Finally flying again! Especially during the vacation season, it can get crowded at Munich Airport. In order to make the start of your trip as easy as possible, we put together a few tips that help you shorten the waiting time and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Travel tips
Get prepared for your journey
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At home
Find out about applicable regulations
- Please note the country-specific travel and safety information of the Federal Foreign Office of the German Government
- Specific advice for travel within the European Union is also provided by the Re-open-EU platform
- Also note the current Covid-19 regulations for air travel
Check the validity of the identity cards or passports for all fellow travelers - including your children. Each child traveling with you requires its own valid travel document. If only one parent is flying with you, a declaration of consent from the other person with custody is always required. Even if you are taking children with you for whom you do not have custody, you always need written confirmation from the parents. More info: Flying with children
- Check the conditions of carriage of your airline, especially with regard to hygiene regulations (mandatory masks) as well as the permitted size, number and contents of your luggage and hand luggage
- One day before departure, check the website of your airline or the flight schedule of Munich Airport to see whether your flight will actually take place at the specified time.
Pack ahead
Pack as much as possible in your suitcase or travel bag
Only items that you need with you at all times should go in your carry-on luggage
- Keep important documents and papers handy at all times
- Keep masks handy for public transportation and little clearance areas in the terminal
- Pack only permitted items and goods in your luggage. This will help you avoid unpleasant situations at the security checkpoint.
Unsure if you are allowed to pack a certain item in your hand luggage or suitcase? This is allowed in the luggage
Do the check-in in advance
Many airlines offer online check-in. This allows you to create your boarding passes yourself and save them on your smartphone. At the airport, there are baggage machines where you can simply drop off your bags. Here, the waiting times are often shorter than at the classic check-in counters.
Some airlines also offer an evening-before check-in at the airport. This allows you to drop off your luggage the evening before departure and start your journey the next day with hand luggage only.
For information on whether advance check-in is possible on your flight, please contact your airline.
Also interesting
- Please note the country-specific travel and safety information of the Federal Foreign Office of the German Government
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On the way to the airport
Getting to the airport
Leave on time
Plan enough time for your arrival, baggage check-in and the control procedures at the airport. During the vacation season, there can always be very high passenger volumes and thus longer waiting times at the individual points. Both on the roads around the airport and on the S-Bahn, there may be traffic jams and traffic obstructions due to construction work.
Our tip: Plan your journey so that you are at the airport 2.5 hours before departure.
Reserve a parking space online
Book your parking space at the airport online in advance. This way you can secure a parking space at your desired location and save time.
Book your parking space online
Remember the obligation to wear a mask
In public transport (MVV) and on the airplane there is an obligation to wear a mask to protect your mouth and nose. Therefore, please pack enough masks ready to hand.
Also interesting
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At the airport
Tips for check-in and checkpoints
Arrive on time
Please arrive at the airport early, i.e. at least 2.5 hours before departure. Due to increased passenger traffic during the vacation season and the requirements of the Corona regulations, there may be a more complex check-in or longer waiting times at security and passport control.
Current waiting times at checkpoints
Do your check-in as far in advance as possible
Save time by using online check-in, you can save a lot of time: If you are traveling with hand luggage only and already have a boarding pass, you can go directly to passport and security control. If you still have suitcases or travel bags to check in, you can use the baggage machines at the airport for this. Here, waiting times are often much shorter than at the classic check-in counters.
Some airlines also offer an evening-before check-in at the airport. This allows you to check in your luggage the evening before departure and start your journey the next day with hand luggage only.
For information on whether advance check-in is possible on your flight, please contact your airline.
Follow the instructions of airport staff
On site, the airport staff will do their best to ensure that you have the smoothest possible start to your vacation. If necessary, they will ask you to go to another checkpoint, as the waiting time there may be considerably shorter. Please follow these instructions, this will reduce your waiting time and also help our staff.
