Any advice on this tour? I would be a solo traveler and have never been to either country and do not speak the language. How much time does it take to clear customs and get luggage in Munich? Was your hotel the Sheraton West park? Once in Munich, what is the easiest way to get to the Sheraton, says it is 20 miles away but I do not feel comfortable taking the subways. I land at 6:30 am and am concerned what to do until I can check in and how best to get there. ANy thoughts?
Linda
Posted by
Maryland
902 posts
https://www.munich-airport.com/
The airport is a ways out of town so that is the 20 Miles. There is rail service between the Airport/Flughaven and the main station downtown /haupbahnhof.
Google translate is a good starting point for short descriptions. And most European websites have little language icons to switch languages.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16494 posts
If you don't want to take the train, you could take the Lufthansa Express Bus to the main train station (München Hauptbahnhof ) and a taxi from there to your hotel.
https://www.munich-airport.com/public-transport-260822
We have not stayed at the Sheraton Westpark but referencing a map, the hotel is walking distance (or would be for us, anyway) from Theresienwiese, where Oktoberfest is held in the fall and the Tollwood Christmas market/festival is during winter. I'm guessing your tour will cover it but you could bundle up and go early if up for the walk. Take a map with you or hotel desks will often provide one of the general vicinity with recommended routes. Theresienwiese fairgrounds, BTW, is a very large area, and access is free: tickets are only necessary for certain events.
https://www.tollwood.de/en/tollwood-winterfestival/
We stayed at the Bavaria Boutique Hotel just across from Theresienwiese a couple of years ago but not for one of the festivals.
I'm very sure your hotel will store your luggage if your room isn't yet available or you could try to pre-request early check-in. Oh, and many in the hospitality industry speak excellent to passable English, as they did in Italy (I see that you've been there).
Time it will take to clear passport control (is Munich your Schengen entry point?) and collect checked luggage at the airport depends on how many international flights are coming in at one time. As far as customs, you just pass through the green "nothing to declare" customs exit unless you have something to declare.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5493 posts
I’ve had family members take Gate 1 tours. Transportation from the airport to the hotel was arranged by Gate 1. Have you checked with them?
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2685 posts
I agree with Emily - I've taken Gate1 tours and they always include transport from the airport, unless you have decided to arrive a day or two early, then they don't. If you're arranging on your own, the Lufthansa bus express (https://www.airportbus-muenchen.de/en/) drops you at the main train station and it's easy to get a taxi there. Or you could walk from the train station to the hotel - about 30 minutes or so. Since it will be early, a brisk walk if the weather is ok will wake you up after a long flight. Your hotel can hold your luggage if your room is not yet ready, so you could take a walk after you drop your luggage.
Posted by
Green Bay
21096 posts
You can get to the Munich Westpark Sheraton by train from the airport. Cost is 11.60 EUR, or buy an all-network day ticket for 13 EUR and you can use Munich transit system for the rest of the day.
Take the S-8 train from the airport to Munich Ostbahnhof, then change to the S-7 train to Heimeranplatz. The Sheraton is right there.
The S-8 goes about every 20 minutes from the airport. At Munich Ostbahnhof, you arrive on Track 1. You can take the elevator or escalator down to the under-track passageway and just walk a few feet to the escalator or elevator up to Track 3 where you get the S-7 to Heimeranplatz. It is 10 minute transfer time, which should be easy.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Looking at Gate 1's page for this tour https://www.gate1travel.com/europe/germany/2019/escorted/central-europe-tours-8dchmadeat19.aspx, they specify that transfers to and from the airports are included on "package arrival and departure dates" and in a footnote, say that "Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates"
So, don't worry about that.
As for check in, hotels will let you leave your bags if the room is not ready. If a room is ready when you arrive, you can usually get into it at no extra charge.
As for language, most people in the parts of Germany and Austria you are visiting will speak enough English for your needs. Some will be fluent, some will just know the essentials for their transactions with you, but it is not likely that you'll have difficulty in stores, restaurants, etc.