By Train or Bus to Flughafen München in Bavaria, Germany
Transportation to Munich Airport (MUC) from downtown München Hauptbahnhof is easy on cheap S-Bahn trains and buses. Taxis and private airport shuttles run to many Bavarian towns.
The easiest way to get to Munich Airport (MUC) in Bavaria, Southern Germany, is by S-Bahn train. For some destinations, buses may also offer a useful way from Flughafen München. Driving is also very easy but taxis are not particularly cheap especially when compared to the railway service. Private airport shuttles are available to Munich and many towns in Bavaria and often make sense for small groups, young families, and the infirm especially when traveling at odd hours or with lots of luggage. Do compare prices though as fares vary widely.
Munich Airport (MUC) is some distance to the north of München. Transportation from downtown takes around 45 minutes. Although trains and buses are available to other towns, most travelers will have to travel via Munich to catch public transportation connections to further Bavarian destinations.
Taxi2Airport gives instant online quotations without requiring specific flight or personal information before making a reservation (Copy and paste German names with an umlaut, e.g. München rather than Munich. Transfer services can be useful when no traveling to Munich or a destination easily served by public transportation. It may be even worth the surcharge for small groups or families when the convenience of the door-to-door service is added in.
Trains from Munich Airport (MUC) to Downtown München Hauptbahnhof
S-Bahn commuter trains are the most common way to travel to Munich Airport. Long-distance and high-speed IC and ICE trains do not stop at the airport.
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S-Bahn Commuter Trains from Munich Airport
S-Bahn commuter trains S1 and S8 connect München Flughafen (Munich Airport) and Munich downtown. These S-Bahn trains generally run every 20 minutes meaning in effect a train to downtown stations every ten minutes. The cost is €8.80 (US$13) one-way.
- S-Bahn line S1 runs from Munich Airport, to the Ostbahnhof (53 minutes) with stops amongst others at the Hautpbahnhof (45 minutes) and Marienplatz (48 minutes).
- S-Bahn line S8 runs from Munich Airport to Passing (50 minutes) and stops en route at the Ostbahnhof (33 minutes), Marienplatz (38 minutes), and Hauptbahnhof (41 minutes).
Note that S-Bahn S1 trains to Munich Airport split in two at Neufahrn. If traveling to Munich Airport, use only wagons towards the rear of the train.
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German Railways Trains (Deutsche Bahn)
Long-distance trains of Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) currently do not stop at Munich Airport. As a result, most train passengers have to travel to Munich Main Station (München Hauptbahnhof) to transfer to long-distance trains. Some long-distance trains also stop at Passing in the east of Munich allowing for a faster and easier transfer than at the Hauptbahnhof.
Passengers for Regensburg, Nürnberg, Passau, and Bamberg can also use the bus to Freising and change from there to local trains. Transferring at Freising can save time over going to the Hauptbahnhof and allow for the use of the Bayern Ticket, valid on local trains only.
Traveling by Car to Munich Airport (MUC)
Munich Airport is on Autobahn A92, which connects Autobahn A9 (Munich to Nürnberg) and Deggendorf on the Danube. For the airport, use exit 6, Flughafen München.
Driving time from downtown Munich can be as little as 40 minutes but depends on traffic. Taxis cost around €50 (US$ 75). Taxis to Freising take around 15 minutes (€18 / US$22).
For small groups, private airport shuttle services may be of interest. These airport shuttles are available to most towns in Bavaria and many different service providers operate from the airport. Compare rates as fares can services can vary widely.
Traveling by Bus to Munich Airport (MUC)
Buses run to Munich Airport from both downtown München and several Bavarian towns.
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Buses from Downtown Munich to Munich Airport
The Lufthansa Airport Bus runs up to three times per hour from Munich Airport to München-Nord (25 minutes) and München Hauptbahnhof (40 minutes). The one-way fare is €10 (US$15) but a return at €16 (US$24) is cheaper than using the S-Bahn. München-Nord has connections to U-Bahn U6, stop Nordfriedhof.
The Lufthansa Airport Bus is open to all travelers – flying on Lufthansa, or any other airline for that matter, is not required. Public transportation tickets and railway passes are not valid on the Lufthansa Airport Bus.
During major events, buses are available from the airport directly to the Messegelände (Show Grounds) – traveling times is around 45 minutes.
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Buses from Bavarian Towns to Munich Airport
Scheduled bus services are available directly to some towns in Bavaria and are quite convenient as they avoid transiting via Munich itself. Two bus services are worth noting:
- MVV Bus 635 connects Munich Airport and Freissing up to three times per hour in 15 minutes. Freising has handy regional train connections to Regensburg, Passau, and Landshut.
- The Ingolstädter Express Bus X109 connects Munich Airport in an hour up to 13 times per day with Ingolstadt, the home of German luxury motorcar manufacturer Audi.
Munich Airport is the second largest airport in Germany and actually serves more European destinations than Frankfurt International Airport. Both low-cost and full-service airlines fly to Munich Airport. Alternative airports in the region include Salzburg (SZG) in Austria and Nürnberg / Nurmberg (NUE) popular with low-cost airlines including airberlin.
Based on Transportation to Munich Airport first published at suite101.com.
