Are you planning to visit Munich for the first time? The city is one of the safest in the world, but you should still take some precautions.
I'll explain what to expect and which areas to avoid, sharing both my perspective as a person of color and my wife's.
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General Safety Situation in Munich
Munich is one of the safest cities in Europe thanks to low-criminality and efficient policing. In fact, Munich is THE safest city in Germany.
The Bavarian capital is also very traveler friendly and great for young and less experienced travelers.
We have always perceived Munich as a melting pot of cultures, and the locals are friendly and very down to earth.
After all, people from all over the world come to take part in major festivities such as the Oktoberfest, the Spring feast and to visit the Christmas Markets in December.
Munich has a good vibe, and you will fit right in as long as you practice civic mindfulness as a visitor. I'm pointing this out because drunk tourists can misbehave.
In Munich, you will feel safe and comfortable. I'm sharing my thoughts as a Person of Color (POC) and I'm adding my wife's insight to this evaluation (women safety perspective).
Visitors from the LGBTQ+ community and religious minorities will also feel at ease in Munich.
However, you should use your common sense as a traveler and newcomer to Munich.
What safety concerns might travelers have in Munich?
The areas to be most careful about in Munich include the central train station (Hauptbahnhof) and the Eastern railway station (Ostbahnhof). Here you might encounter drunks, but junkies are rare in Munich in general.
That said, both are well policed, just be extra careful during rush hours and don't engage in strange situations.
- Avoid strangers who try to sell you illegal substances or snake oil. Consumption of weed is regulated for Germans in Germany, and they don't have plans to legalize it for tourists.
- Pick-pockets are rare in Munich, but keep a watchful eye on your belongings during special events and festivities, such as the Oktoberfest and Christmas Market weeks, including the Marienplatz square. These places get crowded and everybody drinks on the streets.
- Avoid drunk tourist groups, especially at night.
- Don't engage in petitions. Some events might take place on the Marienplatz and those tend to be legit with the police watching over things in the vicinity.
- Be cautious with beggars. Only silent begging is allowed in Munich. That means beggars cannot harass people, and they are not allowed to beg at the Marienplatz square or the Oktoberfest venue.
Advice for Exploring Munich at Night
No matter if you are solo, a woman or a person of color, you can explore the city at night without having to face bad situations.
You will be fine, none of the old town areas is sketchy, but you need to be street smart and follow your gut feelings when faced with unusual situations.
The police presence is very active in Munich and the vibe is generally non-threatening. We have seen them take swift actions on the streets in the old town, which is the busiest area.
Drinking on the streets is very legal in Munich, and you won't fall in trouble for drinking beer or mulled wine on the streets. The drinking age for teenagers in Germany is one of the most flexible laws in the world.
You should save the emergency 112 number in your phone. This is the common European emergency number, and it will work anywhere in the union. The operators speak good English.
That said, don't ever leave your drink unattended in a bar or club, which is a general rule that you should adopt when traveling anywhere in the world.
Public Night Transport
Since January 2025, you can hop on a metro or tram night train on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Trams and Metro trains mostly run until 1 am on the weekdays.
Your night transport options during the week include the N17, N19, N20 and N27 tram lines and the N40-N45, N72 and N74 bus lines that run hourly once.
See the official MVG night line network map.
Safe Accommodation Areas
Most areas are super safe in Munich and you won't really have to worry too much about accommodation location regarding your security.
You might want to choose hotels away from the Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof.
That said, these areas are still considered very safe accommodation areas compared to other cities across the world.
Our Additional Tips
Munich's safety ratings have only increased for the better over the years, and it's above the nationwide standard.
Yet, If possible, keep away from certain spots at night. They are not as dangerous as other cities in Germany or in the world, but you never know when you encounter people with bad intentions. Use your common sense.
That said, generally, the worst that can happen to you is that you will mostly come across an unpleasant interaction.
Here are some places to avoid at night:
- Main train station and eastern train station. If you need to commute at night, keep away from dodgy people. Also, trains and S-Bahn are frequently late.
- Stachus and the Alter Botanischer Garten (old botanic garden) which is adjoining to the main train station.
- Englischer Garten (the sprawling green heart of Munich). Some areas are pitch black and groups of youngsters like to hang out there. Youngsters can create issues when they are in a group.
- Olympiapark area and the old Olympia train station.
Women might get harassed by men after a football game (Allianz arena) or at a public transport station at night.
Don't hesitate to approach the police if you feel unsafe. They are stationed at various points downtown and at the train stations.
Cycle and E-bike theft is common. If you hire a cycle or E-bike, lock it properly with a high-quality lock.
Tip: Read up on the common Tourist scams in Europe and how to blend in as an American tourist in Europe.
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