MUNICH AIRPORT review : 19 August 2008 : by Barbara Wissinger

Customer Rating : 3/5

The airport itself is nice, but I cannot understand why they always need forever to get the bags off the plane. After our last flight from Chicago (direct), we waited almost 45 minutes before everything was off-loaded. The fastest they've ever managed is 30 minutes after an Easyjet flight from Stansted. Anyone flying into Munich, whether Terminal 1 or 2, should try to only have carry- on, if possible.

MUNICH AIRPORT review : 12 August 2008 : by Ian Oliver

Customer Rating : 5/5

Munich is a joy to travel to and via. There is rather a long walk to get from the Schengen to non- Schengen areas but security and passport control were very quick and efficient. The place is clean, modern and unusually hasn't been turned into a giant shopping mall - natural lighting throughout by way of lots of windows. The free tea and coffee bars strategically located throughout are a superb idea - other airports take note!

MUNICH AIRPORT review : 17 June 2008 : by James Kenney

Customer Rating : 5/5

BOS-MUC-FRA. While my Lufthansa flight touched down on time, we had to wait for a gate, and I subsequently missed my FRA flight. No matter. Quickly rebooked at Lufthansa's counter, then through a fast security line, and on to the gate. Free coffee and tea, as well as newspapers, which was just the thing I needed after such a long flight. I would love to connect at MUC again. It really is a nice airport, and it quite efficient.

MUNICH AIRPORT review : 22 May 2008 : by A Johnson

Customer Rating : 5/5

Have flown into MUC twice, both times using Terminal 2. Airport is spotless and spacious. Accessible from downtown via S-bahn (40-45 min ride). Despite there being no wait at passport control on arrival, my baggage was already waiting for me on the conveyor belt. Both departures were on Sunday mornings during the winter -- on one trip, the airport was deserted, but on the other, there were significant queues for check-in and passport control. Schengen flights depart from the lower level while non-Schengen flights depart from the upper level, even though they use the same gates and segregate passengers by means of barricades and escalators. Many shops and cafes after passport control. There are also smoking booths where pax with cigarettes can cram in to smoke. However, the smoke tends to leak out of these booths and you can smell it in the main concourse area. Only downside to airport is that USA-bound passengers must go through a second security checkpoint, even if you are originating in MUC and have already cleared security there. You can purchase duty-free liquids after passport control and take them through this checkpoint.

Munich Airport review by H Lee

10 January 2008   Customer Rating :

If you have a couple of hours of stop over time, this is the airport you'll want to be in. Incredibly spacious, clean environment, very helpful and friendly staff, clear signs for directions. A wide variety of shops, cafes, & eateries, and easy access to the city with the S-Bahn train. They even have a Christmas market in the centre of the airport for people who do not have time to go to Marienplatz for the festivities.

Munich Airport review by David Griffiths

8 January 2008   Customer Rating :

I have been flying to Munich since the days of the old Riem airport. Although I’ve always liked Franz-Josef Strauss I had only used Terminal 1 until recently. Having now sampled Terminal 2 I can easily see why Munich is rated as the finest airport in Europe. I’ve only used it for arrivals and departures so I can’t comment on the transfer facilities but the overall quality of the airport is simply outstanding. It’s a big airport and there can be quite a distance to some of the gates but if your gate is used by Lufthansa you will be rewarded with free coffee and newspapers (usually the German FT) for even the lowliest economy passenger, a nice touch which adds to the already highly civilised experience. My only suggestion for improvement would be a dedicated Heathrow/Gatwick Express type rail service direct to the city centre. The S1/S8 lines are essentially local stopping trains which happen to serve the airport and it can be a trifle tedious as they potter their leisurely way through the northern suburbs. A direct fast rail link would make Munich as close to the perfect airport as it is possible to get.

