Airport Guide: Munich Airport
As the second most important airport in Germany, Munich Airport has huge importance for local and international travelers alike. The airport is especially important as a hub for Lufthansa that flies to several dozens of destinations from Munich. These are including many international long range destinations like Beijing, Los Angeles or Sao Paulo.
Nearly 40 million passengers and more than 375.000 aircraft movements: The Munich Airport is without a doubt one of the most important airports in Europe. However, in terms of terminals (2) and runways (2), Munich Airport hardly is one of the biggest.
The Munich Airport is a major hub for Lufthansa
But there are plans to extend the facilities to serve even more passengers each year. At the very moment, the most important airline at the Munich Airport is Lufthansa together with its subsidiaries. Moreover, Air Berlin and Condor got a remarkable market share at Munich Airport.
Major carriers at Munich Airport:
- Lufthansa and its subsidiaries (national and international business and holiday destinations)
- Air Berlin (national business and international holiday destinations)
- Condor (international holiday destinations)
- United (business destinations in the US)
- TUIfly (international holiday destinations)
Shopping and eating at Munich Airport
As one of the biggest airports in Europe, the Munich Airport is a real paradise for shopping. Especially Terminal 2 is known for housing many brand shops including fashion, jewelry and sport shops. Most shops may be found behind security. In Terminal 1, the focus is on Duty Free shops that offer a rich choice of different items.
There are many restaurants and shops at Munich Airport
Moreover, there are many different food shops in all areas of Terminal 1. At Terminal 2, guests have an even bigger choice when it comes to bars and restaurants. There even is a beer garden behind security. However, transfer passengers should be aware that the Munich Airport is relatively expensive when it comes to food and drinks.
Sleeping at Munich Airport
Only few airports in Europe offer a hotel inside the security area. The Munich Airport does neither. However, transfer passengers of Lufthansa or another Star Alliance carrier may use the so-called “nabcaps” that are located in the security area of Terminal 2 (close to Gate G06 and H32).
The seating areas are clean, but not really comfortable for sleeping
These offer comfortable beds, plugs and much more. The charge for the use of the cabs depends on the daytime (15 Euro per hour from 6 am to 10 pm and 10 Euro per hour from 10 pm to 6 am). Moreover, there is a Hilton luxury hotel located in between Terminal 1 and 2 (outside of the security area) that may be accessed without a shuttle. A Novotel four star property is also located nearby.
Lounges at Munich Airport
Not very surprisingly, passengers departing or transferring at Munich Airport may choose between different lounges.
There are several different lounges at Munich Airport
In Terminal 2, passengers of Lufthansa or Star Alliance carriers may access one of the Business Class, First Class or Senator Lounges depending on the class of travel and the frequent flyer status. In Terminal 1, there are six different lounges:
- Air France/KLM Lounge (SkyTeam)
- British Airways Galleries Lounge (oneworld)
- The Emirates Lounge (Emirates)
- VIP Wing (independent)
- Atlantic Lounge (independent)
- Europa Lounge (independent)
Moreover, passengers flying with Air Berlin on a domestic route may access the Exclusive Waiting Area located close to the Gate A1 in Terminal 1.
Transportation at Munich Airport
Transportation at Munich Airport is relatively easy. There is a train connection to the city center with the “S-Bahn”. The lines S1 and S8 are both connecting the airport to the city. However, both are taking another way. Planned services with faster trains were abandoned in the last years, making the journey from the airport to the city very long (45 minutes).
You may also access the Munich Airport with your own car
Alternatives are offered with the Lufthansa Airport Bus (takes approximately the same time to reach the city center) and the MVV Bus Line 635 that is connecting the airport with the nearby city Freising and its train station that is offering connections by train to Munich and other cities in Bavaria. Tickets to the city center by train (10 Euro / ~ 11 US-Dollar each way) and Bus (10.50 Euro / ~ 11.50 US-Dollar each way) are relatively expensive.
The source of the header image is the Munich Airport.
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Actually, even though it’s quite big it feels like a small airport. Everything is tidy and it’s so bright that it’s one of my favoruite airports!
It’s a very nice one indeed. Did you depart at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?
Um… actually I can’t remember!