General
Overview
Munich Airport (MUC) is located 30 kilometres northeast of the city centre. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by the MAC (Munich Airport Center), which houses the S-Bahn station.
Transfer Options
Luggage Storage
Staffed Service Centers are located in Terminal 1 (Level 03) and Terminal 2 (Level 03). There are no self-service lockers at the airport for security reasons.
Munich is one of Europe’s best airports — if time is short, the airside food hall and rooftop terrace on T2 are worth exploring in themselves.
The S1/S8 runs every 10 min to Marienplatz in 40 min (€13.20 one-way; MVV day ticket €15.50 covers the airport zone and all city travel).
- Under 5h — stay airside. Timing is too tight.
- 6-8h — Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt (food market), and the English Garden Eisbach surfer wave. All in a walkable cluster. Allow 1h 30min round trip.
- 9h+ — Add Nymphenburg Palace or the Deutsches Museum (the world’s largest science museum). No advance booking needed for either.
Visitor Cards and Passes
Munich offers two official tourist guest cards and the CityTourCard, each combining public transit with attraction discounts.
Munich Card
The Munich Card provides reductions of up to 70% at museums, tours, and attractions, with an optional transit pass. Prices per adult (1 day):
- No transit: from €5.90
- Zone M (city): €16.90
- Overall area (incl. airport): €28.90
- Group (2–5 persons, Zone M): €29.90
Munich City Pass
The Munich City Pass includes free entry at 40+ top attractions plus optional unlimited transit. Adult prices: from €39.90 (no transit), €55.90 (Zone M), or €66.90 (overall area incl. airport).
CityTourCard
The CityTourCard bundles unlimited transit (Zone M, M-6, or M-12) with up to 50% discounts at 100+ partners. Available for 24h to 6 days as a single or group ticket (up to 5 adults). Buy via the MVGO app or MVG ticket machines.
Purchase the Munich Card and City Pass online or at the Tourist Information at Marienplatz.
Munich Card & City Pass – Official Prices CityTourCard MunichUse MVGO for its “swipe-to-pay” feature that automatically calculates the cheapest fare and integrates local bike-sharing, while Citymapper remains the superior navigator for its “best carriage” advice and precise station exit details.
Public Transit
S-Bahn and U-Bahn
The S-Bahn is the most efficient route to the city. Lines S1 and S8 both reach Munich Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz in approximately 40–45 minutes. The recommended ticket is the Airport-City-Day-Ticket (from €17.50), valid for unlimited travel between the airport and city for the day.
Tickets and Validation
Use the blue MVG or red DB machines. Select the English flag.
If you buy a physical ticket from a machine, check for a timestamp. If there is none, you must insert it into the small blue “Entwerter” boxes on the platform before boarding to avoid a €60 fine. Digital tickets via MVGO do not need validation.
Bus (Lufthansa Express)
The Lufthansa Express Bus runs every 20 minutes between the Airport and Munich Central Station (Arnulfstr. 12) via Schwabing. It costs €12.00 (online) or €13.00 (from the driver) and takes about 45 minutes.
While the bus offers free Wi-Fi and luggage racks, it is subject to Munich’s heavy “A9” highway traffic. During rush hours, always choose the S-Bahn to ensure you arrive on time.
Accessibility & Safety
- Accessibility: Munich Airport is highly accessible. Free Mobility Service is available for passengers with reduced mobility — pre-book at least 48 hours before departure through your airline or travel agent. Mobility Service Points with comfortable seating and a dedicated coordinator are located at Terminal 1, Module B, Level 04 and Terminal 2, Departure Area, Level 04. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at any information counter.
- Safety: Ignore anyone in the arrivals hall offering unofficial taxi rides at cheap rates — always use official taxi ranks or pre-booked transfers.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
The Lost & Found office (Service Center) is located in the Munich Airport Center (MAC), Level 03. Open daily 06:00–22:30. Lost or found items can also be reported online via the Munich Airport website.
Munich Airport Lost & FoundFirst Aid
Munich Airport has a 24/7 emergency clinic with two doctor-staffed ambulance vehicles on standby throughout the airport grounds. In a medical emergency, call 112. The clinic also offers travel medicine consultations and vaccinations.
