How to Get from Munich Airport to the City Centre
Getting from Munich airport to the City Centre is really easy, with transport options to suit all budgets, from the affordable Lufthansa Express Bus to the more luxurious private transfer options.
When you first arrive in a new city, the last thing you want to be worrying about is how you get to your accommodation.
And when I landed in Munich last year with my boyfriend, I was worried that it was going to be really difficult to navigate our way through a new city.
Luckily, it’s super easy to get from Munich airport to the city centre, and in this guide I’ll take you through all the options available to you, as well as the one I’d personally recommend.
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How to get from Munich airport to the City Centre
There’s 6 different ways I’d suggest travelling from Munich airport to the City Centre, with something to suit every budget.
The S-Bahn
The S-Bahn is Munich’s rail network that runs both over and underground.
From Munich airport, you can take either the S1 or S8 line to the city centre.
Trains depart every 10 minutes, and the journey takes about 40 minutes to reach the central station, München Hauptbahnhof (Munich Main Station).
A ticket costs around €11.50 (the standard fare for one way single ticket from the airport), but you can save money by buying group tickets.
When you land, follow the signs with a green circle and a white ‘S’ to the S-Bahn. You can buy your tickets from a DB ticket machine in the airport.
Lufthansa Express Bus
The Lufthansa Express Bus is another reliable option for getting from the airport to the city centre of Munich. Plus, it’s slightly cheaper than the S-Bahn.
A one-way ticket is €10.50 per person and €17 for a return trip, and the journey takes 45 minutes to Munich Central Station.
Buses depart every 20 minutes, and you can find the full timetable here.
Uber
There is Uber in Munich, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get from the airport to the City Centre. You can order on the app once you arrive, there’s no need to book ahead.
When you order your Uber, you’ll be given a set price which you will need to accept before the Uber is confirmed.
Expect to pay around €50 one way for an Uber from the airport to Munich city centre, with the journey taking about 30 minutes.
Often, Uber will run promotional offers, so keep an eye out as you may be able to save some money.
Taxi
You can also take a taxi from outside the airport terminal, which will cost between €50 and €60.
Private transfer
If you like the security of knowing there’s a car waiting for you when you arrive in Munich, there’s nothing better than a private transfer.
The driver will meet you in arrivals, help you with your luggage, and drop you at your hotel.
Driving yourself
If you prefer the flexibility of having your own car whilst you’re in Munich, you can pick one up at the airport terminal.
We hired a car whilst we were in Munich as we took a day trip to Eibsee, an incredible lake about an hour and a half drive from Munich city centre. I’d strongly recommend a day trip here, it’s one of the most magical places I’ve visited.
We just hired a car for the day which we picked up and dropped off in Munich city centre.
If you do want to hire a car, I’d recommend using Discover Cars to find the most affordable option. They compare lots of different providers to find you the best price.
I use them every time I hire a car abroad and I’ve never had any bad experiences where they won’t give you your money back at the end like you sometimes hear about with dodgy car hire companies. The process is always really simple and stress-free.
Things to do whilst you’re in Munich
- Admire the view from St.Peter’s Church – This is the city’s oldest catholic church, dating back to the 12th century, and whilst it is beautiful inside, the main attraction is the tower. Entrance is €5 and you can buy tickets at the door. At the top you’ll get 360° views over Munich, including the famous Marienplatz (the central square).
- Take a day trip to Eibsee – Probably the most stunning lake in all of Bavaria, Eibsee’s about an hour and a half drive from Munich and is the perfect day trip if you want a break from the city. The lake sits at the base of Zugspitze – Germany’s tallest mountain, and the drive there is just as amazing as the destination.
- Grab Currywurst from Viktualienmarkt – Viktualienmarkt is Munich’s main market, right in the centre of the city, and it’s the perfect place to try the German fast food- Currywurst. Slices of fried sausage are seasoned with a mix of spices, and no trip to Munich would be complete without trying it.
- Visit the Olympic Village – Originally built in 1972 when Munich hosted the Summer Olympics, the Olympiapark is now a residential area and a bustling hub of activity. It spans 99 acres and provides a brilliant vantage point over Munich.
- Drink in a beer hall – I think it’d be pretty impossible to visit Munich and not end up in a beer hall. Hofbräuhaus dates back to 1589 and is probably Munich’s most famous one.
What to read next:
Getting from Munich airport to the City Centre: The Wrap Up
As you can see, it couldn’t be easier to get from Munich airport to the City Centre.
There’s transport options to suit every budget, and services leave really regularly, so you don’t need to worry about missing a transfer.
