Hi! Going to fly into Munich a week from Monday, and wondered how hard was it to drive from the airport to downtown Munich? Is it terrible? Help! Advice?

Jan

Is there some reason you want a car in downtown Munich? And you do know that much of the center is a pedestrian only zone - no cars allowed?

We are getting the car the day we get to Germany, and then staying two days in Munich, and parking the car, til we actually leave for Bavaria and Fussen. That is why we have the car, so we can get to Fussen. We plan on walking all through Munich. Thanks!

Jan

You don't need a car to get to Füssen either. There are convenient trains, they take only a few minute longer then drivein, and they cost a lot less.

Janner,

People do drive into Munich and you can as well. However, have you checked the cost of parking near your hotel? I understand there is premium for picking up a car at the airport as opposed to picking it up in town. You might look at that. You might find it more advantageous to put off getting the car until you leave Munich. The trains (Sbahns 1 & 8) into town are very convenient.

I have owned a car in Germany and it was easy enough to get around. Now that I am a visitor, I do prefer the trains. Still that is a personal choice.

Regards, Gary

You will pay about 15% more for any rental at either the airport or the train station.

You will pay dearly to park in Munich where ever you can find a space.

Why not rent from one of the many agency offices scattered around the city.

I rented through AutoEurope and checked prices by car class at different Avis locations in Munich. Even within the city prices varied with the different Avis offices.

I think you are paying a lot for something that you will not use and cost you money just to sit deadhead.

What else do you have planned for the car? Where else are you going that you think you'll need a car?

Larry is right on for this one (usually is). Take the train, get a Lander ticket. Sit back and relax, leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the scenery.

Unless you have some other serious traveling to do, the car is a total waste for this trip.

MvK

Hi Jan,
insist in getting a car with gps and then it would be quite easy to reach your hotel. Avoid the rush hours or you will have some problems with traffic as in all big cities. Choose a hotel having their own garage or at least parking lot.
They will charge you another 12-15 Euro per day, but it is the best way.
If you are lucky, driving time to downtown under 30 minutes.
By the way, Munich is in Bavaria. Not only that, its the capital of this nice federal state in Germany.

>drive from the airport to downtown Munich? Is it terrible?
You take the A92 direction Munich at Neufahrn you either go south on the A9 (Munich/Salzburg) and you'll end up in Schwabing. (This may take longer during peak hours) OR you use the A92 (Munich-West/Stuttgart) and end up at Dachauer Str. This will be faster if you intend going to areas like Nymphenburg, Laim or Pasing. Well basically anywhere west of central station.

Easy drive after 9am, and before 4pm. During rush hours it can be a major PITA, though.
Airport train costs €18 for up to 5 people, €8.80 for one person. No parking fee for those 2 days in Munich.

For Munich sights, a car is a liability - even off-downtown sights like Nymphenburg palace are within easy reach by tram.

There are many rental car locations in downtown Munich if you want a car for your trips. Just don't rent from the train station locations since they will add the same 9% surcharge as the airport locations.

If Füssen/ the castles is not just a day trip from Munich, but your next base, I'd say that a car makes lots of sense there to explore the region.

Errata:
Not 9% surcharge, but 19% surcharge for rentals from airport/train stations. And no, that is not the VAT.

I think you are wasting your money to rent a car for two days only to park it.

Free parking in downtown Munich? Where would that be...

sigh.. I was comparing costs for train vs. saved costs for parking if he was NOT renting a car for 2 days, thus will NOT need to pay for parking for 2 days.

Don't expect anybody referring to YOUR post. Or even reading it. I at least didn't.

And how many Halbe did we have this morning at the Weisswurst-Frühstück?

You're a funny guy, actually one of those that take themslves too serious and even believe the stuff they write here and how helpful is to others . I love making fun of you, thanks!!

My pleasure, dude.
I have learned that it does not take much to make a Bavarian happy!

If we just could get rid off all those Prussians that constantly invade the country. Just try to adapt to the Bavarian way of life. We won't change for them, but one time unfortunately they will have outnumbered us..