Munich Airport review by J Tung

20 December 2007   Customer Rating :

Used Munich airport (Lufthansa, Terminal 2). Arrival experience was excellent. I arrived by City Line from London City Airport and hence the small plane didn't park by the gate. We were given a lift by shuttle. Very clean and efficient terminal with no queue in immigration. It took around 20-25 minutes from landing to claiming baggage. Excellent transport link into Munich city by S-Bahn. Return journey also smooth. Quick and friendly security/immigration. Duty free and boutique expensive but fair choices. Good quality restaurant and bar which are not common in airport, even in Hong Kong or Singapore. The flight was delayed for mroe than 30 minutes however there was no announcement. The way that the display monitor was designed mean that if you are sitting in the waiting lounge you can't see it. Free hot drink and papers available to passengers which is excellent. Overall it's a very friendly, clean, efficient and excellent airport.

Munich Airport review by Richard Winger

9 October 2007   Customer Rating :

LH pretends to manage 30 min connections through MUC. On a recent JFK-MUC-VIE-IST return itinerary in C class with 30 min transfer times both ways, I missed the MUC-VIE connection on the outbound and my bag missed the MUC-JFK connection on the return. On both legs, there were many other passengers who missed their connections. Surprisingly, LH makes no effort to facilitate connections, even for premium class passengers. The lesson: Despite LH's promise, insist on at least an hour transfer time with carry-on, more if you check bags.

Munich Airport review by Gerald Chapman

20 September 2007   Customer Rating :

Only used T2 but very impressed: bright and a great variety of interesting shops if you have time to kill. Not too far to walk and the free tea/coffee at Lufthansa holding area is a thoughtful touch. Also, lufthansa staff helpful - I hadn't used the check in machines before and was 'guided through' the procedure quickly and cheerfully.

Munich Airport review by Shawn Bindon

21 August 2007   Customer Rating :

There is no doubt in my mind that MUC is one of the finest airports in the world. Like many of the previous users making comments, I too enjoy the room it has, the great shops and restaurants and most of all, its efficiency!

Munich Airport review by Martin Marker

2 August 2007   Customer Rating :

The only negative aspect is the lengthy trek from the S-Bahn (suburban train) station to the T1 check-in areas (have not seen T2) and the signs are rather confusing. Against this the departure gates are immediately after security, assuming, that it, if your check-in is in C your departure gate is not in D. The airport advertises extensive retail facilities but you are not forced to pass through them.

Munich Airport review by Philippe Bopp

6 June 2007   Customer Rating :

The best airport I know. Short ways, efficient connections, good friendly service.

Munich Airport review by Ron Kuhlmann

28 May 2007   Customer Rating :

Excellent in almost every respect. The walks to the gates can be impressive but the exercise is usually welcome. The signage is good and the general ambience is very pleasant. Great place to transit.

Munich Airport review by Gyorgy Szeibert

4 May 2007   Customer Rating :

BUD-MUC-BRU & back by LH. Never ever had such a stress-free connection like via MUC. Short connection time (40 mins) is always enough. Extremely clean airport with easy connections. But beware if your connection flight is not on the same terminal as Star Alliance vs others because than must prepare a long walk between & it takes at least 1 hour.

Munich Airport review by Ron Kuhlmann

26 February 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

First visit to Munich and was in transit with 45 minute connection. As I came from SFO and was connecting to HAM, had to enter Germany and then undergo new security check. Just barely made it in the time available and was not impressed by the efficiency of the transit staff. However, the terminal was a lovely space and would have liked to have had a few moments to look around.

Munich Airport review by Nick Biskinis

17 December 2006

Recently travelled to Munich with Lufthansa: it's the same consortium that built Athens Airport, so a slight sense of deja vu. Either way Munich is a model of what an airport should be about. Roomy, clean, calm friendly service, shops with stuff you actually want to buy and (for us enthusiasts) great viewing terrace. If you're flying with Lufthansa, they even offer unlimited tea/milk/coffee at the gate. Munich Airport are really passenger focused, and were asking passengers what they thought of the airport. It's a toss up between Munich and Amsterdam as to which is the best European airport. The minor flaws are that the S- Bahn is, like London Underground Piccadilly Line a standard all-stopper service (though Munich t you get to see a lot of the area whilst travelling in). Plus tourist information/assistance with tickets is not what it ought to be. But of course, this can be remedied fairly easily. Munich is a total reversal of airports like London Heathrow or Paris Charles de Gaulle: it's designed for travellers, whereas LHR and CDG are second rate shopping malls masquerading as airports.

