Munich Airport (MUC), also called Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß, is Bavaria’s main international airport. It is the second-largest airport in Germany and one of the country’s most important international hubs. The airport is around 30 kilometers northeast of central Munich and is a major hub for Lufthansa. Its route network connects Munich with destinations across Europe and long-haul markets around the world. In 2025, Munich Airport handled 43.4 million passengers.
If you have a Munich airport layover, you’ll have lots of ways to use your time. Whether you’re waiting for a few hours or staying most of the day, you can find things to do. The airport is full of places to eat, shop, and relax. And if you have enough time and the right visa or visa-free status, you can go into the city and explore. This guide will show you how to enjoy your layover depending on how long you have — from staying inside the airport to taking a quick trip to Munich’s sights, food, and culture.
To make things easier, you can leave your bags with Qeepl, which offers luggage storage locations around Munich. Whether you stay near the airport or go into the city, storing your luggage can make it easier to explore without carrying heavy bags. Daily storage with Qeepl costs €4.39 per day, and your luggage is protected by insurance coverage of €1,000.
Munich Transit Visa Requirements
The first question to ask when planning a layover in Munich is whether you need an Airport Transit Visa or permission to enter the Schengen Area. Germany is part of the Schengen Area, and the rules depend on your nationality, travel documents, itinerary, and whether you remain in the international transit area.
If you’re staying in the international transit area and your itinerary allows you to remain there without passing German border control, many travelers do not need a visa.
However, Germany currently requires an Airport Transit Visa (Type A) from nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, and Turkey, subject to specific exceptions.
Certain travelers from these countries may be exempt from the ATV requirement. Exemptions can apply to holders of valid visas or residence permits issued by Schengen or EU states and to holders of certain qualifying visas or residence permits from countries such as Canada, Japan, and the United States. Special exceptions also apply to some nationals of Jordan and Turkey.
An Airport Transit Visa only permits transit through the airport’s international transit zone. It does not allow you to enter Germany or the wider Schengen Area.
If you want to leave the airport, stay at a landside hotel, collect baggage that requires you to pass border control, or continue to a destination inside the Schengen Area, you must meet the requirements for entry into Germany. Travelers whose nationality requires a visa normally need the appropriate short-stay Schengen visa (Type C), while many other nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays subject to current Schengen rules.
To check your country’s requirements, refer to the official information from the German Foreign Office.
Make sure to confirm your visa status based on your passport, airline, baggage arrangements, and exact routing before you travel.
What to Do at the Airport During Your Munich Layover?
If your layover is less than 5 hours, it’s usually best to stay at the airport. Traveling to central Munich and back takes significant time, and depending on your itinerary you may also need to pass border control and security.
In this case, here are the top things you can enjoy while staying at Munich Airport.
Restaurants Worth a Stop
Munich Airport offers a variety of restaurants serving both local and international food. For a taste of Bavaria, visit Airbräu, located in the Munich Airport Center between the terminals. It is the world’s first airport brewery, operating since 1999, and serves Bavarian specialties alongside beer brewed directly at the airport.
Travelers who are already airside in Terminal 2 can also find Airbräu Next to Heaven, which serves food along with beer from the airport’s own brewery.
Other current airport dining includes restaurants and cafés such as Käfer Bistro, along with pizza, bakery, international, quick-service, and coffee options throughout the terminals.
Because Munich Airport’s restaurant concessions change over time and some venues are only accessible in particular Schengen or non-Schengen areas, check the airport’s current dining directory if you are relying on one specific restaurant.
Best Stores to Browse Between Flights
Munich Airport has extensive shopping in both public and airside areas, especially around Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the Munich Airport Center.
You’ll find luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, electronics, travel essentials, food, books, and regional products. The exact brands available depend on your terminal and boarding area.
There are also duty-free shops for eligible passengers traveling on qualifying routes, with products such as fragrances, cosmetics, alcohol, confectionery, and gifts.
For Bavarian souvenirs, look for stores carrying regional foods, beer-related gifts, traditional products, and Munich-themed items. The airport also has shops dedicated to travel accessories and aviation-related merchandise.
Because the retail mix changes over time, older lists of specific boutiques such as Zara, Mango, Montblanc, or Lufthansa WorldShop should not be treated as guaranteed in every area without checking the current airport directory.
Lounges and Nap Zones
If you want to relax, Munich Airport has several lounges for eligible passengers and travelers who purchase access.
Current options include Lufthansa Lounges in Terminal 2, Airport Lounge Europe, Airport Lounge World, Air France KLM Lounge, Emirates Lounge, and VipWing, depending on your terminal, airline, destination, and eligibility.
