Munich isn’t exactly known as a bargain paradise. But if you’re a student who knows the right tricks, you can get through the semester surprisingly affordably! Whether you’re a freshman just moving to the city or have been at the university for a while: With smart discounts on transportation, culture, and food, you can save quite a bit. The city on the Isar has a wide variety of free activities to offer. We’ve put together the best money-saving tips for students in Munich just for you.
The Bavarian Discount Ticket for 43 euros
If you want to get from A to B quickly and stress-free in Munich, you need the right ticket. The former MVV semester ticket is no longer available. Instead, you can now use the Bavarian Discount Ticket for 43 euros a month . The great thing about it: Just like the Deutschlandticket, it’s valid nationwide on all local and regional transit! You can easily order the ticket as a subscription through the MVG customer portal and use it most conveniently as a mobile ticket. The subscription automatically ends at the end of each semester and must be reordered for each new semester.
Affordable Biking with MyRadl and Lost and Found Promotions
If you’d rather zip around the city flexibly by bike , you can easily and affordably start by using MyRadl’s bike-sharing service. If you’d prefer to own your own bike, your best bet is to ask at your student dorm to see if they’re clearing out their bike storage rooms, check out the bike auctions at Munich’s Lost and Found Office, or simply browse the classifieds.
Eating affordably at the campus cafeteria
For lunch breaks, the cafeterias and StuBistros run by the Munich-Upper Bavaria Student Services Organization are the best places to go. You’ll find them at all major locations, such as Leopoldstraße (LMU), Arcisstraße (TUM), Garching, Großhadern/Martinsried, Pasing, and Lothstraße (HM). About three-quarters of the food options are now vegetarian or vegan.
Affordable Cultural Options: 1-Euro Museums and Theater Discounts
Cultural offerings in Munich don’t have to be expensive at all! Every Sunday, you pay just 1 euro for admission to many state-run museums, such as the Alte Pinakothek, the Pinakothek der Moderne, the Museum Brandhorst, or the Glyptothek. Many Munich venues, such as municipal and state theaters, also offer extremely affordable tickets for students and young people under 30. These include the Münchner Kammerspiele, the Münchner Volkstheater, the Bavarian State Opera, and the Residenztheater. In addition, you can listen to the open-air concerts at the neighboring Olympic Stadium for free from the Olympiaberg —no ticket required.
Working out at the ZHS in the Olympic Park
If you’re looking for some athletic balance, take advantage of the huge grounds of the Central University Sports Center (ZHS) in the Olympic Park. Students from all of Munich’s universities can participate in the extensive and varied range of sports activities. It’s best to book your desired classes early, though, since popular spots fill up quickly.
Find available study spaces and seminar rooms
Don’t feel like dealing with the typical disorientation on campus during your first few days? Both LMU and TUM offer handy room-finding tools to help you locate lecture and seminar rooms right away. When it comes time to prepare for exams, LMU’s “Platzfinder” will help you out. It shows real-time occupancy levels for each library, ensuring you ’ll find an open study spot where you can study in peace without any extra costs. If you need a change of scenery, check out our overview of the city’s best study cafes and libraries.
Earn Money Easily Through University Experiments
Universities offer easy ways to make a little extra money quickly. One straightforward option is participating in behavioral research studies and decision-making tests. Good places to look are Melessa (LMU), experimenTUM (TU Munich), or econlab (Max Planck Laboratory). Depending on the assignment, hourly wages range from 15 to 20 euros.
