Make The Most of a Layover in Munich, Germany

When I first traveled through Europe in 2000, I passed through Munich, Germany three times…yet, never left the train station.

When we arrived in Munich with a long layover, we had no map, no guidebook and no idea how close we were to the city center.

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Without internet (or handheld devices), we were completely unaware that famous Munich sights were just steps away.

Instead, our layover in Munich was spent – without sightseeing, sausage or beer – simply waiting on the next train for our onward journey.

Planning a Layover in Munich

Fast-forward many years later and I was faced with another Munich layover. This time, Kris and I were arriving off an international flight and departing by train to Slovenia.

Enthusiastic about making up for missing out my first 3 times through, I was intent on making the most of our layover. We devised a plan to check off top sights, eat sausage on a roll and drink a stein of German beer!

Our initial plan allowed us just a few hours in the Munich Old City. The short break in our journey was going to be just long enough to get a quick glimpse.

However, the more we researched, the more we wanted to see. Since our onward plans were a bit flexible, we opted to extend our short trip in Munich.

We rearranged our travel schedule to create a 24-hour Munich stopover – and jam-packed it with the prime sights and fun experiences.

Regardless of whether you have one hour to explore or one day in Munich, you can make the most of your time with our layover suggestions!

Best Things To Do in Munich on a Layover

Travelers passing through Munich who want to see more than the inside of the airport or train station can use these sightseeing tips for what to do in Munich on a layover.

Later, we share important information about the timing of your trip – so be sure to stay tuned until the end of the article.

1 Hour in Munich: A Sightseeing Sprint

Munich is compact and walkable with several sights in close proximity. With one hour in Munich, Germany, visitors can dash (or at least walk briskly) along the most famous street in the city.

Starting from the grand Karlstor Gate, walk along Neuhauser Street to the impressive Marienplatz Square. Here, gander at the incredible Gothic New Town Hall and Glockenspiel.

Alternatively, skip the walk and instead indulge in a classic German experience at a beer hall. On the north side of the train station, the Augustiner-Keller Beer Hall and Garden is a Munich landmark.

2 Hours in Munich: Highlights in 120 Minutes

Even when limited to visiting Munich in 2 hours, it is possible to check off a few more spectacular sights.

Again, make your way from Karlstor Gate to Marienplatz, but then circle back toward the train station via the Frauenkirche.

The double-towered, Gothic cathedral is a symbol of Munich – and it’s free to visit! For a small fee, it’s also possible to climb the Munich bell tower for super view and a little exercise!

This quick walk could be done in less than an hour without stopping at all, but at least two hours are needed to see the inside of church and climb the tower.

If you still have time, consider popping into the Augustiner Klosterwirt or Stammhaus for a Bavarian beer in a classic environment.

3 Hours in Munich: Must-See Attractions

If you are touring Munich in 3 hours, there are numerous premier sights you can include on your trip plan!

After walking from Karlstor Gate to Marienplatz and visiting the Munich Cathedral, extend your sightseeing north to the Italian-designed Odenplatz.

From the square, step inside the Royal Munich Residence Palace Courtyards. Then wander into the meticulous Hofgarten and gawk at the adjacent Bavarian State Chancellery.

Next, set off to see one of the quirky attractions in Munich: Eisbachwelle. Here, experienced surfers take to the river to ride the standing wave created by the flowing water of the Eisbach River.

If time allows, you just may be able to squeeze in a visit to the world-famous Hofbrauhaus for a quick meal or beverage!

4 Hours in Munich: City Sights by Foot

Seeing Munich in 4 hours is a good amount of time to discover the city on foot. We outline exactly how in our easy-to-follow and free Self-Guided Munich Walking Tour!

We still recommend beginning at Karlsplatz, but then heading south to see Sendlinger Tor (and a slew of gorgeous churches along the way).

Next, join locals and fellow travelers at the Vikualemarkt for a bite to eat (the Leberkas Semmel sandwich always hits the spot for us).

Continue weaving through Old Town Munich by heading north to walk through the Residenz München Palace and see the intriguing surfing spot.

Depending on your pace and time at each attraction, you could possibly still have time to visit the Munich Hofbrauhaus.

5 Hours in Munich: Even More to See

Depending on your interests and energy level, we have two recommendations for what to see in Munich in 5 hours.

If you’ve enjoyed our walking tour, continue north from the Eisbachwelle Surfing Spot into the expansive English Garden Park. Then circle back to the city center via the Siegestor Arch and the University of Munich campus.

Alternatively, if you want to delve deeper into the history of Munich, spend an hour visiting one of the cultural attractions. Our top pick would be the Munich Residence Palace. Just remember to buy tickets in advance.

If you still have some time to spare, walk through Karolinenplatz to Konigsplatz then south through the Alter Botanischer Garten.

Visiting Munich for a Layover: Top Tips

Now that you have a better idea of what you can see on a short stop, we have some honest advice to help make the most of your layover in Munich.

Munich Train Station Arrivals

The time indicated for sightseeing – 1 to 5 hours – is the amount you will need once you arrive at the Munich Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof).

Note that it’s about a 10-minute walk from the station to Karlstor. Of course, you might need to adjust that time depending on your platform, as the station is huge.

It’s also possible to get from the Munich Hauptbahnhof to Karlsplatz via either the U-bahn or S-bahn. Although, we doubt it would save much time, as it’s just one stop away.

Lockers are available at the station to store your luggage. Just be sure to factor in the time it will take to drop off and pick up your bags when planning your sightseeing time in Munich.

Arriving in Munich by Plane

If you are traveling via plane, you need to add in extra time to get to and from the airport as well as passport control (if applicable) and security.

By rail, the trip from the Munich airport to the main station takes about 50 minutes. Trains depart about every 15 minutes.

Traveling by taxi from the airport into the city center takes as little as 35 minutes. We recommend pre-booking a ride from a reliable source.

Buses also make the journey and pre-booked roundtrip tickets are available for purchase online.

Luggage can be stored at the Flughafen Munich International Airport (MUC) with the Service Desk in Terminal 1 and 2.

Preparation for your Quick Munich Trip

When you arrive for your layover in Munich, make sure you are prepared! We have a few tips about what you will need.

Good Shoes: Between the cobblestones and walking distances, you’ll want to be certain you are wearing comfortable travel shoes.

Day Pack: A good day bag (that will deter pickpockets) is essential when traveling to Europe. Make sure you use one that is big enough to stow extra layers, a water bottle, snacks and an umbrella.

Connectivity: To use online maps and access live transit schedules, you will need a wireless connection. Upgrade your data plan, pre-purchase an eSim (with an unlocked phone) or use a convenient Pocket WiFi Device – like GlocalMe.

Set Alarms: To ensure your don’t miss your onward travel, we suggest setting an alarm on your phone for key times during your Munich layover.

Be Flexiable: Squeezing in sightseeing on a stopover can be a fun way to see a new city. However, flexibility is paramount. If you need to switch up your plans on arrival – or during your adventure – go with the flow and make the most of the time that you have!

Start planning your trip to Germany! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

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