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Munich Airports Guide

Munich Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is a major European hub served primarily by one large, highly efficient international airport, with a smaller secondary airport handling a limited number of regional flights. Munich’s main airport is renowned for its passenger experience, retail, and seamless connections. This guide explains both facilities and how to navigate them.

Munich Airport (MUC) – Franz Josef Strauß

Overview: Munich Airport (IATA: MUC) is Germany’s second-busiest airport and a major hub for Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. Located approximately 28 km (17 miles) northeast of central Munich, it is a modern, award-winning facility known for its cleanliness, efficiency, and amenities, including an on-site brewery and visitor park.

Terminals:

Terminal 1 (T1): Used by all airlines except Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. This includes oneworld, SkyTeam, low-cost, and other carriers. It is divided into modules A, B, C, D, and E.
Terminal 2 (T2): The exclusive home of Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners. It is a newer, integrated terminal known for its streamlined design and efficient connections.

The two terminals are connected landside by the Munich Airport Center (MAC), a central plaza with shops and services, and by a free, frequent shuttle bus. They are also connected by the S-Bahn and regional train stations located between them.

Getting to and from Munich Airport (MUC):

S-Bahn (Suburban Train) – S1 & S8 Lines:
The most popular and affordable rail link. Both lines run from the Flughafen München station (located between T1 and T2) to the city center in about 45 minutes. The S8 is often faster. They terminate at the main München Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) and stop at key hubs like Marienplatz. Trains run every 10-20 minutes, 24/7 (with reduced night service).
Lufthansa Express Bus:
A premium coach service connecting the airport directly to Munich’s central train station (Hauptbahnhof) and other city points. Slightly faster than the S-Bahn in traffic (approx. 40 mins) but more expensive.
Regional Trains (DB):
Faster than the S-Bahn but make fewer stops. Some regional trains (RE, RB) connect the airport to the main station and other cities like Regensburg or Landshut.
Taxi & Ride-Hailing:
Taxis are available outside both terminals. The fare to central Munich is a metered flat rate of approximately €70-€85. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Free Now operate at the airport.
Car Rental:
All major companies are located in the multi-storey car park (Parkhaus P1/P2) opposite the terminals, connected via walkways.

Best for: The vast majority of travelers, especially those flying with Lufthansa or any major international airline. It offers excellent connectivity and facilities.

Memmingen Airport (FMM) – “Munich West”

Overview: Memmingen Airport (IATA: FMM) is marketed as “Munich West” but is located about 110 km (68 miles) west of Munich, near the town of Memmingen. It is used almost exclusively by low-cost carriers, most notably Ryanair, for flights to European leisure destinations.

Terminals:

Single Passenger Terminal: A basic, functional terminal with limited facilities.

Getting to and from Memmingen Airport (FMM) to Munich:

Allgäu Airport Express Bus:
The dedicated coach service connects FMM to Munich’s central bus station (ZOB) next to the Hauptbahnhof. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Timetables are coordinated with flight arrivals and departures. This is the only practical public transport link.
Train + Bus:
A complex option: take a local bus from the airport to Memmingen train station, then a regional train to Munich Hauptbahnhof. Total journey time is over 2 hours.
Car Rental or Taxi:
Renting a car at FMM is feasible, but the drive to Munich takes 1.5+ hours. A taxi for this distance would be prohibitively expensive (€200+).

Best for: Ultra-budget-conscious travelers on specific Ryanair routes who don’t mind a long bus transfer, or those visiting the Allgäu region (e.g., for Neuschwanstein Castle).

Which Airport Should You Choose for Munich?

This is a critical choice impacting cost, time, and convenience.

Choose Munich Airport (MUC) if: You are flying with any major airline (especially Lufthansa), value time and convenience, are on a business trip, or are visiting Munich proper. It is the correct airport for Munich.
Choose Memmingen Airport (FMM) if: You are flying on a specific Ryanair route, are on an extremely tight budget, have ample time for the bus transfer, or are planning to visit the Bavarian Alps/Allgäu region first.

Always verify your airport code (MUC vs. FMM) when booking. “Munich West” is a marketing name; the airport is not in Munich.

Airport Transfers Between MUC and FMM

The two airports are over 130 km (80 miles) apart. A transfer between them is a major journey.

Is it feasible to connect between MUC and FMM?
No, it is not recommended for same-day connections. You would need to collect baggage and undertake a 2-3 hour ground journey by bus and/or train. This is considered an inter-airport transfer on separate tickets and is highly risky.

If you absolutely must transfer: The only public option is to take the Allgäu Airport Express bus from FMM to Munich ZOB, then the S-Bahn to MUC. This takes at least 2.5 hours. Allow a minimum of 5-6 hours between scheduled flights.

Golden Rule: Never book incoming and outgoing flights on separate tickets at MUC and FMM on the same day.

Key Tips for Munich Airports

Terminal at MUC: Know your terminal. If you have a connection between a Lufthansa (T2) and a non-Lufthansa (T1) flight on a single ticket, the connection is made landside via the shuttle bus. Allow sufficient time.
S-Bahn Ticket: You need a valid ticket before boarding any train. Purchase an Airport-City-Day-Ticket for unlimited travel on all public transport in Munich for that day. Validate it by timestamping it in the blue boxes on platforms.
Efficiency: MUC is famously efficient. Security and passport control lines are typically fast-moving. For flights within the Schengen Area, arriving 1.5-2 hours before departure is often sufficient.
Airport Lounges: MUC has excellent lounges, including the public “Visitor’s Terrace” for plane spotting.
Winter Operations: MUC is extremely well-prepared for snow and winter weather, with minimal disruptions.

Bottom line: For all but the most budget-restricted travel, Munich Airport (MUC) is the only sensible choice. Use the S-Bahn (S1 or S8) for a cheap, reliable, and frequent transfer to the city center. If you choose Memmingen (FMM), understand you are committing to a long and less convenient bus journey to Munich.