Need some help. I am arriving in Munich on a 12:05 PM flight. I need to be down town near the main Train Station by 2 PM. Is it doable? Should I count on taking the train, bus or shell out for the high priced Taxi? I've never been to Munich before and I am not familiar with the transit systems in Municy however I'm told they are very good.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
You have an hour and 55 minutes. I've flown into Munich twice and I can assure you I was at the Hauptbahnhof (Main station) in less time than that.
There is an S-Bahn station underground between the terminals, marked by a green circle with a white 'S'. The trains take two different routes into town. They both take about 40 min (+/-). One is a little faster to the Hbf than the other one, but they leave alternately about every 10 minutes. Whichever one is leaving next will get you to the Hbf the soonest.
Of course, everything depends on whether your flight is on time. In my last eight trips to Europe, I have been an hour late two times. Once you do arrive, if you are coming from the U.S., you will have to go through Passport Control, which means standing in line waiting for someone to check your passport and stamp it. That usually takes about 10-15 minutes. After that you will go to the baggage claim room. There will be an ATM in the baggage room, so you can get Euro. If you have nothing but carryon, you just go out through the "nothing to declare" aisle and you are on your way. If you are coming into Terminal 2 (I think most international arrivals do), walk out the front door of the terminal, across the covered courtyard, and find the S-Bahn station (big green circle S) on the other side.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
There's no ticket counter in the underground S-Bahn station (they are in the mall above), but you will find MVV ticket automats. If you are alone and don't plan on using any more conveyances of the Munich metro after you get into town, use the button marked "Einzelfahrkarte ab 4 Zonen" (orange button with a '4' on it). That fare is €9,60 for one person and will cover you from the airport into downtown Munich. Otherwise use the yellow buttons for "Tageskarte Gesamtnetz" (€10,40), either Single or Partner (2-5 P, €18,80). The Tageskarte will allow you to use any conveyances in town for the rest of the day.
The S-Bahn comes into town underground, so watch for the station names. When you get off at the track level of the station, go up the escalators to the mall above the tracks, then up stair (or escalators) to the station or street level.