How to Get Around in Munich: Information, Costs, and Tips

Munich is a city of timeless beauty, charming and livable, one of the most beloved European cities by tourists. The city, besides being very beautiful, has an efficient public transportation system that allows tourists and residents to explore it comfortably, reaching all the main attractions.It is very easy to get around the city: there is a comprehensive network of trams, buses, subways (U-Bahn) and trains (S-Bahn). The city also deserves to be explored on foot or by bicycle, as in some cases it is a unique way to get around: the historic center is almost entirely pedestrianized, and many of its attractions are quite close to each other.Let's discover the guide on how to get around in Munich: information, costs, and tips!

The transport network in Munich is very efficient, connecting distant points of the city in a short time; however, the historic center should be visited on foot, so you don't miss any attractions. Munich is a sprawling metropolis, home to over a million residents and, like all large cities, can feel quite overwhelming for tourists. Therefore, for an initial approach, we recommend a walking tour with a local guide, perfect for getting your bearings and identifying key landmarks.Alternatively, we recommend the ever-popular hop-on hop-off bus, ideal for quickly reaching all the city's attractions, thanks to stops located in strategic points!When traveling by public transport, it's essential to keep in mind that the entire city area is divided into various rings, called Ringe, with different fares according to the zones. The fare system is unified, and the ticket can be used on all modes of transport.Finally, the Munich City Tour Card is strongly recommended, which provides unlimited use of public transport, as well as discounts for monuments, museums, and participating restaurants.

Munich is served by two airports. The main airport is Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, located about 30 km from the city and used by major airlines; the second is Allgäu Airport Memmingen, situated about 100 km from the center, primarily used by low-cost carriers like Ryanair.

Munich is a sprawling metropolis with over a million residents, and like any large city, it can be quite overwhelming for tourists. For this reason, for an initial approach, we recommend a walking tour with a local guide, great for getting your bearings and identifying the main landmarks.The historic center is almost entirely pedestrianized, and the city's main attractions are relatively close to each other; for example, Marienplatz is about a 10-minute walk from Peterskirche. The other neighborhoods in the city, rich in interesting museums, palaces, and churches, definitely deserve to be visited at a leisurely pace while walking along their tree-lined avenues.

No internet when you need it most? Don't take the risk! With Saily's eSIM you can connect in an instant, anywhere, and without stress! Use the code "europeoftales.net" for a 5% discount just for you! Learn more

Trams, buses, and subways are undoubtedly the most convenient and fastest way to explore the city. The modes of transport you will likely use most are the subway U-Bahn and trams Strassenbahn: the latter also have some lines that operate all night on major routes.The network has a single fare system with prices varying by zone: from €2.80 for a single ticket in zone 1 (central areas of the city) to €11.20 for peripheral zones (e.g., airport). Tickets can be purchased at the ticket machines, specifying the type of ticket desired (e.g., U-Bahn, S-Bahn, etc.), with some machines accepting coins only. To save money, it might be useful to purchase the City Tour Card, a daily pass that allows for unlimited rides on all public transport, with prices varying by the zones included; the pass is also available in a 3-day version.If you have little time and want to enjoy a panoramic ride, we recommend the hop-on hop-off tourist bus, for one or two days. For the duration of your ticket, you can get on and off freely at various stops located in strategic points of the city!

The Munich subway consists of 6 U-Bahn lines and 10 S-Bahn lines. Tickets can be purchased at automatic vending machines. There are 4 fare zones, of which Innenraum, the white zone, is central and where most attractions are concentrated. The ticket can be either daily, valid from 9:00 AM to 6:00 AM the next day, or valid for 3 days.Note: The subway operates a bit differently than usual. There are no specific tracks for each line. All lines use the same tracks in rotation. Therefore, it's necessary to check the arriving/departing subways and their destinations via the information screen.

An excellent alternative for getting around the city is trams and buses, which allow access to areas that cannot be reached via subway. Additionally, there is an excellent network of night buses and trams that effectively cover nearly every part of the city.

If you plan to visit Munich by car, know that it is not entirely recommended, considering that the city has many pedestrian zones. Additionally, traffic is heavy and parking is expensive and sometimes hard to find.If you arrive in Munich by car, it is advisable to park it at one of the lots located in the peripheral areas of the city, or opt for the streets immediately adjacent to the pedestrian center, where finding a space is also very difficult. Remember to obtain a green sticker before entering the German city, which certifies your vehicle's low emissions and allows entry without penalties.

The historic center is completely pedestrianized, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cars are not allowed access, and only bicycles may transit. In this area are concentrated all the main attractions of the German city. The only solution is to leave your car in designated lots or directly at your hotel.

Since 2012 a Low Emission Zone (ZES) has been established in Munich, in German Umweltzone. These are defined areas set up to limit air pollution.For this reason, to enter the "Green Area" of Munich by car, you need to obtain a green sticker, in German Plakette; those who do not comply with these regulations are subject to a fine of €80.00. The areas affected are the city center and surrounding neighborhoods. You can find all the information regarding this on the official site.The "green sticker" can be obtained locally at some authorized garages (it is not sold at vending machines). The best solution is still to avoid driving and keep your car parked in the hotel parking space or outside the green zone.

Finding parking in Munich is really difficult because, besides being expensive, many spots are often occupied. The available places for parking are the areas close to downtown, about 15-30 minutes on foot, recognizable by parking meters where you insert money to purchase a ticket; parking is free on Sundays. Another option can be to leave the car in one of the railway station parking lots and then move around Munich using public transport. These parking lots are sometimes free or cost a maximum of €1.50 per day, making them very economical!