Munich Airport (MUC), officially named Franz Josef Strauß International Airport, is Germany’s second-busiest aviation hub and one of Europe’s most modern, highly-rated facility complexes. Located approximately 28 km northeast of Munich city center, the airport operates two main passenger terminals: Terminal 1 (divided into Modules A, B, C, D, and E) and Terminal 2 (which features an automated underground passenger train connecting to its advanced Satellite Terminal building).

Physically separated yet seamlessly connected, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 sit adjacent to each other with the Munich Airport Center (MAC) serving as the central covered plaza and pedestrian walkway between them. Transiting across Munich Airport is intuitive: transfers between T1 and T2 take place on foot through the covered MAC plaza landside, while transfers between Terminal 2 Main and the T2 Satellite rely on a high-speed underground train system (PTS).

Munich Airport Inter-Terminal Distances & Transit Matrix
Route (Origin → Destination) Transfer Mode Access Type Distance & Est. Transit Time
Terminal 1 ↔ MAC Central Plaza Covered Pedestrian Walkway Landside (Pre-Security) 150 m (2 – 3 Mins)
MAC Plaza ↔ Terminal 2 Main Covered Pedestrian Walkway Landside (Pre-Security) 200 m (3 – 4 Mins)
Terminal 1 (Module A) ↔ Terminal 2 (Main) MAC Pedestrian Concourse Walk Landside (Pre-Security) 450 m (5 – 8 Mins)
Terminal 2 Main ↔ T2 Satellite Gates (K/L) PTS Underground Automated Train Airside (Post-Security) 600 m (1 Min train ride / 5 Mins total)
T1 Airside ↔ T2 Airside (Transfer Shuttle) Airside Apron Transit Bus Airside (Connecting Passengers) 1.8 km (10 – 15 Mins total)

Golden Rule for Munich Airport Connection Times

For connections inside Terminal 2 (between Gates G/H and Satellite Gates K/L), budget at least 45 to 60 minutes. For transfers between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 that require walking across the MAC and re-clearing security or passport control, budget a minimum of 75 to 120 minutes.

Terminal Layout & Operational Breakdown

Munich Airport strictly organizes its carriers based on airline alliance membership and flight operational models:

Terminal 1 (Modules A – E & Hall F)

Primary Hub: Oneworld, SkyTeam, Point-to-Point & Charter Airlines

The original hub of MUC, organized into five operational modules (A, B, C, D, E) plus security Hall F (dedicated to high-security flights). T1 handles non-Lufthansa international carriers, charter services, and point-to-point flights.

Terminal 2 Main Building (Gates G & H)

Primary Hub: Lufthansa, Air Dolomiti, Star Alliance Partners

Jointly operated by Lufthansa and Munich Airport. Features centralized security with next-generation CT scanners, self bag-drop stations, direct access to the MAC, Schengen boarding (Gates G), and Non-Schengen boarding (Gates H).

Terminal 2 Satellite Building (Gates K & L)

Primary Hub: Lufthansa Long-Haul, Star Alliance International Routes

Europe’s first midfield satellite terminal. Features Schengen gates (Level K) and Non-Schengen gates (Level L). Reached in less than 60 seconds from Terminal 2 Main via the driverless subterranean PTS train system.

Munich Airport Center (MAC)

Role: Central Landside Transit & Retail Hub

A massive covered outdoor-feel plaza linking T1 and T2. Houses the subterranean S-Bahn train station, central baggage storage, Lost & Found office, rental car center, fast-food outlets, and over 150 retail stores.

Terminal Airline Allocation

Air carriers at Munich Airport are distributed according to terminal infrastructure specialization:

Terminal Facility Key Carriers & Alliances Gate Range / Areas Transit Link
Terminal 1 (Module A – D) British Airways, American Airlines, Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways Gates A, B, C, D (Schengen & Non-Schengen) Walk via MAC Plaza to T2 / S-Bahn
Terminal 1 (Module E / Hall F) Arrivals processing & high-security charter flights Module E / Hall F Landside MAC Connection
Terminal 2 Main Lufthansa, Air Dolomiti, United Airlines, Air Canada, ANA, Swiss, Austrian Airlines Gates G (Schengen) / Gates H (Non-Schengen) Direct Walkway to MAC; PTS Train to Satellite
Terminal 2 Satellite Lufthansa Long-Haul, Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance partners Gates K (Schengen) / Gates L (Non-Schengen) 1-Min PTS Underground Train to T2 Main

Inter-Terminal Transport & Shuttle Services

Passenger Transportation System (PTS Underground Train)

Route: Terminal 2 Main ↔ Terminal 2 Satellite | Ride Time: 1 Minute (24/7 Service)

An automated, double-track driverless subway running under the apron between T2 Main and T2 Satellite.

