Reaching Munich at 3 AM on Saturday with no planning ahead

Posted by contact on 09/30/16 11:24 AM

Because of oktoberfest and my own restrictions, i had to book a bus that will leave me at Munich central station at 03:00 AM saturday morning. I got couple of days to travel around and since i am on a bagpack trip alone, i am not worries about the whole plan (which do not exist as of now). I am only worries about what to do or where to got in the first 4 hours ?
- It is advisable to walk around in night ?
- Restaurants would be open at night in the main station ?
- Places i can go early morning which do not require any entry or something

This was a last moment plan to go to Munich and any ideas on how to make it better would be appreciated. I basically have no idea where to visit in Munich.

Posted by Tom

Danville, VT

09/30/16 11:39 AM

12040 posts

My experience at other German train stations late at night is that almost everything closes. I'm not sure of the specifics in Munich, though.

Now, there are plenty of businesses of a certain type that will be open in the immediate vicinity of the station. I'm not certain that these are the sort you had in mind when planning a trip to Munich.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

09/30/16 12:26 PM

21166 posts

Look at Yelp. City Lounge off Karlsplatz is open until 5 am on Friday and Sat nights. 5 minute walk from the station. Pizza and beer.

Posted by Fred

San Francisco

09/30/16 05:38 PM

14980 posts

Hi,

At Munich Hbf the eateries start closing up at 10 or 11 pm.

I think the waiting room is upstairs., the "Wartesaal"..not sure though. By 5 am the eateries open up, I've been there at 0600 when the night train gets in... the shops and food outlets already open. In your situation I would stay in the station.

Posted by steven

white plains, ny, usa

09/30/16 06:54 PM

4162 posts

Tom , you have quite a way with words , my wife is hysterical , what can I do to calm her?

Posted by DJ

09/30/16 07:09 PM

980 posts

It is advisable to walk around in night ?

It is safe to walk around at night. With the extra security at Oktoberfest this year be aware you may be some scrutiny from police but nothing to worry about. Also, be on the look out for piles of vomit that haven't been washed up from the night before.

Restaurants would be open at night in the main station ?

Can't help you there but I wouldn't count on it if it were me.

Places i can go early morning which do not require any entry or something

Walk to the city center and have a look around without any people. Night trams are available if you don't feel like walking but the last time I took one it was full of passed out drunks (some with open head wounds!)

Posted by Elizabeth

L'Occitanie, France

09/30/16 09:59 PM

10633 posts

Why don't you walk to your hotel or hostel and knock on the door, catch a few winks, even if it's in the lobby.

Posted by Lee

Lakewood, Colorado

10/01/16 10:36 PM

19275 posts

Between 3 AM and 5 AM, the HBF will be pretty dead. There are are less than a dozen S-Bahn, total, all to/from the airport during those 2 hours. After 5 AM, traffic opens up significantly, with several dozen S-Bahn as well as some local and long distance trains coming and going between 5 AM and 6 AM. I would expect the food court to open around then.

There are lockers in the Hbf. There should be plenty of empty tables to sit at in the food court off the end of tracks 11 - 26 in the main hall, and I believe there are tables on the balcony over the Reisezentrum, accessible from the food court.

Are you sure that the bus comes in at the Munich Hbf? Most buses use the Munich ZOB (Zentrale Omnibus Bahnhof) which is at the Hackerbrücke S-Bahn stop, one stop from the Hbf. It's a short walk (1.1 km, 13 min) to the Hbf from there and there are S8 S-Bahn (3 min, every 20 min) or streetcars (4 min, every half hour) to the Hbf, 2,70€/P for a one zone ticket.