Is Munich safe to visit? A comprehensive safety guide

Munich is the state capital of Bavaria and a top destination for tourists looking to ski and snowboard on the Bavarian Alps, wander the magical Christmas markets in the city or attend Oktoberfest, the largest public festival in the world.

With an estimated population of 1.54 million, Munich is the third largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg. The best time to visit Munich and southern Germany is from March to May, but if you want to take a trip during high season, you should know that Munich has a few.

The first peak season of the year starts in summer, which is ideal for warm-weather travelers. The crowds return in large numbers again in September for the oldest and largest festival in Munich, the Oktoberfest, which attracts around 6 million guests each year. The last peak season of the year is around Christmas, when Munich welcomes thousands of visitors eager to see the Christmas markets.

So, it seems like the city is always busy with people.

But is Munich safe for tourists? The answer is yes. Munich is a very safe city where violent crime is rare. However, reckless tourists can fall victim to petty crimes and scams, mainly pickpocketing.

To prevent such incidents from occurring, you should always leave important documents in a safe place and avoid carrying valuables with you. We recommend storing your luggage safely with Bounce luggage storage in Munich. That way, you can wander around this lovely city without worry.

Is Munich safe to visit right now?

Munich is an international city and is known as one of the safest cities in Europe, with a ranking of 85/100 from Travel Safe Abroad. However, people, especially first-time visitors, should take the usual precautions as they would in any other major city.

One can feel generally safe walking around main tourist attractions, the city center and busy events. However, these places are also playgrounds for pickpockets and scammers, which is why you should practice common sense and remain watchful at all times.

This guide should prepare you for potential risks to your safety and health that you may experience in Munich but remember that your safety is your own responsibility, so you should do thorough research on the city you're visiting. And whether you're an experienced traveler or not, check your government's official travel guidelines before your trip to Munich.

When following these Munich safety tips and exercising caution, you'll enjoy your vacation in this spectacular city even more.

Top petty crimes and scams in Munich affecting tourists

Munich, Germany, has a very low crime rate, and violent crime is almost non-existent. Still, tourists can encounter petty crimes like scamming, bag snatching and pickpocketing.

Train tickets

Fake train tickets and fake train ticket inspectors are a common scam not just in Munich, but throughout Germany. You should always purchase your traveling tickets from an official website, vendor machines, or ticket booths at the train station. If an inspector comes around, they typically show an ID. If they tell you the ticket is fake, and ask you to pay straight away, they are most likely fake inspectors. A real one will usually allow you to pay later.

Beggars

Life can be cruel to some people and we often see them begging on the streets. While Munich is no exception, beggars on the street are less common than in Berlin or Frankfurt. However, there are fake disabled beggars you should be aware of. They ask for money and are persistent, and they may even try to rob you.

If someone targets you, they will find all possible ways to distract you and take what they want to take. Be vigilant and don't carry expensive and flashy jewelry, and avoid pulling out your wallet, especially on busy public transport and in tourist hotspots. Oktoberfest is another place in Munich where you want to keep a close eye on your belongings or even better, store them with Bounce.

All in all, you can feel safe in Munich as a tourist. Follow these safety tips and you can have an amazing time in this lovely city.

Is Munich safe to travel alone

Munich is a large city with numerous tourists year-round. Most visitors travel in groups of friends or families, but there are thousands of solo travelers too. As the safest city in Germany (according to German crime statistics), solo travelers should feel safe walking and exploring the city. But it goes without saying that you should remain vigilant at all times, especially if you're alone at night or on busy public transport.

Germany is relatively safe for solo female travelers, with a rating of 25, as listed on the Bounce Women Travel Safety Index. And solo female travelers to Munich are in no more danger than those traveling in groups. Women shouldn't be scared of walking home alone as long as they stay alert to what is happening around them. Generally speaking, Munich is a safe city for all tourists, regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation, whether they travel solo or in groups.

Safest neighborhoods in Munich

Like in most cities in the world, Munich, too, has a few neighborhoods with a bad reputation. This doesn't mean you should avoid going there at all costs, but if you happen to be there, be on the lookout, especially for alcohol-related fights, drug dealers, pickpockets, and scammers.

Surprisingly, the area around the central station Hauptbahnhof is one of the few to avoid, but compared to other cities in Europe, it's not all that bad. Public safety officers are present at most bus and train stations, and you shouldn't have any problems walking around.

Other areas in Munich with a negative reputation are Neuperlach, the southern part of the city where immigrants live, and Hasenbergl, located north of the city, which like Neuperplach, is a less desirable area to live and walk around because of high levels of poverty.

If you're not sure where to book your accommodation, these are some of the safest areas in Munich for tourists to stay.

Altstadt-Lehel

The city center, or the Old Town, is a popular and safe area boasting stunning architecture, top attractions, top-notch restaurants, and exclusive shopping.

Berg-Am Laim

This family-friendly area is one of the safest places to stay while in Munich. Located in the southeast of Munich, Berg-Am Laim has good public transport connections, international schools, parks, cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Au-Haidhausen

Just east of the old city, by the river Isar, is Au-Haidhausen, a trendy neighborhood with lots of young people and funky bars. Come summer, the place is packed with families enjoying a picnic and riverside living.

Is Munich public transportation safe?

As one of the safest cities in Germany, Munich offers a safe, clean, reliable, and affordable public transport system for locals and tourists alike.

However, out of all public places, the main train station is one to be careful when walking, especially at night. The station is known to be a gathering place for drug addicts, and while they usually fight amongst themselves, accidents can break out, so be aware of your surroundings.

In general, Munich public transport has a low level of crime. But this doesn't mean you should relax and become less vigilant. On the contrary, you should always keep an eye on your belongings, keep your valuables close to you or secure in your inside pockets, and you should never leave your phone unattended.

Important emergency numbers in Munich

If you have any concerns about your safety and the safety of the people around you, this is a list of emergency numbers to keep handy.

• Ambulance: 19222
• Emergency doctor: 112
• Pediatric emergency doctor: 112
• Poison specialists 112
• Emergency help (drugs) 089-724 2003
• Emergency dental help: 089-72330-93 or -94

As a tourist in a foreign country, you should always be aware of your country's embassy number, be it for issuing emergency passports, visa-related issues, and others.

Munich is perfectly safe and exciting too

Overall, Munich is safe and it's a great place to relocate or visit. The Bavarian capital has one of the lowest crime rates in Germany, so walking around the city as a tourist shouldn't be of any concern. Moreover, Munich and Germany have an excellent health care system and you can easily find pharmacies in any neighborhood.

Despite the low safety issues, you should never let your guard down, and walk and explore using caution at all times. This doesn't mean you should worry someone will steal your bag the entire time, but it helps if you're aware of your surroundings. Finally, don't forget to purchase travel insurance before traveling to Munich. It will help cover medical expenses should you require medical assistance.

If you want to navigate the city easily, check out our guide How to Get Around Munich, and if you're still not sure which neighborhood is the right choice, our Where to Stay in Munich: The Ultimate Guide will help you make a decision.