Transport to and around Munich

By plane

If you must travel by plane, choose direct flights when possible to limit the carbon emissions.

Benefit from discounted airfares agreement with our partner Lufthansa.

Lufthansa

The Lufthansa Group airlines bring people together - every day, all around the world. The global route network of Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings offers optimal connection and combination options, so you will benefit from quick and direct flights to the event.

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Munich Airport – Franz Josef Strauss International Airport

It is located in the Northeast of Bavaria, 28 kilometers away from the city center and only 30–40 minutes by taxi from the Messe München Congress Centre.

Munich Airport, where over 100 airline companies operate, is one of the busiest airports in Germany and ranks among the top airports in Europe in terms of air traffic. You will find all types of services available within the airport facilities.

Munich Airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

• Terminal 1 is used by various international airlines, while Terminal 2 primarily serves Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners.
• The terminals are connected by a fully automated people mover (APM) that takes about 2–3 minutes to complete its run.
• Both terminals are also linked by the Munich Airport Center (MAC), which offers shops, restaurants, and various services.
• A free shuttle bus system operates continuously throughout the day, making transfers between terminals simple and convenient for all passengers.

We strongly recommend that you consult your airline company to find out which terminal your flight arrives at or leaves from.  

By train

Munich has an extensive railway network that provides easy and comfortable access to the city from all over Germany and Europe. Hauptbahnhof (Munich Central Station) and Ostbahnhof (Munich East Station) are the two main railway hubs, serving high-speed, regional, and suburban trains.

• Hauptbahnhof is located in the city center and is the main hub for long-distance and high-speed trains (ICE, IC) to destinations across Germany, including Frankfurt, Berlin, and Hamburg, as well as international routes to Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
• Ostbahnhof is situated in the eastern part of the city and mainly serves regional trains, suburban S-Bahn lines, and some international trains.

Both stations are well connected to the rest of the city through the Munich U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn, trams, and buses, making travel within Munich and beyond very convenient.

Short-haul

• Short-haul trains allow travelers to reach Munich from all regions of Germany with ease. Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofplatz 1) and Munich East Station (Ostbahnhof, Rosenheimer Str. 145) serve as the main arrival and departure points for regional and suburban trains connecting the city to Bavaria’s key towns and other nearby destinations. 

Long Distance / High Speed

Among the long-distance destinations served by Deutsche Bahn (Germany’s national railway company), travelers can choose from the following services:

• ICE (InterCity Express): High-speed trains connecting Munich to major German cities as well as international destinations.
• IC/EC (InterCity / EuroCity): Comfortable long-distance trains linking Munich with other key German cities and neighboring countries. Some night trains are also available, offering sleeping compartments for a more restful journey.

International destinations

• Two long-distance lines connect Munich with Zurich, Vienna, and Milan departing from Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof).
  • Munich–Zurich (Zürich HB): Daily EuroCity (EC) trains connect Munich with Zurich’s main station in around 4 hours
  • Munich–Vienna (Wien Hauptbahnhof): Multiple Railjet (RJ) high-speed trains operate daily, linking Munich with Vienna’s main station in about 4 hours.
  • Munich–Milan (Milano Centrale): Daily EuroCity trains connect Munich with Milan’s main station in around 7 hours.

By car

Munich is a central hub of Germany's road network, providing excellent connections to both regional and international destinations. Several major autobahns (A8 – A9 – A92 – A95 – A96 – A99) radiate out from the city, making it easy to reach key German cities and neighboring countries.

• A8 (Munich–Stuttgart/Salzburg Highway) connects Munich with Stuttgart to the west and Salzburg to the east, providing access to Austria and southern Germany.
• A9 (Munich–Berlin Highway) runs north from Munich to Nuremberg and Berlin, connecting Bavaria with central and northern Germany.
• A92 (Munich–Deggendorf/Regensburg Highway) connects Munich with Deggendorf and Regensburg, and further to the Czech border.
• A95 (Munich–Garmisch-Partenkirchen Highway) connects Munich with the Bavarian Alps, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the Austrian border.
• A96 (Munich–Lindau Highway) connects Munich with Lindau, Lake Constance, and Switzerland, passing through Memmingen and Kempten.
• A99 (Munich Ring Road): The Munich Ring Road (Autobahn A99) circles the city, providing access to all major routes leading out of Munich and helping to avoid inner-city traffic.

These autobahns make Munich highly accessible by car, whether for regional travel, cross-country trips, or journeys into neighboring countries like Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

Public transport ticket

To support ESC’s sustainability initiatives, all congress participants may use Munich’s public transport network for six days during the congress period by presenting their congress badge.

Please ensure you print your badge in advance – available two weeks before the event – so you can use it immediately upon arrival at Munich Airport. Your badge also serves as your valid transport pass.

The pass is valid from 27 August to 1 September 2026 for unlimited travel within Zone M (Munich City Area), including travel to the Messe München Congress Centre, plus one journey to, and one journey from, the airport. 

Please note that, as there are no direct public transport connections from and to Munich Airport to the Messe München Congress Centre, dedicated airport shuttles have been arranged. These shuttles are commercial services and therefore not included in the travel passes provided for ESC Congress.

Airport shuttle 

ESC Congress / Messe München Congress Centre

As there are no direct public transport connections from and to Munich Airport to the Messe München Congress Centre, dedicated airport shuttles have been arranged.

These shuttles are commercial services and therefore not included in the travel passes provided for ESC Congress.

Non-stop from Munich airport to ESC Congress in less than 45 minutes.

Timetable

Departure every 30 minutes

Arrival/ departure points at Munich Airport

• Terminal 1 MAC, please follow the signs after leaving baggage claim
• Terminal 2, please follow the signs after leaving baggage claim

Arrival/ departure point at Munich Trade Fair Centre

• Entrance West / Munich Trade Fair Centre

Prices
Book your ticket now

• If purchase in advance: Single ticket €12,50 / Round-trip ticket: €19
• If purchase on the bus: Single ticket €13 / Round-trip ticket: €21

Public transport connections in Munich

Munich offers an efficient and well-connected public transport system, making it easy to travel between the airport, the city center, and the Messe München Congress Centre.

• From Munich Airport to Messe München Congress Centre: to reach the Messe München Congress Centre from the airport, take the S8 S-Bahn toward the city and transfer at Ostbahnhof to the U2 U-Bahn line toward Messestadt Ost. The journey takes around 45–50 minutes in total, depending on transfer times.

As there are no direct public transport connections from and to Munich Airport to the Messe München Congress Centre, dedicated airport shuttles have been arranged. See more

• From Munich Airport to the City Center: The S-Bahn (suburban train) lines S1 and S8 connect Munich Airport (Flughafen München) with the city center. The journey takes approximately 35–45 minutes, with trains running every 10–20 minutes. The S8 line stops at Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), Marienplatz, and other central locations, while the S1 line also serves key stops including Ostbahnhof.
• From the City Center to Messe München Congress Centre: From central Munich (e.g., Marienplatz or Hauptbahnhof), the U2 U-Bahn line provides a direct connection to Messestadt Ost, the station serving the Messe München Congress Centre. The journey takes approximately 30–35 minutes. Alternatively, several bus lines and taxi services are available, but the U-Bahn is usually the fastest and most convenient option.

Munich’s public transport system is reliable and well-signposted, making it easy for visitors to navigate the city and reach key destinations efficiently.