  • Access: Airside post-security passengers departing from or arriving at Gates K or L.
  • Cost & Frequency: Completely free service operating every few minutes continuously.

MAC Plaza Covered Pedestrian Concourse

Route: Terminal 1 ↔ MAC ↔ Terminal 2 | Walking Time: 5 to 8 Minutes

A weather-protected, fully covered pedestrian plaza connecting all landside areas of the airport.

  • Features: Clear overhead signage, escalators, travelators, and direct access to S-Bahn trains.
  • Luggage Carts: Available throughout the MAC corridor for easy terminal-to-terminal transfers.

Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring from Terminal 2 Main to Satellite Gates

If your departing flight leaves from Terminal 2 Satellite (Gates K1–K52 or L1–L42), follow this connection flow:

Terminal 2 Main to Satellite Transfer Procedure

Step 1

Clear T2 Security

Complete security screening at the central checkpoint on Level 04 of Terminal 2 Main.

Step 2

Follow "Gates K / L" Signs

Locate directional overhead signage for Gates K (Schengen) or L (Non-Schengen) leading down to the PTS station.

Step 3

Board the PTS Train

Step onto the automated underground PTS train for the rapid 60-second ride beneath the airfield apron.

Step 4

Arrive at Boarding Gate

Exit into the central atrium of the Satellite building and proceed directly to your assigned K or L gate.

Public Transportation to Central Munich

Munich Airport is seamlessly connected to central Munich and the surrounding Bavarian region via rail and road link options:

S-Bahn Suburban Trains (S1 & S8)

Departs every 10 minutes directly beneath the MAC (between T1 and T2). Reaches Munich Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) and Marienplatz in approximately 35–40 minutes.

Lufthansa Express Bus

Runs every 20 minutes connecting both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 directly to Munich Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) and Schwabing in around 45 minutes.

Taxi & Rideshare Services

Taxi ranks and designated rideshare pickup points are located directly outside the arrivals levels of T1, T2, and MAC plaza. Travel time to downtown is 35–45 minutes.

Essential Munich Airport Navigation Takeaways

Terminals 1 and 2 are connected landside on foot via the covered Munich Airport Center (MAC).
Terminal 2 Satellite (Gates K/L) is reached via a 1-minute automated underground PTS train.
Lufthansa and Star Alliance airlines operate exclusively out of Terminal 2 and Satellite.
S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 depart every 10 minutes directly beneath the MAC plaza.
Central baggage storage and Lost & Found offices are located inside the MAC plaza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Terminals 1 and 2 are connected landside by the Munich Airport Center (MAC), a large covered plaza. Passengers can walk between the two terminals in about 5 to 8 minutes. For airside connecting passengers, dedicated transit shuttle buses operate across the apron.

Terminal 2 Main and the T2 Satellite building are linked by an automated underground train (Passenger Transportation System - PTS). After clearing security in T2, take the escalators down to the PTS station; the train ride takes just 1 minute.

Lufthansa, along with its partner Air Dolomiti and Star Alliance member airlines, operates exclusively out of Terminal 2 (Gates G and H) and the Terminal 2 Satellite building (Gates K and L).

Take S-Bahn line S1 or S8 from the central underground station located beneath the Munich Airport Center (MAC). Trains depart every 10 minutes and reach central destinations like Marienplatz and Hauptbahnhof in 35 to 40 minutes.

The Lufthansa Express Bus is a non-stop coach service connecting Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) with Munich Airport. It operates daily every 20 minutes, stopping directly outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 curbsides.

Baggage storage is available in two locations: inside the Munich Airport Center (MAC, open 5:00 AM – 11:30 PM) and in Terminal 2 public area (open 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM). Overnight 24-hour luggage storage is also supported.

For connections within Terminal 2 (including the Satellite), allow at least 45 to 60 minutes. For transfers between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 involving security re-screening or passport checks, allow a minimum of 75 to 120 minutes.

The central Lost & Found office is situated in the Munich Airport Center (MAC) plaza area. It operates daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM and offers an online database to search for missing items.

Hall F is a specialized, high-security screening facility located near Terminal 1. It is primarily utilized for processing flights with heightened security requirements, including specific regional and security-sensitive routes.

Tax Refund counters and German Customs offices are located in Terminal 1 (Module B, Level 04) and Terminal 2 (Gates G/H area, Level 04) for non-EU departing passengers.