Here we go -

I'll try to keep this as short as possible while including the most information about my travels and interests. This is basically a Berlin vs. Munich question but if you have a few minutes I would appreciate you reading the rest of this post before you respond.

I'm planning a trip to Germany in March. I'm on a budget - not a shoestring budget, but a good solid budget. After airfare and lodging I will have about $100/day to spend on whatever I want. Various admissions, entertainment, train tickets, etc. The only thing I would like to avoid is a car rental.

I will be flying into either Berlin or Munich and will have 9 days on the ground. Right now, I'm leaning toward Berlin and have even went so far as to reserve a room (not confirmed yet pending my decision) for all 9 nights in Berlin. Which brings me to the reason of this post.

Should I spend all these days in Berlin or Munich while incorporating daytrips, both cities, or somewhere altogether different?

Now a little background, and I promise I'll keep it as short as possible:

My first trip overseas was to Germany and the first city I saw in Europe was Berlin. It had a so/so effect on me and I went back about a year and a half later and liked it much more the second time around. I've written the first visit off to culture shock, even though looking back on it Berlin pales in comparison to some other places I've been since, rural areas of the Czech Republic for instance.

Since my first trip to Europe in the early 90's I've been lucky enough to visit Europe 5 more times. On the intitial and subsequent trips I saw more of Germany: Munich, Leipzig, Dresden, Rothenburg, and Freiburg all fairly extensively. I've been to France, which I absolutely love having made 2 trips to Paris, and a 4 day stay in Normandy, Bayeux specifically. I've also seen Mont St. Michel and Chartres. I've visited the UK and have spent a total of about a month in London. I've also seen Wales, York, Salisbury, Edinburgh, and a lot of other things in the UK. I've visited Prague which I think is one of the most fascinating cities I'd ever seen.

Now I find myself with a really good airfare to Germany, with the option to fly into Berlin or Munich. I liked Munich, but unlike Berlin I have not made a return trip there. Something I started doing on about my fourth trip was going somewhere and staying in one spot. Sort of the "anti-whirlwind" tour if you will. Let me tell you, it pays off. For anybody who has never spent 10 free days in a row in Paris or London with one or two day-trips, you are really missing something. It really allows you to dig much deeper into the culture. I think I've come as close as possible to understading what it's like to live in either Paris or London without studying or living there. I believe I've seen and experienced far more than most general tourists ever will in either of those cities. Therefore, I'd like to apply the same idea to either Berlin or Munich.

I'm really torn on which one to visit. I know I can easily blow 9 days in Berlin, but after visiting places like Bayeux, Chartres, and York I'm not sure it has the old-world charm of these places I love so much. Munich on the other hand has the charm, but I'm not sure it has the staying power of Berlin. Don't forget I'll be there in March, so it's possible I will be doing very little outdoor activity.

Another part of me thinks I should split the two, but I'm concened that with only 9 days I'll shortchange one or the other. Plus, if you remember I really like to stay in one spot and do day trips.

I'm also thinking about going somewhere altogether different, like Krakow in Poland for example. I've thought about flying into Berlin and taking a train directly to Krakow and staying there almost the entire time with maybe just a couple of days in Berlin. I'm also having similar thoughts about Prague.

What makes it difficult is I've got a really good rate on a good hotel in Berlin. It looks like the hotels in Munich are quite a bit more expensive on average than the one I've procured in Berlin. So any suggestions on good budget hotels in Munich would be appreciated. I'm still not exactly sure what I can expect to pay for a single in either Krakow or Prague. The last time I was in Prague things were incredibly cheap, but I've heard that has changed.

So here are the parameters:

-Berlin vs. Munich vs. 3rd Party vs. Blend
-Mid-30's male traveling alone
-No car rental but open to a train pass, otherwise $100/day after lodging and airfare but a train pass would reduce the allowance.
-Loves history and the old-world charm to be found in Europe.
-Not a party animal (anymore) but I will be drinking. I'll be in Germany for cryin' out loud!
-Would prefer to stay in one spot as much as possible
-Visiting in March which means very unpredictable weather
-lodging MUST remain under $80/night for a single

Thanks for your time and I welcome any questions you might have to help with advice. I know this is ultimately only a decision I can make but I really would appreciate any advice you might have.

Glyde

Glyde, I think I can recommend two great budget accommodations for Munich and Berlin:

Munich: Hotel Uhland (garni)
http://www.hotel-uhland.de/enwelcome.html.
We stayed there in May and liked it a lot. It's a favorite of other Fodorites as well.

Berlin: Hotel-Pension Bregenz
http://www.hotelbregenz-berlin.de/index.htm

In Krakow, we stayed at Hotel Wawel Tourist
http://www.wawel-tourist.com.pl/en_history.html

All of these may be a bit over your budget, but check them out and see.

