OT Munich Airport

[Debbie]

I will be flying Toronto to Munich to Cairo in December. This will be my first time in the airport, and my transfer time is tight. Can anyone give me a lowdown on how to manage? Any and all suggestions and pointers are welcome! Thank you!

 

[crashbb]

Sadly, our expert (Bavaria) no longer posts here. I've never transferred through Munich, so I don't have any good advice, but I'd suggest asking on FlyerTalk - either in the Germany board or Star Alliance (assuming you are flying Air Canada to Egypt Air - which you may not be, of course).

Also check out TripAdvisor. Look at the right hand side of this page (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowForum-g187309-i118-Munich_Bavaria.html) and you'll see something that says "Change Flights at MUC airport". It gives links to instructions for various scenarios.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Here you go . . . info supplied by the expert! Not me . . .

MUC is EASY. The international ie non-Schengen gates are the H gates on the upper level of the airport. One has to pass through exit controls (ie passport check there)

Basically, she will land and either take a bus to the gate or there will be a jetbridge at a gate. She will exit towards connecting flights and will reclear security (hint put everything back in the 3-1-1 bag before landing from the first flight) MUC security is the BEST and most friendly if she makes a mistake; they will practically hug her (well, if they weren't German) and will show her what to do. No shoe removal PLEASE!!!! Wait times average 5-10 min max.

After clearing, she will take the escalator up to the H gates. There she will pass through a passport control check and once through she will be at the non-Schengen gates. There is Duty Free, LH lounges and shops and services there.

No idea if this link is helpful http://www.munich-airport.de/en/cons...ngen/index.jsp

The very same folks that decided the "see under your clothes scanners" are wothless are friendly too!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I've been through MUC several times. Don't remember any particular problems. Be prepared for extensive security and intrusive pat-downs.

You might find this of interest:

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airports/Airport_forum/muc.htm

 

[Debbie]

Thank you all so much. The suggestions for other boards are appreciated. And please pass on my thanks to the expert. I knew someone would have just what I need to allay any fears.

 

[CPT Tripss]

OP . . . please be advised that security at MUC is not nearly as likely to engage in the intimate hands-on body feeling as US Airport Security Screeners. And, as I noted before, they won't use scaners that can look underneath your clothing. Just remember to keep your shoes on!

 

[levinaz]

Yup..that's true.. Its not like that as it showing ,,.!!

 

[Brian Noble]

MUC is a fairly compact (and nice) airport. I've only flown to it, not through it, but I would imagine it won't be nearly as difficult as it might for a larger hub.

It is also the only place I've ever been pick-pocketed, so follow the usual precautions when traveling. I did have my drivers' license in my "regular" wallet, and one credit card, but almost no cash. Passport, two other credit cards, and the bulk of my cash were in a neck wallet. So, a little bit of a hassle, but no major harm done.

 

[nordkin]

We did not have any problems with security there, but it is the only airport that security checked all the lenses for my camera and I had to take pictures of certain things I was told to take pictures of. No big deal and only took about 5 minutes.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OP . . . please be advised that security at MUC is not nearly as likely to engage in the intimate hands-on body feeling as US Airport Security Screeners. And, as I noted before, they won't use scaners that can look underneath your clothing. Just remember to keep your shoes on!

Is everything you post a rant against the TSA? You are entitled to your opinion, but continuously posting the same thing really dilutes the message.

I assume that you have never been in a German airport. Just the opposite of what you have posted is true. In Germany, airport security is extremely likely to engage in very intimate hands on screening, feeling your entire body. I was rather shocked the first time I got a very enhanced pat-down at a German airport (ALL PAX were treated in this way). I have never experienced anything like it from a TSA agent. I'll take a body scanner any day.

 

[CPT Tripss]

PP's assumption is incorrect. My experience is much different than he discribes.

eta: My posts here are hardly a rant. Fact - Germany tested and then rejected the body scanners because they had too many false positives, alarming on such things as perspiration, pleated skirts and poor posture.

 

[Flossbolna]

I connect regularly through Munich and it is my favourite airport for connecting flights, it has a very easy layout and good signs. It was specifically designed for conncecting flights (Terminal 2 were all the Lufthansa flights are is very new). I know that they routinely allow flight bookings with transfer times as short as 30 minutes - and I would have no problem booking a flight with such a short transfer there. While for Frankfurt I would always want at least 1.5 hours!

On the question about security: I am German and have a lot of experience with German airports and I never experienced a situation were every traveler was subjected to a pat down. I am not saying that this might happen if there is a special security alarm, but it definitely is not standard procedure. I am very good at avoiding wearing anything with metal on my body, so normally I pass the metal detector without any sign and if this is the case, I am free to go on. Also, Germany does not require you to take your shoes off.

And finally, CPT Tripss: it was nice to read a few lines from the expert! If you are in contact with her, please tell her that I say hi! I miss her posting here!

 

[Debbie]

I connect regularly through Munich and it is my favourite airport for connecting flights, it has a very easy layout and good signs. It was specifically designed for connecting flights (Terminal 2 where all the Lufthansa flights are is very new). I know that they routinely allow flight bookings with transfer times as short as 30 minutes - and I would have no problem booking a flight with such a short transfer there. While for Frankfurt I would always want at least 1.5 hours!

On the question about security: I am German and have a lot of experience with German airports and I never experienced a situation were every traveler was subjected to a pat down. I am not saying that this might happen if there is a special security alarm, but it definitely is not standard procedure. I am very good at avoiding wearing anything with metal on my body, so normally I pass the metal detector without any sign and if this is the case, I am free to go on. Also, Germany does not require you to take your shoes off.

And finally, CPT Tripss: it was nice to read a few lines from the expert! If you are in contact with her, please tell her that I say hi! I miss her posting here!

Thank you, Flossbolna. Your answer is instilling confidence in me to be sure! I will be flying Lufthansa the distance, and so will be in that terminal. I'll be waiting in Frankfurt on my trip home.

 

[crashbb]

Probably more than you ever wanted to know about transfering in Munich (flying LH to LH).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles-more-lufthansa-austrian-swiss-other-partners/749463-connecting-muc-muc-connection-q-thread-merged.html

It starts in 2007, but the most recent posts are this week (so, you can start at the end).

And for coming home...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles-more-lufthansa-austrian-swiss-other-partners/982019-beginners-guide-connecting-fra-fra-connection-thread.html

 

[CPT Tripss]

Some may be stuck in the 70s when Andreas und Ulrike were running around with the Rote Armee Fraktion . . .

The best wurst are from . . . Nurnberg or Regansburg?

 

[Flossbolna]

The best wurst are from . . . Nurnberg or Regansburg?

Nürnberg of course (see my location... )

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you, Flossbolna. Your answer is instilling confidence in me to be sure! I will be flying Lufthansa the distance, and so will be in that terminal. I'll be waiting in Frankfurt on my trip home.

Frankfurt isn't too bad either, it is just very large and has a slightly confusing layout. But there are plenty of signs. Just don't be surprised if you have to go down into the basement with an elevator and then walk along a rather long tunnel - that is the correct way from terminal A to terminal B.

Lufthansa tends to use the same gate for their flights every day, so if you would check your flight's status in the weeks before your flight you might find out where you will depart and can familiarize yourself with the airport map beforehand.

And even though th expert said you need to reclear security in Munich, I am not so sure whether that would be the case if you are connecting to Cairo, I think the second security check is only in place for USA flights. In Frankfurt there are even some gates in terminal B where you might be able to go directly without security check even for USA flights, but I am not sure whether this is still the case now. Otherwise be prepared to go through security in Frankfurt - and there might be long lines there!