By Plane
The Franz-Josef-Strauss International Airport (tel. 089/97-52-13-13), opened in 1992, is a state-of-the-art facility that lies 29km (18 miles) northeast of central Munich at Erdinger Moos. Facilities include parking garages, car-rental centers, restaurants, bars, money-exchange kiosks, lockers, and storage facilities.
S-Bahn (tel. 089/414-243-44) trains connect the airport with the Hauptbahnhof (main railroad station) in downtown Munich. Departures are every 20 minutes for the 40-minute trip. The fare is 9€ ($11); Eurailpass holders ride free. A taxi into the center costs about 50€ to 60€ ($60-$72). Airport buses, such as those operated by Lufthansa, also run between the airport and the center.
By Train
Most trains arrive at Munich's main rail station, the Hauptbahnhof, on Bahnhofplatz, one of Europe's largest stations. Located near the city center and the trade fairgrounds, it contains a hotel, restaurants, shopping, car parking, and banking facilities. All major German cities are connected to this station. Some 20 daily trains connect Munich to Frankfurt (trip time: 3 3/4 hr.), and 23 to Berlin (trip time: 6 3/4 hr.). The rail station is connected with the S-Bahn rapid-transit system, a 418km (260-mile) network of tracks, providing service to various city districts and outlying suburbs. For S-Bahn information, call tel. 089/4142-43-44. The U-Bahn (subway) system serving Munich is also centered at the rail station. In addition, buses fan out in all directions from here.
By Bus
Munich has long-distance bus service from many German and European cities. Depending on their point of origin, buses depart from the section of the Hauptbahnhof called the West-Wing Starnberger Bahnhof, or from the Deutsche Touring Terminal on Arnulfstrasse 3, about a block away. For information about connections, tariffs, and schedules, call Deutsche Touring GmbH at tel. 089/88-98-95-13. Regional service to towns and villages within Bavaria can be arranged through Oberbayern Autobus, Heidemann-Strasse 220 (tel. 089/32-30-40), or DER, Landshuher Allee (tel. 089/120-4242). An affiliate of Oberbayern Autobus, DER GmbH, Landshutte Allee (tel. 089/120-4242), organizes bus tours to specific tourist destinations around Bavaria and into neighboring Austria, including the castles of King Ludwig, Innsbruck, and Salzburg.
