Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC) Flights & Information

Munich Airport Franz Josef Strauss (MUC) is an international airport serving Munich and upper Bavaria. It is the second-busiest airport in Germany and is often used by travelers heading to Austria as well. The airport is a hub for German airline Lufthansa and many U.S. passengers connect through Munich on their way to and from Europe. Munich Airport is known for its central beer garden, a perk of flying through what can otherwise be a stressful airport.

Getting to and from the airport

Munich Airport is located about 18 miles northeast of Munich. It is only a few hours by car or train from Austria, including popular destinations like Saltzburg and Innsbruck. While many travelers opt to drive, the local and regional trains and buses are very well connected.

Public transportation

Public transportation is the best way to get to and from Munich Airport. The airport is connected to both Munich and the surrounding areas by train and bus, including the regional Deutsche Bahn train and S-Bahn lines S1 and S8, which connect to Munich’s city center.

The S1 and S8 S-Bahn lines stop at two stations at Munich Airport: Besucherpark, where many travelers park, and Flughafen München, which connects to the terminals. Trains depart every 10 minutes and take 40 minutes to get to Munich Central Station. From there, you can head onward to any nearby destination, including in Austria. In my experience, this is the easiest way to travel to and from the airport.

If you prefer to go by bus, the Lufthansa Express Bus connects Munich Central Station with Terminals 1 and 2. It runs every 20 minutes and takes 45 minutes. It is slightly cheaper than the S-Bahn and runs non-stop, but I prefer the S-Bahn because there’s no risk of traffic. Those going farther than Munich can hop on the Lufthansa Express Bus between Nuremberg, Munich Airport, and Innsbruck. These are timed to outgoing flights to ensure you don’t miss your plane.

Another option is Flixbus, a long-distance bus that is ideal for passengers going to destinations farther away in Germany and around Europe. Flixbus picks up at Terminal 2 at bus stops 21 and 22. Flixbus tickets limit the number of bags you can bring, so in my experience it’s best for those traveling light.

Taxis

Taxis pick up and drop off at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Downtown Munich is about 30 minutes from the airport and will cost substantially more than public transportation. In my experience, this is the best option if you have a lot of luggage or you’re traveling as a family with young kids. Uber is technically not available in Germany, however travelers can use the app to hail local taxi and car companies and pay using the app.

Car rentals

Travelers heading to destinations beyond Munich, including Bavaria and the nearby ski resorts may want to rent a car. There are six car rental companies available at Munich Airport, which can be found in the rental car center on level 3. I recommend booking a car in advance online, especially if you prefer an automatic (which don’t come standard in Europe). When returning the car, be sure to give yourself extra time as there can be a lot of traffic driving into Munich Airport.

If you need a car for a shorter distance, there are several car sharing apps available in Germany. These can be used to rent a car while on the go, including from the airport’s parking garage. Look for apps like MILES, SHARE NOW, and CarVia.

Navigating the terminals

Munich Airport has two terminals, which are connected by a shopping center known as the Munich Airport Center. The center is also where the S-Bahn arrives and departs, and where travelers can find the car rental companies. It’s easy and quick to travel between terminals on foot or via free shuttle bus. Both terminals have left luggage services if you want to leave the airport during a layover.

Munich Airport Center

The Munich Airport Center (MAC) is one of the highlights of the Munich Airport. Located between the two terminals, it houses shops, restaurants, transportation links, and a massive brewery and beer garden, Airbräu. During the winter, it’s home to its own annual Christmas market, something I was delighted to discover when flying out of Munich in December. It’s a great place to spend a layover or to kill time while waiting for a train.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is smaller and older, and serves airlines that are not part of Star Alliance, including British Airways, Eurowings, and Delta. While the Munich Airport generally has a lot of dining and shopping options, the choices in Terminal 1 are less exciting than those in Terminal 2. I like to buy food in the Munich Airport Center before heading into the terminal.

There are different check-in areas for different flights, so it’s best to check the boards to see where you need to go. When coming from the Munich Airport Center, give yourself plenty of time to check in as some of the check-in areas are farther away.

There are several lounges in Terminal 1, including the Air France KLM Lounge, the Emirates Lounge, and Airport Lounge World. The Airport Lounge World and Airport Lounge Europe each serve several airlines, but also allow passengers to purchase day passes in advance online. In my experience, it’s only worth the price if you have an especially long layover.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2, which opened in 2003, is the larger and more modern terminal in Munich Airport. It is the home to Lufthansa and its fellow Star Alliance airlines. There are two areas of Terminal 2: the main gates and the satellite gates, which can be reached by an underground shuttle train.

Dining and shopping options are more extensive in Terminal 2 and include international brands like Lacoste, M.A.C., and Longchamp. There are also large duty free shops. Those who need a quick rest can seek out one of the Napcaps, which offer a quiet spot to sleep or work. They charge by the hour with a minimum of two hours. Terminal 2 also has several recreation areas, which have lounge chairs and USB charging ports. These are free to use and can be a great spot to hang out before departure.

Because Terminal 2 is the hub for Lufthansa, there are multiple lounges for Star Alliance passengers. These include business class lounges, first class lounges and several Senator Lounges. Note that some of the lounges are within the Schengen area and some are past immigration, so in my experience it’s best to use the lounge that’s closest to your gate.

Security and immigration

Munich Airport is very busy and both security and immigration queues can be stressful. The past two times I’ve flown out of Terminal 1 I’ve spent so long in the lines that I almost missed my flight. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time for security, especially when flying on a weekend or around a popular event, like Oktoberfest.

In both terminals, passengers heading to non-Schengen countries will have to pass through immigration after security. This tends to take a long time in my experience. I recommend not stopping to shop or eat in the terminal, and going through immigration as soon as possible to ensure you have enough time at the gate.

Arriving into Munich Airport is far less stressful than departing. Immigration and customs moves much more quickly upon arrival. If you are changing planes in Munich, check which terminal you are departing from. To switch terminals, you’ll need to go through immigration, claim your luggage, and re-check your bags in the other terminal. There is a free shuttle bus that connects the terminals or you can opt to walk.

Airport hotels

The Hilton Munich Airport is located adjacent to the Munich Airport Center and is a great option if you have a layover since it’s within walking distance of both terminals. It has a spa and swimming pool, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant, Mountain Hub Gourmet.

Nearby the airport, passengers can also stay in one of the many airport hotels. These include Novotel Muenchen Airport, Moxy Munich Airport, and Ramada by Wyndham Muenchen Airport. While many of the hotels have shuttles to and from the terminals, a few of them charge so be sure to check before booking a room.