Munich Central Station Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Munich Central Station (2023)

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Munich Central Station, also known as Munich Central Station, is the heart of the entire Munich transportation system.

If you travel to Munich, there's a good chance you'll end up here, wandering around like a zombie, unconscious.

I mean I can't lie to you, the place is huge and the navigation is a bit confusing so I feel compelled to write this comprehensive guide!

During my last years of living in Munich, I visited this train station about two million times. Now I like to think I know it all, so here are the best tips and tricks to help you survive Munich Central Station and how to navigate it... professional zombies.

Pssst... Looking for more Munich travel tips?

Click here to read my full Munich travel guideOffers tips on things to do, where to go and more local secrets most tourists don't know.

Guide to Munich Central Station, Munich HBF or Munich Central Station...?

First of all: Munich Central Station, Munich HBF, Munich Central Station and Munich Central Station are all the same.

The logo/website uses them interchangeably, depending on the language you choose (München is German Munich, Hauptbahnhof is German).

If you're visiting Germany for the first time, you're probably already thinking about fifteen-letter words and weird, unintuitive systems...just know they're all the same. I'll also use them interchangeably throughout this article so I can mix them up.

Overview of Munich Central Station

Munich's main train station is similar to most other major train stations in Germany - it is a major transport hub and therefore has good connections to the rest of Munich.

If there's one thing you should know about HBF Munich, it's that it's huge. real. Besides the main choo choo trains that go to big exotic places likefrankfurtIn addition, it is an important transportation hub for subways and suburban trains. Airport buses and trams also stop here.

Due to its size, Munich Central Station can often be difficult to navigate, especially for first-time visitors. you canYou can find the map on the official website, but this might confuse you even more 😉

Instead, here's my final advice for you: Pay attention to the signs. There will always be signposts at the train station, so follow them instead of finding your way blindly.

Basically, suppose the whole station has several levels. Below that is the U-Bahn, below that are local trains, and in between is the S-Bahn.

Be aware that walking is required when moving from one of these places to another.

If you only allow 3 minutes to get from the subway to your local train, you probably don't have enough time (unless you're The Flash, so grab a coffee sometime, Barry).

If you arrive by subway or S-Bahn, you usually have to climb several flights of escalators. So keep your schedule in mind...don't always rely on Google Maps to find everything. Sometimes they will show you impossible diversions because they don't understand that walking through walls is not yet part of human functioning. But we're working on it 😉

Navigating in Munich Central Station: Step by Step

The most important thing about your friends: brand. Munich HBF can be huge and confusing, but the signage makes sense.

If you are traveling by train, follow the signs with the train symbol. Remember, the train is on the ground. So once you're underground, look for other escalators you like and follow the traffic lights.

Once you've reached the bottom of all the platforms, look at the large board in the middle to see which platform your destination arrives at. Or, if you have a DB application installed, you are usually notified. Then follow the numbered signs to your platform.

Note: One of the great things about Munich is that it's usually the first stop on the train, which means it's a) easy to find a seat and b) less likely to experience delays.

If you want to arrive by bus, tram, underground or S-Bahn, just follow the corresponding signs (they are self-explanatory).

Dining options at Munich Central Station

The good news: There are plenty of places to eat at Munich Central Station. Make sure you're never hungry. bad news? The place is a complete maze with all these options scattered across different floors of the train station etc.

At the platform level:If you need a quick bite, there are several kiosks on the platform level selling takeaway items like pastries and sandwiches. There's at least one stall selling fruit (and healthy snacks), and a "food court" area if you want to sit and eat. There is a good selection here, with many German delicacies (eg sausages, potatoes, etc.) and international delicacies. Condesa is also one of the most popular Mexican attractions in Munich, located near platforms 5-11.

In the basement:There are plenty of takeaways if you go downstairs, but if you want something warm (not just a sandwich), it's even better. Besides the old and reliable McDonald's, there are a couple of Asian takeaways (Asiahung is good!) and a few other options like burgers, kebabs, etc.

Connect to station:L'Osteria is my favorite Italian restaurant chain in Munich. If you have more time, I definitely recommend eating here - the restaurant is integrated directly into the train station. It's a sit down place, but the pizzas are good and big. You can easily split one (around 10-12€) between two people for a cheap and tasty meal.

Facilities at Munich Central Station

Luggage storage at Munich train station:Luggage lockers are available at train stations for short periods of time, up to a maximum of 6 hours. Standard lockers cost EUR 2 and large lockers cost EUR 3.

bathroom:Rail & Fresh public toilets are available at Munich Central Station for a fee. The cost is €1 (but you will get a 50 cent voucher for the supplier at the train station). There is also a shower for 7 euros.

Wireless LAN:Look for telecommunications networks. It's supposed to give you 30 minutes for free, but sometimes it's very difficult and doesn't work.

