berlin, I would not hesitate choosing Berlin. I like Munich too, but in Berlin I can stay cheaper than in Munich. In both I stay at Pensionen. Plus, I like Berlin more but have not walked around the neighborhoods in Munich as I've done to the extent in Berlin.

fish,

I've been to both and that's a difficult choice, as both cities have a lot to offer. There are some good day trip possibilities from both, so it wouldn't be hard to fill-in 5 or 6 days.

I travel solo most of the time. If you are outgoing and friendly, you'll find lots of people to chat with, maybe have a meal with or whatever, though it's probably going to be other tourists, not locals. A good way to not be alone is to take guided walking tours. Another is to stay in a hostel rather than a hotel. Most hostels have single rooms, many with private bath. You book ahead just as you would a hotel.

Which city depends on your interests. I found Berlin to be very interesting, a combination of old and new, and East still quite different from West. Excellent museums.

I would pick Berlin over Munich any day. More things to see and do and far more interesting. A lot cheaper too! Munich just doesn't do it for me. Berlin is fascinating and fun and I am usually solo there too.

I'm in a similar thought process boat but I do have about 12 days in September-October. I decided to split evenly between the two cities. 6 days each. Although I'm bit worried i wont get to do justice at Berlin as I have a marathon to run during the trip. I did find Airbnbs in Berlin to be cheaper than Munich. I guess if you love museums you can easily spend a week in Berlin. I travel solo too so i'll be watching this thread for tips & tricks. I wouldn't worry about one city friendlier than the other. You try your best to travel safe and with tough luck you might encounter jerks anywhere.. :)

Do you prefer apples or oranges? If apples, pick Munich; if oranges, pick Berlin.

I don't think one is "better" than other for solo travelers (I almost always travel solo). People will be both cool and warm in both places - they're large cities with lots of different kinds of people. So, choose based on which one you want to see more. Of, if you really can't decide, you can do 3 days in each.

Berlin is cheaper, but I'd never go to a place just because it's cheap, and Munich is hardly Zurich or Oslo when it comes to prices.

Having said all the above in as neutral a way as possible, personally I strongly prefer Berlin to Munich. I was in Munich once, and may or may not ever return; it's nice enough, and I loved the Deutches Museum, but I didn't feel a strong connection. I've been to Berlin three times and would go back in a heartbeat. Like New York, Berlin doesn't just have a large number of things to see and do, but a great variety.