Getting Around

Central Munich is compact enough for exploring on foot. In order to get to the outlying suburbs, make use of the efficient public transport system.

Public transport

Getting around is easy on Munich’s excellent public transport network (MVV). The system is zone-based, and most places of interest to visitors (except Dachau and the airport) are within the ‘blue’ inner-zone ­ (Innenraum).

Tickets are valid for the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses, but must be time-stamped in the machines at station entrances and aboard buses and trams before use. Failure to validate a ticket puts you at the mercy of ticket inspectors (usually plain-clothed) who possess admirable efficiency when it comes to handing out fines.

Short rides (four bus or tram stops; two U-Bahn or S-Bahn stops) cost €1.10, while longer trips cost €2.20. It’s cheaper to buy a strip-card of 10 tickets called a Streifenkarte for €11, and stamp one strip per adult on rides of two or less tram or U-Bahn stops, two strips for longer journeys.

Some of the other deals on offer are the following:

  • Tageskarten (day passes) One day (individual/up to 5 people €4.80/8.50); Three day (individual/up to 5 people €11.80/20) Valid for the inner zone only.
  • IsarCard Wochenkarte (€15.10) Weekly pass covering all four zones, valid Monday till noon the following Monday; if you buy later, it’s still only good until next Monday.
  • Rail passes are also valid on S-Bahn trains. A bicycle pass costs €2.50 and is valid all day except during rush hour (6am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday), when bikes are banned.
  • The U-Bahn ceases operation around 12.30am on weekdays and 1.30am at weekends, but a network of night buses (Nachtbusse) still operates. Pick up the latest route and time schedule from any tourist office.
  • MVV-Muenchen provides detailed information on prices, maps and timetables.

Car & motorcycle

It’s not worth driving in the city centre; many streets are pedestrian-only, ticket enforcement is Orwellian and parking is a nightmare. The tourist office map shows city car parks, which generally cost about €1.50 to €2.50 per hour.

Taxi

Taxis cost €2.90 at flagfall, plus a per-kilometre price of €1.25 to €1.60. For a radio-dispatched taxi, ring 216 10 or 194 10. Taxi ranks are indicated on the city’s tourist map.

Sources: