My spouse and I are having a friendly spat about what is realistic on our Germany trip. Note, we have a 1 day layover in Munich. Does everyone think it is unrealistic to get to the city centre in 2 hours from the airport?

Our flight arrives in Munich at 9:55am. I think we should TRY to see the Glockenspiel show at 12pm. Spouse thinks we should not even try this crazy endeavor as it's too rush. However, it is the only time we will have in Munich. My thinking is, if the train leaves every 10 minutes from airport to the city center, and it takes 40 minutes, we just have to get onto the train by 11:10am or 11:20am or 11:30am. If we get off at Marienplatz, we may be able to catch the last few minutes of the Glockenspiel (I don't have to see the whole thing just a minute is fine). If we were in another country (Italy, China), I wouldn't be confident, but in Munich, my guess is trains are on schedule and efficient and getting around will be easier

Spouse is saying we should forget this plan, but I'm more ambitious...Thoughts? Is there anything else we can do to speed up the time it takes to find the S-Bahn from the airport? We are *hoping* to pack light for the trip, so we can skip the luggage pickup. If we only have carry-on bags, we can go directly to the train (after passport control)

Thanks!

Is the issue that it can be done or that he will be so stressed doing it that he will hate it?

Another thought, this is Munich which is hardly a big drawer, I might think about doing something like this in Paris but Munich...

Train from the airport right to Marienplatz takes 40-50min.

Spouse thinks we can't make it to Marienplatz by 12pm, and we'll be rushing like mad for no reason

I hate rushing and if I feel rushed I don't enjoy what i am doing even if there is "enough time" according to someone else.

If you're under 50 do it. If you're over 50, it's much too stressful.

I did this coming from Madrid - flight landed about the same time - and I made it to Marienplatz right as the Glockenshpiel was chiming. It just happened that way, which was pretty fun. I popped up out of the S-Bahn station and there it was

I think that if you make it, great - if not, it isn't the end of the world. The Glockenschpiel is fun, but it isn't super dramatic or anything. I wouldn't pull out all the stops to get there.

November_moon - Glad to hear I'm not crazy. Did you have any luggage to pick up? We are hoping to carry on everything in but not sure yet. Is the S-Bahn easy to find when you get out?

There are too many factors out of your hands to bother having a spat. Wait and see what time your flight actually gets to Munich and how much time it takes to deplane. The entire discussion could be moot or on the other hand if you arrive early windows could open. If, after getting off the flight and going through customs there seems to be sufficient time to get there without rushing,go for it.

well I don't know Munich but I am familiar with your mentality - almost always, arriving and getting to my first destination takes longer than I figure. Trying to get to where-ever by a certain time only makes me impatient and "wazzy". Having a spouse that was not "on board" would only escalate those feelings for me. Sorry to be a "debbie-downer" but that has been my experience.

listen to basingstoke and have a couple of plans ready - like what time would you HAVE to be ready to get on the train for your DH to be OK w/ it?

What is the harm in trying? If I understand it correctly, you're taking the train anyway. Not sure what else you would do other than get through passport control and get on the train. If you get there in time, fine.

When I had a layover in Munich, I had checked my luggage through, so nothing to wait for at the luggage carosel. Arriving from Madrid there isn't any passport control or anything like that, so just get off the plane and leave the airport. If you are arriving from a non-Schengen country, then you will have to go through immigration, which could be very fast or take a long time, depending on how many other flights arrive.

The S-Bahn is very easy to find in Munich airport - just follow the signs. This is Germany. Signage is invariably good.

I have done this with carry on luggage only. The plane landed at 3pm, caught the ~3:20pm S8 and arrived at Marienplatz at 4pm. This was probably the best case. I did this in 1hr. You have 2hrs to do this. Unlike your case, I did not have to go through the passport control.

I studied the MUC airport map to visualize how to get from the plane to the s-bahn station, knew that the S-bahn ticket machines were in the concourse, knew which tickets to buy, knew how much they cost so I had cash in my hand as I got off the plane. I did not have to run or walk fast. I spent no time at MUC other than buying S-bahn tickets, validating the tickets, and hopping on the train. For me, I was prepared but not rushed. However, others have different criteria for what means to be rushed. For my parents, if they cannot wander around aimlessly, it is rushed.

What is the downside in attempting this provided you don't rush but eliminating non-essential motions? You go through the usual motion going through the passport control, buy s-bahn tickets, hop on the train. If you make it, you have the upside. If you don't, it is no different than if you had not attempted it in the first place. I don't know where you are flying from, but transatlantic flights can arrive way ahead of time in Europe. If you are not prepared, you cannot take advantage of the opportunity even if you are presented with a fall-forward situation. I realize many people feel they are wasting time by preparing for an event that does not take place even if the preparation costs nothing more than doing some Web browsing.

I would not be happy with my husband if he weren't willing to give it a go. But sometimes he doesn't really care if I'm not happy with him.

Here is is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH6pwKdw9CI

Now I guess the questions is do you want to go to all this effort to see this.

eurocheapo.com/munich great tips for you show ok not great

onebag.com carry on what I always do....

unless you get delayed you should make the show...

If you both relax roll with the flow do not push

try to do what you can not to join fight club

on every little thing you will have lots more fun.

I had some of my worst disputes with my wife by pushing

too hard stressed out our travels these days we just

roll with the flow try too help and be kind to each other

We enjoy our trips lots more... Have fun!

Yes the S-bahn is easy to find at MUC

Taxis are even easier to find

I'd wait, as suggested above, to see how long it actually takes to both deplane and get through Customs/Immigration and take it from there.

You're going into town anyway, aren't you? I really don't understand the concern.. just go for it. If you make it..fine, if not.. I certainly wouldn't RUSH or let anyone get stressed over this event. I hope it turns out and no one needs to feel like they are running against the "clock" here.