Munich Airport review by John Hoare

20 November 2006

Recently used Franz-Josef Strauss for MUC-TXL with Lufthansa. Comfortable, relaxing, efficient, orderly. The only deficit is the rather leisurely connection via the S-Bahn from the city centre, but even that is relaxed and orderly - certainly not as crowded as the service in Paris. If you have a choice, avoid Frankfurt and use Munich instead.

Munich Airport review by Robin Brunold

17 October 2006

The simplicity of its layout is amazing, the architecture stunning. There are plenty (and all kinds) of restaurants and shops, people that complain that there arent enough are just not able to find them. You'll never wait longer than 5 minutes in line at the security checkpoint or the passport control. The only downside to this airport is the slow connection to downtown Munich by public transport. I'm hoping for an express S-Bahn.

Munich Airport review by Scott Gibbins

24 September 2006

So nice to depart from here, wish I had longer there to enjoy all it had to offer! Left from the Lufthansa terminal, travelling with SAS Scandinavian, so was lucky enough to have access to all the facilities Lufthansa offer, such as the coffee and tea stations and the newspapers. A set-up I am not accustomed to, but I like it. The best thing was the pod-like chairs you can sit in and relax with the music while waiting.

Munich Airport review by Tony Maddern

28 August 2006

Munich is a beautiful airport to fly into and out of. Movement to and from the terminals is quick and easy and it's architecture is stunning. There is an excellent transport system between MUC and the city. The only down side to the airport is the lack of food outlets inside the terminal buildings.

Munich Airport review by Tim Pithers

18 February 2006

I recently flew in and out of Munich for the first time and was stunned by the architecture and simplicity of its layout. It is a great airport with amazing expanses of glass for plenty of contact with the outside. Arrival procedures were fast with baggage taking only about 5 minutes from a distant remote stand. Signposting is excellent and transport connections to Munich city ceter are frequent and fast. The cleanliness of the airport was outstanding. Departure was as easy as arrival with plenty of self-check in machines for Lufthansa flights and rapid traditional check-in. Security measures were thorough and fast. There are lots of things to do airside and its well worth spending some time (interesting boutiques etc.) Food outlets are numerous and (thankfully) prices are very reasonable. If you're flying on an e-ticket with Lufthansa you can do a fast automatic boarding procedure using machines into which you insert your boarding card.

Munich Airport review by Erkan Pinar

27 January 2006

This being one of my home airports - the other being Singapore Changi, I have to say that it is still one of the better ones. It is better than most in terms of food available: local bavarian delis, some german stuff, fish, japanese, italian, turkish, thai, bakeries and even its own brewery - well we are in Munich after all. More shops and variety than most other airports - including nicely sorted supermarkets - and its all good value for money. The S-Bahn (suburban trains) are actually new, clean and run on time - an express train is still missing. T2 is much nicer to depart from or arrive to - and a lot needs to be done to get T1 up to scratch - and staff could be better trained. All in all, its a decent airport to use.

Munich Airport review by Raul Nelson

13 January 2006

I find Munich airport to be the one of the most modern and convenient airports in Europe. All procedures were very efficient. The airport has nice shops and restaurants. I will be more than happy to use this airport again. The Kempinski airport hotel is also very convenient and comfortable.

Munich Airport review by C Hesse

3 January 2006

Excellent international airport. LH's second hub is a great example of a very modern, well designed and easy to get around transport hub. Very impressive atmosphere, nice for connecting to long haul flights.

Munich Airport review by Will Hodgins

2 January 2006

Munich airport comprises two terminals, separated by a plaza. Terminal 2 is new and used exclusively by Star Alliance flights. Terminal 1 (only opened in 1992) is used by all others. Before terminal 2 opened, the airport was badly crowded. Now it is far more pleasant. I agree with the comment below that it is possible to have fun at the airport! For example, currently there is an ice rink and (German) Christmas market on the plaza. In summer, you can sit out in the Airbraü beer garden and enjoy a beer brewed at the on site brewery! Shopping is reasonable (especially in terminal 2). There is a night club on the airport estate. On Sunday mornings, there is live (football) breakfast television from the hotel. I could go on. Terminal 2 is far more modern and comfortable. I agree with some comments below that terminal 1 can be confusing if you don´t know your way round. Transport to the city is better now that 2 S- Bahn lines (local trains) go to the airport (one enters the city from the east, the other from the west). This means a train every 10 minutes. There are also buses. Taxis cost about 60 Euros, unless you book in advance, in which case they cost about 45. Parking is expensive. I fly a lot. On balance, this is the best airport I know.

