Owais Crawford
Munich International Airport (MUC) is a large and busy airport with two terminals connected by the Munich Airport Center (MAC) shopping mall, as well as a satellite terminal. The airport is located 22 miles from the city centre, and it takes around 40 minutes to get there by train. If you have a long layover, you can spend some time in the city, but make sure to allow enough time to pass through security and border controls, especially if you're travelling from outside the Schengen area. Munich Airport has around 57 bars and restaurants and more than 150 shops, as well as dozens of lounges and free WiFi. If you're travelling by car, you can park in one of the designated parking areas and use your parking ticket for free public transportation to and from your terminal. Most travellers do not need a visa to transit in Germany as long as they do not leave the International Airport Area, but there are exceptions.
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements for transiting through Munich Airport
If you are transiting through Munich Airport, you may need a visa depending on your nationality and the nature of your transit.
The Transit Privilege
Under the "transit privilege", travellers who need a Schengen visa are exempt from applying for a visa if they are simply transiting through a German airport. This exemption applies only under the following conditions:
- You will make a stopover at Munich Airport with an International Airport Area.
- You will not leave the International Airport Area at any point.
- Your final destination is outside the Schengen area.
When a Transit Visa is Required
Nationals of the following countries require an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports in Germany:
- Afghanistan
- Ghana
- Lebanon
- Bangladesh
- India
- Mali
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Iran
- Nigeria
- Sudan
- Eritrea
- Iraq
- Pakistan
- Ethiopia
- Syria
- Jordan
- Somalia
However, nationals of the above countries do not require an airport transit visa if they:
- Hold a valid visa for the United States of America, or
- Hold a used, valid, or expired visa issued by Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Japan, Romania, the United Kingdom, or the Schengen area.
Additionally, if your transit involves more than one Schengen country, the "transit privilege" does not apply, and you will need a Schengen tourist visa.
Applying for a Transit Visa
To apply for a German airport transit visa, you will need to complete a visa application form and submit it, along with other required documents, to a German embassy or consulate, or a visa application centre. The standard fee for a German airport transit visa is €90. The required documents include:
- A valid passport with at least three months' validity remaining after leaving Germany and issued within the last ten years.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- A round-trip flight ticket or itinerary with the main destination being a non-Schengen country.
- A visa for the final destination, if applicable.
- A declaration of the accuracy of the information provided.
- An employment letter, if employed.
- A visa fee payment slip.
- Additional documents as requested by the German embassy or consulate.
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Transport options to and from the airport
Munich Airport is well-connected to the city centre by public and private transport. The S-Bahn train is the most popular public transport option, with the S1 and S8 lines running between the airport and Munich Central Station every 10 minutes. The journey takes around 40 minutes, including a stop at Marienplatz. A one-way standard ticket costs €13.60 for adults, with children under 6 travelling for free. You can also purchase a group day ticket for €25.70, which is valid for up to 5 adults (with 2 kids counting as 1 adult). The train station is located in the basement level of the central area between Terminals 1 and 2.
The Lufthansa Express Bus is another option, offering an environmentally-friendly connection between the airport and the city centre. The bus runs daily, with stops at Munich North (Schwabing) and Munich Central Station, and the trip takes approximately 45 minutes. A one-way ticket starts at €12 when purchased online. The bus stop for long-distance buses is just a few steps from Terminal 2, with Terminal 1 being a 5 to 10-minute walk away.
If you prefer a private transfer, you can opt for a taxi or a private airport transfer service. These options offer a door-to-door service and take around 35 minutes in light traffic. However, taxi rides can be more expensive and there may be long waits at the airport. It is also advisable to carry cash as some taxi drivers do not accept credit or debit cards, and not all drivers are bilingual.
For those who drive to the airport and park in the P41, P43, P44, P51, or P90 parking areas, you can use your parking ticket for free public transportation to your departure terminal and back to your vehicle after your trip. This offer is valid for all persons travelling together.
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The time required for connecting flights
Munich Airport is a hub airport, which means that baggage handling is more complex and can take longer than at smaller airports. If you have booked your connecting flights under one booking number, your airline will have planned enough time for a smooth transfer. Your luggage will be transferred automatically to your connecting flight. However, if you have booked two separate flights and your luggage is not checked through, you should allow enough time to pass through security and border controls, and for the possibility that your arriving flight could be delayed. There may also be waiting times at baggage claim or when re-checking your bags for your connecting flight.