Use automated passport control
If you are traveling to a country outside the Schengen zone, you have the possibility to use the automated passport control (e.g. EasyPASS) and thus save time. Our tip: As an EU citizen, make sure to use the lane for EU citizens at passport control. By doing so, you can actively reduce your waiting time. How EasyPASS works
Please note that automatic passport control is only available for passengers over the age of 18. With children and teenagers, please use the classic control counters. Each child traveling with you needs its own valid travel document. More info: Flying with children
How to get through the security check easily
Security check is the bottleneck before departure. To ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible here too, please pay attention to the following instructions:
- Keep a sufficient distance from others
- Please enter the checkpoint only after being asked to do so.
- Mouth and nose protection should be worn at the aviation security checkpoint
- Please bring only one piece of hand luggage to the checkpoint
- Check in all other baggage
- Please put your baggage tubs back on your own
Consideration helps everyone
Even when things get hectic - those who remain calm and also show consideration for others end up benefiting the most. A friendly smile often relaxes the situation.
During peak travel times, it is not always possible to maintain sufficient distances. Especially in these areas, we recommend that you continue to wear a medical or FFP2 mask. This way you protect your health and that of your fellow travelers.
Instructions for departures in Terminal 1 / Terminal 2
In which terminal do I depart? What do I need to know at check-in or at the checkpoints? Here you will find current information about your departure
Also interesting
Current Covid-19 regulations
Find out about the entry requirements of your destination
According to the German Federal Infection Protection Act, the mandatory wearing of masks in airplanes continues to apply on all domestic German routes as well as on flights that take off or land in Germany. An FFP2 or medical mask must therefore be worn when boarding and disembarking as well as during the entire flight. The mask may only be removed when eating and drinking. Find out from your airline about the currently applicable conditions of carriage.
Please note: As of October 1, masks will no longer be mandatory for air travel within Germany.
No longer required to provide proof when entering Germany
Since June 1, 2022, passengers entering Germany no longer have to provide proof of their vaccination, convalescent or testing status.
Testing options at the airport
At Munich Airport you can choose between different offers to get tested for the corona virus SARS-CoV-2. Here you will find an overview of the corona tests at the airport
When flying abroad, the entry regulations of the respective destination country must be observed aswell. For many destinations, a 3G certificate is still required, some countries also require mandatory proof of vaccination. Proof of health is checked at random by the respective airline. Please inform yourself in good time before departure which proofs are required for your destination country.
Country-specific travel and security advices are available from the Federal Foreign Office or for travel within the European Union on Re-open-EU.
Departing from Terminal 1
Departures in Terminal 1 take place via the gates of the various modules. You can find the modules on your boarding pass and they are marked with the letters A to E.
The check-in areas usually correspond to the module designation. Please inform yourself on site via the flight schedule displays, boards or notices. Check-In Z is located near the S-Bahn entrance opposite the main information desk.
Departing from Terminal 2 / Satellite terminal (Gates K and L)
Your ticket will show whether you will be boarding your flight from Terminal 2 or the satellite terminal: The gates to the Schengen and Non-Schengen areas in Terminal 2 are indicated with the letters G and H. If your ticket shows a K (Schengen) or L (Non-Schengen), you will board your aircraft from the satellite building.
Our suggestion: In Terminal 2 a mobile welcome service is available on holiday weekends. The specially trained staff are easy to spot, and will approach passengers who need information or help finding their way.
Permanent free shuttle service
A free shuttle service departs every two to four minutes between Terminal 2 and the satellite terminal: With an automated personal transportation system, you will need less than a minute to travel from Terminal 2 to the new terminal buildung and back. Passengers departing from the satellite terminal can enjoy the modern range of dining and shopping options available there.
Automated boarding pass control in Terminal 2
In Terminal 2, boarding passes are checked at machines located at the two access portals to the security checkpoint. In addition, staff are available at the boarding pass readers if passengers require assistance. Large displays at the gantries show the waiting time at the individual control stations and direct passengers to another gantry if things go faster there.
Registered Lufthansa and SWISS Miles & More members can take advantage of facial recognition technology with Star Alliance Biometrics. Passengers can thus pass through selected security and boarding gates without contact.