Munich Public Transport: How to get around in Munich
Public Transport in Munich: tickets, connections, airport transfer
Public transport in Munich is based on four pillars: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus. Here is an overview of all information about public transport.
Your public transportation options in Munich
Munich has a highly developed and highly functional urban transport system run by the Munich Transportation Corporation (MVG) in close partnership with the Munich Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (MVV).
The following means of transport take you to your desired destination in and around the Bavarian capital:
- S-Bahn: 8 lines travel through the city. The core route ("Stammstrecke") through the city center offers great flexibility when traveling in the city center with numerous trains. You can transfer from the Munich Airport to the city center with the S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 (see below). Stations are marked with a capital "S" on green background.
- U-Bahn: With Munich's subway you can reach about 100 stations in and around the city. The rail network of Munich's 8 U-Bahn lines is interconnected with the S-Bahn. Stations are marked with a capital "U" on blue background.
- Bus: Scheduled bus services are operated in Munich's metropolitan area. Special night lines operate at night (marked with an "N" in front of the line number)
- Tram: 13 lines cover a route network of over 80 kilometers. The Munich tram network interconnects with the MVG's bus network, the Munich U-Bahn and the Munich S-Bahn. Special night lines operate at night (marked with an "N" in front of the line number)
Green mobility: bike sharing, car sharing, scooter sharing
In addition to public transport and the steadily growing bicycle infrastructure, Munich offers numerous other New Mobility possibilities:
- Bike sharing: MVG Rad, the City of Munich's bike rental system, is an ideal complement to the U-Bahn, bus and tram. The prerequisite for using the system is the free "MVGO" app and being of age.
- Car sharing: In Munich, many different operators offer car sharing. MVV has created an overview here (in German)
- Scooter sharing: There are several scooter rental systems available in Munich. Here we present the providers and their prices and answer the most important questions (in German).
Tickets: What you need to know
Tickets of the Munich public transport companies MVV and MVG are valid in the four aforementioned means of transport of the Munich public transport system. You don't need to buy a new ticket if, for example, you change from the U-Bahn to the bus or from the S-Bahn to the tram. Children under the age of 6 travel for free.
Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines at U-Bahn and S-Bahn stops, in busses and trams as well as online and via the MVV or MVG app.
The following tickets are available:
SINGLE TRIPS
- Single Ticket: The Single Ticket is for a single trip in the direction of the destination. You are allowed to change and interrupt your trip. Return trips, however, are not permitted.
- Stripe Ticket: Depending on your destination, one or several of the ten stripes are validated.
DAY TICKETS
- Single Day Ticket: The Single Day Ticket can be used within the selected area of validity for as many trips as you like on one day.
- Group Day Ticket: The Group Day Ticket can be used within the selected area of validity for as many trips as you like on one day for up to five adults, whereby any two children between 6 and 14 years of age count as one adult.
- Children's Day Ticket: Valid for one child between the ages of 6 and 14 years, you can make as many trips as you like within the entire network.
- Airport-City-Day-Ticket: A day ticket which includes the journey to/from the airport and the city area of Munich (validity zone M - 5). The Airport-City-Day-Ticket is available as a single ticket or as a group ticket for up to 5 people.
- CityTourCard: The CityTourCard includes a day ticket for use on public transport within the selected area of validity. It also offers discounts for more than 80 tourist attractions in Munich and the surrounding area.
- München Card: The ticket contains a day ticket for the public transport within the selected area of the MVV network and discounts of up to 70% at numerous sights, attractions, tours, shopping and gastronomy partners.
Single Trip Tickets, Stripe Tickets and Day Tickets must be stamped prior to the start of your journey.
Tariff zones for trips in and around Munich
The MVV area is divided into tariff zones:
- Zone M covers the entire Munich city area and in some cases extends beyond it.
- Zones 1 to 6 cover the districts belonging to the MVV area.
Map of the Munich tariff zones
A trip within one zone - for example in zone M - is the cheapest. A longer, cross-zone trip costs more. With the MVV tariff check you can find out which ticket is the right one for your trip (just enter start and destination)
Transfer from the Munich Airport to the city center and back
Two S-Bahn lines connect Munich with Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, about 30 kilometers away:
- S1 runs from the airport via Munich's West with stops in the city center and at the main train station, among other places, to Ostbahnhof and back.
- S8 runs from the airport via Munich East with stops in the city center and at the main station, among other places, to Herrsching and back.
On both lines, the ride to the city center takes about 35 minutes. Both lines depart alternately from the airport every ten minutes.