A short guide to Munich’s public transportation system

[Note: if you’re not planning on using Munich’s public transportation system anytime soon, I recommend skipping this post. Instead go look at some funny t-shirts from Gatlinburg.]

Even Germans are bewildered when they first encounter Munich’s public transportation system in all its glory. The various zones, trams, S-bahns, rings, U-bahns, and Streifenkarten are enough to leave anyone’s head spinning when trying to purchase a ticket on the fly. That’s why I put together this post containing the information I think would be most helpful to tourists and other visitors to Munich. Basically, I’m tired of repeating myself to visitors.

First for the good news: MVV (the company that runs Munich’s public transportation) has a relatively useful English website, which includes route maps, ticket prices, and a recently-improved Journey Planner. You can input your origin and destination (in the form of addresses or stops) and receive one or more suggested routes (along with PDF maps and fare information).
There’s also an independent iPhone app which shows local transport as well as Deutsche Bahn trains.

The other good news is that Munich’s transportation system is rather comprehensive and integrated. You can take buses, trams, U-bahns (subways), and S-bahns (urban rail) all on the same ticket. The travel part is relatively easy. But choosing that ticket? Not always so easy.

Munich’s transportation network consists of four zones, which are further subdivided into four rings (or circles) each, for a total of 16 rings. The zones are denoted by the various background colors in the map above. Travel is on the honor system most of the time: it is up to you to buy and validate the right ticket for your needs. Chances are no one will look at your ticket, but if you are checked and found to be without a valid ticket, you will pay a €40 fine.

Tickets can be purchased from machines in all S-bahn and U-bahn stations, as well as at some tram and bus stops. At major stops, such as the airport and the main train station, you can also buy your ticket from a real live person (assuming you can find the MVV counter). Most trams and buses have ticket machines on board, as well, although the ticket selection is more limited. Tickets purchased on board a bus or tram are usually valid immediately; most other tickets must be validated with a stamp. To validate (activate) a ticket, stamp it in one of the machines (usually blue boxes) that can be found as you enter the S-bahn or U-bahn system or on a bus or tram. Passes (day and 3-day) must be stamped only once, on your first trip using the ticket. Be sure to carry your ticket in a place where you can find it.

As a tourist, chances are you’ll be staying within the Innenraum (center zone – white) for all of your travel needs, with the exception of trips to and from the airport and/or Dachau. Personally I prefer to get passes that are good for the whole day (or longer), so I don’t have to spend time buying individual tickets or thinking about how many rides I plan to take in a given day. Even if I end up overspending by a couple euros, to me it’s worth it to just buy one ticket and be free to roam all day.

There are dozens of ticket options, but as a tourist or short-term visitor to Munich, you are likely to find the most useful tickets are the ones listed below. Note that the word ‘Partner’ in a ticket name means the ticket is good for up to 5 people traveling together; these tickets can be great deals. Note also that in Munich, a day ticket (Tageskarte) is only valid until 6am the following day, rather than for 24 hours.

Getting around central Munich:

• Innenraum (white zone) day pass – €5
• Innenraum day Partner ticket – €9
• Innenraum 3-day pass – € 12.30
• Innenraum 3-day Partner pass – € 21
• Single ride – € 2.30
• Single ride Kurzstrecke (very short ride) – € 1.20

Between Munich airport and anywhere in the city center (follow the signs that show an S in a green circle after you get out of luggage claim):

• Day pass (good for airport ride and any other trips you take that day) – €10
• Partner day pass – €18
• Single ride – €9.20

Between Munich city center and Dachau:

• Day pass (Munich XXL – white and green zones) – € 6.70
• Partner day pass (Munich XXL) – € 11.80
• Single ride – € 4.60

(Prices quoted are current as of August 2009, more or less. For the latest price info, see MVV’s website.)

If you’ll be staying for more than three or four days, it may be worth looking into weekly or monthly tickets. These get a little more complicated because they are valid for specific rings rather than specific zones. See this MVV page for more info.

One last note: many ticket machines have green buttons towards the bottom with wording that screams something like “Hey dumb tourist, buy these tickets!” Those tickets are combination passes good for public transport and discounts off of various sights. They are more expensive than regular tickets, so if you’re tempted, do some calculations in advance to determine whether they make financial sense for you.