Munich Airport – Germany's second-largest airport

Which terminals for which airline?

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 serves all airlines except Lufthansa and its partners. With the new pier, it now has significantly expanded capacity for international traffic.

• Airlines: All airlines except Lufthansa and its partners
• Capacity: 14 million passengers annually – expanded by up to 6 million thanks to the new pier
• New Terminal 1 Pier (in operation since April 21, 2026): Non-Schengen traffic, including Emirates, Etihad, American Airlines, Delta, and Qatar Airways
• Hall F: Separate check-in area for flights subject to security restrictions (e.g., to Israel), located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

Terminal 2 and Satellite Terminal

Terminal 2 is a joint venture unique in Europe: Flughafen München GmbH and Deutsche Lufthansa AG jointly planned, built, and financed it—and continue to operate it together today on a 60:40 basis.

• Airlines: Exclusively Lufthansa, its subsidiaries, and Star Alliance partners
• Capacity: 36 million passengers annually (Terminal 2 and Satellite Terminal combined)
• Satellite Terminal (opened April 2016): Accessible via the airport’s own subway in just under a minute; 27 parking positions near the building – no bus transfer to the aircraft required
• Observation deck: Freely accessible in the main building, view over the entire tarmac

Visitor Park – A destination for families and airplane spotters

• The Visitor Park at Munich Airport (Nordallee 7, 85356 Munich-Airport) is a destination in its own right—even for non-travelers. It is open year-round, 24 hours a day, and admission is free.
• Visitor Hill (28 m high): A unique view of both runways and the apron—open 24 hours a day; Admission: 1 euro per person. Note: No access with strollers or wheelchairs
• Adventure playground: Free and open year-round – climb, crawl, and balance on a course spanning all continents; play planes and a zip line over the runway
• Mini-golf course (18 holes): Children up to 12 years old 3 euros, adults 12 and older 4.50 euros; tickets available at the family restaurant Tante Ju's
• Interactive exhibition “Fascination Airport”: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission – showcases aircraft, airport operations, and technology
• Historic aircraft (Super Constellation, Douglas DC-3, Junkers Ju 52): Currently closed for renovation – please check munich-airport.de before visiting
• Tante Ju's Restaurant: Family restaurant with a children’s menu located directly in the Visitor Park
• Airport tours: Guided tours behind the scenes at the airport
• Public transportation: S1/S8 to the “Besucherpark” stop, then approx. 800 m walk (10–15 min.) – fully accessible and signposted, no shuttle service
• Parking: Paid parking lot P52 right next to the visitor park

Visitor Information - Practical Tips

• Best time to visit: Weekdays and outside of Bavarian school holidays; more aircraft activity in the morning and evening for plane spotters
• Duration of visit: Visitor park and observation deck: 1–2 hours; full-day airport experience: 3–5 hours
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access in all terminals; elevators, tactile floor guidance systems, induction loops at information counters
• Children and families: Visitor park with playground and mini-golf; baby changing rooms in all terminals; children’s menus in restaurants
• Dogs: Allowed in the outdoor area of the visitor park (must be on a leash); only service animals permitted in terminal buildings
• Dining: Wide selection in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and MAC Forum – restaurants, cafés, and fast food
• Coat check / Lockers: Luggage storage available in the terminals

Transfer from Munich airport to the city center

• From Munich Airport, the S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 offer a direct connection to the main station or Marienplatz every 20 minutes. The journey time for both lines is around 40 to 45 minutes.
• The S1 runs northwest of Munich via Neufahrn, Unterschleißheim, Moosach, Hauptbahnhof, Stachus and Marienplatz to Ostbahnhof and Leuchtenbergring, while the S8 runs northeast of Munich via Hallbergmoos, Ismaning, Daglfing, Leuchtenbergring, Ostbahnhof, Marienplatz and Stachus to Hauptbahnhof and on via Pasing to Herrsching am Ammersee.
• For local transport tickets of the MVV (Münchner Verkehrs-Verbund) on the route from Munich Airport to Munich Central Station, the zone M to 5 must be purchased.
• Further departure and arrival possibilities to the airport
• Airport bus: Every 20 minutes, the Lufthansa express bus leaves for the airport from the Hauptbahnhof and Schwabing/Nordfriedhof stops.
• Rail: Since 2018, regional trains from eastern Bavaria have also been stopping at Munich Airport: The Airport Express from Regensburg makes stops along the way in Landshut and Freising, among other places.
• Car: The fastest way to reach the airport from Munich is via its own exit on the A92 autobahn.