As for destinations, I'd recommend a split between Berlin and Krakow, with the emphasis on Krakow, which is unlike any European city I've visited. It's so full of charm and warmth! We flew Easyjet from Berlin for $62 round trip.

yes, check out www.whichbudget.com to see lowcost airfares.

i liked krakaw also.
we stayed at hote polonia and NEGOTIATED a cheaper rate than posted for a several night stay.

berlin is great, but i think you would have enough time to squeeze in another city, be it munich or krakow or wherever you prefer since trains and low cost flights open up an entire region for you.

i am unfamiliar with the extent of daytrips outside berlin that you could easily do . i have basically stayed in the capital and potsdam.

Some daytrip possibilities outside of Berlin, other than Potsdam, that I have considered (but not yet done!)include Leipzig and Dresden. I was also reading of Hamburg and Bremen as possibilities. However, that would be a lot of time on the train. Then there are places like Wannsee that might not be quite a daytrip, but would take some hours. I spent a full day in Potsdam in 2004, but I certainly cannot say I saw everything - I could easily go back and see a lot more.

I haven't been to Munich or Krakow, so can't comment. But I really like the fact that when I'm in Berlin, it seems that money goes much more slowly compared to other European cities. And Berlin is so interesting and it's mutable rather than static. And there is no end of possible activities.

Have you thought of getting an apartment in Berlin, or whatever city you end up visiting?

I agree with your immersion idea. It should be a very enjoyable trip.

Of course there's also the Sachsenhausen concentration camp near Berlin - again, not quite a full daytrip perhaps.

Just a few thoughts. Hamburg is only 90 minutes by rail from Berlin (fastest connection is 1 hr 33 minutes; Dresden is a little over 2 hrs (fastest connection)

You can also check budget flights at www.skyscanner.net

If in Munich consider the possibility of traveling on a Bayern rail ticket rather than using a pass for day trips in that area.

Potsdam would be a wonderful day trip for either the Nieue Palace, the Sans Souci or even both.

Dachau is an easy daytrip from Munich; castles near Munich to include the largest and most elaborately decorated of all: Herrenchiemsee not to mention the Nymphenburg within the city, the Residenze, etc.

Tough decision as I like both cities but for different reasons.

TTT

Since you've already been to Leipzig & Dresden, it makes sense to consider Hamburg as Dukey already recommended. We're heading there in April for our 5th visit. We're heading to Berlin for a week after Hamburg for our 8th visit, there are plenty of things to do in Berlin.

Krakow is almost a 10 hour train ride from Berlin. There is a special deal from Bahn.de for 29 euro each way:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/que...ogram=esi&
Press English on the top right corner button. Then press Berlin on the map and then Krakow on the map. The whichbuget website will show that there is no cheap flight between Krakow & Berlin till April 24.

Prague is an easy 4 hour train from Berlin for 29 euro Bahn.de special. You can even include a 1-2 day stay in Dresden at no extra charge by entering Dresden for the "via" option. Good luck with your planning.

Glyde, two other places not too far from Berlin also intrigued me, though we weren't able to fit in trips there on our visit earlier this year:

Quedlinburg: This is a World Heritage site, a little over 3 hours from Berlin in the Hartz Mountains. It's described as an outstanding example of a European city of medieval origin which has preserved through the centuries its precious architectural heritage of romanesque and half-timbering buildings in exceptional quality.

http://www.quedlinburg.co.uk/

Goslar: This is another Unesco World Heritage site in the Hartz Mountains I hope to visit one day, also about three hours from Berlin.

http://www.goslar.de/englisch/index.htm

Spreewald: About an hour and a half away from Berlin, with arrival in Lubben or Lubenau, you can find the Spreewald, another World Heritage site. It is populated by the Sorbs, a slavic people, who have retained their own customs, dress, and way of life.

http://www.spreewald-marketing-servi...=10&type=1

Munich and Berlin epitomize polar opposites in Germany. Munich is clean, compact and quaint (gemutlich). It is also one of the most expensive towns in Germany. Berlin is the most "urban" of the German cities- it has diversity, grit and energy. It is also a lot more affordable. You can do wonderful daytrips from either place and franklyk you could split your time between both-it's a 4-5 hour drive (longer, ofcourse by train or bus).

Mary Fran made great suggestions. We really enjoyed our visit to Quedlinburg, Wernigerode & even Goslar. They are not overrun by tourists like the Bavarian towns so we felt like we discovered hidden jewels. Quedlinburg & Wernigerode are filled with colorful timber houses which may provide a wonderful contrast to Berlin. I would however recommend renting a car for touring the Harz mountain as train connections between those towns are clumsy/impractical.

I was planning to visit Lubben/Lubbenau during my last two visits to Berlin this year, but both times the local Berliners told me not to expect too much out of it and they all basically talked me out of it.

