München Hauptbahnhof — Attraction in Munich

Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof) is one of Germany’s busiest and most important railway hubs, providing excellent connectivity to destinations both within Germany and internationally. The station is not only a transit point for thousands of passengers daily but also a lively center offering a wide variety of services, shops, and eateries. Here's a detailed review:

Location and Accessibility: Munich Central Station is centrally located in the city, making it a perfect starting point for travelers heading to different parts of Munich or beyond. It's conveniently connected to public transportation options such as trams, buses, and the U-Bahn (subway), with direct access to major parts of the city. The station's central location also means that it's easy to reach popular destinations like Marienplatz, the historic city center, and other major attractions.

Design and Architecture: The station is an impressive blend of modern design and historic architecture. It is a large, multi-level building with an expansive and airy main hall. The interior is clean and well-lit, providing a calm and organized environment for travelers. The station’s layout is simple and intuitive, with clear signage in multiple languages, making it easy for international visitors to navigate.

Facilities and Services: Munich Central Station offers a wide range of amenities to ensure a comfortable travel experience. On the lower levels, you’ll find a variety of shops, including bookshops, clothing stores, souvenir shops, and pharmacies. There is also a large supermarket, ideal for picking up snacks or travel essentials.

For food, the station has an impressive selection of cafes, fast food outlets, and sit-down restaurants offering a variety of cuisine. Whether you're looking for a quick espresso, a traditional Bavarian meal, or an international option, you’ll find something to suit your tastes. Additionally, there are several bakeries and snack kiosks throughout the station for travelers in need of a quick bite.

Cleanliness and Comfort: The station is generally clean and well-maintained, with frequent cleaning schedules ensuring the environment remains pleasant. However, due to its large size and the high volume of passengers, certain areas can become crowded, especially during peak travel times. Despite this, there are ample seating areas available throughout the station, though during busy periods, it might take a bit longer to find a seat.

Security and Safety: Munich Central Station has a visible and well-organized security presence. While the station is very safe for travelers, especially during the day, like most major transportation hubs, it's a good idea to stay aware of your belongings, as crowded areas can be a target for pickpockets. The station has a strong police presence, and security checks are in place, especially during major events or peak hours.

Connectivity and Information: The station has excellent connectivity for travelers. Free Wi-Fi is available, though it requires a quick registration process. Information screens are plentiful, providing up-to-date details on train schedules, delays, and platform changes. The station’s staff is generally helpful and English-speaking, making it easier for non-German speakers to navigate and get assistance when needed.

Travel Options and Transfers: Munich Central Station is well-connected to Germany’s national and international railway networks, offering direct train services to cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, as well as international connections to Austria, Switzerland, and beyond. There is also a large underground garage and taxi stand for those arriving by car or taxi.

For travelers with tight schedules or those transferring between trains, the station offers convenient baggage storage services, and there are numerous ticket counters and self-service kiosks available for purchasing tickets or...

I recently spent a day passing through Munich Hauptbahnhof (Munchen Hbf) and overall I was impressed. The station is enormous, busy, and central, but for a hub of its size it manages to balance functionality with a fairly pleasant user experience.

What I liked: • Location & connectivity: It’s very well placed in Munich, giving you good access to the city center via S-bahn, U-bahn, trams and buses.  • Variety of amenities: Many shops, cafés, food stands, kiosks and services are available inside and underground, which makes waiting or transferring more comfortable.  • Scale & modern infrastructure: With 32 above-ground tracks and several underground lines, the station handles huge passenger volumes.  • Cleanliness & order: Despite the crowds, the main areas and concourses were reasonably well maintained and not in a state of disrepair. • Atmosphere: There’s a dynamic and vibrant energy, a constant flow of people which makes it feel alive, not just a cold transit point.

What could be improved / things to watch out for: • Size & walking distance: It can take a long walk between some platforms or wing sections, especially when transferring between distant tracks. • Crowds & navigation: In peak times it becomes busy, and signage can sometimes feel overwhelming for first-time users. • Construction / renovation disruption: Parts of the station are undergoing remodeling and reconstruction, which occasionally affects access or busies up detours. • Peripheral areas feel rougher: The immediate surroundings (outside the station) are not always the most polished, and in some places at night it can feel less inviting. Some people consider parts of the area “a little rougher, but not dangerous.” 

Verdict:

Munich Hbf is more than just a train station — it’s a major transport and urban node. For its role, it does very well. If you’re passing through or using it as a base for exploring Munich, you’ll find it convenient, well equipped, and with a lot of character. Just give yourself a bit of extra time for walking, especially if transferring, and be ready for...

Munich Central Station is the largest European train station by number of platforms and among the top ten of busiest railway stations in Europe. Be prepared to get lost if you're there for the first time.

Walking from the southernmost platform to the northernmost platform takes about 15 minutes. Plan your trips accordingly.

Trains often depart from different platforms than scheduled, so read the departure board. There are also announcements if that's the case, but those do not stand out against the noise so well.

Read the signs. They may be a bit overwhelming, but certainly not missing any important direction, except for the bus shuttle to the airport. It's the north of the station, or, standing in the main hall facing the platforms, outside, to the right. Don't hesitate to ask the staff to ask for directions.

Connection to the local public transportation network is excellent, with six out of eight subway lines and all main suburban lines stopping at the central station, as well as plenty of trams and busses. There is a bus shuttle service to the airport, and two of the suburban lines: S1 and S8. These depart from the same platform as all other suburban lines, so make sure to wait for the correct train when you're travelling to the airport.

The counters in the ticket hall closed permanently few years ago. Now, the is only one small information booth and a small ticket hall, both of them have quite long queues usually. However, there are plenty of ticket machines scattered around the station, which are not too hard to use. Also, there is the option to book tickets online and either print them out at home or at a ticket machine (you have to decide where you want to print your ticket when buying. Once you made your decision to e.g. print your ticket at home, you cannot print it at a ticket machine anymore), or save then on your...