Munich- Arriving and Getting Around

Franz-Joseph-Strauss-Flughaven Airport

Voted the best airport in Europe in 2005, Munich’s ultra-modern Franz-Joseph-Strauss-Flughaven lies some 30 kilometres north of the city. It is linked to the city centre by the two branches of the S-Bahn (suburban metro railway) and by buses operated by the Lufthansa airline.
The airport S-Bahn S1 travels from Munich Airport to Hauptbahnhof (the main railway station) and Marienplatz via several stops, including Neufahrn, Moosach and Laim. It operates every 20 minutes from 05:51 until 00:11.
The airport S-Bahn S8 travels from Munich Airport via Ismaning, Ostbahnhof, Isartor, Marienplatz, Karlsplatz/Stachus, Hauptbahnhof, Laim and Pasing to Geltendorf. It operates every 20 minutes from 03:09 a.m. until 00:29 a.m.
The Lufthansa Airport Bus is a daily, quick, inexpensive and comfortable way to get from the airport to the city and back. Buses depart at convenient 20-minute intervals from the terminals and the Central Area at the airport, and proceed from there directly to Schwabing and the Hauptbahnhof. They run daily from 05.10 until 08.35.

Munich’s MMV public transport system is an integrated network of buses, trams and S- and U-Bahn trains. As you might expect, it is highly efficient, though the fare and ticketing system, despite attempts at simplification, remains bewilderingly complicated at times. Prices vary according to how many zones are crossed: the city is divided up into a series of concentric circles, clearly displayed on the transport maps at any station, tram or bus stop.
The pricing of single tickets is so confusing that it’s probably best to buy a day ticket or a München Welcome Card. Various day tickets are available. The Single-Tageskarte for individual travellers costs €4.50 for journeys within Munich, or €9 for the wider city and S-Bahn region. These charges rise to €8 and €16 respectively for the Partner-Tageskarte, which covers up to five adults or ten children.
The München Welcome Card, which can be purchased at the tourist offices, covers all public transport costs within Munich and gives reductions of up to fifty percent on the entrance fees to the main museums and monuments. The Single-Tageskarte version of this costs €6.50 for one day, €15.50 for three days, while the Partner-Tageskarte is available in the same formats, costing €9.50 and €22.50 respectively.

Text written by David Cunningham, author of CloudWorld and CloudWorld At War