Munich is an excellent city for using public transport, with a comprehensive network of subways, trams, buses, and commuter trains that take you almost anywhere you need to go within the city and its outlying suburbs (although traffic is more limited in ‘burbs). Although a couple of aspects can be a bit confusing at first for those new to the city, it is relatively simple to navigate and get where you need to go.
How to ride the U-Bahn
Munich’s U-Bahn, or underground metro system, is probably the transit system most used by visitors and also regularly by locals. It’s fast, easy to navigate, and the underground stations tend to be clean and safe – some of them even broadcast classical music!
The main disadvantage of Munich’s public transport system is the price, as it is expensive. A single ticket within the central zone is 2.90 euros. You can save money by buying a “Streifenkarte” (striped ticket) for ten individual trips, a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly pass if you are going to use transport frequently. There are also group tickets that can be used by several people for a certain time.
Munich has a wide variety of ways to pay for tickets. You can buy machine tickets at stations, as well as on board trams and buses, in cash and in some cases also with a credit or debit card. You can also choose to buy tickets on your cell phone using the MVG or Deutsche Bahn app, depending on the form of transit you are taking.
The U-Bahn doesn’t run frequently in the early hours of the morning, so it might be worth checking out the night trams if you need to get somewhere by 2am. During the day it is often reliable and during peak hours additional trains operate. Generally speaking, you won’t have to wait more than 10-15 minutes maximum for a meter, usually much less.
If you buy a ticket from a blue MVG machine, be sure to validate the ticket by feeding it into stamping machines at metro stations and on buses and trams. The controllers perform periodic sweeps to verify the tickets and, if you have not validated your ticket, you will be fined. The other important thing to keep in mind is to verify your travel zone. Munich transit is divided into rings. Look on the map at the subway station to see where your stop falls on the ring road zones (if you are staying in the center of Munich, it will be only the first two rings).
You’ll have to pay extra for a ticket that goes further or stamp more stripes on your Streifenkarte if you need to go somewhere, say, on ring six. A one-way ticket is valid for two hours. You can use it to transfer, for example, a metro to a bus, as long as you stay within your ring zone.
For the most part, Munich metro stations are very accessible for the disabled or people using strollers or elderly people. There are elevators and escalators and spaces for wheelchairs. Strollers are supposed to park near the subway gates.
Other forms of transit in Munich
Munich is hardly limited to the U-Bahn, with a vast network of buses, trams, and commuter trains. The ticketing system for buses and trams is the same for the U-Bahn, and you can generally buy tickets directly on the bus or tram from a machine, although most only take cash. Note that if you have a stroller or wheelchair, there are designated spots marked on the doors of buses and trams.
Bus
Munich’s bus lines are the main way to get around in the suburbs and areas that are not served by U-Bahn or tram, but there are also a good number of buses in the city center. If you need to get somewhere in a hurry, there are a number of “Express Bus” lines that make only a few stops to prime locations.
Trolley car
Perhaps the most romantic of Munich’s transportation options, trams are another convenient and scenic way to get around the city and also serve some of the more remote neighborhoods, as well as central routes.
S-Bahn (commuter train)
Munich’s S-Bahn lines run through the city center and serve Munich’s suburbs, making it a great option for suburban commuters and day trips to some of the most visited out-of-center sites in Munich. Munich, like Lake Starnberg, Dachau and Andechs. monastery. Note that an S-Bahn ticket for the airport is a separate ticket from the typical ring zone format and make sure you have the appropriate ticket. While the S-Bahn is generally quite convenient and reliable, as it currently only has one central thoroughfare, there can be significant delays or cancellations if there is construction or bad weather.
Bike rental
The MVG bike rental system allows you to rent bikes on short notice and return them to stops around U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations. There are also a variety of other bike sharing programs in Munich, or you can rent long-term bikes from many bike shops throughout the city. Munich is an extremely bike-friendly city with bike lanes everywhere, it’s a great way to save time and get some exercise.
Taxi and ride-sharing apps
It is easy to take a taxi in the central parts of the city, especially near the main train and bus stations; otherwise, you will need to call a taxi service. Taxis in Munich are reliable and safe, although a bit expensive. However, do not try to take a taxi to the airport from the city; it’s very expensive – take the S-Bahn directly to the airport, the Lufthansa airport bus, or book a special shuttle or taxi in advance if you really don’t want to take public transport. Uber also operates in Munich.
Rent a car
If you’re mainly going to be in Munich and you’re not going to travel around Bavaria a lot, it honestly doesn’t make much sense to rent a car – it’s expensive, Munich can have bad traffic, parking is hard to find in some areas, and gas isn’t cheap. However, there are many options for car rental agencies in Munich, and it may be a good option if you are using Munich as a base and venturing into some rural areas of the region. That said, the train connections in Bavaria are excellent and you can probably go car-free if you don’t have significant mobility issues.
Tips for getting around Munich
- Avoid driving if you can. Rush hour in Munich can be painful, and certain sections of the city have constant traffic. The city center is small and easily navigable, and the public transport and bicycle network is excellent.
- Remember that there are no turnstiles. Buses, trains and trams do not have turnstiles; Remember to stamp your ticket in case a controller performs a random sweep. Exceptions are time-stamped weekly and monthly tickets, or tickets purchased from a Deutsche Bahn machine.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Sometimes certain elements of the Munich system, like the ring zones, can be a bit confusing; don’t be afraid to ask someone or a transit worker if you are confused when buying tickets.
- Check for bargain “combo” tickets. For some destinations, like Therme Erding, you can get a combo ticket that gives you both a discount on transit and admission to the attraction. A City TourCard can get discounts for 80 different Munich attractions combined with transit costs.
- At night, the tram lines change to “night lines”. Late at night, the tram lines often condense into slightly different and less frequent routes. Each tram stop should have a map showing the night routes.
