Munich Airport is around 30 km northeast of the city centre, so the journey into town takes 40 to 45 minutes with most forms of transport. Prices vary considerably: the bus costs €12.50, the S-Bahn costs €15.10 and a taxi costs €96.
Here I compare the options, including fares, journey times, current closures and my advice on which one to choose.
Contents
1. S-Bahn: S1 and S8
The S-Bahn is the option most people choose. The station is beneath Munich Airport Center, the covered area between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Just follow the signs with the green S.
Two lines run into the city, taking different routes:
- S8 approaches from the east via Ostbahnhof. It takes around 30 minutes to Ostbahnhof, 36 minutes to Marienplatz and 39 minutes to Hauptbahnhof.
- S1 approaches from the west via Laim. It takes 44 minutes to Hauptbahnhof and 48 minutes to Marienplatz.
Each line runs every 20 minutes, giving you six trains an hour in total. For Marienplatz or Hauptbahnhof, simply take whichever train leaves first. For Ostbahnhof or Haidhausen, the S8 is quicker.
The S8 runs around the clock, with trains roughly every 40 minutes at night. The S1 runs from early morning until around midnight, with overnight services at weekends. The airport has an overview of trains and buses.
Fares and tickets
The airport is in zone 5, and a journey to the city centre needs a ticket covering zones M to 5. These fares have applied since 1 January 2026:
- Single ticket: €15.10.
- Airport-City-Day-Ticket Single: €17.50. This covers the journey into town and all S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses for the rest of the day, until 06:00 the following morning.
- Airport-City-Day-Ticket Group: €32.60 for up to five adults. Two children aged 6 to 14 count as one adult.
- Children aged 6 to 14: €2 for a single ticket. Children under 6 travel free.
The day ticket costs only €2.40 more than a single, so it is worthwhile if you make just one more journey that day. For three or more people, the group ticket is by far the cheapest option. Fares are listed by S-Bahn Munich, and the day ticket conditions are explained by transport authority MVV.
Buy your ticket from the machines at the station or in the MVV app. Tickets that are not already validated must be stamped in a machine before you go down to the platform. Travelling without a valid ticket carries a €60 penalty.
A Deutschlandticket is also valid on the S-Bahn to and from the airport.
Two things to watch out for
Do not get off at Besucherpark. It is the stop before the airport and serves the car parks, rather than the terminals.
On the return journey to the airport, the S1 splits at Neufahrn. One part goes to the airport and the other to Freising, so check the destination displayed on your carriage before sitting down.
2. Lufthansa Express Bus
The Lufthansa Express Bus runs every 20 minutes from Terminal 2, Terminal 1 and Munich Airport Center to Schwabing and Hauptbahnhof. Anyone can use it, even if you have not flown with Lufthansa.
The journey takes around 25 minutes to Nordfriedhof in Schwabing and around 45 minutes to Hauptbahnhof. Buses leave the airport between 06:25 and 22:25, and Hauptbahnhof between 05:15 and 19:55.
Fares and tickets
A single ticket costs €12.50 online or €13.50 from the driver. A return costs €20.30 online, children aged 6 to 14 pay €7.50, and a family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs €29.50 online. Fares and timetables are on the Lufthansa Express Bus website.
You can also buy an airport bus ticket here, so it is on your phone when you land.
The bus is the cheapest choice for a solo traveller, and the fare includes two suitcases. It shares the motorway with other traffic, so the journey can take longer during rush hour. MVV tickets are not valid on the bus, but the Deutschlandticket is.
3. Taxis and Uber
Taxis between the airport and the area around Hauptbahnhof have a fixed fare. It fell from €106 to €96 on 1 July 2026 and applies in both directions. The fixed fare between the airport and the Messe München exhibition grounds is €90. You can read the details on the City of Munich website.
For other destinations in the city, taxis use the meter. The journey takes around 45 minutes, and taxi ranks are outside both terminals. For four people, the fixed fare works out at €24 each.
Uber also operates from the airport. Book in the app and follow the “Ride App Pick up” signs at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, as explained on the airport’s ride service page. Munich introduced minimum fares for Uber and similar services on 1 July 2026, so expect around €90 to €110, with little saving compared with a taxi.
Private transfers
To have a driver waiting in the arrivals hall, you can book a private transfer from Munich Airport here. Prices start at around €58 per person.
4. Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?
Lufthansa and Star Alliance airlines use Terminal 2, while other airlines use Terminal 1. SAS moved to Terminal 1 when it joined SkyTeam in 2024.
This makes no difference to your transport options. The S-Bahn station is between the terminals, and the Lufthansa Express Bus and taxis serve both.
Which option should you choose?
Here is what I recommend for the most common situations:
Travelling alone to Hauptbahnhof or Schwabing: Take the Lufthansa Express Bus for €12.50.
Travelling alone and using public transport again that day: Buy the €17.50 Airport-City-Day-Ticket and take the S-Bahn.
Travelling as a group of two or more: Buy the €32.60 group ticket. It covers up to five adults all day and costs less than two individual day tickets.
Landing at night: The S8 runs around the clock, so you can still get into town.
Three or four people with lots of luggage: A fixed-fare taxi costs €96 to the area around Hauptbahnhof.
Practical tips for Munich airport transport
Check engineering works. Closures change from week to week in autumn 2026, so check your travel date before setting off.
Validate your ticket. An unstamped ticket counts as having no ticket, and the penalty is €60.
Choose your hotel with the connection in mind. Staying near Hauptbahnhof puts the S1, S8 and airport bus close by. You can see hotels near Munich Hauptbahnhof here.
Taking an early flight? A night near the airport can save you an early morning S-Bahn journey. You can see hotels near Munich Airport here.
For help choosing a neighbourhood, I have written a guide to where to stay in Munich.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?