Big City Transit: Munich

A tribute to German engineering, the Munich city transit system is fast and efficient. Pretty much every place that tourists and short-term visitors will want to see (except for the airport and Dachau) is found in the inner zone (Innenraum), which is marked blue on Munich’s public transit maps. This keeps transport costs down and minimizes the need for transfers and complicated routes.

Tickets are valid across all platforms – U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses. However, they have to be validated (i.e. time stamped) before you board. Machines on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn platforms can take care of this, as can drivers on buses on trams. Failing to validate your ticket puts you at the mercy of the plainclothes inspectors that you probably didn’t even know you were traveling with. They dole out €40 fines with that world-famous brand of German efficiency. Don’t test the system.

There are three types of tickets available for Munich’s public transport system, which are valid on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn as well as on buses and trams:

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Five Great Things to do in Munich for Free

Bursting with Bavarian charm, Munich exemplifies Germany’s beer-drinking, sausage-eating, Lederhosen-wearing reputation, and while the rest of the country may resent this image, Munich proudly embraces its unique, vibrant heritage.

Although Munich is one of the most expensive cities in Germany, visitors need not turn their money purses inside out to have a good time; there are plenty of free activities to fill up your trip and give you a taste of the history and culture of the Bavarian capital.

Relax in the English garden

Munich’s Englischer Garten is one of the biggest and best urban parks in the world, and is easily accessible from the city center. The park provides the perfect retreat from the city, and locals flock here in the summer to get away and relax in the sun. But don’t worry: it’s easy to escape the crowds in this vast oasis of greenery which covers an area of 2.3 square miles.

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