Long Layover in Munich (5.5 hours)

I don't really think you have enough time. One way from the airport to downtown Munich takes about 40 minutes, to 1H20min round trip. You probably need to get back to the airport with 1-2 hours before departure time. That doesn't give you much time in Munich nor, worse, not much of a "cushion" for unexpected delays.

If you do plan to risk it, take the next train leaving the airport S-Bahn station to Marienplatz. From there it is a short walk to the Hofbräuhaus.

You’ll have to go through immigration in Munich on arrival and back through security when you return to the airport. What are you going to do with carryon luggage? Are your bags checked through to Santorini? You don’t have as much time as you think, especially with kiddos in tow. Maybe an hour at Marienplatz if all runs on schedule. Maybe play it by ear when you get there?

I don't think with your timeframe that it's realistic. Instead of Munich, I have read on this forum that some have taken the 18 min bus ride from the airport to the Bavarian town of Freising to visit Weihenstephan Brewery, the world's oldest brewery, which looks like it has a lot of charm. I think Hofbrauhaus is a bit overrated, and more a place to say you've been to, rather than it being charming. If you were staying in Munich, sure, but not worth the stress of trying to get there during a limited layover. But, lucky you. Our 5.5 hour layover to France is at LAX.

Agree with the others who feel you just don't have enought time. And the Hofbrauhaus is, in my opinion, overrated. Especially for lunch. Despite the bad rap most airport eateries get, you'll do just as well if not better eating at the airport.

Thank you all for the replies.

With such a long layover, would it even make sense to leave the airport to explore anywhere in Munich or somewhere similar to just get a feel for anything local in the area?

You could take the bus to nearby Freising, it's a 15 minute bus ride with buses departing every 10 minutes.

There is now a regional train leaving hourly from the S-Bahn station at the airport at 16 past the hour, going to Regensburg with a stop 11 minutes later at the Freising Bahnhof, so depending on when you get out of the terminal, that could be a faster option.

A great deal will depend on whether your layover is really as long as you think it is. Your plane could be late arriving and passport control could take longer than you expect (although Munich is known for its efficiency). You could plan on lunch at a restaurant in or near the airport.

We are in a similar situation with a 5hr and 25 min layout between Boston and Palermo Sicily. Any suggestions for what to do at the airport?

I like Freising and in particular eating at Weihenstephan, in the Biergarten. However, getting between the airport and Weihenstephan, thanks to a two bus connection, takes nearly as long as between Marienplatz and the airport, which is accessible via a direct S-Bahn connection. Although the bus from Freising Bhf to the airport runs frequently, every 10 minutes, the bus from Weihenstephan to the Bhf is on an every 15 minute schedule, so the two buses only line up twice an hour. There are essentially five connections an hour from Weihenstephan to the airport and they take from 32 to 44 minutes. You have to know the schedule and watch the time.

It might be better to eat at Parkcafe Freising, which is about a six minute walk from the Bahnhof. I was there in 2009, and it has a pleasant creekside, shaded outdoor eating area. From the Bahnhof, walk about 300 yards up Bahnhofstrasse to where the road crosses over a small branch of the Moosach river. Turn left after crossing the bridge, onto a footpath called Fürstendamm. Parkcafe is on the right in about 125 yards.

Thanks for all your help and recommendations.

Just before the holidays we waited at customs and security in terminal 1 for a good hour to get thru. Maybe it was because of the holidays. This was an AA flght to the US. Just FYI we had already waited an hour at the AA counter to check-in and check our bags. We needed the two hours. I will avoid terminal 1 when possible in the future.