On Saturday, June 24th, my mom and I will be driving from Salzburg to Munich. I'm assuming we'll leave mid-morning. We must drop off our car at 94 Leopold St in Schwabing. From there we need to get to our hotel, Hotel Blauer Bock at 9 Sebastianplatz (about 5 min. walk from Marienplatz). I looked it up on the map and it seems to be about 3.5 km away- a short distance, but not short enough to walk. I emailed the hotel and they suggested we take the U-Baun. We will have luggage, not a ton but enough to hold 2 weeks worth of stuff. I'm concerned about the U-Baun and World Cup madness. I don't want to drag our bags up and down and on and off trains surrounded by tons of people. I've got a couple of options- what do you think?
1) Have the car rental agency call a taxi to take us to the hotel
2) Drive first to the hotel, drop off our bags and then return the car
3) Take the U-Baun

Any help would be great! Also, if you have any tips for driving in Munich and/or getting to our destination I would love you forever!
Thanks in advance!

U bahn is just the subway. Escalators up and down from every station, and trains stop at platform level. Mastering the subway system is easy, and opens up a lot of options for getting around the city.

The munich subway works on the honor system, but you must buy a ticket from a machine in the station - there is a button to select english as the option.

The ubahn, just as any subway system worldwide can be busy during rush hour, but it is perfectly safe, clean, punctual.

I would second the use of the U-Hahn as it is easy to understand and there would be plenty of room for you and the luggage ordinarily...HOWEVER if you still are not comfortable with that, tired out, anxious to get to the hotel, etc., IMO the call a taxi from the rental car drop off plan would work nicely, too.

Thanks J62! I was actually in Munich last summer and found the U-Baun very easy to use I remember taking it to the airport and at one point it was so crowded and I was getting "dirty" looks for having my bag take up space..... it very well may have been my imagination. If you agree that that would be the easiest way to go, then we're on it! I don't know how the taxis run in Munich and if they are expensive or not... My mom is young but has rhumatoid arthritis and is not as strong as she used to be. So I would be the one lifting both our bags up over the seats...

on the subway there is no lifting the bags up over the seats - on the normal long distance or regional trains yes, but not on the subway. 2/3 of the people stand, and about 1/3 sit - very few seats.

If your mom is tired, just ask the rental desk for a taxi - they will surely call one for you. Some of the underground stations require walking to get to the trains. Taxi for 3km will be <10Euro, and they'll take you right to the hotel.

I suggest you take the advice from the one you obviously trust.

haha Intrepid- I assume you think I have already made up my mind to take a taxi! Not so I guess we can make the call once we arrive and see how we feel.
Can anyone add with helpful directions or landmarks to look out for?

When we went to Munich we dropped off our bags at the hotel first. Then we were free to enjoy the day, plus get directions and a map at the hotel.

You will be fine on the U-bahn. But if it were me and my mother (which might be totally different for your Mom) I'd drop her and the bags at the hotel, then return the car and take the U-bahn back to the hotel.

That way she wouldn't need to do the trip -

I wouldn't recommend trying to drop off your bags near Marienplatz.

Its the centre of town and there will be quite a bit of traffic, also one way streets and a lot cyclists to negotiate.

Get to Schwabing, drop off your car and get them to order a taxi, it'll probably cost about 10-15 Euro, but it'll be money well spent

Geordie

For the little difference between the cost of the U-Bahn and the cost of a Taxi I would opt for the Taxi to get your luggage and your Mom there. You will probably get a chance to experience Munich's excellent subway system later when you get out to explore.

You would be better off taking the U-Bahn (correct spelling ;-) )to Sendlinger Tor, on station after Marienplatz. It's not nearly as crowded (except for the platform) and you have better orientation, since you have to walk through the gate to get to your hotel. At Münchner Freiheit it's quite easy. Just follow the crowd and walk to the platform direction downtown. Coming from the car rental place, go downstairs at the bus terminal, choose the right (not left) platform. Easy.

Driving is easy, problen will be finding a space to park your car. Parking costs more than a U/S - Bahn ticket. Parking is no problem on Sundays.

Keep in mind that on June 24 at 17:00 there is a round of sixteen match in Munich featuring the winner of Group A, which could likely be Germany. If you are not interested in the sheer madness the city will be in that day, I would postpone your arrival into Munich until the 25th. Otherwise, get there as early as possible. Can you leave your car in Salzburg and take the train? I wouldn't even consider driving in Munich that day.

My hubby and I will also be there on the 24th to revel in the experience of the World Cup!

I do hope "you people" (=tourists) stay peaceful. If the German team wins on that day, you should avoid driving in the whole area between Münchner Freiheit and Marienplatz (if it's still possible). Don't worry about the rest of the city. it's big enough for everyone and people are used to the everyday traffic jams...

I usually don't post on typos, but I can't resist the vision of a U-Hahn, an underground rooster, pecking itself a tunnel.

I plan to be just as peaceful as the locals.

Oh my! I had no idea there could be such a big match on Saturday. Unfortunately, there is no way around dropping the car off in Munich on the 24th. In fact, my first thought was to drop it off in Salzburg once we arrived there but the cost wasn't worth it.
We'll have to wind down with a liter of beer... I'm so excited!

Have fun, but don't drink and drive

GO Deutschland !!!