Find cheap flights to Munich

Against the backdrop of the Bavarian Alps, on the banks of River Isar, Munich is a lively city with plenty of natural beauty, architectural marvels, designer retail, and shiny automobiles. Munich’s biggest draw, Oktoberfest, the largest folk fair in the world, takes place end September – early October. If you plan to visit during this time, you must book your accommodation in advance. Not only do hotels fill up fast, but the room rates are much higher at this time than during the rest of the year. Average temperatures range from 40 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to carry a warm jacket and dress in layers. December – February is the low season. While temperatures range from 25 – 30 degrees Fahrenheit, this is the best time for attractive bargains on rooms and flights. Spring months from March – May offer pleasant weather and less crowds. You can enjoy an early visit to the ‘biergartens’, just as they open for the season. During the peak tourist season from June – August, temperatures climb to 70 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The city hosts numerous festivals and open-air events. Book your rooms and flights to Munich in advance to ensure reasonable rates and availability.

Munich Airport (MUC)

Munich Airport is located almost 18 miles northeast of Munich city center near the old city of Freising. There are several options to travel from the airport to the city center.

S-Bahns

The S-Bahn lines S8 and S1 connect the airport with the center of Munich and trains depart every 10 minutes. One-way fare to Munich Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) is €11.60 EUR and the ride takes approximately 40 – 45 minutes. While single ride tickets are expensive, you can also purchase an Airport-City-Day-Ticket for €13.00 EUR. This ticket will allow you unlimited access of all MVV run public transport until 6.00 a.m. the following day.

Buses

The Lufthansa Express Bus is a non-stop, express connection from the airport to the city center. Buses run every 15 minutes and the one-way fare is €10.50 EUR. The journey time to Munich Hauptbahnhof is approximately 45 minutes. This bus service is available to any arriving passenger and is not exclusive to any specific airline.

Taxis

Taxis are easily available outside the arrivals area of both terminals. There is a flat fare of €63.00 EUR to travel from Munich Airport to the New Munich Exhibition Centre (Neue Messe München). To get to the city center, the approximate fare will be €55.00 EUR and the ride will take 35 minutes.

Car rentals

Several companies are present at the car rental center within the airport. You can also check out deals on car rentals with momondo.

Central Munich is a compact area that is home to many of the popular tourist attractions. With several pedestrian-only zones, it’s easy to explore on foot. Consider joining one of the several walking tours to discover hidden streets and alleys, and enjoy an authentic Munich experience. For covering longer distances, there are several other modes of transport.

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Munich is operated by the MVV. The extensive network includes the U-Bahn (underground trains), S-Bahn (suburban trains), Straßenbahn (trams), and buses. Fares vary based on zone and a single one-way ticket start at €2.90 EUR.

Taxis

Metered taxis are easily available throughout the city and you can hail one directly in the streets. The base fare is €3.70 EUR, followed by €1.90 EUR per additional kilometer, and a waiting time of €28.00 EUR.

Driving

Consider driving only if you are planning to explore the Bavarian region outside Munich. Within the city, there are several pedestrian only zones and rush-hour traffic jams are very common. Park your car in one of the car parks or parking zones, and try to use public transport to get around within the city.

Bikes

Cycling is an interesting way to get around in Munich. The city boasts a large cycle path network. The city’s official bike share program, nextbike Munich, has multiple bike stations in the city. You can hire a bike at €1.00 EUR per 30 minutes, with a maximum per day rental of €9.00 EUR.

U.S. nationals do not need a visa to enter Germany for up to 90 days for business or tourism. For foreign nationals, please check the Schengen Visa Info website.

Things to do and places of interest in Munich

In the heart of the Bavarian region, Munich is the land of Dirndl and Lederhosen, and traditional biergartens. The city features several beautiful parks, heritage squares, palaces, ornate churches and interesting museums. The open-air cafés, events and festivals, farmers’ markets, and retail paradises ensure that travel to Munich offers something for everyone.

• Stroll around the heart of Munich at Marienplatz and view the glockenspiel (clock tower) and Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church). Close by, check out Münchner Dom, known amongst locals as Frauenkirche (also called Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) close by.
• Visit Odeonsplatz and view the Royal Residence including the Baroque park – Hofgarten, and architecturally rich monuments such as Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshal’s Hall), Theatinerkirche church (Theatine Church of St. Cajetan), and La Dolce Vita church.
• Enjoy performances of the Munich Philharmonic and Bavarian Rundfunk Symphonic Orchestra at the Odeonsplatz square.
• Wander around Viktualienmarkt (the city’s oldest farmers market) and browse through several stalls and beer gardens offering local and exotic fare.
• Go for a leisurely stroll or enjoy a picnic lunch at Englischer Garten (English Garden).
• Visit museums such as the unique Deutsches Museum (German Museum), and BMW Welt and Museum. Admire pieces of art across genres at Alte Pinakothek museum, Neue Pinakothek museum, and Pinakothek der Moderne museum.
• If you visit during Oktoberfest, go beer tent hopping at the Theresienwiese fairground and enjoy the rides and food stalls as you interact with beer fans from across the world.
• Check out Olympiapark for its tent-shaped structure, landscaped hills, artificial lake, and sports facilities. Soccer fans should not miss a visit to the Allianz Arena stadium, home ground of the FC Bayern Munich team.

Tips and tricks for visiting Munich

BYOF – Bring your Own Food

Many of the biergartens encourage you to bring your own food and just buy your drinks there. Head to some of the farmers’ markets and pick up hearty Bavarian fare like bowls brimming with thick stews, and plates piled high with sausage and potatoes.

Munich beer is strong!

German beer is known to have a higher alcohol content than American brews. If you are used to milder brews, you should pace yourself while drinking the Munich beer. Remember that at Oktoberfest, beer is sold only in liter quantities.