Parking options at Munich Airport: all options at a glance
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As soon as a partner is activated, you will find their offers with real prices on the airport page.
Around Munich Airport there are more parking options than you might think at first glance. The airport itself operates multi-storey car parks and car parks at varying distances from the terminals. In addition, there are private providers with valet and shuttle services, as well as the option of being dropped off and picked up. Which solution is best depends on the length of the trip, luggage, budget and departure time. This overview puts the options into context – without pushing you towards a particular solution.
Key facts at a glance
- Airport car parks: closest to the terminals, often the most expensive on long trips.
- Valet parking: handover near the terminal, a driver parks your car at the provider's site.
- Shuttle parking: park yourself in the surrounding area, transfer by shuttle.
- Being dropped off and picked up: no parking costs, but four journeys for the driver.
1. The airport's multi-storey car parks and car parks
Munich Airport offers its own parking areas – from multi-storey car parks directly at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to car parks further outside the terminal area. The big advantage is proximity: you park and walk to check-in or reach it via a short connection. For short stays, for example when you are picking someone up, these areas are practical. On a holiday of one or two weeks, however, the daily rates add up quickly. The airport publishes the location of the car parks and the current rates on munich-airport.de. You can find out more about the terminals in the guide Terminals at Munich Airport.
2. Valet parking
With valet parking you drive to a meeting point near the terminal, hand over the car and keys to a driver and go straight to check-in. During your trip the car stays on the provider's site. On your return it is brought back to you. Valet is comfortable and fast, but usually more expensive than shuttle parking. Everything about the procedure is in the guide Valet parking at Munich Airport.
3. Shuttle parking
Shuttle car parks are located outside the airport grounds, often in business parks in the towns around the Erdinger Moos. You park yourself and take the provider's shuttle to the terminal. This is usually cheaper than valet and than the car park at the terminal, but costs transfer time. How to plan for it correctly is explained in the guide Shuttle parking at Munich Airport.
4. Being dropped off and picked up
If you are dropped off, you pay no parking fee. But bear in mind: the person driving you covers the route to the airport twice for both the outbound and the return flight. With an airport around 30 kilometres outside the city, that is a noticeable effort – especially since return flights can be delayed. The airport's rules apply to brief stops at the drop-off area; find out beforehand on its website.
Comparison at a glance
| Option | Proximity to the terminal | Time required | Cost level on long trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car park at the terminal | Very close | Low | Rather high |
| Valet parking | Handover near the terminal | Low | Medium to high |
| Shuttle parking | Transfer required | Medium | Rather low |
| Being dropped off | Drop-off area | Depends on the driver | No parking fee |
Which option suits which trip?
- Short trip or pick-up: car park at the terminal or being dropped off.
- Holiday with many parking days: shuttle parking, see Long-term parking at Munich Airport.
- Family with lots of luggage: valet parking, see With family and luggage to Munich Airport.
- Early flight or tight schedule: valet or a car park at the terminal.
A word about costs
Always compare the final price for your period. Daily rates alone say little, because many providers stagger prices by duration and some charge supplements, for example for additional people in the shuttle. Which factors determine the price is explained in the guide Parking costs at Munich Airport. When it is best to reserve is set out in the guide Reserving a car park at Munich Airport.
Getting to your parking option
Whatever you decide: for most drivers the route to Munich Airport leads via the A92, which joins the A9 at the Neufahrn motorway junction. Enter the specific address of your parking option in the sat nav – for shuttle providers the address of the car park, for valet the meeting point from the confirmation. More on the route in the guide Driving to Munich Airport.
Parking for people picking up and short stays
Not everyone who drives to Munich Airport is flying themselves. If you are picking up relatives or guests, you only need a parking space for a short time. The airport's multi-storey car parks near the terminals are best suited for this. Follow the flight status online so that you do not arrive too early, and agree on a clear meeting point in the arrivals area of the right terminal. The airport's rules, published on munich-airport.de, apply to brief stops at the drop-off area. Waiting for long periods at the drop-off area is generally not intended.
Parking with a large vehicle
Motorhome, van, minibus or a car with a roof box – not every parking area is suitable. Multi-storey car parks almost always have a maximum entry height. Private providers with open-air areas are more likely to be able to accommodate larger vehicles, but even that cannot be taken for granted. State the vehicle type and dimensions when booking. For travellers who come to the airport in a motorhome to fly on from there, coordinating with the provider early is particularly important. More in the frequently asked questions about large vehicles.
Electric car at the airport
With an electric car, the question arises whether you can charge during your trip. Some parking providers offer this as an additional service. Whether this is possible with your provider is stated in the offer description. If not, plan your range so that you can safely get home or to the next charging station after your return. Bear in mind that a battery loses charge in the cold and during a long standstill.
Choosing by length of trip
As a rule of thumb: the shorter the stay, the more attractive the car parks right at the terminal; the longer, the more it pays to look at private providers. Between the two lies valet parking as a comfortable option for anyone who values short distances with luggage. Being dropped off and picked up is an option for travellers with helpful people around them, but it means effort for others.
Choosing by departure time
Very early departures and very late landings narrow the choice, because not every private provider can be reached around the clock. Check operating hours before you commit. The airport's car parks are independent of this but cost more on long trips. If you are flying early, you will find tips in the guide Early flight from Munich.
Common mistakes when choosing a parking option
- Only looking at the daily rate: on long trips, the final price for the entire period is decisive.
- Ignoring the terminal: a car park at the wrong terminal means long walks with luggage.
- Overlooking operating hours: if you land late, you need a provider that still returns cars at that time.
- Booking too late: during the holidays, popular offers are taken early.
- Not planning a reserve: with shuttle parking in particular, the transfer takes time.
If you keep these points in mind, you will find the parking option at Munich Airport that suits your trip – whether multi-storey car park, valet or shuttle.
Combinations that work well
Sometimes the best solution is a combination. An example: a family member drives you to the airport in the morning, but no driver is available for the late return. Then it is worth parking your own car via valet or shuttle – just not on the day of departure but beforehand, which complicates the planning. In most cases it is simpler to choose a solution that covers both ends of the trip. A car park booked in advance with suitable operating hours is often the most stress-free choice here.
Our tip: first decide on a type of parking based on the length of the trip and the times, and then compare the offers within that category. That way you keep an overview instead of comparing apples with oranges.
Parking via Friend-Park
Friend-Park compares the valet and shuttle offers of affiliated providers with the final price for your travel dates. Which providers can already be booked at Munich Airport is shown on the page Parking at Munich Airport.