Munich Airport review by Carsten Hohnsbehn

13 December 2005

Airport of very long distances, bus tour from outdoor position is like a long sightseeing tour. Passport and security staff extremly unfriendly to arrogant. Everything nice and shiny, but on arrival with a non-LH flight the new G-terminal (#2) cannot be found due to lack of signs. Walking gate A to G is a nice fitness tour with temperature changes from +28° to -5°C on the outdoor part.

Munich Airport review by Christian Claussen

2 December 2005

A very new looking airport - not crowded and not too big. Nice area with free coffee and different kinds of newspapers. Tried one of the restaurants with traditional German food, very nice and with home-brewed beer! If I have the possibility I would try to go via this airport again.

Munich Airport review by Ken Albers

6 November 2005

You can actually enjoy the Munich Airport. Upon arrival (and once past security), there is a small mall of shops and a good bakery with reasonably priced lunches. Walk a few hundred yards and you are at a nice hotel. Continue another short distance and you will find the car rental area. No shuttles. To me, however, the best part of the airport is to simply walk across the large patio area to a selection of food establishments with outdoor seating. Amazingly quiet for an airport. Also, we were pleasantly surprised that an assortment of beverages and newspapers were offered while we waited for our plane.

Munich Airport review by Yevheniy Kahanovych

30 October 2005

It us always such a nice experience to fly to and from MUC. The both terminals are designed with taste and fantasy, they function efficiently, everything is well thought. The connection between terminals is simple and well signposted. Nothing negative to tell about. Actually, the plaza between terminals is a great place to visit. The terminals are conceptually different, and I like more the old one. I actually used the number 1 as KLM passenger. The only minuses were quality of food outlets (overpriced and not up to the Bavarian standard) and attitude of security staff who could not imagine how to deal with people who spoke English "instead" of speaking German.

Munich Airport review by Brian Hewitt

12 October 2005

I arrived at Munich airport from Newcastle at 10.55hrs Sunday 9th October, and had collected baggage and was on the underground into the city within 15 minutes. I returned to Newcastle on Tuesday 11th October, again everything went smoothly. I found signposting very good although there are a lot of them. One piece of advice I would give is to stay land side as late as you can before passing through security. As once you are throiugh there is not much to keep you occupied.

Munich Airport review by H Conrad

9 October 2005

Arriving at MUC from LGW was a swift affair. It took no more than 15 minutes from arriving at the gate to I stood at immigration with my bag. I had a pick up waiting so leaving the airport was even easier. But arriving at the airport the day of my departure I found MUC a very confusing airport. The train (S-Bahm) was a simple affair but it stopped there. First of all you have to pay for your luggage trolley. I was all out of coins and found this highly annoying and I was left to carry my bag until luck blessed me with an abandoned trolley. Sings from the train terminal to Terminal 1 was more than confusing. Since terminal 1 is broken down to many smaller partitions 1A, 1B, 1C , etc. the underground concourse connecting the two main terminals was riddled with confusing signs and escalators on where to get off for the right gates. Once you’ve checked in and you find yourself inside the smaller partitioned Terminals you are not allowed to venture from this limited space with one shop and one café selling not more than some hotdogs, beer and coffee. Somewhat annoying when your flight is two hours delayed. Check in and security was quick and effective. Had some time to check out the landside shopping and some parts of T2 which both seemed very nice and quite vast with a massive square in the middle.

Munich Airport review by J Bardiovsky

6 September 2005

Airport is pretty good except for the fact that you have to go through passport check when moving from terminal to terminal. I guess that's better than not having any passport check when you are landing like Vienna Schwechat. I did like the stores there and even purchased a Burberry sweater for third of a price it would cost in New York. Didn't have any problems since I was only transferring planes with about 4 hours to spare.

