Munich’s public transit system may regularly test our patience with its service disruptions and construction work, but we’re still glad to have it. This is also reflected in the numbers: The MVG carried 621 million passengers in 2025, setting a new record. Of these, 127 million were tram passengers, which also represents a record high . The Munich tram system is now a proud 150 years old and has evolved over this time into a vital mode of transportation in our city. The MVG wants to celebrate this milestone with you and is hosting a big anniversary weekend with a colorful program.
Humble Beginnings
In the mid-19th century, Munich experienced an economic boom that led to an increased need for mobility. After some back-and-forth, the first horse-drawn tram finally went into service on October 21, 1876. The route ran from Promenadenplatz to Mailingerstraße and was a modest 2.8 kilometers long. Nevertheless, this naturally represented an absolute milestone in the development of Munich’s public transit system, and the tram enjoyed great popularity. Just nine years later, there were already seven lines on which the cars were running.
The first electric tram went into service a decade after the first horse-drawn tram. At that time, August Ungerer opened the Würmbad in Schwabing and created an electric tram line specifically to make it accessible. This meant that today’s Ungererbad could be reached from Münchner Freiheit via the first electric tram in southern Germany. By 1900, the entire Munich tram network had been electrified. When construction of the subway began in the 1970s, parts of the tram network became redundant, and there were even considerations to abolish it entirely. However, citizens successfully protested against this, and so this year we are celebrating 150 years of the tram in Munich.
The Big Anniversary Weekend Celebrating the Tram’s Birthday
On the weekend of October 17 and 18, the time has finally come, and the MVG will celebrate the tram’s birthday with you. An extensive program awaits you at various locations throughout the city during the anniversary weekend. On Saturday, October 17, starting around 10 a.m., historic trams will parade through the city center. They’ll be led by a modern Avenio featuring an anniversary design, followed by five models dating from 1901 to 1967. They’ll travel from Theatinerstraße to the Maxmonument and from there to the depot on Einsteinstraße.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to ride the trams themselves, but the MVG would love for you to join the festivities along the route in historical costumes or traditional attire. Starting at 11:30 a.m. , some vehicles from the parade will be traveling back and forth between Einsteinstraße and Sendlinger Tor, so you’ll be able to ride along with them. You don’t need a ticket to ride the anniversary line. In addition, the Long Night of Museums takes place on Saturday, and of course the MVG Museum will be there and looks forward to your visit. Here you’ll get your full dose of trams to round out the day.
If you’d like to learn more about trams, be sure to stop by the depot on Einsteinstraße on Sunday, October 18. Learn more about how trams are maintained and repaired, discover the various jobs related to the tram system, and take a peek under one of the trams yourself. Kids can get their faces painted, enjoy balloon art, and spin the wheel of fortune to win cool prizes. The tram’s anniversary weekend has plenty to offer for young and old alike.
📅 Dates: Saturday, October 17—Parade and Anniversary Line; Sunday, October 18—Open House at the Depot
💶 Price information: All events are free of charge
