What is the cheapest way from Munich Airport to the city centre?

The S-Bahn S1 or S8 to Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz. A single ticket for the M-5 zones is €15.10 and the trip is about 40–45 minutes, with a train roughly every 10 minutes.

Do I need a special airport ticket for the S-Bahn?

No. A normal MVV single ticket covering zones M-5 (€15.10) is all you need, and a machine-printed ticket is already validated. If you'll make several trips or travel in a group, the Airport-City-Day-Ticket (€17.50 single, €32.60 group up to 5) covers unlimited MVV travel that day.

How long does the S-Bahn take from Munich Airport to Marienplatz?

About 40–45 minutes on the S1 or S8. The S8 (eastern route) is usually slightly quicker to Marienplatz; both stop at Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz.

Is the Lufthansa Express Bus worth it?

Rarely. At €13 one-way it only runs to Hauptbahnhof, includes no onward city transfer and doesn't accept the Deutschlandticket, whereas the €15.10 S-Bahn single ticket covers your onward U-Bahn, tram or bus across the network.

How much is a taxi from Munich Airport (Franz Josef Strauß) to the city?

Roughly €60–110 depending on traffic — far more than the €15.10 S-Bahn single ticket for a 40–45 minute ride.

What is the best way from MUC to downtown Munich?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: the S-Bahn S1 or S8 with a €15.10 M-5 single ticket, about 40–45 minutes to Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz, with onward U-Bahn, tram or bus transfers included.

How do you get from Munich Airport (MUC) to downtown Munich — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Munich Airport (MUC) into central Munich on public transport is the S-Bahn line S1 or S8 to Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz: a single ticket for the whole M-5 zone range costs €15.10 and the ride takes about 40–45 minutes, with a train roughly every 10 minutes. Because that single ticket also includes your onward U-Bahn, tram or bus transfer, it beats the €13 Lufthansa Express Bus — a private shuttle only to Hauptbahnhof — and a €60–110 taxi. Travelling as a group or making several trips? The Airport-City-Day-Ticket (single €17.50, group up to 5 €32.60) is better value.

How to find it

AIRPORTMunich Airport (Franz Josef Strauß)
01From arrivals in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, follow the green 'S' (S-Bahn) signs down to the central airport railway station beneath the München Airport Center (MAC) — about a 5–10 minute walk.
02Buy a single ticket for the full M-5 zone range (€15.10) from a machine or app before boarding — a machine ticket is already validated, so you can board straight away.
03Board the next S1 or S8 — they alternate, so one leaves roughly every 10 minutes from about 04:00 to 00:30 — both head into central Munich; the S8 (eastern route) is usually a touch quicker to Marienplatz.
04Ride about 40–45 minutes to Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz in the centre. Your single ticket also covers the onward U-Bahn, tram or bus to your final stop within the zones — no extra ticket needed.
CITY CENTREMunich

Ticket

MVV single ticket, zones M-5 (S-Bahn S1/S8 to central Munich)

Where to buy: From the blue MVV/DB ticket machines at the airport S-Bahn station (below the München Airport Center), or in the MVGO or DB Navigator app.

How to pay: Machines take cash and cards; the apps take cards. A machine-printed single ticket is already validated for immediate use, so there is no separate stamping — a mobile ticket is valid from purchase.

Local's trick: For one person making a single trip, the €15.10 single ticket is cheapest. But if you're travelling as a pair or group, or will make more trips the same day, the Airport-City-Day-Ticket is better value: the Single version is €17.50, while the Group version covers up to 5 adults for €32.60 (about €6.50 each) with unlimited MVV travel until 06:00 the next morning.

Trap to avoid: Skip the Lufthansa Express Bus and taxis. The Lufthansa Express Bus is a private branded shuttle: €13 one-way, but it only runs to Hauptbahnhof, includes no onward city transfer and doesn't accept the Deutschlandticket. A taxi runs about €60–110 depending on traffic. The €15.10 S-Bahn single ticket takes you into the whole network with transfers included.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
TrainCheapest route	€15.10	45 min	MVV single ticket, zones M-5 (S-Bahn S1/S8 to central Munich)
Train	€17.50	45 min	Airport-City-Day-Ticket, zones M-5 (Single €17.50 / Group up to 5 €32.60)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Munich Airport to the city centre?: The S-Bahn S1 or S8 to Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz. A single ticket for the M-5 zones is €15.10 and the trip is about 40–45 minutes, with a train roughly every 10 minutes.
Do I need a special airport ticket for the S-Bahn?: No. A normal MVV single ticket covering zones M-5 (€15.10) is all you need, and a machine-printed ticket is already validated. If you'll make several trips or travel in a group, the Airport-City-Day-Ticket (€17.50 single, €32.60 group up to 5) covers unlimited MVV travel that day.
How long does the S-Bahn take from Munich Airport to Marienplatz?: About 40–45 minutes on the S1 or S8. The S8 (eastern route) is usually slightly quicker to Marienplatz; both stop at Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz.
Is the Lufthansa Express Bus worth it?: Rarely. At €13 one-way it only runs to Hauptbahnhof, includes no onward city transfer and doesn't accept the Deutschlandticket, whereas the €15.10 S-Bahn single ticket covers your onward U-Bahn, tram or bus across the network.
How much is a taxi from Munich Airport (Franz Josef Strauß) to the city?: Roughly €60–110 depending on traffic — far more than the €15.10 S-Bahn single ticket for a 40–45 minute ride.
What is the best way from MUC to downtown Munich?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: the S-Bahn S1 or S8 with a €15.10 M-5 single ticket, about 40–45 minutes to Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz, with onward U-Bahn, tram or bus transfers included.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.