Lufthansa Bus or S-Bahn from Munich airport

I have done both and njoyed the views from the bus as we drove through the city. But I would always prefer to be aboveground than below.

Lola--good point about seeing the city from the bus! Am I running a risk of encountering a full bus and having to wait for another? Not a problem upon arrival but heading back to the airport it could be worrisome.

Just take the S-Bahn and be done with it. Every 10 minutes. It does not go underground except between Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof. It does not get into traffic jams. But that is just me.

We took the S-Bahn and it was great. Views from the train were terrific, and we did not have to wait long at all. No fear of it being too crowded either.

I have taken both the bus and the S-Bahn, and I would definitely take the bus if you are going to the Hauptbahnhof or the northern part of the city. The S-Bahn stops at many minor stations on the way from the airport to the city centre, so there isn't much time difference, and the bus seats are more comfortable. I didn't experience any traffic delays when I took the bus, but that was late morning.

What are your plans after you reach the Haupbahnhof? While a single ride ticket on the S-Bahn from the airport is 11.70 EUR, you can buy an entire-network day ticket for 13.00 EUR. Therefore, if you intend to do any further travels that day in Munich, all your transport in the city and suburbs will be included until 6 am the next day. So spend an extra 1.30 EUR, less than the cost of a single "short trip" ticket, and the city is yours.

Sam--I'll be checking in to my hotel that's a couple of blocks from the hauptbahnhof and plan to visit Nymphenburg and explore Marienplatz, so definitely thinking the S combination ticket will be perfect.

If I were staying in the Munich North/Schwabing area I might take the bus; for downtown, I would definitely take the S-Bahn (have numerous times). The bus only takes about 25 minutes to Schwabing; by MVV you would have to go into town (~45 min) then take other transport (U-Bahn, bus) to Schwabing. The bus website says it takes approx 45 minutes; the approx part "scares" me, particularly if going to the airport.

I prefer the bus, even though it is a bit more expensive. After a long overnight flight, I can let the driver take care of my luggage and just relax. The bus runs every 20 minutes, I believe. There is even free wifi on the bus. I have never had a problem with traffic. I typically take early return flights, before rush hour. They drop you off at the terminal that you are flying from.
The sbahn is also good, you can’t go wrong either way.

I would always prefer to be aboveground

The S-Bahn is only underground for the last couple of stations (~5 min) in town. The rest of the trip is above ground.

The bus runs every 20 minutes, I believe.

According to their website, the bus leaves every 15 minutes (the S-Bahn leaves every 10 minutes).

If you have a hotel near Marienplatz (or Karlstor, Isartor, or Ostbahnhof), you can get off the S-Bahn there. If you take the bus, you have to take an additional S-Bahn ride (2,90€) to get to Marienplatz.

Thought I'd report back on this--I took the Lufthansa Bus and it worked great for me. 18 euro round trip, just followed the signs at the airport and the driver handled my bag for me (I arrived with horrible back spasms, definitely would not have enjoyed dealing with the S bahn and frenzy of the inner workings of the train station in that condition). The bus was a peaceful journey, easy 3 block walk to my hotel near the Hbf. With my arrival and departure times there was no traffic encountered, trip was 40-45 minutes and the bus was very comfortable, perhaps half full, a/c and free Wi-Fi.

Thought I'd report on my experience over 15 years visiting Munich.

I've had six trips between downtown Munich and MUC, all by S-Bahn.

Never was riding the S-Bahn in the least bit inconvenient or unpleasant for me.

All six of those trips were less expensive, some significantly, using the S-Bahn than they would have been with the LHA bus, twice because I was going on from the Hbf to somewhere else in Bavaria using a Bayern-Ticket, so getting to the Hbf by S-Bahn was essentially free, and four times because, with the bus, there would have been additional expenses between the Hbf and an S-Bahn station near my lodging.

I think both options are very convenient, but as I said, the Lufthansa bus worked great for ME, especially in the un-anticipated state of pain that I arrived and departed Munich in. I briefly considered a taxi but really didn't want to cough up that much money.

Actually, in your case alone (single, round trip, walking distance to your hotel), it probably was the best option. My point was the S-Bahn is not so bad and that for more than one person, one-way, or needing to go farther (just one of those conditions), the bus would rarely be cost effective.

I went from the hbf to MUC a few days ago. We took the bus and were very pleased with it. We had one seriously overweight bag and it was nice to not have to deal with it other than give it to the bus driver to put n the luggage hold. And we were let off right at Terminal 1.

We will be arriving on Monday August 6 at 7:40 am and leaving Sunday, August 12 at 8:10, staying at Marc Munchen just south of train station. Would a r/t ticket on Lufthansa ticket work for us or would we be better off with the S- bahn? My 26 year old army grandson is treating me to this trip and it's our first time to Germany.

If my memory serves me right, airport to downtown S-bahn is terrific. Unlike many other places in U.S., S-bahn runs almost 24 hours. and faster I would think. We had to get to the airport at 4:00 one morning....just walked down into the S-bahn and it was running.

To Flahagans -- I recommend the S-bahn since, as noted above, you will then have public transportation access all day if you buy the group all-day ticket at the airport (You have to buy the one that gives you all four zones to get from the airport. If you include your grandson you buy the "group" ticket.) I believe the Lufthansa bus would be 10 Euros each so for 4.30 Euros extra you get all transportation until 6 am the next day.

The machine will have an English option and will take credit cards. You would look for this:
Gruppen Day Ticket entire network (Gruppen Tageskarte Gesamtnetz) 24,30 EUR

Gruppen Day Ticket entire network

First, set the vending machine to English and then select an " Airport-City-Day-Ticket". For conditions see the MVV website

As usual I stay in a Pension near the Munich Hbf, but in 2013 I had to fly out of MUC back to SFO, so I took from the Hbf the S-Bahn # 8....worked fine. It was exactly what the owner of the Pension had advised. Pay for the ticket in cash when buying from the machine.