The Airport Lounge World in Terminal 1 is spread across two levels and includes food, work and relaxation areas, and views over the apron. Airport Lounge Europe is another option in Terminal 1.
Access rules vary. Some lounges are restricted by airline, cabin class or status, while others sell access directly or work with lounge programs.
Munich Airport also has 24-hour recreation areas behind security with seating designed for resting.
If you’re looking for more privacy, Napcabs are available at Munich Airport. They can be found after security in Terminal 2 as well as in public areas. The cabins provide a bed, workspace, power, privacy, and adjustable lighting. Larger napcabsXL near Gate G06 have a queen-size bed and space for two people.
Check the exact location before booking because an airside Napcab may not be accessible from every itinerary.
Facilities, Services, and Wi-Fi Access
The airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals, along with charging options and work-friendly seating.
Additional facilities include family services, children’s play areas, baby-care facilities, medical assistance, pharmacies, supermarkets, and accessibility services.
Public shower facilities are available independently of the lounges in the Munich Airport Center and Terminal 2. Towels and toiletries are provided through the airport service centers for a fee. Some premium lounges also offer showers.
Munich Airport also provides baggage-related services, ATMs, currency exchange, prayer and meditation spaces, and other passenger amenities.
Terminal 2 consists of the main Terminal 2 building and a separate Satellite building. Travelers moving between them use an underground shuttle train, which normally runs every few minutes during its operating hours.
How to Spend Long Layover in Munich?
If your layover is long enough — and your immigration status allows it — you can leave the airport and explore Munich.
The S1 and S8 S-Bahn lines connect Munich Airport with the city. Under normal service, trains generally depart around every 20 minutes, and the journey between the airport and Munich Hauptbahnhof takes about 45 minutes.
Here’s how to enjoy Munich depending on how much time you have.
Airbräu brewery
Free Wi-Fi
Napcabs
Public showers
Lounges
Kids' play areas
8-Hour Layover in Munich
With 8 hours, you can make a focused visit to central Munich if your arrival and airport procedures leave enough time.
Take the S1 or S8 from the airport toward the city and head to Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) or continue toward central stops that fit your route.
From there, visit Marienplatz, the historic heart of the city. You’ll see the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel.
Nearby, explore Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s historic open-air food market. It is a convenient place for Bavarian specialties, snacks, produce, or a quick meal.
Keep the itinerary compact rather than trying to fit several distant neighborhoods into the same layover. Allow a generous return buffer for the S-Bahn journey, airport security, any required passport control, and reaching your gate.
12-Hour Layover in Munich
With 12 hours, you can enjoy more of Munich’s history and green spaces.
Start at Marienplatz, then consider visiting Nymphenburg Palace, the former summer residence of Bavaria’s rulers. The palace complex includes historic interiors, gardens, canals, and smaller park buildings.
Alternatively, spend more time in central Munich and continue toward the English Garden, one of the city’s largest parks. You can watch surfers at the Eisbach wave, walk through the park, or stop at a beer garden such as Chinesischer Turm when open.
For museums, Munich has several major options, including the Deutsches Museum and the art museums around the Kunstareal.
Rather than trying to combine Nymphenburg, English Garden, Deutsches Museum, and central Munich in one rushed trip, choose the attractions that best fit your interests and opening hours.
24-Hour Layover in Munich
A full day gives you enough time to explore Munich at a more relaxed pace and potentially stay overnight in the city.
After visiting the historic center, take the U-Bahn toward Olympiapark, the site of the 1972 Summer Olympics.
The park itself remains open and is worth exploring, but the Olympic Tower is currently closed for renovation, so you cannot use its observation platform. The tower has been closed since June 2024 and is expected to reopen in 2027. During the closure, Olympiapark offers the Skylift as a seasonal alternative for elevated views.
Nearby, visit BMW Welt, BMW’s exhibition and delivery complex, and the separate BMW Museum, which covers the company’s history, automobiles, motorcycles, design, and technology. Note that BMW Welt and BMW Museum are different attractions with different opening arrangements.
In the afternoon, explore Schwabing, the English Garden, or another central neighborhood. For dinner, you could visit Hofbräuhaus or another traditional Bavarian restaurant or beer hall.
If you have an overnight connection, decide whether staying in central Munich is practical based on your next flight time. The S-Bahn operates very early and late, with the S8 providing overnight service at reduced frequency, but always check the timetable for your specific travel date.
How to Handle Overnight Layover in Munich?
If you have an overnight layover in Munich, there are several hotels at or near the airport where you can rest. Choose based on your terminal, budget, transport needs, and departure time rather than fixed nightly price ranges.