Emergency Ambulance – Munich AirportPharmacy
Metropolitan Pharmacy has branches in the Munich Airport Center (MAC) and in the departure areas of both terminals. The pharmacy stocks over 12,000 products and qualified staff provide individual health advice.
Pharmacy – Munich AirportArrival
Official Taxi
Ranks are outside Arrivals at Terminal 1 (Modules A-E) and Terminal 2. Fixed price to the city is approx. €95.
Always confirm “Karte?” (Card?) before entering. While most accept cards, some older drivers prefer cash.
Rideshare
Uber and Freenow are the primary apps. Note that in Munich, rideshare vehicles are strictly prohibited from using the official ivory taxi ranks.
For arrivals at Modules A or B, follow signs across the street to Terminal Parken P1 / T1 A + B and take the elevator to the designated VTC area on Level 3.
For all other Terminal 1 modules, simply exit the baggage hall and meet your driver at the ground-level Kiss & Ride lane located directly in front of the terminal.
Follow the signs for Mietwagen or P20 and go to Level 3, where the dedicated pickup bays for app-based rides are located.
Ensure your app is linked to a card with no foreign transaction fees. During major events (Oktoberfest, football), rideshare prices can triple. If the app quote is high, check the official taxi rank, as regulated prices may be lower.
Use Freenow to book official taxis that can bypass traffic in dedicated bus lanes for the fastest travel through Munich.
Use Uber for a familiar and reliable experience with consistent upfront pricing.
Bolt serves as the budget-friendly alternative with the lowest fares, though you should expect slightly longer wait times due to its smaller driver fleet.
ATMs and Currency
Avoid bright blue/yellow Euronet ATMs, which charge high fees. When any ATM asks to “Convert” the transaction to your home currency, always decline to get the better interbank rate.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
Arrive 2 hours before European/Schengen flights and at least 3 hours before intercontinental departures (North America, Asia, Middle East).
Most airlines at MUC offer online check-in and self-service kiosks for boarding passes and bag tags. Use self-service bag drop machines to skip staffed counter queues.
Your check-in zone is printed on your ticket:
- T1A–T1E: Terminal 1 (non-Lufthansa carriers, e.g. Emirates, Delta)
- T2: Terminal 2 central hall (Lufthansa + Star Alliance partners)
- Gates K/L: Satellite Terminal — automated shuttle from T2 runs every 2–4 minutes (under 1 minute travel time)
Some airlines allow baggage drop the evening before departure, useful for early-morning flights. Usually only for departures before noon — confirm with your airline as a fee may apply.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Munich Airport has deployed CT scanners at 18 checkpoints in Terminal 1 (Module D, level 5; T1 Pier) and Terminal 2 (central checkpoint):
- At CT lanes: Electronics and liquids (up to 2 liters per container) can remain in your bag — no removal required.
- At conventional lanes: Liquids must be in a clear, resealable zip-top bag (100 ml per container, max 1 liter total); remove electronics.
Not all checkpoints are CT-equipped yet — you may be directed to either type and have no control over this.
Security Screening & Passport ControlPassport Control
- Schengen zone flights (most of Europe): No passport control.
- Non-Schengen flights (UK, USA, Turkey, etc.): Passport control is required after the security checkpoint.
- EasyPASS automated gates are available at both terminals for EU/EEA biometric passport holders.
VAT Refunds
Germany’s standard VAT is 19%. Non-EU residents can reclaim it on goods taken home:
- Get the form at the shop — ask for a Tax Free / Global Blue export certificate at the point of purchase.
- Visit Customs (Zoll) — present the unused goods, certificate, receipts, passport, and a same-day ticket.
- Checked-bag items: go to Customs before check-in.
- Carry-on items: go to Customs after security.
- Collect your refund — take the stamped certificate to a Global Blue or Planet counter.
Never bury tax-free purchases in your checked luggage before visiting Customs. If the officer cannot inspect the item, they will refuse to stamp your form and you will lose the refund.