Munich Airport is often well regarded by travellers passing through on a layover. While it’s one of Europe’s busiest hubs, the airport is generally easy to navigate, with modern terminals and a layout that makes longer waits more manageable.
If you find yourself with time to spare here, you’ll have a few practical ways to fill the hours—whether that means grabbing a proper meal, stretching your legs, or even stepping outside the airport for a quick look at Bavaria. Below are 14 things to do on a layover at Munich Airport.
1. Enjoy a meal
With 60+ restaurants and cafés, finding food at Munich Airport is usually straightforward. Options range from grab-and-go counters to sit-down cafés, bars, and full-service restaurants serving German and European fare.
If you want to try something local, look for Bavarian classics such as Weißwurst (white sausage), Leberkäse, pretzels, schnitzel, or spaetzle, which appear on menus at several traditional restaurants and brewpubs. Sweet options may include apple strudel, Black Forest–style cakes, or other regional pastries at café counters.
Well-known local names include Käfer Bistro and Dallmayr Bistro, while beer-focused spots such as Airbräu, Paulaner, and Hofbräu Bistro offer hearty meals alongside Bavarian beer. Familiar chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks are also available if you just want something quick and predictable.
A few grocery-style shops sell sandwiches, baked goods, chocolate, and basic food items to take on the plane.
There is no confirmed 24-hour restaurant, but travellers report Foodji vending stations (notably in Terminal 2) dispensing fresh meals during late-night and early-morning hours.
2. Relax in a lounge
Even if you’re flying Economy, lounge access is possible at Munich Airport. Several lounges allow entry via paid access or lounge membership programs. Food, drinks, and quieter seating can make a long layover feel more manageable. [ read more ]
3. Go shopping
Browsing the shops is an easy way to pass time, with roughly 150 stores spread across the terminals. You’ll find convenience shops, bookstores, electronics, duty-free, and international fashion brands.
For locally inspired souvenirs, look for German chocolates, Haribo, Milka, or regional sweets that travel well. Food-focused shops may also carry mustard, preserves, honey, or packaged Bavarian snacks, which make easy gifts.
Shoppers interested in fashion and accessories can find Lloyd (German leather shoes and goods), along with scarves, watches, and travel accessories from European brands. The FC Bayern Munich Fan Shop is a popular stop for football fans looking for jerseys, scarves, or souvenirs tied to the city’s most famous club.
Traditional souvenirs such as beer steins, pretzel-themed gifts, and Bavarian-themed items appear in several souvenir and duty-free shops, especially in central terminal areas.
4. Try the local brew(ery)
Munich sits at the heart of Bavaria’s beer culture, and the airport reflects that. Airbräu, located at the Munich Airport Center, is widely described as the world’s first airport brewery, serving several beers brewed on site alongside traditional Bavarian food.
5. Take a shower
Freshening up between flights can make a big difference. Public showers are available in Terminal 2 and the Munich Airport Center. The fee is €15, which includes towels and toiletries, and travellers should expect an additional refundable deposit (reported as €20).
6. Explore Munich
If you have a long layover—ideally 6–7 hours or more, it’s possible to leave the airport and see part of Munich or a nearby town without rushing.
Munich Airport is about 35 km from the city centre. S-Bahn trains run frequently from the airport and are usually the most predictable way to travel, avoiding road traffic. Trains connect directly to major hubs such as Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof, making it easy to reach central areas.
In Munich, Marienplatz is a practical first stop. From there, landmarks like the Frauenkirche, Viktualienmarkt, and the historic Hofbräuhaus are within walking distance. If you prefer something quieter, areas around Gärtnerplatz offer cafés and neighbourhood streets that feel more local than touristy.
If heading all the way into the city feels too ambitious, Freising is a good alternative. Located roughly 20 minutes from the airport, this smaller Bavarian town has a compact historic centre, cafés, and the cathedral of St. Maria and St. Korbinian, making it easier to explore on a shorter timetable.
Whichever option you choose, allow generous buffer time to return to the airport, retrieve any stored luggage, and clear security again.
For more ideas and tips, see our Munich Airport Layover Sightseeing article. And remember to leave plenty of time to return to the airport, grab your baggage, and process through security.
7. Go for a massage
For a short break, massage services are available. The Chi-Mas Institute offers acupressure massages in Terminal 2, typically operating daily.
8. Check out Visitor’s Park
Visitor’s Park, located near the airport, is especially popular with families. It includes outdoor aircraft displays, a themed playground, and interactive exhibits focused on aviation.
9. Enjoy the view
Located within Visitor’s Park, Visitor’s Hill offers open views of the runways and Terminal 1 area. Reaching the platform requires climbing 172 steps.
Entry is reported as €1. Access is 24 hours, though weather and conditions may affect availability.
10. Visit the casino
Feeling lucky? Casino gaming is available landside, with video slot machines and table games located before security in parts of the terminals.
11. Check out the seasonal activities
During winter, the Munich Airport Center (MAC) often hosts seasonal events. Between mid-November and early January, this may include Christmas décor, market stalls, and, in some years, an ice rink. Offerings are seasonal and change annually.
12. Stop by a salon
Several salons and beauty service providers operate throughout the airport, offering haircuts, styling, and basic grooming—useful if you want to freshen up before your next flight.
13. Get connected
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Munich Airport. Access requires a short registration, typically using your name and email address.
14. Sleep
Munich Airport is generally considered manageable for short naps, with plenty of seating throughout the terminals. Travellers often report more comfortable seating in Terminal 2, including designated Rest Zones with reclining chairs and footrests. Overnight stays require planning. Security areas close overnight, so if you are not airside before closure, you’ll remain landside until morning. [ read more ]
For more privacy, NapCabs are available airside in Terminal 2, offering enclosed sleep pods with a bed, small workspace, and privacy blinds. Rentals are by the hour, with a minimum stay typically required. For a full hotel experience, the Hilton Airport Munich is located between Terminals 1 and 2, with additional hotels nearby. See our Munich Airport Guide for locations and details. [ read more ]
Updated 18 December 2025
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Munich Airport. Visit our Munich Airport Guide for more information about more services and facilities available, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.