Munich -- Which area to stay for best beer sightseeing, close to transport?

Posted by karina303 (Portland, Oregon) on 02/21/22 07:24 AM

We will be spending two nights in Munich in July. We are wondering which area to stay in to easily be within walking distance OR easy public transport or taxis/Ubers to fun beer halls. Hofbrauhaus for music will be a must for dinner one night, but we may venture to other spots after we get our fill of oompah music. Jodlerwirt is a place we'd love to check out, too.
We would like to check out multiple beer halls/gardens in our two evenings.

I noticed that the Marienplatz-area hotels are relatively expensive for more than basic accommodations, and we'd like to have air conditioning in our room, since we'll be visiting in July (we also love hotel breakfasts with some hot food options, or at very least, coffee in the hotel to hold me over).

Do you know if there are any $150 summer-price accommodations in Marienplatz, with a/c? Or are there $200 accommodations that are worth the extra expense?
What other areas would be near to beer halls, OR near easy, public transport, or short, cheap Ubers that can get us back to our hotel for the two nights we venture out late?

Cheers!

Posted by Ms. Jo

Frankfurt, Germany

02/21/22 11:49 AM

9222 posts

My go-to hotel in Munich or in other cities in Germany is Motel One. They have great AC, comfy beds, wonderful showers, and the bfast buffet is decent. They have multiple locations and the price is right for budget-minded folks.

Posted by bxrlover

Canada

02/21/22 12:12 PM

365 posts

Another vote for Motel One. They have one that is a 5 min walk (or less) from Marienplatz: Hotel Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor

Posted by Mack

Adams Basin

02/21/22 01:11 PM

559 posts

There is no need to stay that close to the beer halls. The public transportation is excellent. I usually stay in one of the surrounding communities and take the train.

Posted by karina303 OP

Portland, Oregon

02/21/22 03:18 PM

81 posts

Mack -- Thank you! Any suggestions on where you might stay outside of Marienplatz, or what to expect from public transport, (i.e. cost, frequency, any good "lines" to be close to for times'-sake?)

Ms. Jo and brxlover - thank you for the Motel One suggestions!

Posted by DJ

02/21/22 03:18 PM

980 posts

Motel One is my go to hotel in Munich. I actually like the Motel One Ost or Haidhausen locations near Ostbahnhof. The neighborhood is really nice with lots of pubs and restaurants but still great access to other areas in and out of Munich via U-bahn, S-bahn or train.

Posted by karina303 OP

Portland, Oregon

02/21/22 03:20 PM

81 posts

Thanks, DJ! Sounding like Motel One is a great option in Munich!

Posted by Paul

Eastern Iowa, USA

02/21/22 04:13 PM

8073 posts

we also love hotel breakfasts with some hot food options, or at very least, coffee in the hotel to hold me over

You would probably need to stay in a larger business hotel for a hot breakfast (Hilton, NH, etc.), smaller hotels will focus on pastries, breads, cheese, meat, with maybe a couple warm items.

But you will be in Munich, for goodness sake, at least one day, make it to the Schneider Brauhaus for the traditional mid-morning breakfast of Weisswurst, Pretzels, mustard, and a big Hefeweizen beer. They have some other hot options as well.

Posted by stephen

Greeley, co, usa

02/21/22 04:16 PM

2589 posts

for public transportation in Germany, I find the group day passes to be the best value for me.

Public transportation is very frequent, rarely more than a few minutes wait

Posted by DJ

02/21/22 04:19 PM

980 posts

No problem, with only two nights and Hofbräuhaus being a "must do" then I would recommend Motel One Sendinliger Tor. Yes, you can stay further out and take the super convenient public transport into the city but why do that when the rooms at Sendlinger Tor are already such a good value. You are only there 2 days so your time is valuable.

I have drank a lot of beer at a lot of places in Munich so here are my recommendations (I have not been there since 2019, before the pandemic, so some things might have changed):

Hofbräuhaus - yes it is touristy but it is still really fun. Take some time to explore the building, including the big hall on the top floor with the painted ceiling (there used to be a small exhibit above the stage with some history you can check out).
Paulaner am Nockherberg - a quick tram ride from Sendlinger Tor takes you to what has been voted the most beautiful Biergarten in Munich multiple times. The food in the restaurant is always top notch here (I usually get the duck) and this is the only place in Munich you can get the Nockherberger Bier (along with other seasonal specialty Biers). There was recently construction at the brewery next to the Biergarten and I'm not sure if it is completed or not.
Augustiner Bräustuben - Take a tram the other direction gets you to the best beer in Munich, Augustiner. This is probably the second most popular beer hall in Munich but it is well worth a visit.
Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm - another classic Biergarten in the English Garden, easily reached by the U3 or U6 from Sendlinger Tor. They usually have a band most weekends. Get eine Breze (Pretzl), ein Maß, and enjoy people watching in the park.

Have fun!