We have a river cruise and tour on the Danube next July, but plan to fly into Munich and spend two nights in Augsburg (we lived there for four years three decades ago).
I see from the DB rail site that there appears to be more than one rail station at or near the airport. Can someone identify it for me?
Or, does it depend on that terminal you fly into?
The only train station I saw at the airport was for the S1 and S8 lines. I’m not saying there wasn’t another one, but I did not see it.
We followed the signage with “S” to the lower level of the airport where there is a mall and then down one more level.
There's just the one underground station, it's the end of the line so it's clear when to get off and where to get on. You'll be riding the S Bahn towards Munich. You can then choose to get off at either Munich Ost or Munich, depends on where you will be making any transfers.
There seems to be an office park right near the airport that has its own station that incorporates the word Flughaven, if that is what is confusing you. But there is only one airport station.
As mentioned, theres only the one station at the airport. From the airport you would take one of the Sbahns (S1 or S8). Both will get you to the Munich Hbh (main train station) From there you would take another train to Augsburg. There are frequent trains. Check them on the DB website. You'd probably want to download their app and buy your ticket after clearing Passport Control.
It has been reported here that there is currently a disruption of trains services from the Munich airport. They are evidently working on the station. If you try to look up services now, you will see a bunch of work arounds by buses that might just confuse the issue.
Normally, in addition to the S1 and S8 lines, there has also been a regional express train to Regensburg (RE 22 with stops in Freising, Landshut, etc.). It uses the same departure gates as the Sbahns. That might also be the point of confusion. All these options are now replaced by buses to train stations outside the airport.
I seem to remember that the airport trains station will be operable again near the year end. I would check the schedules then.
I think you might be referring to Munich airport Besucherpark, which is the parking lot. Obviously you want the Munich airport.
Thanks for the information.
Our tour/river cruise starts in mid-July.
It looks like an east rail trip to Augsburg as well as returning to connect with our group for the river cruise that starts in Regensburg.
Our river cruise down the Danube ends in Budapest and we then have a long bus tour of Romania. Especially looking froward to going back to Vienna and Budapest as well as visiting Bratislava and other ports. Also, excited about Romania.
It looks like an east rail trip to Augsburg
East? Augsburg is west of Munich.
Sorry, typo, meant to type easy.
Also note that different S Bahn trains use the same platform which is a bit confusing. Always confirm you are getting on the train number you meant to get on, going the right way. Often several trains will work. Especially places like Munich Hbf where it gets pretty busy.
There are some really helpful videos on YouTube that cover this step by step. I’m flying into Munich solo next month and even though a tax is €100 from the airport I am planning to take that option. With the train construction, the cost being €27,50 to get to the center, plus another taxi to get to my hotel it’s just easier to pay for the taxi from the airport. These are the times to splurge (for me) after a long trans Atlantic flight.
the cost being €27,50
April, where did you see that price? A single ticket on the LH express bus to Munich central station is 11,50€, for example.
April, will you be traveling anywhere else in Germany? If so there is an option that would cost 1/2 the price of your taxi ride and provide all of your transportation needs, the D ticket.
You know your plans, yourself, and your budget. If taking a taxi meets your needs, great. If you want to consider alternatives, they are out there.
My hotel room overlooked the arrivals area of the airport and after a while I could tell when a flight was due to arrive because hordes of taxis would start lining up at the gate to get in. FWIW, they were all brand new shiny tan Mercedes sedans. A few other makes but mostly Merc. It's definitely going to be a pricey ride since it's so long, but to each their own. The drivers were obviously eager to make that run to make some euros. Perhaps you could ask around and find someone to share?
One more thing, not sure that I should purchase tickets for the trip to Augsburg in advance.
Not sure what train we will take, since the S-Bahn into Munich is frequent.
Can I purchase the tickets in advance and use them on any train?
If I wait to purchase tickets, will purchasing tickets with a machine using a US credit card be a problem?
No reason to buy in advance as it can be done using all regional trains. You say "we" so I assume that is 2 people. A Bayern Ticket will cost you 36 EUR bought on arrival out of a ticket machine or with the DB app. You cannot travel before 9 am on week days, but that should not be a problem unless you are landing very early. With the Bayern Ticket, you also have a local transport pass for the rest of the day.
Simplest is take the S8 to Munich Pasing and change to a regional train there. Takes about 1 1/2 hours.
If I wait to purchase tickets, will purchasing tickets with a machine using a US credit card be a problem?
Maybe if you do not have a PIN for your card, but the easiest way these days appears to be downloading the app and using that. You can also use EUR cash in the ticket machines. A last resort is to use the ticket window and pay a service fee, 5 EUR I believe.
SAM, Thanks,
I checked the DB website for schedule of trains and there appear to be lots of ICE trains from Munich to Augsburg, but few regional trains. This appears to mean a lengthy wait just to use a regional train to Augsburg using the Bayern Pass.
There are 2 regional trains every hour from Munich to Augsburg, roughly every 30 minutes. How big a hurry are you in? If money is no object, do as you like.
I'm looking at a recent Bayern Ticket and it was 38 euros, I think that's because I bought it from a human in Salzburg
there appear to be lots of ICE trains from Munich to Augsburg, but few
regional trains.
Change "mode of transport" to local trains.
With the train construction, the cost being €27,50 to get to the center.
Yes, April, where did you get that €27,50 cost? An MVV ticket from the airport into downtown Munich (using zones M, 1-5) is 13€. Using the designated bus replacements doesn't change that.
A single ticket on the LH express bus to Munich central station is
11,50€, for example.
The problem with using the LH express bus is that it only goes to the Hbf (or Nordfriedhof, but I don't think that's really where you want to go), then you have to pay extra to take other form of transit from there. But with a 13€ MVV M-5 ticket, you can go to any transit stop, S- or U-Bahn station, tram stop, or bus stop) in the central, M, zone. If you hotel is near Marienplatz, for instance, you can go to that station.
We aren't flying on Lufthansa, so can we use the Lufthansa Express?
I am still wondering why you don't just get a Bayern Ticket.
Sam,
I haven't decided yet. One disadvantage with the Bayern Ticket is that you can't take the ICE train (or next train to Augsburg).
