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S-Bahn & U-Bahn
To get around Munich we suggest sticking to the S-Bahn and
U-Bahn – the lines that appear on subway maps posted
in every station. Free maps of the network are available at
most stations and hotels, the airport, and here.
S-Bahn means Schnellbahn (fast train) and is the fastest
way to cover big distances. Many S-Bahn lines cut right through
the city center and connect, for instance, Munich’s
Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) to Ostbahnhof (East Station),
with hot tourist destinations like Marienplatz and Karsplatz
in between. S-Bahn lines begin with an “S” (for
example, S1) and are color-coded. U-Bahn means underground
train. Lines are color coded and are indicated with a “U”
(for example, U2). To figure out the direction a train is
going, check the name of the final destination on the sign
hanging above the track.
Tickets
Train tickets (valid for all forms of public transportation)
are available from machines dotted throughout the stations.
You only need to worry about two different types of ticket:
Innenraum (inner city) and XXL (city outskirts). If you plan
on staying in the city center, the Innenraum is for you. If
you also plan on visiting places like Dachau Concentration
Camp, buy an XXL ticket. Here are some of the ticket options:
// Kurzstrecke (short distance) €1.10:
one journey up to two stops in one direction, valid for one
hour
// Einzelfahrschein (single ticket) €2.20:
one journey in one zone, valid for three hours
// Tageskarte Innenraum (day ticket) €4.50
Innenraum, €6 XXL: valid all day until 6 am the following
day
// Partnerticket (group ticket) €8 inner
city, €10.50 outskirts: for up to five people, valid
all day until 6 am the following day
Always validate your ticket at one of the blue stamping machines
placed near the platforms. Tickets only need to be validated
the first time you travel. The fine for being caught traveling
without a valid ticket is €40. If you don’t have
the cash on you, they’ll take you to a cash machine
or call the police.
Hours & Night Transportation
Public transportation runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Regular public transportation lines usually run until about
2 am, which is when Munich’s extensive and reliable
network of night buses and trams takes over. Look for routes
designated with an “N” at bus and tram stops (for
example, N17).
To and from the Airport
There are two lines that connect the Franz-Joseph-Strauss
Airport and Hauptbahnhof: S-1 and S-8. In both cases, the
journey takes about 40 minutes.
The Welcome Card
With the Welcome Card, you can use all forms of public transport
free of charge and get discounts of up to 50% at over 100
museums and other attractions. Prices vary depending upon
which Welcome Card you buy and how many people you’re
with. They’re available at Tourist Information Offices
at Marienplatz or Hauptbahnhof as well as in many hotels,
travel offices, and wherever you see a Welcome Card poster.
| Headed out of town? Food
on trains is often expensive and awful, so grab a proper
sandwich at Yorma’s – and
other essentials, like reading material, deodorant, Red
Bull, beef sticks, batteries, etc. Yorma’s
is located next to the Tourist Information Office at the
Hauptbahnhof. Map 1 & 2 |
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