City Sightseeing Munich | The Best 48-hour Bus Tour

Having explored multiple cities within the United States, Europe and Asia, there is one thing in common – taking hop-on hop-off tours around near places. We love the opportunity to see the city based on the different routes and have found it to be a convenient way to “hop” around to the major tourist attractions. When we visited Munich, I knew we needed to find a tour option and landed on City Sightseeing Munich – which was a great choice! 

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I strongly believe that the quickest way to get your bearings in a city is to get out and explore as much as possible quickly. I love good hop-on hop-off bus tours, and they are no all created equally. When we are heading to a new city, I look into all of the options. Some companies offer different routes, while others offer options of tours (audio, live commentary, different languages, etc.). I prefer to do a 2-day tour option when possible and use it for a half day each day. It’s a great way to see the city, get an understanding of where landmarks are, and see many of the sights in a short amount of time!

If you are heading to Munich, we had a great experience with City Sightseeing Munich. The audio guide was insightful and the routes got us to all of the attractions we wanted to see within the city, plus I always love a good view from one of the double-decker buses. Is it the right tour for your family? Let’s find out! 

Benefits Of A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

• Seeing a city from a different vantage point. Especially from the upper deck on a beautiful, sunny day when it’s an open top!
• Not having to use public transport to get to the main attractions. Part of the fun is being out and about within the city as you travel around it. Otherwise, I have nothing against using public transportation- in fact, I LOVE it in most cities! But for the purpose of getting my bearings in a city, it’s helpful to be out and about in. 
• A stop at each of the main tourist attractions, which many vacationers may want to see. We always pick 2-3 “tourist” attractions in a city and then try to experience the city from a locals perspective for the rest of our time, but open-top bus tours give us an option to see more of the attractions and sights without going in. 
• Follow your own pace. With buses coming every 15-30 minutes in the summer/peak time or 15-60 minutes in the winter season, you know there is always another bus to follow once you decide to hop off and explore a stop. 

Looking for a full guide to Munich? Check out the ultimate 4 days in Munich itinerary with multiple options depending on the time of year and your interests.

Hop On – Hop Off Options In Munich 

There are multiple tour options within Munich. We landed on City Sightseeing, but it could be worth exploring all options before deciding which tour is best for your group.

• Munich City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
  • Starting from $25 per person 
  • Express tour for the 24-hour option or opt for the Grand Tour ticket for 48-hours of exploring
  • 9-language audio guide included 
• Big Bus Munich Hop-on Hop Off Bus Tour
  • Starting from $25 per person
  • 24 and 48-hour tour options
  • Two central routes to choose from 
• City Sightseeing Munich
  • Starting from $24 per person
  • 4 and under are free and do not require a ticket 
  • 24 and 48- hour options
  • Three routes throughout the city 

Pro Tip: If you are interested in visiting many of the major attractions within Munich, you should consider the Munich City Card! It includes public transportation access, discounts to over 100 attractions (some up to 70% off!) and can be purchased for multiple days. Depending on the amount of time you plan to spend on public transportation, and touring the interior of attractions, it could be a great option! 

CitySightseeing Munich Route Options 

There are three route options for Munich City Sightseeing.

• Red Line: A 1-hour loop with seven stops to tour the city center of Munich. Popular stops near Residenz, Marienplatz, the Opera, and the Deutsches Museum. 
• Purple Line (Nymphenburg/Olympiapark Tour): Major highlights are in the route name, so it’s no surprise you will make stops at two popular places- Nymphenburg Palace and Olympiapark. I highly recommend getting a spot on the upper deck of the bus while traveling between destinations for views of the town near the Palace and then the city as you get closer to the Olympic Park. 
• Blue Line (Schwabing Tour): This tour will take you through a few stops in the Englischer Garten and Pinalotheken.

Experiences you can see around the Red Line: The single-loop tour includes seven specific stops, each with its own major attractions. 

• Odeonsplatz is a large square in the center of the city of Munich. 
• Marienplatz is one of Munich’s hotspots with beautiful architecture and shopping. It’s also a short walk from Odeonsplatz if you want to walk and hop back on at this stop. Viktualienmarkt is a must visit market while here!
• The Opera stop will lead you to the National Theater, Residenz Theater, Residenz Museum, Kunsthalle München and the Antiquarium. This is the perfect stop for art lovers! 
• Haidhausen is a must stop if you are ready for a beer garden for lunch! 
• Deutsches Museum is a great museum option but it’s also in a vibrant and picturesque part of the city. Located on the Museuminsel, an island in the Isar River, it offers stunning views of the water and nearby bridges. 
• Stachus, officially known as Karlsplatz, is a bustling square in the heart of Munich, blending historical charm with modern vibrancy. It serves as a key hub for shopping, dining, and transportation, with its grand fountain and the historic Karlstor gate creating a striking centerpiece.

Attractions on the Purple Line: A drive outside of the city centre to see some of the outer edges of Munich.

