Munich’s Franz Josef Strauss Airport ( Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauss ) is the city’s main international airport. It is also the second busiest airport in Germany after Frankfurt with almost 45 million visitors a year. It provides excellent connections with the rest of the country and is consistently rated as one of the best airports in Europe. It is also unique in that it has the world’s first airport brewery, suitable for Munich.
Munich airport code, location and contact information
- Airport Code: MUC
- Location: Nordallee 25, 85356 München
- Website: www.munich-airport.de
- Flight departure and arrival information
- Munich airport map
- Phone number: 49 089 97500
Know before you go
The old Munich-Riem airport was once again close to the city center. It was moved further to expand in 1992 and was named after the conservative Bavarian politician (CSU). The airport offers direct flights around Europe, as well as to other major destinations around the world. The airport is about 40 km from the center of Munich and there are several options to get into the city and connect with other places.
The airport offers all the basics of groceries, medical center, restaurants, spa and a tourist office. These are mainly located in the Munich Airport Center (MAC) between the terminals. There is also the MAC-Forum, the largest covered outdoor area in Europe that hosts events from a Christmas market with ice skating in winter and beach volleyball courts in summer.
There is free WiFi for 30 minutes, as well as free newspapers, post office, gym, hairdresser, money changers, ATMs and public transport vending machines. Visitors can check their flight status online at any time.
For families, there are several areas for children, such as a Kinderland organized by Lufthansa with an aviation-themed play area. Some of these play areas require a small fee, but it may be worth it to keep your little fliers happy. There are also free strollers available in Terminal 1.
The airport has two terminals, two runways and many services for travelers.
- Terminal 1 – This is the oldest terminal and members of the Oneworld alliance, including American Airlines, take up most of the space. There are six independent modules here: A, B, C, D, E and F. Note that module F is located north of Terminal 2 and has check-in for high security flights (for example, to and from Israel). The terminal has multiple levels with the train station on level 2, passenger transport system on level 3 and check-in counters, security checkpoints, arrival areas, customs and most of the restaurants on level 4 (ground level. There is also a level 5 for passengers with connecting flights.
- Terminal 2: This is where the Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners are located. It has several check-in counters on level 3, more check-in counters, security checkpoints and duty-free shops on level 4, and terrace for visitors, restaurants and art exhibitions on level 5.
As mentioned above, there is a connecting bus service in the air between the terminals every 10-20 minutes, but walking between the terminals is usually easier.
Munich airport parking
- There are parking areas available and you can use the parking ticket for free public transport to the terminals. Discounted parking starts at € 19.
- All major car rental companies are available at the airport. Use the airport car reservation system to explore prices and options.
Driving directions to / from Munich airport
You can get to the airport by driving from the north, east and south via the A92 motorway and the B301 regional road. From the west, take the A92 and then the regional roads St2084 and St2584.
Public transport and taxis at Munich airport
S-Bahn between Munich and the airport
- The S-Bahn (commuter rail) easily connects Munich Central Station ( München Hauptbahnhof ) with the airport. The journey takes about 35 minutes and runs every 10 minutes (reduced frequency at night).
- The S-Bahn stops at two stations at the airport: Besucherpark (parking lot and visitor park) and Flughafen München (Terminal 1 and 2). The S1 (west) and S8 (east) are the main lines between the city and the airport.
- Tickets on Munich’s public transport, MVG, to / from the airport cost € 11.60 for a single ticket in all 4 zones. If you plan to travel more or have more trips that day, buy a Tageskarte Gesamtnetz (one-day ticket) for € 13.00 or you can get a dedicated airport-city-day ticket for the same price. There are also tickets for children, tickets for groups, among other options. You can buy tickets at the airport tourist office or at the many machines. Validate tickets by stamping them at the marked machines before boarding the S-Bahn at the top of the escalator or inside the station.
Trains between Munich and the airport
To reach the nearby destinations of Nuremberg, Regensburg, Würzburg and Bamberg, it is best to take the 635 bus from the airport to the city of Freising and connect from there. The bus takes just 20 minutes and the national rain service, Deutsche Bahn, can take you anywhere in Germany or much of Europe.
Bus between Munich and the airport
There are bus services in front of Terminal 1 on level 3, as well as Terminal 2 on level 4. Most offer service to central Munich, but there are also some options for nearby attractions, cities and towns.
- The Lufthansa express bus is available to the Hauptbahnhof via the Schwabing district for € 10.50 one way or € 17 return. Buses run every 15 minutes and the trip takes about 45 minutes. It is open to passengers of any airline. There is also a Lufthansa shuttle service to nearby Regensburg.
- INVG also operates the X109 or Ingolstädter Airport Express line between Ingolstadt and Munich Airport. There are hourly departures and the hour takes about an hour.
- Regionalverkehr Oberbayern (RVO) operates buses to nearby small towns.
- The German long-distance bus service, FlixBus, offers services from Terminal 2 at stops 21 and 22. Travelers can connect with the rest of the country through the central bus station.
Taxi between Munich and the airport
- You can arrange a taxi with the main companies in advance, or take one outside the departure and arrival areas of Terminal 1 and 2 with a service point on level 3 in Terminal 2.
- The fare between the airport and the city should be around € 60.
Where to eat and drink at Munich airport
There are about 60 places to eat at the airport, from restaurants to coffee shops. There are traditional Bavarian establishments with local beer and beer garden (open from April to October).
- Go to Airbräu, the world’s first airport brewery, to relax and partake in Bavarian culture, even on a stopover. Along with classics like Helles (lager) and Weißbier (wheat beer), there is a strong double bock called ‘Aviator’. Arrive at the brewery in Terminal 1.
- Visitors can also choose from typical fast food options, as well as international meals. Find the complete list of restaurants at Munich airport.
- If you prefer to buy supplies, there is an Edeka grocery store between terminals 1 and 2 and it is even open on Sundays.
How to spend your layover at Munich airport
- If you want to see the planes instead of traveling in one, go up to the Besucherzentrumre platform (visitor center) to see the incoming / outgoing flights. Historic airplanes, an interactive exhibit, and an adventure park are also on display.
- Visitors can register here to join an airport tour, usually only in German every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends.
Munich Airport Tips and Tidbits
Hotels near Munich airport
There are many hotels in Munich for every price, as well as hotels next to the airport, such as Hilton Munich Airport, NH München Airport, Mövenpick Hotel München Airport, Novotel Munich Airport and MOXY Munich Airport. Plus, there are Nap Cabs – self-serve sleeping pods where you can curl up in your own pod and pay by the hour.
