Lyft, Uber in Munich?

Nope. Use the trains or taxi.

Public transport is excellent throughout Germany, give it a shot.
https://www.munich-airport.com/public-transport-260822

"Nope".....Bravo! Hopefully it stays that way in Germany. Use public transport or call a taxi.

Germany has excellent transport in big cities. Public transport will take you most places.

I read that myTaxi is popular in Germany. Is this true?

Uber and Lyft are not allowed to operate in Germany the way you know it from other countries because in Germany a provider will need a passenger transportation license from administration for commercial activity which excludes private people from driving you around which is a real good idea imo. So even if they exist (sometimes yes, sometimes no: in Frankfurt Uber restarted few days ago) they have only one corporate provider in the background. In some cities these do not show compliant behaviour - this is why Uber has such issues in Germany like some other US sharing approaches which is not sharing at all.

And I support the recommendation to use public transport. Munich's street traffic is famous for traffic jams on Autobahn around. Therefore you are likely faster by local train (S-Bahn).

If you want to take a taxi you can try ride-sharing by MyTaxi app to reduce costs. And yes, it is very popular because very reliable and in early years they were backed by Deutsche Telekom and Daimler.

In Munich city area (not airport) you can try to use corporated ride-sharing services such as CleverShuttle but they have a hard start because as mentioned public transport is excellent.

While it's true the public transit in German cities is excellent, I've taken taxis in various German cities (usually to and from the airports and train stations), and have never had any problems. The drivers are polite, they know the routes, any legitimate extra charges (such as for putting things in the trunk) are posted in the taxi, they've always used the meter and never tried to charge more than allowed, etc.

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful and thoughtful replies. Normally we have no trouble with public transport, but we will fly into Munich after dark with 4 suitcases, so I'm looking for an easy way downtown. Anyone know what a taxi would run from airport to Marienplatz? Thanks again!

I won't answer the question you did ask because in nearly 50 years of visiting Germany I am sorry to say I have never taken a taxi.

I will answer the question that you didn't ask - you won't find many places in the world where you can get directly from the plane to the hotel without a taxi than for your specific needs.

The S-Bahn leaves right from the airport and goes directly to Marienplatz. It really couldn't be any easier. And your choice of an escalator or lift/elevator at the end. 15 stops on the S1, 47 minutes. 12 stops on the S8, 38 minutes. Take whichever is next - they alternate every few minutes. Just buy your ticket from the machine or your phone and plonk on. At the previous stop gather your stuff and get off at the Marienplatz. Previous station on the S1 is Karlsplatz, 2 minutes before. Previous station on the S8 is Isartor, 2 minutes before.

Anyone know what a taxi would run from airport to Marienplatz?

Expect 60-70 EUR, maybe plus standing times if traffic jam. Also a question of weather, e.g. winter conditions.

The official tariff table for Munich you can find here:
http://www.taxi-muenchen.com/privatkunden/tarif-und-preise.html

Thanks, Nigel and MarkK! You've convinced me!

To continue beating this horse, Uber and Lyft ain't there. I've taken numerous taxis in Aachen for business (hotel and client are on opposite sides of the city), and I rarely wait more than 5 minutes. Cabs are clean, drivers are great, and they drive nicer cars than me!!! Not cheap, but cheaper than New York or London by a longshot.

If you're visiting a big tourist city, I cannot ever see the need for grabbing a taxi. To paraphrase Rick, using public transportation makes you feel like a native.

We (five friends and I) took a taxi from the airport to our accommodation in Munich but that was primarily because it was more cost effective otherwise we would have taken the train. Whilst in Munich we travelled completely on foot and only hired a car to visit the lakes and Salzburg. Munich is quite a walkable city even if you're stumbling from one beer garden to another.