SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

MUNICH

9 essential apps for foreigners living in Munich

Whether you're looking for transportation information, event recommendations, or ways to explore Munich's unique culture, these essential apps are a must-have for foreigners in the city.

An aerial view of Munich.
An aerial view of Munich. Photo: Ian Kelsall/Unsplash

Attractions and services with the München App

Launched in January by the city of Munich in collaboration with the München Ticket and the city portal muenchen.de, the München App promised “to open Munich’s doors faster and easier than ever”, by simplifying access to Munich’s attractions and services. 

So far, locals seem to be very satisfied with the app, which allows users to purchase tickets, including admission to selected museums, exhibitions, concerts and swimming pools.

As the app continues to evolve, the plan is to expand its offerings to include more events and activities and for users to be able to use the app for public services, such as to make appointments with public authorities.  

Get around easily with MVG Fahrinfo München

The MVG Fahrinfo München app is an indispensable tool for navigating Munich’s public transportation network. This free and ad-free app, provided by the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV), offers comprehensive timetable information and mobile ticketing services.

A sign with the logo of the underground, tram and bus lines stands at a stop in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sven Hoppe

Whether you’re travelling by S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus, or tram, the MVG Fahrinfo München app provides real-time updates, route planning, and the option to purchase tickets directly from your smartphone.

Never miss an event with Rausgegangen

For those seeking to explore Munich’s vibrant event scene, Rausgegangen is the go-to app. It not only provides hand-picked daily recommendations from the editorial team but also offers a comprehensive list of upcoming events categorised by type. It helps users stay up to date with the latest concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and more. 

Combat food waste and save money with Too Good To Go

Through this app, participating restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets in Munich offer their surplus food at discounted prices and users can reserve and pay for portions via the app, contributing to sustainability efforts while enjoying delicious, cheap meals.

READ ALSO: ‘World’s largest village’: How foreigners in Germany feel about Munich

Left-over offerings are up for grabs from a wide range of places, from supermarket Edeka to the swanky Ruby Lilly Hotel and Bar. Simply browse available options based on location or pick-up time, and savour the satisfaction of helping reduce food waste.

See the sites offline with the Munich Travel Guide

Discover Munich in a personalised way with the Munich Travel Guide app. Powered by Ulmon, this app keeps you oriented even when offline.

By enabling users to explore attractions, restaurants, and hotels in their vicinity and create custom lists of favourites and access them offline, the Munich Travel Guide app is an invaluable tool for tourists and residents alike.

Pedal freely with the Call a Bike

For those looking to explore Munich on two wheels, the Call a Bike app by Deutsche Bahn is an excellent choice. With access to over 13,000 bikes throughout Germany, this bike-sharing app allows users to conveniently rent a bike for a maximum of nine euros per day.

Cyclists ride across a street in the centre of Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sven Hoppe

Use the app to embrace Munich’s bicycle-friendly culture and enjoy the city’s sights at your own pace.

Never miss the chance for an al fresco tipple with Biergartenfreude Munich

No visit to Munich is complete without experiencing one of its world-renowned beer gardens. The Biergartenfreude Munich app, available exclusively on iOS devices, helps you locate the nearest beer garden.

Discover new places or search for specific beer gardens, complete with ratings. This app is a beer lover’s companion for exploring Munich’s rich beer culture.

Discover cultural history with the MunichArtToGo

Where did the Munich art scene actually meet in the 19th century? MunchArtToGo answers these and other art history questions. 

With the free and ad-free app, you can discover art and cultural history in the middle of Munich’s urban space. With the help of an interactive map, you can easily find the nearest place that has an interesting and exciting story to tell.

The map includes art-historical attractions as well as lesser-known treasures of the city. With the help of historical photographs, you can compare the past with the present.

Users can also add their own pictures and information, and even create their own stories or thematic tours. Lots contributions from various Munich citizens are already part of the app. 

Never get a parking ticket with HandyParken

This app is a must-have for anyone who owns a car in Munich, as it allows users to conveniently pay for parking and to avoid the hassle of traditional parking payment methods. 

READ ALSO: Which areas in Munich are most popular with foreigners?

Munich has various parking zones, each with different rules and rates and the Handyparken app provides users with information about the specific parking zones in the city and their corresponding tariffs.

Users can easily identify their current location within a zone using GPS or by manually selecting the zone and the app calculates the applicable parking fee based on the chosen zone and duration.

The app sends reminders to users before their parking time expires, allowing them to extend their parking session remotely through the app if needed, helping to avoid fines for overstaying their parking time.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

LIVING IN GERMANY

Delays for German passport renewals after spike in applications

Anyone applying for or renewing a German passport may have to wait longer than usual after the government reported delays at the printer.

Delays for German passport renewals after spike in applications

Applicants should expect a waiting time of at least four weeks – and there may be further delays in the issuing of passports throughout Germany, according to the Interior Ministry. 

Due to the exceptionally high number of people applying for a passport or a renewal this year, the Bundesdruckerei, as the passport and ID card manufacturer, is unable to complete all document orders within the usual production time, the ministry said.

The manufacturer currently requires around five to six additional working days. According to an Interior Ministry spokesperson, the Bundesdruckerei’s delivery time for passports has increased to around 18 working days. Added to this is the processing time of the local authorities, which is why a waiting time of at least four weeks after ordering should be anticipated.  

Express orders, however, will continue to be delivered on time. 

More than 600,000 passports ordered within four weeks

In the first few weeks of the year, the number of applications for German passports rose sharply, even exceeding the regularly high application figures ahead of the summer months, the ministry spokesperson said.

“For the first time in the history of the Bundesdruckerei, well over 600,000 passports were ordered within four weeks,” said the spokesperson. Although this can be subject to fluctuations, this increase is said to be exceptional.

The Interior Ministry said the spike indicates a desire to travel and could be down to people applying for or updating a passport following the pandemic. 

The ministry assumes that a German ID card was sufficient for most people during the pandemic due to the restrictions on long-distance travel – but now people are going further afield. 

For ID cards, a waiting time of around two weeks from application continues to apply.

How do you apply for a German passport?

If you’re eligible to get one – or you need to update yours – citizens can apply for a German passport at their local Bürgeramt.

You have to attend an appointment in person and will have to bring various documents such as a recent photo that meets German passport photo requirements and proof of your identity and German nationality (for example your current or expired passport, identity card or your German naturalisation certificate). 

Keep in mind that appointments for this service can be tricky to secure in offices in busy areas – so make sure you order your passport in plenty of time if you’re planning a trip. 

READ ALSO: Your key questions answered about Europe’s new EES passport checks

SHOW COMMENTS