Munich Airport is far from the city (37km), which means transport costs more here than at closer airports. Here's what each option actually costs.
Complete price comparison
| Transport | Cost (EUR) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Bahn (S1/S8) | €13.60 single | 40 min | Most travelers |
| Day pass (all zones) | €16.10 | 40 min + unlimited | Full day exploring |
| Lufthansa Express Bus | €13 single / €21.50 return | 45 min | Hauptbahnhof direct |
| Taxi | €75-95 | 40-50 min | Groups, convenience |
| Pre-booked transfer | €80-120 | 40-50 min | Families, business |
S-Bahn — the smart money
The €13.60 single ticket covers the entire zone 1-5 journey from the airport to any Munich station. But consider the day pass at €16.10 instead:
- Only €2.50 more than a single ticket
- Covers unlimited travel on ALL Munich public transport (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses) for the rest of the day
- If you're arriving in the morning, this is a no-brainer
For groups: a Partner Day Ticket (€31.50) covers up to 5 people — just €6.30 per person for the airport journey plus all-day travel.
Ticket buying:
- Machines at the S-Bahn platform (cash and card)
- MVV app (buy on your phone)
- Always buy before boarding — there's no onboard purchase option. Ticket inspectors are frequent and the €60 fine is real.
Taxi fare details
Munich taxis are metered. The fare from the airport to the city center:
- Starting rate: €3.90
- Per km: €2.00 (approx.)
- Night surcharge: Minimal — Munich has no significant night premium
| Destination | Typical fare |
|---|---|
| Hauptbahnhof (main station) | €75-85 |
| Marienplatz / Old Town | €78-90 |
| Schwabing | €70-85 |
| Munich Messe | €65-78 |
| Olympiapark | €72-85 |
| Nymphenburg | €70-82 |
Group math
The economics shift for groups:
| Group size | S-Bahn (singles) | S-Bahn (group pass) | Taxi (shared) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €13.60 | €16.10 (day pass) | €80 |
| 2 people | €27.20 | €31.50 (partner day) | €40 each |
| 3 people | €40.80 | €31.50 (partner day) | €27 each |
| 4 people | €54.40 | €31.50 (partner day) | €20 each |
| 5 people | €68.00 | €31.50 (partner day) | €16 each |
For 3-5 people, the Partner Day Ticket is extraordinary value. For 4+ people, a taxi to a specific address is competitive too.
Cost to destinations beyond Munich
| Destination | Distance | Taxi | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augsburg | 85 km | €120-160 | €120-160 |
| Nuremberg | 170 km | Not practical | €250-350 |
| Salzburg | 160 km | Not practical | €230-320 |
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen | 140 km | Not practical | €200-280 |
| Innsbruck | 195 km | Not practical | €280-380 |
| Neuschwanstein Castle | 130 km | Not practical | €190-270 |
Our recommendation
For 1-2 people going to the city center: Day pass (€16.10) on the S-Bahn. The extra €2.50 over a single ticket gives you all-day transport freedom.
For 3-5 people: Partner Day Ticket (€31.50) — absurd value at €6-10 per person.
For families with heavy luggage or going to a specific address: Taxi (€75-95) or transfer (€80-120).
For long-distance (Alps, Austria): Pre-booked transfer.