Munich Airport: Home to Its Own On-Site Brewery

Getting there, at a glance

Amenities, at a glance

Munich Airport (IATA: MUC) is Germany’s second-busiest airport and Lufthansa’s second-largest hub, handling more than 40 million passengers a year. It sits about 40 km (25 mi) northeast of central Munich, in the Bavarian countryside.

Overview

MUC operates two terminals connected by a central area known as MAC (Munich Airport Center), which includes shops, restaurants, and — genuinely uniquely — the airport’s own working brewery. As Lufthansa’s second hub after Frankfurt, MUC anchors an extensive network across Europe and long-haul routes worldwide, with a reputation as one of Europe’s more relaxed, efficient major airports. Munich Airport reported 41.6 million passengers for 2024, an increase of 4.5 million on 2023 that made it Germany’s fastest-growing airport that year.

Terminals

• Terminal 1: A mix of international carriers, arranged in modules (A through E).
• Terminal 2: Lufthansa’s main terminal and its Star Alliance partners, including a dedicated satellite building for additional gates.

The Munich Airport Center (MAC) sits between the two terminals and includes the Airbräu brewery, shops, and services accessible to both.

Airlines

Lufthansa operates its second-largest hub at MUC, anchoring Terminal 2 with an extensive short-haul European network and a growing long-haul portfolio. Star Alliance partners add further connectivity, making MUC an efficient alternative to Frankfurt for many European and intercontinental routes.

How to Get There

• S-Bahn (S1/S8): €13.60 for a single ticket covering the full XXL zone, running every 10 minutes and taking about 40–45 minutes direct to Munich Hauptbahnhof (main station) — the most reliable option regardless of traffic.
• Lufthansa Express Bus: Around €10.50, about 45 minutes to Munich Hauptbahnhof, a comfortable alternative to the train.
• Taxi: With taximeter, typically €70–90 to the city center, about 35–45 minutes depending on traffic — notably pricier than most European airport taxis given the distance.

Prices above are indicative and can change — always check current fares with Deutsche Bahn or the Munich Airport transport page.

Getting Through Security and Passport Control

• Schengen flights: Security only, no passport control. Typically 15–25 minutes off-peak, up to 30–40 minutes during busy morning and evening departure waves.
• International (non-Schengen) flights: Security plus passport control. Typically 25–40 minutes off-peak, but can reach 50–70 minutes during Lufthansa’s peak connecting banks in Terminal 2.
• MUC is generally regarded as one of the calmer major European hubs for security, though Terminal 2’s Lufthansa connecting waves can still get busy.

Parking

Both terminals have adjacent short- and long-stay car parks, plus more affordable off-site options connected by shuttle. Pre-booking online is cheaper than the walk-up rate.

Wifi

Free, unlimited wifi is available across both terminals with no time limit.

Best Times to Arrive

• Schengen flights: 90 minutes before departure is typically enough outside peak hours.
• International flights: Arrive 3 hours ahead, especially for Lufthansa’s long-haul departures during peak connecting banks in Terminal 2.
• Munich’s distance from the city means road and rail delays can eat into your buffer more than at a closer-in airport — build in extra time for the outbound trip.

Where to Eat

MUC has a strong lineup of genuine Bavarian cuisine — pretzels, weisswurst, and hearty regional dishes — alongside international chains, with the standout being the airport’s own Airbräu brewery restaurant and beer garden in the MAC area.

Airport Hotel

The Hilton Munich Airport (formerly the Kempinski Hotel Airport Munich) sits on airport grounds next to Terminal 2, with a glass atrium housing the Charles Lindbergh Restaurant, the Night Flight Bar under tall indoor palm trees, and a lobby café for something lighter — a genuinely striking space to wait out a long layover even if you’re not staying overnight.

Lounges

• Lufthansa Business and Senator lounges are spread across Terminal 2, reflecting Lufthansa’s major hub presence, accessible with eligible tickets, elite status, or membership.
• Several Priority Pass-affiliated lounges are also available in Terminal 1.

Duty-Free Shopping

MUC’s duty-free selection leans into German specialties — beer, precision watches, and chocolate — alongside the usual international fashion, cosmetics, and electronics brands.

Airport Map

This is a simplified layout to help you get oriented — for real-time, gate-by-gate wayfinding, use Munich Airport’s official resources.

Useful Links

• Official airport site (Munich Airport) — terminal info, services, live flight status.
• Deutsche Bahn — S-Bahn tickets and schedules.

Long Layover Tips

• With 6+ hours and a Schengen-eligible passport, central Munich is reachable via S-Bahn in about 40 minutes, making Marienplatz and the old town realistically visitable.
• If staying airside, don’t skip the Airbräu brewery in the Munich Airport Center — genuinely one of the more memorable airport experiences anywhere, whether or not you’re connecting through the MAC area specifically.
• Given MUC’s distance from the city, build real buffer time into any round trip if you’re leaving the airport on a layover — the S-Bahn ride alone is 40+ minutes each way.