Munich Airport to Munich City Centre by Train (S1 & S8 Guide)

Last updated: April 2026

Travelling from Munich Airport to the city centre is easy by public transport. The airport is connected to Munich by two S-Bahn lines, S1 and S8, both of which stop at Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). This guide explains how to find the station from both terminals, buy your ticket, and choose the right train.

Where is the train station?

Munich Airport has one S-Bahn station located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Both terminals are connected to the station by clearly marked pedestrian walkways. Simply follow the S-Bahn signs.

From Terminal 1

After leaving the arrivals area, take the escalator one level down and follow the signs for the S-Bahn.

During my visit, I walked from Arrival Area A to the station in about 7 minutes at a relaxed pace without using the moving walkways. This is likely close to the maximum walking time from this part of Terminal 1.

Once you arrive at the station, you will see rows of ticket machines, regardless of which side you enter from.

From Terminal 2

From the arrivals area, walk towards the exit while following the S-Bahn signs.

There are exits on both the left and right sides, each with ticket machines nearby.

Continue into the central courtyard and walk to the escalators leading down to the station. I reached the escalators in about 3 minutes at a relaxed walking pace.

Take the escalator down and continue following the S-Bahn signs until you reach the platforms.

Buying a Ticket

A single ticket from the airport to Munich Central Station costs €15.10. The airport lies in the outermost fare zone, which is why the fare is higher than for journeys within the city. Ticket machines are available at both terminals and inside the station.

The machines can be switched to English.

During my visit, I followed these steps:

• Select English.
• Enter "M" in the destination search.
• Select Munich (München).
• Continue with the purchase.
• Confirm the transport network information shown on the screen.

The machines accept:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• Contactless payment

Some machines also accept cash. If paying with cash, the machines recommend using the exact amount whenever possible.

Which Train Should You Take?

Both airport trains travel directly to Munich city centre.

S8

The S8 is usually the faster option because it follows a more direct route into the city. If both trains leave at a similar time, the S8 is generally the better choice.

S1

The S1 also travels directly to Munich Central Station, but usually takes a little longer because it follows a different route through northern Munich.

At the Platform

The station has two tracks, with electronic departure boards showing whether the next train is the S1 or S8, as well as the departure time.

Additional ticket machines are available in Section C of the platform.

Arriving in Munich

Both the S1 and S8 stop at Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), making them convenient for most visitors staying in the city centre.

WiFi

Munich Airport offers free WiFi. During my visit, registration only required an email address.

I also had WiFi access while travelling on the S-Bahn. However, this was my personal experience and availability may vary.

Last Train from Munich Airport to the City Centre

If you arrive late at night, it is worth checking the timetable before leaving the airport.

During my research, the last direct S-Bahn services to Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) departed at 1:24 a.m. After that, there was a gap in service until approximately 4:00 a.m., when the first morning trains started running again.

Because departure times may change with new timetables or engineering works, always check the current schedule before travelling if your flight arrives after midnight.

Further connections

From Munich Central Station by public transport to Neuschwanstein Castle.