My research uncovered the Munich airport Meeting Point -- its sign shows four arrows pointing to a central dot -- in the MAC (Munich Airport Center) between the two terminals, on the ground level. But here are my questions: I will have only carry-on luggage, so when I exit my plane in terminal two, I will walk to Customs. Is it then convenient to walk to the Meeting Point in the MAC to meet my travel friends?
And, I know they will need to go to baggage claim to get their bags. I don't know which terminal they are arriving at. But once they get their bags they will go through Customs, right? Or do they go through Customs first and then get bags? (Sorry for my ignorance on this point!) In any case, how far will they be from the MAC, whether coming from Customs or the baggage claim for their terminal? Does using the official meeting place work out for us or will we have to back track or walk forever to get to it?
Ann.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
When you get to Munich, you will have to have your bags with you (either carryon or retrieved in the baggage room) when you get to customs.
I've flown into Terminal 2 several times. After we went through passport control on the same level that we came off the plane, we all went down elevators to the baggage room, whether we had carryon or checked luggage. The exit from the baggage room went past the door to customs. There were two lines, one for coustoms and one for "nothing to declare". Almost everyone goes through the nothing to declare line; it's a formality. After you leave the baggage room through the nothing to declare line, you will enter a room out of which there will be doors leading to a patio. On the opposite side of the patio is the MAC, and under it the S-Bahn station, identified by a large green circle with a white 'S'. If you and your friends are all coming from outside Schengen, to Terminal 2, I suggest you meet by the doors.
Posted by
OP
115 posts
Thank you Lee. I will be flying from Canada, they will be flying from the U.S. on United. I can find out from them what terminal they will come into, but it if it is terminal 1, I guess we should go to the "official" meeting point, right? Those doors you mention would be a good spot if they are arriving at terminal 2 also? Can you just hang around there and wait? If our flights get in on time they will be about 30 minutes apart... Ann.
Posted by
Phoenix AZ
635 posts
Here are the doors exiting Terminal 2 into the MAC. This is your view of MAC as you are walking out of the doors. The escalators down to the S-Bahn are just below the large white 'M' on the left in this photo. The biergarten on the right, under the trees, can be a convenient and pleasant place to meet.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
I know United has a couple of gates in Terminal 2 (I've flown in and out of them a few times), but I don't think they have any gates in T1. The gates in T2 are at the very end of the terminal, so it will take some time for your friends to walk to Passport Control in the middle of T2.
Are you coming in directly from Canada, or are you changing planes somewhere in Europe before getting to Munich? If you are arriving in Europe somewhere else and then going to Munich, on an airline other than Lufthansa, you will probably come in to T1.
Posted by
OP
115 posts
I am coming directly from Toronto and my confirmation says terminal 2. Sounds like my friends will be there too but not near me, maybe. Is it permissible to "loiter" by these doors you guys mention for awhile to meet someone? Otherwise the Biergarten would be fine. Any reason you don't suggest the official, marked meet up point? Is it a long distance through the MAC? We will then be proceeding to car rental... Ann.
Posted by
OP
115 posts
Jeff, forgot to thank you for the pix. So nice of you and helpful! Ann.
Posted by
TX
980 posts
You will all be coming in from terminal 2 (United is definitely T2). This used to be my home airport and I've found the best meeting place is the Airbraü biergarten. Like others said its in the center atrium area near the S-bahn stop and can't be missed. If your wait is more than a few minutes it is much nicer than just standing at the meeting point.
DJ
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
"Is it permissible to "loiter" by these doors you guys mention for awhile to meet someone?"
When you come out of the baggage room, you come out into kind of a lobby before going out the doors into the courtyard. The area right outside the baggage room is roped off and their will be a lot of people outside the rope waiting for their friends.
As I remember, just to the right, before you get to the doors to the patio, there is a food court. (Last time I flew in on United, their breakfast had been meager and I was still hungry, so I stopped there to get a pastry.) Depending on how early in the morning you arrive, you might want to meet there. I see from their website that Airbräu opens at 8 AM. But Airbräu also serves breakfast. If you are not arriving too early, that might be a good place to meet and have a better breakfast than you got on the plane.