Munich Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

There are many ways to explore Munich, but if you don't have much time during your trip and don't want to miss any of the sights in this German city, I recommend buying a one-day or multi-day pass for the Munich tourist bus.

In Munich, you have two main options for sightseeing buses that operate on a hop-on hop-off system. This means that, for a fixed 24- or 48-hour fare, you can get on and off as many times as you like at the available stops. It's a convenient and flexible way to explore the city and see its most important sights without worrying about public transportation.

Classic Munich sightseeing bus

With the Munich tourist bus, you can choose between three types of tickets:

• 24-hour express (8 stops, 1-hour tour if you don't get off)
• 24-hour long route (10 stops, 2.5-hour tour)
• 48-hour long route (valid for two consecutive days)

This double-decker bus has an audio guide in Spanish and is designed for those who want to spend more time at each attraction and explore Munich at a leisurely pace.

Big Bus tourist bus

The other alternative is Munich's Big Bus tourist bus, which is highly rated by travelers. It includes two different routes:

• Green route: tours the historic center and main squares.
• Orange route: takes you to the north of the city, with stops at places such as Nymphenburg Palace, the Olympic Stadium, and the English Garden.

Depending on the ticket you choose (24 or 48 hours), you can take just one route or both, with the option of hopping on and off at each stop. It's ideal if you're looking for a more comprehensive and panoramic tour.

How I recommend using them

Whichever option you choose, I suggest using the bus as a practical means of transportation to get around the main points of interest, but also as a panoramic tour in itself. Take at least one complete tour without getting off to enjoy the views and the audio guide commentary.

In Munich, you can choose between two sightseeing bus services that are very similar in format but with slight differences. Both offer 24- or 48-hour passes, allow you to hop on and off at any stop, and feature a multilingual audio guide. The main difference is in the route structure and the operator.

• The Munich sightseeing bus is a practical option that offers two versions: a shorter express route and a longer route (Grand Tour). Ideal if you are looking for something functional to see the essentials of the city.
• The Munich Big Bus is part of an international network of tourist buses and offers two distinct routes (one through the historic center and one through the north). If you choose the 48-hour pass, you can do both.

Both options include digital tickets, recorded commentary, free cancellation, and the ability to explore Munich at your own pace.

You can purchase your pass online for both the classic Munich sightseeing bus and the Big Bus sightseeing bus. Both offer 24- and 48-hour ticket options, and booking confirmation is immediate: you will receive your pass directly in your email.

Both services allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, giving you flexibility if your plans change. You can purchase them with peace of mind before your trip and ensure your seat is reserved.

How to activate

The pass is activated the first time you board the bus, regardless of the company you choose. From that moment on, the validity period (24 or 48 hours) begins. To get the most out of it, I recommend activating it first thing in the morning.

Both the classic service and the Big Bus are wheelchair accessible, and small children can travel for free if they sit on an adult's lap.

Both the classic Munich sightseeing bus and the Big Bus Munich offer hop-on hop-off tours, but with some differences worth noting. Both services are a convenient way to get your bearings in the city and see the main sights, choosing the itinerary that best suits your visit.

Classic tourist bus

This service offers two main routes:

• Express Route (approx. 1 hour). Stops: Marienplatz, English Garden, Pinakothek, Odeonsplatz, Deutsches Museum, Max-Joseph-Platz, Stachus Passagen, München Bahnhofplatz Gallery.
• Grand Tour (approx. 2.5 hours). Stops: all those on the express route + Ludwig University, Nymphenburg Palace, Olympiapark, Allianz Arena, Akademie der Bildenden Künste.

Big Bus Tourist Bus

Big Bus offers two different routes, which you can combine with a 48-hour ticket:

• Green route: historic center (Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, English Garden, Deutsches Museum).
• Orange route: northern area (Nymphenburg Palace, Olympiapark, Olympic Stadium, BMW Welt).

The great advantage of the Big Bus is that you can choose between taking just one of the routes (24 hours) or combining both (48 hours), enjoying a very complete overview of Munich.

Ana's Traveler Tip

Get your money's worth by activating your pass first thing in the morning and, at least once, take the complete route to listen to the audio commentary.

In Munich, the tourist bus stops are clearly marked. When there is a stop shared by two routes, pay close attention to the illuminated signs on the bus to find out which route it is taking.

The shorter route is ideal for visiting the city's main tourist attractions and saving time, but to learn about the significance and history of Munich's various monuments, it is best to take the longer route and listen to the audio commentary available in several languages.

A good way to get to know the city in depth is to combine walking between nearby monuments with bus trips to more distant areas.

If you've made good use of the tourist bus, you'll have already seen practically all the sights in Munich, but there's still much more to see during your trip. In the surroundings of Munich, you can find the Bavarian mountains with their amazing landscapes, cities such as Salzburg, fairytale castles, and historical sites such as the Dachau concentration camp.

Take a look at this article on 7 Best Tours and Day Trips in Munich to continue making the most of your trip.