Take the morning Railjet or EuroCity from Innsbruck Hbf to Munich Hbf — it’s the easiest cheap option, usually around 1.5–2 hours depending on the service. If you book an advance fare on ÖBB, Deutsche Bahn, or sometimes Sparschiene offers, you can often keep it reasonably priced; same-day tickets are usually pricier. Aim to leave around 8–10 a.m. so you arrive in Munich with the whole day still ahead. At Munich Hbf, keep an eye on your platform changes and luggage, then walk or take the U-Bahn one stop into the center if you’re carrying anything heavy, though for this itinerary you can just go on foot from the station to the old town.
Start at Marienplatz, the city’s natural starting point and the quickest way to get your bearings in Altstadt. You’ll get the full postcard view of the New Town Hall and the square’s constant movement without needing any extra transport. It’s busiest late morning, which is actually part of the charm, and 30–45 minutes is enough unless you want to linger for photos or catch the glockenspiel. Coffee nearby is easy if you want a quick reset before heading on.
Walk south to Viktualienmarkt, which is the best place for a cheap, flexible lunch in central Munich. This is where locals grab a snack, a sausage, a salad, or fruit instead of doing a sit-down meal right away. Budget roughly €10–20 per person depending on how hungry you are; if you want to keep it very affordable, do one stall item and a drink, then sit under the trees for a bit. It’s usually open from morning into early evening, though individual stalls vary, so lunchtime is the easiest time to find everything lively and open.
From there, continue to Frauenkirche, just a short walk through the center, and spend 30–45 minutes there. The twin towers make it one of Munich’s most recognizable landmarks, and the visit fits neatly into the old-town loop without eating much time. If the weather is hot, use this stretch to keep things slow and shaded between the square, market, and church — Munich is very walkable here, and you don’t need transit for any of it.
Head east toward Englischer Garten for a proper break from the dense center. The best entry point for a casual afternoon is around the Eisbach area, where you can watch the river surfers if they’re out, then drift along the grassy paths toward the quieter riverside sections. Plan for 1.5–2 hours here, especially if you want to just sit, snack, or walk without a schedule. It’s one of those places where the city feels much bigger and calmer at the same time, and in July it’s especially good for slowing the day down before dinner.
Finish with a classic Bavarian dinner at Augustiner-Keller in Maxvorstadt. It’s one of the most reliable beer garden-style spots in the city, with hearty but not fancy food, long communal tables, and enough space that it usually still feels easygoing even on warm evenings. Expect about €15–30 per person depending on whether you do a main dish and a drink or keep it lighter. It’s an easy walk or short tram ride from the park side of the city, and a good place to end a travel day without overthinking it.
Start with Stadtbibliothek am Gasteig HP8 in Sendling as a low-cost, calm first stop after your travel day: it’s one of Munich’s nicest modern indoor spaces, right by the river, and a good way to ease into the day without spending much. If you get there around opening time, 45–60 minutes is enough for a coffee, a quiet browse, and a quick reset before the busier part of the day. From there, head over to Deutsches Museum on the Museumsinsel; it’s a straightforward transit ride or taxi, but if the weather is good you can also make it a scenic walk along the Isar. The museum is huge, so don’t try to “do it all” — a focused 2–3 hour visit is plenty, and tickets are usually in the mid-teens. Pick a few sections that interest you most and keep moving so the day stays relaxed.
After the museum, walk toward Isartor in Altstadt-Lehel and use that as your transition into the old city. It’s one of those places that looks simple at first but gives you a good feel for the medieval layout of Munich, and the surrounding streets are pleasant for an unplanned stroll. From there it’s an easy walk to Café Frischhut near the center, which is a very local-feeling stop for coffee and something sweet; expect about €6–12, and if you’re lucky to hit it between rushes you can sit down quickly. This is the part of the day where I’d avoid overplanning: just let yourself wander the lanes around Viktualienmarkt and the nearby side streets for a bit, then keep the pace slow so you’re not racing to the airport.
Before heading out, make time for Asamkirche in Altstadt. It’s small, so 20–30 minutes is enough, but it’s one of the most impressive interiors in the city — the kind of place that feels especially striking late in the day when the light gets softer. Then start making your way to Munich Airport for your flight to Stockholm Arlanda; for a late-afternoon or evening departure, I’d aim to leave the center about 3 hours before takeoff so you have a buffer for security and the S-Bahn or train connection. If you have a bit of extra time before leaving, you can grab one last drink or snack near Marienplatz or along Tal, but don’t cut the airport transfer too fine — keeping the journey direct and non-stop is the cheapest way to avoid turning a short hop into a long one.
Take the SJ regional train from Stockholm Central Station to Västerås Central first thing in the morning if you want the cheapest, least-fussy transfer and a full day in town. The practical sweet spot is usually an early-to-mid morning departure, because you’ll still arrive with the whole center walkable and won’t feel rushed. If you book ahead on SJ.se or the SJ app, fares are often around SEK 100–250; at the station, just keep an eye on platform changes and leave a little buffer, since Swedish trains are generally smooth but not something you want to cut close. Once you arrive, Västerås Central puts you within an easy stroll of the old center, so no need for extra transit unless you’re carrying heavy bags.
From there, start at Västerås Cathedral in Centrala Västerås. It’s the right opening stop because it gives you the city’s historical core immediately, without a long lead-in. Plan on 30–45 minutes to wander the exterior, step inside if it’s open, and soak up the quiet square around it. After that, walk over to Västerås Slott, which is close enough that the transition feels natural rather than like a “next stop.” The castle area is best treated as a compact historical pause: think 30–45 minutes for the setting, the exterior, and a slow lap around the edges rather than a big museum-style visit.
From Västerås Slott, head up to Djäkneberget for the classic local perspective on the city. It’s one of those places that helps you understand Västerås quickly: a bit of park, a bit of height, and a broad feeling of the city and surrounding green space. Set aside 1–1.5 hours so you can wander without turning it into a hike; it’s more enjoyable as a gentle stroll with pauses than a box to tick. When you’re ready for a break, drop into Kafé Kakmonstret in the city center for fika. Budget around SEK 80–160 for coffee and pastry, and give yourself 30–45 minutes there so it feels like a proper reset instead of a rushed sugar stop.
Finish with Mälarpromenaden along the Lake Mälaren waterfront, which is the nicest low-effort way to end the day. It’s easy to reach back from the center, and you can make this as short or as long as your energy allows: 1–2 hours is ideal if you want a relaxed sunset walk and time to sit by the water. This is the part of the day where Västerås feels especially good in midsummer — calm, open, and very walkable. When you’re ready to head home, just loop back to Västerås Central and take your return from there; if you have flexibility, an early evening departure keeps the day from feeling compressed, but the center-to-station walk is simple, so there’s no need to build in much logistical stress.