Hello,

I am hoping someone can me with some questions that I have about an 18 hour layover in Munich. I am considering this layover as I have been to Munich a few times and the Christmas Markets will be in full swing. I would love to leave the airport to see one or two but not sure what is allowed during a layover as I have never done this before. My idea is to leave and stay in Central Munich for the night. My flight would get in at 2 pm and leave the next day at 9:30am. My question is what would happen to my checked luggage? If I am not allowed to get it in Munich, it's ok as I can pack what I need for 1 night in my carryon. I would just like to know before booking what options I would have. Assuming I would be checked through and have a boarding pass, would I just be able to show up the next day and go through security? If I get my luggage, can I just drop it off after showing my boarding pass at the check in counter? I assume yes but not sure if this will be an option. Yes, I know just don't travel with checked luggage . I haven't had a long layover like this before and not sure my plan would work. I also am not sure if there is anything I may be missing. Thanks in advance.

I have done this many times at many airports.
You have a choice of whether to retrieve luggage or leave it in the baggage handling area at airport. I don't like leaving luggage so long. I felt my luggage was rummaged through whenever I left luggage in the handling area. You convey your desire at the time you initially check your luggage. Be sure you verify that the luggage tag indicates the correct end airport you are picking up the luggage.
Are you heading back the U.S. from MUC? Then you need to be at the airport very early in the morning and even earlier to leave your hotel if you stayed in Central Munich. The next day morning is not usable. You need to consider benefits of doing as you indicated or stay at an airport hotel.
If you retrieve luggage and head to the center, you need to carry luggage both ways. However, it allows you to stay very late at night in town.
If you are not planning to stay late at night in Munich, it is much simpler and gives you more time in the center if you stay at the airport. Drop luggage at your airport hotel, take S-bahn to the center. You can immediately continue on to other locations by u-bahn, tram, or bus without luggage in tow. You also get to wake up later if you stayed at the airport.

Thank you! This helps so much.

You helped with what happens to my luggage as I'd like to take it with me. I wouldn't want someone going through it not that I keep anything of value in there.

Yes, I will be going back to the US. I would like to spend as much time as I can at the Christmas market. I've had flights out early from Munich before so think my plan is doable. I also wouldn't be jetlagged as I would be coming from Italy. I love the Christmas markets so even just a few hours would make me happy.

If it was an option, I'd check the bag through to the final destination and not pick it up in Munich.
I don't think that baggage handlers at MUC spent the night stealing stuff from passengers' checked bags.
Many pax use the option to check in bags the day before their flights at MUC (if they start their trip from MUC), and the idea that these bags are easy prey for questionable baggage handlers is just a bit far fetched...
You waste a lot of time to pick up and especially be early at the airport again to check the bag for nothing.

I would 1) check my luggage through and have a change of clothes in my carry on (but if you must - yes, you can just check it to Munich) , and 2) definitely stay at an airport hotel. You could then go in to Munich and stay as late as you want, return to the hotel that night and be close to the airport for your very early AM flight.



(What I would really do is travel carry-on only but don't want to start that discussion here)

Hi sassy27,

You may not have to go all the way to Munich to get some Christmas markets in and/or to enjoy some time away from the airport.

The airport itself has a Christmas market at the courtyard of the Munich Airport Center (MAC) -- which I discovered to my annoyance when I just wanted to get through the airport and had to walk waaay around the crowd and the huts. The MAC is also right where the airport's brewerey, the Airbräu, is located. So you can spend several hours right there and soak up some good German Gemütlichkeit and beer (or Glühwein).

Or you can simply travel to Freising, which is linked to the airport by town bus (#635, I think) or by Sbahn. Several Freising hotels also offer a shuttle bus to the airport for a cost of 11€. Freising also has a Christmas market, but it's only on for one weekend during Advent, so you'd have to check to see if the dates correspond. But Freising is a lovely little town with the Weihenstephen brewery, and it should give you a good smack of German culture in your limited time.

Anyway... hope you find a good solution. Have fun as you plan!

s

Thank you all again. I know where to go for good travel advise. I am so torn on how to spend my layover. As I said, I've been a few times just for Christmas markets which is why I couldn't resist this flight option. A family member said to go for a longer time and it's a shame I can't. I am considering all the advise given.

I knew janisj our expert packer might chime in. I wish I could go carryon only but coming from Italy, I am being requested to bring some liquids back that carryon wouldn't allow. One day I hope to master the carryon experience.

Mastering the carry-on experience sometimes starts with just saying "I'm sorry" to some of those friends.