Munich Airport Loses Direct Trains Until Friday
Anyone travelling to or from Munich Airport by train faces another two days of disruption, with direct services suspended until early Friday. Deutsche Bahn construction work has interrupted S-Bahn routes S1 and S8, as well as the ÜFEX Airport Express. The shutdown began on 12 October and remains in place until 5am on 16 October, with replacement buses serving affected sections.
How to Reach Munich Airport During the Shutdown
- S1: Change to a replacement bus at Neufahrn.
- S8: Take the replacement bus at Ismaning.
- ÜFEX: Replacement buses connect the airport with Freising and Ismaning, depending on the route.
- Lufthansa Express Bus: Direct from Munich Central Station (Arnulfstraße 12) every 20 minutes; around 45 minutes to the airport.
- Coach hours: 5.15am–7.55pm towards the airport; seats cannot be reserved.
- Coach fares: Adult single tickets cost €12.50 online or €13.50 from the driver.
- Warning: The coach operator expects unusually high demand and longer waits.
Deutsche Bahn has arranged replacement buses for the final sections of the affected routes, so passengers can still reach the terminals using public transport. The interruption affects departures and arrivals alike, including passengers travelling between the airport and central Munich. The airport advises allowing more time than usual, as the replacement journeys involve transfers that are not part of the normal direct rail service.
The Lufthansa coach could be more convenient for people starting near Munich Central Station, but it is not necessarily the best option for everyone. Someone travelling on the S1 or S8 from the suburbs may be better off using the designated replacement bus rather than heading into the city centre first. The express coach is a separate service, with its own fares.
Direct trains are scheduled to return at 5am on Friday, leaving Wednesday and Thursday as the main days still affected. The biggest complication is not necessarily the time spent on the bus but making the right connection in the first place. Anyone with an early flight should check their exact route in the Deutsche Bahn journey planner, especially if travelling before the airport coach begins running.