A potential May flight to Munich (MUC) shows a 6:50am departure on the return leg. Rick Steves' Germany guidebook lists S-Bahn, bus, and taxi connections between downtown Munich and the airport, but I assume the first two don't operate at 4:00am. Is there another option for 4:00am transportation, maybe shuttles or night busses like in Rome, so I can spend my last night actually in the city?
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Actually if you go to http://www.mvv-muenchen.de you can see the actual times of operation. For example I searched from Marienplatz to the Airport and the train runs all night long. From the Marienplatz to Airport departures are 01:01, 02:31, 03:21, 03:41, 03:42, 04:01, 04:21, etc
So Yes, I think you can spend your last night actually enjoying the city AND catch an early train to the airport.
Munich is a great place; we love it.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
According to the Munich public transportation website - www.mvv-muenchen.de/en - the S-bahn does have a limited night schedule. For example, it shows a train leaving the Hauptbahnhof station at 03:58 and arriving at the airport at 04:37. Used Monday, January 5 schedule for the example.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
Lamont,
The S-8 is the train you'll use to the airport. As I recall, you'll disembark on the left side if you're facing the front of the train, and then take the Escalator up to the airport terminal. The S-1 also travels to the airport, but I believe some of the cars are "split" at some point so travellers have to ensure they board the "right half" of the train (you wouldn't want to end up in Dusseldorf, LOL).
One other suggestion - you might want to get your tickets the previous day at the EurAide office in the Munich station. I've found the English-speaking agents to be very helpful. Of course, you can buy these at regular ticket windows as well.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
The MVV website says for passengers taking the S-1 to the airport to board the back part of the train. The train splits at Neufahrn, and the front part goes to Freising.
The S-1 and S-8 are about 10 minutes apart (depending on what downtown station you use). Whichever one comes first, in the direction of the airport (S-1 goes west, from Marienplatz to the Hauptbahnhof, S-8 goes east), will get you to the airport first.
The easiest way to buy your ticket is from an MVV automat. For 2-5 people, the MVV Partner-Tageskarte Gesamtnetz for €18 would be the most economical.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
Lamont- I can back up what others are saying with personal experience. We had a 6:55 departure and had no trouble using the s-bahn system that morning. If I recall correctly-the S8 was a better choice. It had more departure times in the wee hours of the morning than the S1. One of the smartest things we did was purchase our tickets the night before. The ticket windows were not open that early, although you can purchase tickets at machines. However, the airport is not clearly listed. We had a heck of a time figuring out the machines the night before. A German man finally came along and helped us. It is set up by zones and you have to know how many zones you need to buy for to get to the airport. (I think it was four but I am not positive.) I am not sure how we would have made out early the next morning since there was NO ONE around. So buy your ticket ahead of time. Just don't validate it until you leave that morning. Other than that, getting from Munich to the airport was very easy.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
From town to the airport does take a four zone single trip ticket (Einzelfahrkarte) for €9,20 per person. For two to five people a Partner Tageskarte Gesamtnetz (Day ticket, all day pass, valid for travel everywhere in the entire MVV district), is only €18. It makes sense to buy the Gesamtnetzkarte. For a single person, the Tageskarte is €10, so it will probably pay to get the Einzelfahrkarte.