- Hilton Munich Airport: Located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, this is the most convenient full-service hotel at MUC. It is within walking distance of both terminals and offers soundproofed rooms, restaurants, an indoor pool, fitness facilities, a spa, and day-use rooms for shorter layovers. Room rates vary according to date and demand.
- Novotel München Airport: Located directly on the airport grounds at Nordallee. The terminals can be reached in a few minutes using bus 635, which normally stops outside the hotel at frequent intervals. The hotel offers modern rooms, dining, and fitness facilities.
- ibis Styles Munich Airport: A new airport hotel opened in 2026 next to the Novotel area. It is also located directly at Munich Airport and can be reached using bus 635 or the S-Bahn, with an additional scheduled hotel shuttle available for a fee.
- Moxy Munich Airport: Located in Schwaig/Oberding, outside the terminal complex. It offers modern rooms, a 24-hour bar, and grab-and-go food. Travelers should confirm the current airport transfer arrangements and cost rather than assuming a free shuttle.
- Atomis Hotel Munich Airport by Mercure: Located in the Schwaig/Oberding airport area. A scheduled airport shuttle is currently available for a fee during defined morning and evening operating hours rather than continuously all day.
- Hampton by Hilton Munich Airport South: Located in Hallbergmoos, several kilometers from MUC. Breakfast is included, and the hotel offers airport shuttle service; confirm the current timetable and cost for your flight time.
Hotel prices around Munich Airport change significantly with season, major events, room type, and demand, especially around Oktoberfest, trade fairs, and holiday periods, so fixed nightly rates can become inaccurate quickly.
If you have a very early departure, the Hilton Munich Airport offers the simplest access because it is directly between the terminals. Novotel and ibis Styles are also on airport property but require a short bus, rail, or shuttle transfer.
Another option for travelers who only need a few hours of rest is to book a Napcab rather than a hotel room. Check whether the cabin you select is landside or airside and whether its location is accessible from your itinerary.
FAQ
What to do on a 5 hour layover in Munich?
With a 5-hour layover, staying at Munich Airport is usually the safest option. You can try Bavarian food and house-brewed beer at Airbräu, explore airport shops, use an eligible lounge, relax in one of the recreation areas, or book a Napcab for private rest. Munich Airport also offers free Wi-Fi, charging facilities, public showers in the Munich Airport Center and Terminal 2, family facilities, and other passenger services.
Is there sleeping pods at Munich Airport?
Yes. Munich Airport has Napcabs, private sleeping cabins available at several locations, including after security in Terminal 2 and in public areas. Standard cabins provide a bed, workspace, power, privacy, and adjustable lighting. Larger napcabsXL near Gate G06 include a queen-size bed and can accommodate two people. Check the exact location before booking because not every cabin is accessible from every transit itinerary.
What to do in Munich on an 8 hour layover?
With an 8-hour layover, a focused visit to central Munich can work if you meet the entry requirements and airport procedures leave enough time. The S1 and S8 normally connect the airport with the city about every 20 minutes, and the journey to Munich Hauptbahnhof takes approximately 45 minutes. Marienplatz, the Neues Rathaus, the Glockenspiel, and Viktualienmarkt form a compact itinerary. Leave a generous margin for your return to MUC, security, and any required passport control.
Do you have to go through customs on a layover in Munich?
It depends on your itinerary. If you remain in the international transit area while connecting between eligible non-Schengen flights, you may not need to enter Germany. If you are connecting from a non-Schengen flight to a Schengen destination, leaving the airport, collecting baggage that requires landside access, or otherwise entering the Schengen Area, you will normally pass German border control. Customs procedures depend on your baggage and journey. Some nationalities also require an Airport Transit Visa even if they remain in the international transit zone.
Is 1 hour 45 minutes enough for connecting flights in Munich?
A connection of 1 hour 45 minutes can be sufficient for many itineraries at Munich Airport, especially when the airline has sold both flights on a protected ticket. However, there is no universal connection time that applies to every passenger. The required time depends on gate locations, Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, whether you need the Terminal 2 Satellite shuttle train, Schengen or non-Schengen border control, security checks, baggage arrangements, and possible flight delays. Follow the minimum connection time provided by your airline or booking rather than relying on a generic 60-minute recommendation.
What should you not miss in Munich?
For a short first visit, Marienplatz, the Neues Rathaus, Viktualienmarkt, and the historic center form the easiest compact route. With more time, add the English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace, Deutsches Museum, BMW Welt and BMW Museum, or Olympiapark. The Olympic Tower is currently closed for renovation, so it should not be planned as an observation stop; Olympiapark itself remains open, and the Skylift provides a temporary elevated-view alternative when operating.