Should you decide to go to Hamburg, there are two jewels near Hamburg which are not as quaint as the Harz towns but definitely worth a visit using the local train:
Luebeck and Celle.
www.hamburgfotos.de/luebeck.htm
www.celle.de/index_2.phtml?La=2&start=1

I'd like to thank everybody for their input. I'm looking into all of the suggestions. Please continue to post any advice or suggestions you might have.

Glyde

In Germany my friend tell me they consider Munich the buckle of the Bible belt (which is probably why they like to party in Berlin..and I'm not talking about just drinking beer, either)...

so when are you going to make your decision and will you ever let us know what it was????

>franklyk you could split your time between both-it's a 4-5 hour drive (longer, ofcourse by train or bus).

A drive from Munich to Berlin in 4-5 hours? Very unrealistic (5 h maybe after midnight...) Usually it is rather aout 6-7 hours.

By train you are of course faster than driving.

>Dukey asked: "so when are you going to make your decision and will you ever let us know what it was????"

Everybody has been so great with their suggestions that I'm a bit overwhelmed.

I would say at this point that I'm leaning toward spending almost the entire time in Krakow, skipping Berlin altogether and trying to get a connecting flight to Krakow. DAX said there is a lack of cheap connecting flights, so if I have to catch a train then I'll probably go ahead and spend a couple of days in Berlin on each end. I just really enjoy the immersion thing I've been doing. Do you think I can spend 9 days in and around Krakow?

For those who have been to Krakow or are familiar with Polish rail travel, do you think I can get around efficiently in southern Poland without renting a car. I'm just planning on staying in the region of Krakow. I probably won't go any farther than Wroclaw. Warsaw is almost certainly out. As I stated earlier I'm really opposed to a car rental on this trip. I've rented cars in Europe before with no problems, but I always had others to split the cost. This time I'm going alone and don't want the added expense, plus it's nice to have a co-pilot to watch for signs and what-not.

All that being said, I still haven't ruled out a few other places, specifically Quedlinburg and Hamburg. Munich is rapidly losing favor for this trip. I expect to make up my mind in the middle of next week and of course I won't leave everybody hanging.

Keep posting everybody!

Glyde

Altamiro- I assure you I did the drive in under 5 hours. Granted, I made the best use of the speed-limitless autobahn but I was hardly the fastest car on the road.
Either way, in 9 days, both cities are doable but of course, focussing on one region would make sense and offer plenty to see and do.

Glyde,
Based on what you've said about your travel history and budget, I think you should go to Krakow. The city and culture are very different from the others you have visited. Since you do enjoy Berlin, maybe you could stay there for a couple of days and do some things you haven't done there before you go to Krakow.

I think you would enjoy Krakow for five or so days. Possible daytrips could be to the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz. You can book tours and transportation to both of these from Krakow and won't have to rent a car.

Krakow is much less expensive than Berlin or Munich or even Prague. I think you'll be surprised at how much more you can do on $100 a day there than in the other cities you mentioned.

Krakow is such a wonderful city. Keep us posted on your decision. I'm sure you will have a great trip wherever you decide to go.

Until you said you were leaning towards Krakow I was going to suggest Bamberg.

We just completed a 7 night stay in Germany, spending 5 nights in Bamberg and 2 nights in Munich. We were amazed at how beautiful (and inexpensive) Bamberg was, then had a shock back to "real" prices in Munich. Bamberg has 10 fantastic breweries (but a small population of 70,000). I think it's also a good location for train travel...we went to both Nurenberg (for a football match) and Wurzburg, but there were many many other possibilities as well.

So if you reconsider Germany, my vote would be for a smaller town in Bavaria, and I certainly enjoyed our time in Bamberg enough to suggest it!

You have been all over, so you should already know, but... well you asked...so here goes..

Berlin vs. Munich ... not even close...Munich...not a fair comparison because Berlin is only better if you want 20's action.

Mid-30's male traveling alone..ok, see #1

-No car rental but open to a train pass... can you beat Bavaria for the old Bavaria pass access to great Germanic sites and views? You know that.

$100/day after lodging and airfare ... staying 7 days in Munich would knock that back to about 60. Done it many times.

-Loves history and the old-world charm to be found in Europe...ok, tell me where the old worls charm is in Berlin...not!!! Can you say Commies?


-Not a party animal (anymore) but I will be drinking.... no crap who doesn't love Bamberg Smoke Beer or Augustiner in Munich...best two beers in the world.

-Would prefer to stay in one spot as much as possible... Yeah I know how you feel..Munich is perfect

-Visiting in March which means very unpredictable weather...less so in southern Germany

-lodging MUST remain under $80/night for a single..you know thats not a problem if you are as traveled as you say..

Love your post man. It gets at lots of stuff. You know what to do.

Like previous have stated, Berlin and Munich are polar opposites. I've spent a lot of time in both places and I think Munich is a much better base for taking small side trips. Train access to various other interesting cities are easy from Munich. And if you're looking for "charm" - forget Berlin. It's a stark, modern city. It's vibrant and alive, but had the charm bombed out of it.