Munich Airport to City: S-Bahn, Bus, and Hotel Transfers
Munich Airport sits about 28 kilometres northeast of the city centre, and the S-Bahn is the default connection for almost everyone. Here is how the options compare, and how to reach each hotel in this guide.
S-Bahn: S1 and S8
The airport S-Bahn station lies directly beneath the central area between the terminals. Two lines serve it: the S1 runs west via Neufahrn and Moosach, the S8 east via Ismaning. Between them a train leaves roughly every 10 minutes for most of the day, and both reach München Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz in about 40 to 45 minutes. A one-way ticket to the city crosses several zones; day tickets and the airport-city day ticket are usually better value for a return trip. Trains run through most of the night on a reduced schedule.
Lufthansa Express Bus and regional buses
The Lufthansa Express Bus runs about every 20 minutes between the airport, Schwabing (Nordfriedhof), and the central station, taking around 45 minutes depending on traffic; it is open to all passengers regardless of airline. Regional buses matter mainly for hotel access: bus 512 links the airport with Schwaig and Erding, and bus 635 connects the airport with Freising station.
Taxis and car
A taxi to central Munich costs in the order of 90 euros and takes 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Ride-hailing operates at the airport with similar journey times. For hotel stays with a car, note that most airport-area hotels charge for parking; the Hilton, for example, charges around 41 euros per day.
Reaching each hotel
| Hotel | Area | Typical access from the terminals |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Munich Airport | Between T1 and T2 | Walk, under cover |
| ibis Styles Munich Airport | Airport campus (Nordallee) | Walk or one S-Bahn stop (Besucherpark) |
| Novotel München Airport | Nordallee, airport campus | Hotel shuttle or short taxi |
| NH München Airport | Schwaig, about 2 km | Hotel shuttle (fee), bus 512, or taxi |
| Atomis Hotel Munich Airport | Schwaig/Oberding | Bus 512 or short taxi |
| Premier Inn München Airport Ost | Oberding, about 5 km | Bus (a few stops) or taxi |
| Moxy Munich Airport | Hallbergmoos | Hotel shuttle or S8 to Hallbergmoos plus walk/taxi |
| Premier Inn München Airport Süd | Hallbergmoos | S8 to Hallbergmoos plus walk, or taxi |
| Flightgate Munich Airport Hotel | Hallbergmoos, about 1.2 km | Hotel shuttle or short taxi |
| Mercure München Airport Freising | Freising | Bus 635 or S1 to Freising plus short ride |
| Munich Airport Marriott | Freising | Bus 635 to Freising, then walk/taxi; hotel shuttle |
| ibis budget München Airport Erding | Erding | Bus 512 or taxi |
| Victor’s Residenz-Hotel München | Unterschleißheim, about 15 min drive | Hotel shuttle (fee) or taxi; S1 corridor |
Shuttle frequencies, fees, and operating hours vary by hotel and change seasonally; the individual hotel pages note what each property offered when last verified, and it is worth confirming with the hotel on the day of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Munich Airport to the city centre?
Take the S1 or S8 S-Bahn from the station under the terminals. Together they run about every 10 minutes and reach the central station or Marienplatz in roughly 40 to 45 minutes. The Lufthansa Express Bus is an alternative to the central station about every 20 minutes.
Which S-Bahn line goes to Munich Airport?
Two lines serve the airport: the S1 approaches from the west via Neufahrn and the S8 from the east via Ismaning. Both terminate under the terminals; take whichever comes first, as journey times to the centre are similar.
Do the Munich Airport hotels have shuttle buses?
Several do. NH München Airport, Flightgate, Moxy, Novotel, and Victor's Residenz operate shuttles, some free and some for a fee of a few euros per person. Hilton and ibis Styles are close enough to walk. Always check shuttle times with the hotel before arrival.
Information last verified: July 22, 2026