Travel to Munich

Information about your trip to Munich

Flying: The fastest way to get to the centre from the airport is the S-Bahn (overground train). There are 2 lines, the S1 and S8, that take you from the airport to the city in 40 minutes and depart every 20 minutes. An ExpressBus is also available that stops at the airport, taking just under an hour..

Train: Munich Hauptbahnhof is one of the main train stations in Germany and is one of the most frequented stations in the country with 450,000 passengers per day. There are 7 S-Bahn lines stopping at the station: the S1-S4, S6-S8. These lines come from all directions and have their own platforms inside the station. The U-Bahn (underground) also connects the city with the central station. The Hauptbahnhof has 6 U-Bahn lines including the U1, U2, U4, U5, U7 and U8. The station also offers several tram lines and buses that stop in front of and beside the station.

Munich Ostbahnhof is the second biggest train station in Munich. Located 2.4 km from the city centre, there are a lot of travel options that connect Ostbahnhof to the city centre. 7 S-Bahn lines stop here; S 1-8, except the S5. Located just underneath the station, the U5 also offers direct services to the centre as well as the number 19 tram and several city bus lines.

Bus: Munich is one the most popular destinations in Germany, so there are many bus providers, serving routes to and from Munich. The most important one being Flixbus, as the company has its headquarter in Munich. Other important providers are MeinFernbus, ADAC Postbus and IC Bus. The Bus station is located next to the Hauptbahnhof and all the connections to the city centre apply to ZOB too after just a short walk to the central train station.

About Munich

Munich, the capital of Bavaria in Germany, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Full of history, culture and amazing architecture, it's easy to be pleasantly surprised by the city. Munich is also famous for holding the largest beer festival in Europe, Oktoberfest, in which one of the beer halls was founded in 1589. The best time to visit Munich is the spring and summer time, especially for those people who are looking to go hiking as there are some stunning routes not too far outside of the city. For those that are looking for a more traditional experience, the winter time is also a good time to visit for the Christmas markets.

Walking Around in Munich

The city of Munich is easy to explore on foot as the Old Town, or city center, is actually quite small and most of the major attractions of the city can be found in this area. Walking allows you to stop and see the buildings or gardens of the city up close. Situate yourself in Marienplatz, which is the main central square of Munich. There, you can see the Neues Rathaus, which houses the famous Glockenspiel, the tower clock with chimes and moving figurines that put on a performance a few times a day. Those with energy to spare should try and climb the many stairs to the top of the Peterskirche to get a birds eye view of the city. A short walk away you will find Munich's main attraction, the Frauenkirche, where the devil is believed to have left a footprint. Take a break from your walk to explore this beautiful old church. Next, stroll down the Kaufingerstrasse, which is a shopping street in the pedestrian zone of Munich. Get a snack from one of the street stalls to enjoy while you browse the shops and watch one of the street performances that take place here in summer.  

Public Transport in Munich

Munich has an exceptional public transport system that connects different areas within and outside the city center. This public transport system is easy to use and features the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn, trams, and buses. When getting around the city center, the preferred mode of transport is the S- Bahn, whose hub is the Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The S-Bahn goes through the city center and provides a link to popular attractions, such as Karlsplatz, the Frauenkirche, and Marienplatz. However, trams and buses can be used to access tourist destinations as well, as they drop off travellers within walking distance of their desired destination. Public transport in Munich is divided into seven travel zones. Travel to the different zones is facilitated by the use of travel cards such as the Munich City Pass, Munich Card and the City Tour Card which are all available for purchase at the boarding stations. These cards provide great bargains when travelling with family and friends and provide free access to several attractions. With varying validity periods ranging from 24 hours to five days, travellers are better off using cards rather than the daily tickets that only last 24 hours after validation at the station.

Coffee Shops in Munich

Munich has as robust a coffee scene as any other European city. However, most coffee shops in Munich serve specialty coffee with their own twists. Whether it be a cold brew, a simple espresso, a fancy macchiato, or a cappuccino, Munich will serve it with excellence. Standl 20 will not only blow you away with their award-winning design and ambiance but with their fruity selection of espressos. Sample the mind-blowing coffee lemonade or order one of their specialty coffees and a slice of their homemade cakes. For a roomier and livelier setting, head over to the Glockenbach district and visit Vits der Kaffee for a taste of pioneering Munich coffee. Here, you can grab a bite as you savor a specialty coffee and side of cake. A favorite among locals, it holds packed coffee seminars each week. Located in the same district as Vits der Kaffee is Man vs. Machine, arguably one of Munich's best coffee shops. Their selection of brews has a fruity burst of flavors and their brewing methods feature technical choices including V60, Kalita, Syphon, or Aeropress. A tastefully decorated interior and a wide selection of specialty roasts and brews make Man vs. Machine a perfect place to enjoy excellent coffee in Munich.

Eating in Munich

Munich is famous for being the home of the Oktoberfest, and although this festival is considered to be mostly about beer, Munich's culinary scene plays a large part in the festival and the culture of the city. The traditional breakfast food in Munich is the weisswurst, which is a white sausage made of pork and normally served with a pretzel. This breakfast is perfect for snacking on while exploring the streets of Munich. Lunch in Munich is often eaten at one of the many pubs in the city, and this can be a great way to get to know the locals. One of the best lunch options to sample is a schnitzel, which is a piece of pork or veal that is flattened and crumbed before being fried and served with mushrooms or other sides. Those seeking a more modern take on the cuisine of Munich should try Restaurant 181, which is situated at the top of the Olympic Tower and offers a fine dining experience with incredible views of the city. Vegetarians should try spätzle, which is the local version of pasta and is served with a cheese sauce and crispy pieces of onion.

Public Transport in Munich

Munich has an exceptional public transport system that connects different areas within and outside the city center. This public transport system is easy to use and features the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn, trams, and buses. When getting around the city center, the preferred mode of transport is the S- Bahn, whose hub is the Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The S-Bahn goes through the city center and provides a link to popular attractions, such as Karlsplatz, the Frauenkirche, and Marienplatz. However, trams and buses can be used to access tourist destinations as well, as they drop off travellers within walking distance of their desired destination. Public transport in Munich is divided into seven travel zones. Travel to the different zones is facilitated by the use of travel cards such as the Munich City Pass, Munich Card and the City Tour Card which are all available for purchase at the boarding stations. These cards provide great bargains when travelling with family and friends and provide free access to several attractions. With varying validity periods ranging from 24 hours to five days, travellers are better off using cards rather than the daily tickets that only last 24 hours after validation at the station.