Facts about Munich Airport

Runways

Munich Airport has two parallel runways—the North Runway and the South Runway—each 4,000 meters long. Both runways can be operated independently of one another in accordance with international ICAO regulations, enabling particularly efficient operations.

• 2 runways: North Runway and South Runway, each 4,000 m long
• Independent parallel operation of both runways possible
• 2025: 337,438 flight movements (+3.1% compared to the previous year)
• Seat load factor in 2025: 81%
• Ranked 8th among Europe’s busiest airports by flight movements (2025)
• Record year 2019: 47.9 million passengers – back to 43.4 million in 2025 following the pandemic (+4.4% compared to the previous year)

Airlines, Destinations, and Long-Haul Routes

• Munich is one of Europe’s best-connected air traffic hubs. 42% of all passengers are transfer passengers – a sign of the airport’s strong hub function.
• 91 airlines offered regular services in 2025
• 232 destinations in 73 countries, including: 14 domestic German destinations, 162 medium-haul destinations, 56 long-haul destinations
• Long-haul traffic has already exceeded the pre-crisis level of 2019 by +2%
• Ranked 10th among Europe’s busiest airports by passenger volume (2025)
• Germany’s second-largest passenger airport (Frankfurt: 63.2 million, Munich: 43.4 million)
• Air cargo volume in 2025: 339,671 tons (+10.4%) – exceeds pre-crisis levels by +2.4%

Info about the history

From the spectacular nighttime relocation in 1992 to the new Terminal 1 Pier in 2026: Munich Airport is one of Bavaria’s great infrastructure success stories.

Milestones

• 1992 – Opening: On May 11, 1992, the grand opening took place with 2,000 invited guests, including Queen Silvia of Sweden. During the night of May 16–17, 1992, the entire airport operation moved from Munich-Riem to Erdinger Moos in just 16 hours—with around 5,000 people involved and nearly 700 trucks.
• 1992 – Launch with 12 million passengers: The new airport replaced the old Munich-Riem Airport, which had been in operation since 1939 and had handled 10.8 million passengers in 1991.
• 1999 – Munich Airport Center (MAC): Opening of the multifunctional service center under its striking glass-membrane roof – featuring retail, dining, and the world’s first airport-owned brewery (Airbräu).
• 2003 – Terminal 2: Opened in June 2003 as a joint venture between FMG and Deutsche Lufthansa AG – to this day a unique model in Europe.
• 2016 – Satellite Terminal: Opened on April 26, 2016, as Germany’s first so-called midfield terminal, connected to Terminal 2 via the airport’s own subway.
• 2019 – Record Year: 47.9 million passengers – the best year in the airport’s history to date.
• 2020 – New Leadership: Since January 1, 2020, Jost Lammers has served as Chairman of the Executive Board of Flughafen München GmbH.
• 2026 – Terminal 1 Pier: Officially opened on April 13, 2026 – the most recent major expansion phase to date, with capacity for up to 6 million additional passengers annually.
   

Ownership Structure

• Free State of Bavaria: 51%
• Federal Republic of Germany: 26%
• City of Munich: 23%

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

When is Munich Airport open?

The airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The visitor park and observation deck at Terminal 2 are accessible free of charge during the day.

How much is admission?

Admission to the airport, the visitor park, and the observation deck at Terminal 2 is free. Ticket prices for flights are set by the respective airline.

How do I get to Munich Airport by S-Bahn?

S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 run directly from the Central Station and Marienplatz to the airport—every 20 minutes, with a travel time of approximately 40–45 minutes. Valid with an MVV Zone M–5 ticket or a Deutschlandticket.

What is the new Terminal 1 Pier?

The Pier, which opened on April 21, 2026, is a 95,000 m² expansion of Terminal 1 for non-Schengen flights operated by around 40 airlines. It offers capacity for up to 6 million passengers per year, CT security technology, two lounges, and modern dining options.

Which airlines fly from which terminal?

Terminal 1 is used by all airlines except Lufthansa and its partners. Terminal 2 and the Satellite Terminal are reserved for Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners. Flights to security-sensitive destinations (e.g., Israel) are handled via Hall F.

How much time should I plan for a visit?

One to two hours is sufficient for the visitor park and observation deck. If you want to explore the dining options, shops, and MAC Forum, you should plan on three to five hours.

Is there parking available at Munich Airport?

Yes, several parking garages (P1–P8, P20, P44) with short-term and long-term options are available right next to the terminals. Check munich-airport.de for current prices and availability.

What else is there to visit nearby?

The historic town of Freising, with its cathedral and beer garden, is about 10 km away. Munich’s city center can be reached by S-Bahn in about 45 minutes.