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), single | Check current M-5 fare | 40 min | Single trip only |
| Airport-City-Day-Ticket (single) | €17.50 | 40 min + unlimited | Most travelers |
| Airport-City-Day-Ticket (group, up to 5) | €32.60 | 40 min + unlimited | Groups, families |
| Lufthansa Express Bus | €12 online / €13 on board (last bus 22:25) | 45 min | Hauptbahnhof direct, daytime |
| Taxi | €96 fixed to Hauptbahnhof | 40-50 min | Groups, convenience |
| Pre-booked transfer | Fixed, quoted at booking | 40-50 min | Families, business |
Fixed-price private transfer
MUC Munich City Center
From€156for 2 passengers
Other destinations
S-Bahn — the smart money
The airport is in MVV zone 5 and the city is zone M, so a single ticket has to cover zones M-5. MVV changed its fares on 1 January 2026 and publishes only a "from €4.20" headline per zone, so check the current M-5 single price in the app or at the machine.
In practice most arrivals should skip the single and buy the Airport-City-Day-Ticket, which covers the airport and the whole city area (zones M-5): 17.50 EUR for one adult, or 32.60 EUR for a group of up to five adults. Children aged 6-14 travel free on the single version (MVV, checked July 2026). It 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, the €32.60 group version covers up to five adults — about €6.50 each for the airport journey plus all-day travel. Two children aged 6-14 count as one adult.
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 penalty for travelling without a valid ticket is steep.
Taxi fare details
Munich taxis are metered on the city tariff in force since 1 July 2026 — a 5.90 EUR minimum fare, 2.70 EUR per km for the first 7 km and 2.50 EUR per km after that (Taxi Muenchen eG / IsarFunk, checked July 2026). Over the 37 km from the airport that works out at roughly 94 EUR before waiting time.
Munich also has a published fixed rate for this exact trip: 96 EUR between the airport and the Hauptbahnhof, in either direction, and 90 EUR between the airport and the Messe/ICM. Tariffs are revised periodically, so check the current one before you travel.
| Destination | Fare |
|---|---|
| Hauptbahnhof (main station) | €96 fixed (published rate) |
| Munich Messe / ICM | €90 fixed (published rate) |
| Marienplatz / Old Town | Metered — about €94 at the current tariff |
| Schwabing | Metered — ask for an estimate |
| Olympiapark | Metered — ask for an estimate |
| Nymphenburg | Metered — ask for an estimate |
There is no significant night premium in Munich; the meter rate is the same around the clock.
Group math
The economics shift for groups:
| Group size | Airport-City-Day-Ticket | Fixed-rate taxi to Hauptbahnhof (€96, shared) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €17.50 (single) | €96 |
| 2 people | €32.60 (group) | €48 each |
| 3 people | €32.60 (group) | €32 each |
| 4 people | €32.60 (group) | €24 each |
| 5 people | €32.60 (group) | €19.20 each |
For 2-5 people, the group Airport-City-Day-Ticket is extraordinary value — and it keeps working all day after you drop your bags. A taxi only closes the gap at 4-5 people with luggage, and it takes you to one address rather than the whole network.
Cost to destinations beyond Munich
| Destination | Distance | Taxi | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augsburg | 85 km | €120-160 | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Nuremberg | 170 km | Not practical | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Salzburg | 160 km | Not practical | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen | 140 km | Not practical | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Innsbruck | 195 km | Not practical | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Neuschwanstein Castle | 130 km | Not practical | Fixed, quoted at booking |
Our recommendation
For one person going to the city center: the Airport-City-Day-Ticket (€17.50) on the S-Bahn — it buys all-day transport freedom, not just the ride in.
For 2-5 people: the group Airport-City-Day-Ticket (€32.60) — absurd value at €6-16 per person.
For families with heavy luggage or going to a specific address: a taxi (€96 fixed to the Hauptbahnhof) or a transfer (€80-120).
For long-distance (Alps, Austria): Pre-booked transfer.