How to Plan a Trip to Munich
The complete 2026 guide — flights, hotels, things to do and airport transfers, all in one place. Everything a first-time visitor to Germany needs.
Your 4-step Munich plan
Step 1 — Book flights to MUC
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC) is the main gateway to Munich. Compare fares across major airlines and OTAs before locking a date.
See flight deals to MUCStep 2 — Pick a neighborhood
Base yourself in Marienplatz + Glockenspiel for the best first-time visit — Munich's central square + the 11am Glockenspiel chimes (also 12pm, 5pm summer).
Where to stay in MunichStep 3 — Plan your itinerary
Start with Marienplatz + Glockenspiel, then build outward. Most first-time visitors need 3-5 days to see the highlights of Munich.
Things to do in MunichStep 4 — Sort your airport transfer
S-Bahn S1 / S8 (to Hauptbahnhof) is €13.60 and takes 45 min. Pre-book a private transfer for stress-free arrival.
MUC arrival guideBefore you book — visa check
Germany is Schengen — same rules apply as France/Italy/Spain etc. Most non-EU passport holders can transit airside without a visa; landside requires a Schengen visa or visa-free national agreement (US, UK, JP, KR, AU, CA, BR, etc.).