Where can I find train timetables for Munich?

I strongly recommend you to download itDB Navigator applicationor use itGoEuro-AppSearch for different train times and prices. It is almost impossible to find printed timetables at train stations. However, if you need additional assistance, you can always contact DB Travel Center.

Note: For upcoming trains, there is a large board on the platform level with important information such as upcoming departure information and platform numbers.

Munich HBF to Munich Airport

Getting to Munich Airport from Munich HBF is very easy. You have three options: take the S-Bahn, take the airport bus or take a taxi. All this is easy.

Zug:The cheapest way to get from Munich HBF to Munich Airport is by taking the S-Bahn. All you have to do is take the S1 or S8 (the S8 is much faster, FYI) to "Flughafen".

Airport shuttle bus:The Lufthansa Express Bus costs €10.50 one way and €17 return. From the main train station to the airport every 15 minutes. The journey takes about 45 minutes, which is negligibly faster than public transport. The only benefit to doing this is peace of mind and comfort, but be careful: you run the risk of being stuck in traffic.

taxi:The only time I took a taxi to and from the airport was on my first day in Munich. It costs about 50 euros. This might be a wise choice if you're traveling with a lot of people. However, be aware of the traffic here as well. Unlike some major cities, there are no fixed prices for airport taxis in Munich.

Note: These tips apply to Munich International Airport. If you are looking for Memmingen Allgau airport transfer information read my full airport guidehere.

Munich Airport to Munich HBF

I highly recommend taking the train from Munich airport to the city center. Not only is this the most economical option, it's the only one that saves you from traffic 😉 Here's a quick summary of your different options that you canIf you want to read my full travel guide from Munich airport to city center click here.

Zug:Here, the S-Bahn is also the cheapest way to get from Munich Airport to Munich HBF. All you have to do is upgrade to S1 or S8 (S8 is faster, FYI).

Airport shuttle bus:The Lufthansa Express Bus costs €10.50 one way and €17 return. From the airport to the main train station every 15 minutes. The journey takes about 45 minutes, which is negligibly faster than public transport. The only benefit to doing this is peace of mind and comfort, but be careful: you run the risk of being stuck in traffic.

taxi:The only time I took a taxi to and from the airport was on my first day in Munich. It costs about 50 euros. This might be a wise choice if you're traveling with a lot of people. However, be aware of the traffic here as well. Unlike some major cities, there are no fixed prices for airport taxis in Munich.

The train station at Munich Airport is the same as the S-Bahn station. Look for the white S in the green circle on the signs and follow the signs until you arrive.

Hotels near Munich Train Station

I can't lie to you - Munich is a great, clean, super safe city, but the only slightly rougher parts of the city are the area around Munich Central Station and Munich Central Bus Station.

Because of this, I generally don't recommend people stay in the area.

Note: when I say "rough" I mean the rest of the city entirely (otherwise this is a raw wonderland of rabid bikers and glitzy beer bars). Honestly, the area around Grand Central is no different than most inner city cities like NYC - there will be some rough numbers floating around and you might feel a little uncomfortable, but I never felt like I was in any real danger Among other things...it is objectively not as "beautiful" as the rest of Munich.

Of course, compelling reasons to book a hotel near Munich Central Station are that hotels here tend to be cheaper and centrally located near other attractions. If you don't mind staying in a less "nice" area, there are plenty of hotel options near Munich's main train station.

Click here to search for hotels near Munich Central Station.

The Ultimate Tips for Surviving Munich Central Station

Pay attention to the platform number

Some platforms are really far away, namely platforms 5-11 (where the train to Salzburg usually leaves) and platforms 27-36 (where the train to Neuschwanstein usually leaves). I've made the absolute newbie mistake of assuming all platforms are easily accessible, but these are notable exceptions. If you know your train will depart from one of these platforms, be sure to give yourself some extra time! With this in mind, I strongly recommend that you…

Be sure to plan enough time

Also, the train station is huge, so I recommend arriving early to get your bearings before leaving. Better to be safe than sorry. Many times in the past I've sprinted towards a train and no, that's not cute.

In Yorma, you can buy very cheap and good coffee

If you're looking for a caffeine pick-me-up, forget overpriced Starbucks and head to Yorma's. Their coffee is less than 2 euros and they have syrup as a side that you can add to your coffee for free. This excites me.

Bring something warm if you plan to wait longer or outside of opening hours

The train station is covered but open. So if you plan to stop at the station for a long time, bring something warm to cuddle with (jacket, person or something). However, the most sensible solution is to wait in the basement or in the dining area which may still be open.

Do you have any other questions about Munich Central Station?

I hope this surprisingly long guide has answered most of your most pressing questions about Munich Central Station, but if you have any, let us know in the comments!

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PS: If you are planning to come to Munich, you might also like these articles:

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