Munich Airport recommends a minimum time of 40 minutes to make a connection, but a layover of at least 60 to 75 minutes is preferable to account for any delays or if you are flying outside of the same air alliance. If you are connecting between the airport's two terminals, it can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to get to your connecting flight. A free shuttle bus runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 every 10 minutes between 5:50 am and 11 pm, and the journey takes 5 to 7 minutes. You can also walk between the two terminals.
If you are connecting between international flights or arriving from a non-Schengen country, you will need to go through passport control and customs, which will add to the time required for your connection. If you are arriving from and connecting to an airport within the Schengen area, usually no passport control is required. If you are arriving from the Schengen area and connecting to an airport outside the Schengen area, or vice versa, passport control is required, and you may need to have your visa checked.
If you have a long layover, you may be able to leave the airport and explore the city of Munich. If your layover is at least 6 hours, you can take a 40-minute train ride into the city centre to visit attractions such as the Old Town, beer gardens, and museums.
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Facilities available at the airport
Munich Airport, officially known as Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport, offers a wide range of facilities for travellers. The airport boasts over 150 shops and service facilities, ensuring that passengers have a variety of options during their time at the airport.
For those interested in duty-free shopping, Munich Airport offers a plethora of options. From decadent chocolates and fashion boutiques to premium leather goods and crystal-studded watches, passengers can indulge in some retail therapy. The airport also houses several bakeries and pastry shops, offering delicious freshly baked Bavarian bread and desserts.
When it comes to dining, Munich Airport has something for everyone. Airbräu, the world's first airport brewery, offers a variety of locally crafted beers, bar snacks, and a kid's menu. Passengers can choose to dine indoors or in their open-air beer garden. Café Aïda, another award-winning dining establishment at the airport, provides a unique culinary experience.
For passengers seeking relaxation and comfort, Munich Airport houses several lounges, including the Airport Lounge World. These lounges offer premium comfort, luxury amenities, light refreshments, drinks, newspapers, and Wi-Fi access. Additionally, the Mountain Hub Spa provides a tranquil escape with a fitness centre, steam bath, sauna, and a 17-metre swimming pool. Passengers can also opt for a relaxing massage at the Chi-Mas Institute within the airport.
Munich Airport also offers unique attractions, such as the new LEGO Store, where travellers can explore and purchase exclusive LEGO kits. The airport also provides airport tours, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the world of aviation, including hangars and luggage loading points. These tours are conducted in German.
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Things to do in Munich during a layover
If you have a long layover at Munich Airport, there are plenty of ways to spend your time. Here are some suggestions for things to do, depending on the length of your layover:
2 hours or less
Stay airside and explore the shops, restaurants, and services within the security area. You can indulge in an acupressure massage, charged at €1 per minute, to help prevent or ease muscle tension, back pain, fear of flying, and jet lag.
2-4 hours
You have time to explore Munich Airport landside and get some fresh air! You can also explore the nearby region, such as the cities of Freising or Erding.
5 hours
With a 5-hour layover, you may have just enough time to visit the city centre. The S-Bahn to Munich city centre takes 45 minutes each way, so with travel time and the time needed to get off the plane and store your luggage, you'll have about an hour in the city.
6 hours or more
With a 6-hour layover, you'll have 2 hours to explore the city, while an 8-9 hour layover will give you more time for sightseeing. The airport is located 22 miles from the city centre, and you can take the train, which departs from the Munich Airport Terminal station (Bahnhof München Flughafen) and takes around 40 minutes. In the city, you can visit world-class museums, sprawling public gardens, and the rich historical centre, all surrounded by the German Alps. Beer halls, such as the famous Hofbräuhaus, stay open until midnight or 1 am, and in warmer months, beer gardens like the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) are open until around 11 pm.
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Frequently asked questions
Most travellers do not need a visa to transit through Germany as long as they do not leave the International Airport Area. However, citizens from around 20 countries need a visa to transit, even if they do not leave the transit area.
It takes around 40 minutes to get to the city centre by train. If you are travelling by bus or taxi, be aware that Munich traffic is notoriously bad, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
It can take between 10 and 20 minutes to transfer between terminals at Munich Airport. If you are connecting to Gates K and L in the satellite terminal, you can take an underground shuttle train from Terminal 2 that arrives in under a minute.
Munich Airport has around 57 bars and restaurants and more than 150 shops across both terminals. There are designer boutiques, German souvenir shops, and dozens of airport lounges. The airport also has free WiFi.
