Munich Transport

The train and bus lines are all managed by the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV). The system is very efficient and includes underground service (the U-Bahn), surface trains (the S-Bahn) and trams (strassenbahn). The main train station (Hauptbahnhof) is the main connection point for most services. The pricing system is quite complicated, based on four concentric zones of travel.

By Metro

Munich’s Metro was built to provide convenient and speedy city rail service for visitors to the 1972 Olympics. The underground train service is operated by the Munchner Verkehrsgesselschaft (MVG), and is known as the U-Bahn. There are eight lines (U1 to U8), which serve the central areas of the city. U-Bahn trains run every five minutes during rush hours and every 10 minutes during the remainder of the day. The U-Bahn system connects with the main rail service at the Hauptbahnhof.

By train

The suburban train service is known as the S-Bahn, and is operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s national rail company. The S-Bahn runs to outlying areas of the city and also to Munich International Airport (on lines S1 and S8). The S1, S2 and S4 to S8 trains pass through a central tunnel in the middle of the city, which runs from the Ostbahnhof to the Hauptbahnhof. You should note that the tunnel itself has only a single track, so there can be delays during peak travel times. At both ends of the tunnel, the tracks branch off into the various lines of the S-Bahn network.

By bus

Munich has over 80 bus lines operating in the centre and the suburbs. The main station in the city is at the eastern train station (Ostbahnhof), with many connections also available from the main train station (Hauptbahnhof). There is a well-developed network that includes trams as well as buses, with a centralised ticket and pricing system. Only one type of ticket is required for all of the services provided on these lines, although the ticket price is based on a rather complex zoning system.

If you would like to explore the city, but would rather not do this on your own, you can join one of the several guided bus tours around Munich. This is a very convenient and effortless way to get an overview of the city and see some of the major attractions. Among the many tour options are tours of the city’s historic sites, the Olympic Park, Nymphenburg Palace and the Bavaria Film Studios. Tours can be arranged through your hotel or at one of the many agencies in the city centre.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available and can be flagged down on the street or called for in advance. Most taxis are white Mercedes saloons. If you prefer to call to arrange for a taxi to pick you up, the main companies are: Taxizentrale München (+49 89 21 610); and Isarfunk Taxizentrale (+49 89 45 05 40).

Tourist services

There is a tourist WelcomeCard available for purchase that combines reduced rates at many of the city’s attractions and a one-to-three day ticket valid on public transport, including transport from and to the airport. Significant discounts on guided bus tours, theatre performances and restaurants are also offered with the WelcomeCard, which can be purchased at many hotels and tourist information centres around the city.

From the airport

There is S-Bahn rail service from the airport to the city on commuter trains S1 and S8, which stop at various Munich stations including the Hauptbahnhof, Marienplatz, Laim and Ostbahnhof, If there are delays with the train service, bus line S8 operates from both terminals until the end of daily airport operations. Information on bus service is available by contacting the Munich public transportation authority (MVV) at: +49 89 4142 4344; or by visiting their website at: www.mvv-muenchen.de; wjile information concerning train service can be obtained by contacting Deutsche Bahn at: +49 1805 996 633; or visiting their website at: www.bahn.de.

Taxis from the airport to the city centre take around 45 minutes, depending on traffic, and are found in front of Arrivals. Limousine and chauffeur services are also available at the airport.