• Neuhausen is such a charming district in Munich, combines a relaxed residential vibe with vibrant urban life. Known for its tree-lined streets and beautiful historic buildings, the area offers a mix of traditional Bavarian charm and modern flair. It’s home to cozy beer gardens, trendy cafés, and unique boutiques, making it a favorite among locals.
• Nymphenburg Palace, a stunning baroque masterpiece surrounded by sprawling gardens and serene waterways. Once the summer residence of Bavarian royalty, the palace is steeped in history and grandeur, with opulent interiors and fascinating exhibits, including the famous Gallery of Beauties.
• Olympiapark is an iconic recreational area that was originally built for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Its unique architecture, including the sweeping glass canopies of the Olympic Stadium, remains as something to catch you eye with the design. The park itself also offers a wide range of activities, from sports and concerts to peaceful walks around its serene lake and lush green spaces. Visitors can climb the Olympiaturm for panoramic views of the city or enjoy family-friendly attractions like the Sea Life aquarium. With its lively events and tranquil spots, Olympiapark is a versatile destination that appeals to all.

​The Blue Line offers a similar experience to the Red Line, offering the chance to see additional attractions and explore across the Isar River.

• Odeonplatz is the first stop
• Englischer Garten is a must stop! It is one of the largest urban parks in the world, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm. Stretching from the city center to the Isar River, it features lush meadows, serene lakes, and winding paths ideal for walking, cycling, or picnicking. Highlights include the picturesque Monopteros temple, the bustling beer garden at the Chinese Tower, and the Eisbachwelle, where surfers ride a man-made wave year-round. With its peaceful ambiance and vibrant attractions, the Englischer Garten is a beloved retreat for both locals and visitors.
• Schwabing is an artsy district with trendy boutiques, spectacular architecture, great bars and nightlife. It’s a great spot to feel like you are outside of the bustling city. 

​How To Tour Munich

With three route options between the  Red Route, Purple Route and Blue Route, you may notice that they go in very different directions, so it will be difficult to hit everything in one day. I recommend following the plan to see some of the main sights over two days. 

Day One

On your first day of utilizing the City Sightseeing Munich pass, I suggest taking it a bit slower as you see some of the further out experiences and attractions. I highly recommend arriving for the first departure of the day, which is usually around 10:00 am. 

• Head to the main train station and greet your hop-on hop-off bus driver at the CitySightseeing Munich starting point 
• Start by hopping onto the Purple Route and head towards Nymphenburg Palace. If you would like to stop for breakfast, hop off at the Neuhausen stop to find a charming cafe for pastries.
  • Hop off here to explore the Palace grounds for an hour, or take the grand tour of the interior (its beautiful!) until the next bus arrives
• Hop onto the bus and make your way to Olympiapark.
  • Hop off here to tour the olympic grounds, or walk through the public park which is one of the largest city parks in Munich. 
• Hop back onto the bus and head back to the main train station 

At this point, you could ether opt to explore the city on your own, or hop onto the Blue Route and follow the following plan: 

• Hop onto the bus towards Englischer Garten (sit on the right side of the bus for the best views!).
  • Hop off at Englischer Garten and explore the most beautiful city park you will find. There is so much to see depending on when you arrive. Stop for a beer in an outdoor beergarden, wander the waterfront, see the surfers, and more. You could easily spend the rest of the day here! 
• Walk towards the Leopoldstrasse stop and hop back onto the bus.
• If you are an art lover, hopping off at Pinakotheken and visiting Glyptothek may be worth your time, otherwise, continue on to the final stop of the bus tour. 

Day Two

• I again recommend grabbing a ride of the first bus of the day, usually around 10 am and getting on the Red Line which is the city tours line. 
• Enjoy the amazing architecture and listen to the interesting information about the area as you ride via the on-board audio system. 
• Hop off at the first stop of Odeonsplatz where you will see many of the main tourist attractions in the area.
  • Walk towards Marienplatz to get the full experience of the area. 
• You can hop back onto the bus at either Marienplatz or Oper and make your way across the Isar. I recommend staying on through the Haidhausen stop unless you are looking for a break at a beer garden. 
• Hop off at the Deutsches Museum, walk around the water front and explore the museum. This is a beautiful area! 
• Hop back on the bus from the same place and go towards Stachus where you will hop off for the final stop and explore the area! 

 After two days you will have had the chance to hit many of the major attractions within Munich and learned a lot along the way as well! 

​Logistics About City Sightseeing Munich 

There are a few important things to know before booking and arriving to your city bus tour.

• Bilingual audio tours are available on each bus. 
• You can hop on and hop off as many times as you wish- even if that means every stop along the way! 
• It’s important to check in at the main station – Hauptbahnhof (H1). You will see the sign outside, head to the counter inside and show your pre-ordered ticket for the best value. 
• All buses are barrier-free (no step-up) and have a ramp available. 
• Hours of operation change based on the season and around public holidays. 
• The last departure of the day is usually around , 5pm, though it’s helpful to confirm your specific dates in advance. 
• If you purchase the 48-hour bus tour, you must use the tickets on two consecutive days. 
• They have a great return policy to receive a full refund if you cancel in advance, or you can also reschedule. 

If you have a few days to tour Munich, I highly recommend starting with the City Sightseeing tour to get your bearings!

Have you done a hop-on/hop-off bus tour before?