Munich Airport review by Mark Pach

22 August 2005

If your flight transfer is at Terminal 2, but the lounge you want to use is at Terminal 1 (100 yards away), you need to take a bus to T1, undergo security check at T1, go through the border passport control at T1 (after you've found the exit from the airside - not an easy thing), and go through both the security and passport screening when re-entering the T2 again. Give yourself 1 hour for these (seriously). Very poorly thought out, indeed. An excellent IWC boutique store does not quite make up for it.

Munich Airport review by Jack Sheldon

5 July 2005

Arrival in Munich airport marred by a 30 minute wait at immigration in conditions which any competent fire officer would have declared illegal (a long corridor, with no fire exits). Was particularly frustrating as the flight wasn't much longer (GVA- MUC).

Munich Airport review by D Fay

29 May 2005

Got stuck for 6.5 hours in Terminal 1 in March waiting for an Aer Lingus flight home to Dublin after the operating aircraft got caught in snow in AMS. For arrivals and on the landside section of departures, Terminal 1 is spacious if soulless. However once past security the facilities for non- Schengen flights are cramped and very limited, with one small cafe, a newsagent and a duty-free shop - if you're a non-EU passenger. We were allowed out back landside to eat and ended up traipsing around before finding a reasonably good Italian restaurant on the upper floor. It's really not a place to get stranded !

Munich Airport review by Helen Chernoff

15 May 2005

Munich airport is stylish and modern. Many shops and restaurants on the city-side, i.e., before passport and security checks. Practically no shops and restaurants inside the departure and transit zone. Far from the city but good train connections. Inside the departure areas, smoking "islands" are placed very close to some of the gates so that non-smokers are constantly exposed to heavy smoke. This is unacceptable! Overall a nice airport that is fun to visit with the kids if you live in Munich (for shopping, eating out, etc.)- but less pleasant to use as a passenger.

Munich Airport review by John Oram

21 April 2005

I used MUC from/to LGW on 9/11 April. Impressions upon arrival were good as the terminal seemed to lead us easily enough to the S-Bahn. I was much less hapy on the return journey. Finding BA check in, in T1 took some doing. I found the signage unhelpful and too many sightlines cluttered. Going through to the B gates where only the BA LHR & LGW would be departing in the near future, I found the security staff over zealous. Presumably bored after an hiatus they chose to do all sorts of stupid American things; opening and lifting the belt; removing and scanning the shoes; a full wanding, scanning the suit jacket - not an external coat. When will common sense return to airports.

Munich Airport review by David Kemp

29 March 2005

Went through this airport 4 times recently and found it to be very good. A good range of shops and food outlets, efficient check in and security procedures led to a "no fuss" experience for us. The only drawback is the distance from the city although the airport bus we used was OK. In comparison to CDG, Frankfurt and to a lesser extent Zurich, Munich was superior in most areas.

Munich Airport review by Judith Nudd

24 February 2005

I recently used the new Terminal 2 for the first time and found it on the whole very impressive. It is large airy, clean and efficient with lots of cafes and shops .The negative side is the impersonal feel to the place and the size which means extremely long walks from gates to exits (unlike terminal 1). I also found it very interesting that I had to travel by bus from the departure gate to the plane even though I was travelling with Lufthansa.

Munich Airport review by Klaus Finnemann

18 February 2005

Two very different sides of my hometown airport: The airport itself seems to be (after opening of T2) a little bit oversized, what definitely is better than undersized... and offering an atmosphere that may be described as typical German: It works, but has no soul. May be right, but if you´re German you cannot find anything confusing about that, to be honest. So this airport was designed to be an airport and nothing else. Of course it can not be compared with asian gateways, but to try this would be kind of ridiculous, don´t you think? it is not an Asian airport so why it should "play" Asian? The dimensions may be a little bit oversized now, but remember MUC was opened in May 1992 and totally new built for approx. 15 million pax/year in about 2015 - what was actually reached only a few years after opening and today numbers stand around 23-24 million, making MUC number 8 in Europe. I think-wait some years and the dimensions will not seem oversized anymore with LH transferring more and more flights from FRA due to FRA capacity problems. The link to the city is definitely the major problem of this airport, a good link was simply "forgotten" when building the airport - and the situation was never improved due to an effect that we call "Kirchturmpolitik" in Germany. This means to look for problems where ever you can, leading to problems that do not really exist. If you follow the discussion in the local press about how to improve the link to the city you could only scream, so "Kirchturmpolitik" could be translated with visions ending at the neighbors fence.

