Reliable, clean public transport (Transport in Munich)

Member Name: SugarSpun

Product:	Transport in Munich
Date:	30/08/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, safe and not prohibitively expensive

Disadvantages: Not cheap, either

The MVV, Munich's public transport network, includes buses, trams, an underground network and suburban rail network. It's divided into 16 rings and 4 zones.

For tourists, the first thing to think about is normally how to get out of the airport. The S-Bahn (suburban rail) is normally the best way to do this. Trains run every five or so minutes, and for a trip to the city centre it's best to buy a Gesamnetz ticket (covers all four zones for one day). These tickets come in single (one person) or partner (up to five people). Day tickets (Tageskarten) work the same way, for most tourist sites and starting in the city centre you'll need an Innenraum (rings 1-4). You can also buy 3-day tickets.

Tickets need to be validated in the blue boxes you see on buses, trams and before you get to the platform of train stations - poke them into the machine with the arrows pointing forwards and be prepared to show the ticket if someone asks for it but don't let them take it from you. Ticket inspectors are relatively rare and may or may not be in uniform, but fines start at 40 euro for travelling without a ticket and Schwarzfahren (travelling without one) is heavily frowned upon.

For trips outside of Munich the Bayern Ticket will get you as far away as Salzburg or Regensburg on local trains (not ICE trains - check before you board) and again has the single/partner option.

Summary: Can be confusing - read this simple user guide!