Munich is a large city, only slightly smaller than Berlin or Hamburg. The best way to explore is by walking and using the excellent public-transportation system. In the Altstadt, you can walk to all the attractions—in fact, you have to, because the Altstadt is a car-free zone.
By Public Transportation—An extensive network of U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (light-rail), Strassenbahn (trams), and buses makes getting anywhere in the city relatively easy. You’ll probably use the underground U-Bahn and the aboveground Strassenbahn systems most frequently. The same ticket entitles you to ride U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses. Purchase tickets from vending machines in U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations; the machines display instructions in English. You also can buy tickets in the tram or from a bus driver. Tickets must then be validated in the machines found on U-Bahn and S-Bahn platforms and in buses and trams; stick your ticket into the machine, which stamps it with the date and time. A validated ticket is valid for 2 hours. You can transfer as often as you like to any public transportation as long as you travel in the same direction.
Munich has four concentric fare zones. Most, if not all, of your sightseeing will take place in Zone 1, which includes the city center. A single ticket (Einzelfahrkarte) in Zone 1 costs 2.70€ if you pay cash and 2.60€ if you pay with a card. Short trips (up to 4 stops) cost 1.40€ if you pay cash and 1.30€ if you pay with a card. For information, call the public-transportation authority, MVV, at tel. 089/41424344, or visit it on-line at www.mvv-muenchen.de.
By Taxi—Taxis are cream-colored, plentiful, and expensive. You can get a taxi at one of the stands located all across the city, or you can hail a cab on the street if its rooftop light is illuminated. Taxi fares begin at 3.40€ and rise by 1.60€ per kilometer; there’s an additional 1.30€ charge to order a taxi by phone. Call Taxizentrale at tel. 089/21610 for a radio-dispatched taxi. The Über ride-hailing service is also active in Munich, with many vehicles in the city limits.
By Bicycle—Munich is a bike-friendly city. One of the most convenient places to rent a bike is Radius Bikes (www.radiustours.com; tel. 089/5434877740), at the far end of the Hauptbahnhof at Arnulfstrasse 2. The charge is 4 to 5€ per hour (2-hour minimum), or 15€ to 20€ per day. A deposit of 50€ or a credit card number is required; students receive a 10 percent discount. E-bikes are also available for daily rentals (38€). Radius Bikes is open mid-March through October daily 8:30am to 7pm; between May and August hours extend to 8pm.
Saving Money on Transportation
A Tageskarte (day ticket) good for a day of public transportation travel within the inner city costs 6.40€ for one adult; a Partner Tageskarte costs 12.29€ and is good for up to 5 people traveling together. A 3-Tageskarte (3-day ticket) costs 16€; the partner 3-tageskarte, good for up to 5 people traveling together, costs 28.20€. You can buy these cards from U-Bahn and S-Bahn platform ticket vending machines or at station ticket windows.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
