Anyone traveling by public transit in Munich these days needs to have strong nerves. Construction is currently underway on the U3 and U6 as well as the U4 and U5, meaning almost none of the lines are operating as usual. And now, starting at the end of the week, there will also be service disruptions on the S-Bahn line heading toward the airport, so you won’t be able to travel all the way without transferring as usual. Here’s what air travelers need to know now.
Restrictions on the S-Bahn Line to the Airport
Starting this coming weekend, passengers traveling to and from the airport will have to contend with service restrictions on the S-Bahn line. From Friday, October 9, through early Monday morning, October 12, construction work will take place on the second main line , resulting in service disruptions on the S1 and S8 lines. Although the S1 runs all the way to the airport, it terminates at Munich Central Station and does not stop at Hackerbrücke. On the S8, however, a replacement bus service (SEV) is in operation. Trains from the airport terminate at Johanneskirchen, while trains from Herrsching terminate at Leuchtenbergring. Therefore, replacement buses are running between Ostbahnhof and Johanneskirchen to cover this section of the route.
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However, the closures will be far from over by the start of the new week. From Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 16, construction work will be carried out at the signal box. Neither the S1 nor the S8 will run all the way to the airport, so you’ll need to use the SEV instead. S1 passengers will transfer to buses in Neufahrn, while S8 passengers will transfer in Ismaning. Regional trains from Freising are also affected, so they are not a viable alternative.
Alternate Routes to Munich Airport
If you plan to take the S-Bahn toward the airport this weekend, you should use the S1 if possible. Unlike the S8, there’s no SEV service running for the time being, so you can avoid having to transfer to a bus. Starting next week, however, this option will no longer be available, and as mentioned, the regional train isn’t an option either. Still, you can avoid the SEV without having to shell out a lot of money for a taxi.
The Lufthansa Express Bus departs from Munich Central Station every 20 minutes. The shuttle stops only once at Nordfriedhof, then continues on to the airport. It stops at both the terminals and the Munich Airport Center (MAC). You don’t need a plane ticket to use the bus, which means you could theoretically take it to the Christmas market at the MAC this winter.
A single-ride ticket for adults costs €12.50, and €7.50 for children. You can purchase these tickets both online and directly from the driver . If you have the Deutschlandticket, you can use it to board the bus and won’t need to buy a separate ticket. Since the bus doesn’t make stops, it’s much faster than the S-Bahn. Nevertheless, if you’re heading to the airport in the next few days, you should allow extra time for your trip so you don’t miss your flights.
🕑 Departure times: Every 20 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 7:55 p.m. (from Munich Central Station)
💶 Fare information: Adults €12.50, children €7.50, free with the Deutschlandticket
