Train from Munich airport to the Main Train station

Take whichever one arrives first. They each take around 35 minutes. There are quite a few stops along the way but you don’t need to change trains.

How to know when to get off? When you arrive at the station called Hauptbahnhof. It will be announced, and you can also follow the route on the diagram inside the train carriages. Plus a lot of other people will get off at the same time.

Since you are a nervous traveller, you could also consider the Lufthansa bus from the airport to Hauptbahnhof. It takes a little longer, but it’s a very pleasant journey. It means you can see where you’re going and it’ll be obvious when you get there.

Read this.
https://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/service/mobility-services/air-travellers/index.html

Stations are displayed and announced in trains.

Thank you so much!
Is the bus a direct route with no stops?

Is the bus a direct route with no stops?

It stops a couple of times to pick up at the airport, and I think the bus I was on stopped once somewhere else, but the main and final stop was Hauptbahnhof.

But really, you won’t miss it, whether by train or bus.

Depending on where you are staying, you might want a stop other than Hauptbahnhof. Both the S1 and S8 travel underground through central Munich. Stops also at Karlsplatz(Stachus), Marienplatz, Isartor, Rosenheimer Platz.

Thank you!

And you’ll need to buy the train before you board and also stamp it in the box on the platform before you board the train

A single ticket from the airport is 11.60 EUR, but buy an all-zone day pass for 13 EUR and you can use the entire Munich transit system for the rest of the day.

It's really easy. When you walk out of the terminal you (following the signs) you are on a large paved plaza. You cross that, buy your ticket, and get on the train. The trains final destination is the main train station (Hauptbahnhof - one of the few words you should learn). You can't miss it, as it's above ground, and huge. Most of the other stops are underground. The maps are simple to follow, pick one up when you get your ticket. The stations are all signed in big letters you can't miss. And they have a PA system that announces the stops and the next one so you always know where you are.

The main station is a place you should keep in mind as a landmark. It has a bookstore with English papers and magazines, and good food. I really wish Seattle has something comparable.

Oh yes, if you do get off early, don't freak out. There will be another train soon. One of my favorite ways to explore is getting off at stations I don't know and walking around.

Also remember stamping the ticket (most tickets need to be stamped once before boarding the train - I think the "airport - city day ticket" does not, but others here will know for certain).

You can't miss it [Hauptbahnhof], as it's above ground

The S-Bahn station at the Hauptbahnhof, referred to as Hauptbahnhof "tief" (deep) is underground. All of the S-Bahn station in downtown Munich are underground.

The main part of the Hauptbahnhof, for regular trains, is above ground, but Daisy will be taking the S-Bahn. There are now regular train connections between the airport S-Bahn station and town, but using one to get to the Hbf takes longer and requires a change of trains.

Do you really want the Hauptbahnhof? Why are you going into town. To catch a train? Yes. To get to a hotel? There are other S-Bahn stops that might be closer to you hotel. Just to look around? The Marienplatz S-Bahn station would be a better choice.

Thanks everyone, for your help. All good information.

I've taken both the Lufthansa bus and the S1/S8.
Both options are super easy and inexpensive. The bus is to the right, outside the terminal, and the S1/S8 is outside and down an escalator. Visible signs mark both.

A couple of nice thing about the bus are that it's air conditioned and won't be very crowded. It stops once in the Schwabing area (I think that's where) and then at the main train station. From there, you can easily catch a taxi to your hotel. Also the bus gives you a pretty scenic view into the city via the long Ludwigstrasse and Leopoldstrasse.

If you take the S1/S8 to the train station, as others have mentioned, it's pretty easy to track the station order as they come. The stops are outside for a while, then the inner city stops are underground. From the Hauptbahnhof stop, you will get off and go up an escalator to the main station area and then exit to the taxi stands.

I don't think you've been to Munich before, which is I why I'm recommending taking a taxi from the main train station. If you are riding the S1/S8, you could get off at a possibly closer stop to your hotel (such as Marienplatz), but emerging from the underground could be confusing to get your bearings, and you'll have luggage and such. And not every stop will have a handy taxi stand like there is at the Hauptbanhof.

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you so much!

I think I will take the bus. Do I need to purchase a ticket at the station or pay when I get on the bus?

Going from the airport to Munich central station, (Hbf) you can take either one, S-1 or S-8, no need for a taxi. You won't be the only one boarding the S-Bahn which ever line comes first.

There are stops along the way, you'll know when it reaches the train station.

Usually you pay the driver, at busy times they may have a ticket seller waiting at the bus stop. You can also get tickets online for about a 50 cent (that's 50 euro cents, not 50%, so not that much) discount.

Just and FYI, I was at the Munich Airport 2 weeks ago and the main plaza is under construction, so travelers need to go around the perimeter of the area to get to the S-Bahn.

There is a great brewery (Airbrau) at the Munich airport, terminal 2, with one of the cheapest prices for beer in the city. Also has an out door beer garden if the weather is nice.

Thank you, I may need the beer before the bus. :)

Will I need to have cash ready for the bus driver, or can I charge?
Thank you, as you can tell I do not have experience with public transportation.

You'll need to pay cash if I recall correctly.
At any rate, you'll want to get Euros at an ATM in the airport anyway if you are coming from the US

I have some Euros to get me started. Thank you. Good to know I will need cash.

Last time I arrived at MUC it was at T2 (I think all trans-Atlantic flights arrive at T2), and we were on the airside level. Then we went through passport and took the elevator down to the ground level to the baggage claim (all of us, even though I only had carry-on). In the baggage claim room, there was a bank ATM. In fact, I've flown into MUC three times and I've always used that same ATM to get euro right after arriving.

Thank you, Lee