Munich Airport review by Michael Meier

21 October 2004

When MUC was inaugurated in 1992, some critics said that it`s an airport that can only be reached by air. Unfortunately, nothing has changed during the past 12 years. It is really a pity that it takes 45 minutes from the central station to get to the airport some 50 kms away. Nobody really understands why there is no train going directly to the airport without a stop every 5 minutes ? And if it was only one per hour !

Munich Airport review by W Hill

7 September 2004

My favourite airport now that Terminal 2 has opened. The range of shops, cafés and eateries in the landside Central Area and in Terminal 2 (landside and airside) are excellent. There are two well- stocked Edeka supermarkets (one in the landside Central Area and the other in Terminal 2 landside), an airport micro-brewery (oh yes!) in the excellent and cheap AirBräu restaurant in the Central Area (AirBräu also has other outlets in Terminal 2 - they brew good beer and the tasty food is amazingly good value for money), a good Asian restaurant and sushi bar in Terminal 2 landside, free coffee/tea and newspapers in Terminal 2 airside departure areas and excellent facilities all round. Last winter there was even a skating rink in the open-air Munich Airport Centre linking the two terminals, with a Christmas handicraft market, live music, Christmas snacks and gluwein. Terminal 2 is very spacious, bright (lots of natural lighting) and has excellent toilets and other facilities. Try the open sandwiches on freshly baked breads of various sorts in one of the trendy snack bars in the extra-Schengen departure lounge. There is even a fully equipped hospital with about a dozen beds in the Munich Airport Centre - you can fly in, have an operation and fly out again without ever having left the airport. Airports don't get better than this. Puts UK airports to shame.

Munich Airport review by Sean Jackson

2 August 2004

Being a British national living in Munich, I have to say that Munich is one of the best airports I have ever had the pleasure of using, and I am not just referring to T2, the Star Alliance terminal. Having recently read the comments made about London's Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports, which I have to use quite regularly, those who complain about Munich Airport simply don't know they are born. Yes, it is a fair bit out of the city, but there is a subway and bus connection, which are reasonably priced. Those who disagree should travel with the Heathrow or Gatwick Express. Parking is reasonable at 17 Euros a day, again, if you should disagree, try parking your car at Heathrow. There are adequate shops and also places to sit down before your flight is called. Need I refer those who do not agree to T2 at Heathrow? In summary, I find it rather enjoyable to fly from Munich. The trouble only starts when the plane lands in London.

Munich Airport review by Arthur Romeijn

27 March 2004

If Munich (MUC) is your first destination in Germany, you get the impression that everything they say about Germany is true: efficient but grey and dull, cold, with a bit of 'tech' look and feel. And beer stands just around the corner! Staff is friendly and efficient, but signposting needs to be improved. Do get confused with the terminals, as the new Terminal 2 has mostly Lufthansa flights and Terminal 1 the other airlines. Parking and taxis are good but expensive, take the S-Bahn from / to the city centre.

Munich Airport review by Charlotte King

26 March 2004

Munich airport could do with better signs in English, so that passengers have more information about its facilities. Also, if you are catching an airbus, you might find yourself standing in the wrong place and missing your bus (inadequate signs, again). Overall, though, an okay airport.

Munich Airport review by Peter Behrend

20 February 2004

There are two different terminals at Munich Airport. The terminal 2 is one of the most modern and efficient terminal in the world. This terminal is only used by Lufthansa and star alliance partners. All other airlines are operating at terminal one which as modern and convenient as well. You might get a problem if you want to change from terminal 1 to terminal 2. It will take you at least 20 min. You'd better take a bus. Another problem affects passengers arriving at terminal 2 who like to rent a car. The car rental station is in terminal 1 about 1,5 km away.

