Travel tips

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Get prepared for your journey

5 tips for a smooth departure

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.


  • Use online services such as check-in and parking space reservation
  • Check with your airline when the check-in desk opens
  • Have your boarding pass and ID ready when going through security
  • Take only small quantities of liquids in a transparent zip bag (100ml each, max. 1l)
  • Unpack liquids and electronic devices, empty your pockets and take off your jacket and belt
  • In times of very heavy traffic, we recommend that passengers arrive at the airport three hours before the scheduled departure time. It is not advisable to arrive any earlier.

Video: Well prepared for the vacations

Preparations at home

Observe current regulations



  • When flying abroad, the entry regulations of the respective destination country must be observed. Please inform yourself in good time before departure which proofs are required for your destination country

  • 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 traveling with the child or if the child is traveling with a non-custodial person, a declaration of consent from both parents is required. More info: Flying with children

  • Inquire about the conditions of transport for animals - the requirements for re-entry as well as the requirements for entry of animals in the country of travel in good time before starting your trip.

  • Check with your airline about current conditions of carriage (e.g. hygiene or baggage regulations)
  • One day before departure, check the website of your airline or Munich Airport's flight schedule to see whether your flight will actually take place at the specified time.



Pack ahead


Young Woman with suitcase

  • Only items that you need with you at all times go in your carry-on luggage. This includes valuables and medications. Pack the rest as much as possible in your luggage
  • Keep important documents and papers handy at all times
  • 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?

Tips for your luggage

Permitted goods and allowances at clearing customs

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.

Your check-in options

On your way to the airport

Leave on time


S-Bahn station at Munich Airport


  • 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 check-in or at control 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.
  • On the airlines' pages you will find information about baggage regulations and also about the opening hours of the check-in desks, so that they can arrive at the airport on time, but also not unnecessarily early.

Getting to the airport

Book a parking space online



There are numerous parking options available to you at the airport. Whether very close to the terminal or particularly inexpensive - the choice is yours:

Reserve 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

Take advantage of special offers



At the airport

Find your way at the airport


Travel tips


Important to know: In which terminal does your airline depart and where is the check-in area? All information: overview of airlines at Munich Airport

Terminal 1: 

  • Departures in Terminal 1 take place via the gates of the modules A to E. The check-in areas usually correspond to the module designation. Check-In Z (or T1Z) is located near the S-Bahn entrance opposite the main information desk.


Terminal 2 / Satellite Terminal: 
  • Your ticket will show whether you will be boarding your flight from Terminal 2 or the Satellite Terminal: 
    Gates G and H - Terminal 2, 
    Gates K and L - Satellite Terminal
  • free shuttle service: every two to four minutes an automated personal transportation system departs between Terminal 2 and the Satellite Terminal.  You will need less than a minute to travel from Terminal 2 to the Satellite Terminal and back. Passengers departing from the Satellite Terminal can enjoy the modern range of dining and shopping options available there. 

The airport map provides more orientation in the terminals.

Your stay at Munich Airport

Use checkpoints properly


Test operation of the CT Scanners in terminal 1

New CT scanners at the hand baggage controls

Benefit from seven new CT scanners so far. In the coming months, further security checkpoints in Terminals 1 and 2 will be modernized and technically upgraded to the highest standard.

Current notice for passengers in Terminal 2:
During the renovation phase of the screening lanes passengers will be rerouted, and the number of screening lanes will be reduced at times. As a result, waiting times at the security checkpoint may change at short notice. After the conversion, passengers will benefit from faster, more effective processes and noticeably improved comfort.

More information: Security screening an passport control

Before your departure, you will pass through several checkpoints. Please note the following information:


  • Passport control

    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

    Traveling with kids:
    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. If only one parent is traveling with the child or if the child is traveling with a non-custodial person, a declaration of consent from both parents is required. More info: Flying with children

  • Security control


    5 tips for security control:

    • Use all checkpoints
    • Enter the checkpoint only after being asked to do so.
    • Bring only one piece of hand luggage to the checkpoint
    • Check in all other baggage
    • Put your baggage tubs back on your own
  • Boarding pass control

    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.

    In Terminal 1, boarding passes are checked directly at your gate before departure.

Download Passngr app


  • The Passngr app is your personal travel companion for your departure from Munich.

  • Save your flight in the app and receive all updates on your flight status. So you have every change to your flight at any time in view.
  • All information about your flight, such as eve check-in and entry requirements in your destination country are available with just a few clicks.
  • In addition, the Passngr app shows the entire range of shops, restaurants and services at the airport, as well as current promotions and discounts. Simply save your favorites for your stay at Munich Airport.

Download Passngr app

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