Munich Airport review by Timo Ranta

8 October 2002

Now that the Terminal 2 has been opened, Munich airport has become a mammoth. In case you need to change from Terminal 2 to 1, it takes ages and is very difficult to find your way. You'll have to exit the terminal 2 (passport control etc) - walk through the shopping centre, exit the terminal 2 building outdoors and then go to terminal 1. The security check can take ages as well: Germany and Munich especially seems to be one of the few places in Europe where they want to screen your laptop computer separately. And the staff is as inpolite as you'd expect in this country. Another odd thing that applies to Frankfurt Main airport as well are the shopping areas: there are very limited shopping possibilities in the transit area - most of the shops are located in the area before the passport control.

Munich Airport review by M Devor

8 August 2002

Good Airport, but very divided in that everything is segmented which is quite annoying. I love the landside areas with many good shops and an entire supermarket that is open late. Almost an entire shopping center. Check in desks are well organized and there are also some good lounges landside so you can relax and enjoy more if staying by the airport. However, I don't care at all for the airside areas. It is a mish mash of segmented Schengen and non-Schengen zones all over the place with limited Duty Free shops and is quite confusing. One must have a Schengen visa to access the lounges (airside) and you can easily end up clearing passport control a few times. Nuts. The airport is spotless, par for the course in Germany and staff are quite friendly, speaking amazingly good English. I asked about a hotel shuttle and she called the hotel for me, most appreciated. The Sheraton near the airport is a charming hotel but the Marriott, in Freisling, not at the airport, charges a hefty fee for their shuttle. I could have gone to Munich for the same price but the hotel is quite pleasant. Also, LH operates a comfortable bus from the airport to the main rail station in Munich.

Munich Airport review by Luigi Vallero

01 September 2002

Efficient, light and clean - these words come to my mind when I think of MUC. Even though the architecture there could be considered a bit too cold, it still remains one of my preferred airports. As far as shops are concerned, duty free offering there is a bit limited as compared to other European gateways like AMS or ZRH, but true, the airport boasts a very good supermarket where you can shop for food items - including German specialties - at very good prices, even less than in downtown Munich. On the low side is the distance to the city. So far the S-Bahn service to downtown involves no less than 40/50 minutes and 12/15 stops (or more) en-route, depending on your final destination. Also, why the MVV (the Munich underground authority) doesn't provide clearer instructions (in English) on how to operate the automated ticket machines?

Munich Airport review by Frank Sherwin

23 August 2002

I wonder why they have fingers way out there on the field complete with an escalator that leads to a ... bus?! Other comments: the airport is clean and tidy (a nice change after Frankfurt), but it tends to require a lot of walking, unless you come by car and park illegally just outside the terminal. Parking is expensive, and the long-term car parking is a joke, being a train-ride and a very long exposed walk away. And trains are relatively infrequent as well (10-20 mins). Taxi to Munich is about Eur 50, so if you are more than 2 people it's probably actually cheaper to use a taxi than public transportation. On the plus side, there a good supermarket in the central area which isn't expensive (buy your mineral water there, not in the kiosks in the terminal!), and it also doesn't have to obey the silly German shop opening times.

Munich Airport review by Stephan Neuhuser

13 August 2002

Lauda Air from Vienna docked at a finger on a tower somewhere out on the field and busses gave us an endless seeming 20 minutes tour of the airport until we finally arrived at the terminal. There were approximately 10 gates - all looking completely the same (a smudgy beer bar at each end, two champagne stands in the middle, as well as a newspaper/bookshop). Telephone calls can only be made with German telephone cards (so have Euros with you!). Atmosphere - similar to some of FRA's terminals - is grey and dull.

Munich Airport review by N Janides

31 July 2002

Munich Airport is a town in itself - such a clean and helpful airport. However, I believe signs / directions should be clearer as I did get lost in my plight to locate Thai International's Check-in desks. Overall an excellent airport with many helpful staff members. Thank you Munich Airport!

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