The capital of Bavaria, the birthplace of BMW cars, the largest cultural and industrial center of Germany - all this is about Munich. Despite this, the metro appeared relatively recently in 1971, although it was planned from the beginning of the last century. What are its features and differences from other subways?
A bit of history
In 1905, there was a project for the construction of a railway underground from the Main Station to the East Station. But due to insufficient passenger traffic, this plan was not implemented. They tried to implement it later, in the twenties and thirties, but first the world economic crisis, and then the Second World War, slowed down the construction of the subway.
Wartime devastatingly affected Munich. The metro, or rather its tunnel, was used as a bomb shelter. After World War II, it served as a place for growing mushrooms.
Due to the lack of financial opportunities for the construction of the subway did not return for a long time. Only when they announced that the city will become the venue for the Olympic Games, the construction of the subway began at full strength, and on October 19, 1971 it opened its doors to passengers.
general description
The metro has 100 stations and 8 lines, and its length is 103.1 km. It is one of the most convenient in Europe, as it has elevators, bike parks, travelators, escalators and even defibrillators - special devices to assist in cardiac arrest. In addition, there are mobile communications and the Internet.
The working hours of the metro are from 4 AM to 1 AM, and on weekends and holidays until 2:00 AM. Trains run at intervals of 10-20 minutes, during peak hours this interval is reduced to 5. The maximum speed with which this type of transport can travel is 80 km / h, but the average is 36.7 km / h.
All stations are equipped with a display on which you can see the arrival time of the next train. There is also a Munich metro circuit at every stop . Special mobile applications (for example, Google Maps) will help to avoid long expectations and correctly calculate the time. You can see in them when the next train arrives to arrive at the indicated time.
Munich Metro: Zones
The public transport network is divided into four parts, which are indicated on the map in different colors. Depending on the area in which you plan to go, the price of tickets for the metro in Munich will vary.
The first area in German is called Innerraum, which means "Inner Zone". On the map, it is painted white and includes most of the city's attractions: Karlsplatz, Marienplatz, BMW Museum, English Garden, Nymphenburg, Olympic Park, Main Station and the zoo.
The second zone, called Munchen XXL, is highlighted in white and green. It includes Starnberg, Schleissheim, Poing Wildlife Park and Dachau.
The third zone in the Munich metro in Russian is called the "External Region" and is indicated by green, yellow and red colors. This includes the outer ring of the suburbs, excluding the central part of the city.
Finally, the fourth part includes the “Entire Network” - white, red, green and yellow zones. It also includes Munich Airport and two lakes - Starnberger See and Ammersee.
How to purchase metro tickets?
First of all, it is worth planning the route and calculating which zones it will go through, since the amount that will have to be spent on travel (from 2.7 to 10.5 euros) directly depends on this.
It should be noted that if it is planned to combine several types of transport in one trip (for example, metro and trolley bus or tram), you do not need to buy a separate ticket for each. Travel documents in the Bavarian capital are unified and provide for the possibility of transfers during the validity period of the ticket. You can buy them in special vending machines in the Munich metro (in Russian and English), at the airport ticket offices and even at hotel receptions.
For one passenger
A single ticket for a trip within the first zone costs 2.70 euros and is valid for three hours, starting from the second - for four hours. You can also purchase a short trip for 1.4 euros, its duration is 60 minutes, and it includes a maximum of 4 stops, of which there can be no more than two by metro or train.
If you plan several trips in one day, it is better to buy a daily card. It will cost 6 euros and will allow you to travel on any transport without restrictions until 6 am the next day. Such cards are also provided for three days, in which case you will have to pay 15 euros.
The most profitable options are travel for a longer time. But keep in mind that for a week they can be purchased only on Monday, and for a month - only in its early days. It is permissible to transport children from 6 to 14 years of age on travel cards (if there are documents confirming family ties) on weekdays, starting from 9 a.m., and on weekends.
How to save money with a company
There is a so-called striped ticket, consisting of 10 strips. How many lines you need to tear off depends on the social status, age of passengers and the distance of travel. The nominal value of one strip is 1.3 euros. For example, for a trip within one zone, the child will need to tear off one line, and an adult - two.
If you plan several trips by public transport with the company within one day, you can buy a daily ticket, which is designed for groups of up to 5 people. Its price is 11.2 euros.
Another option - a Bavarian ticket - allows you to travel in all areas of Munich, in its suburbs and some cities of other lands. It costs 22 euros, and up to 5 people can ride on it (for each you will need to pay 4 euros).
Can I drive without a ticket?
There are no turnstiles at the stations, but this does not mean that it will be possible to ride for free. This is vigilantly monitored by controllers who do not care, the tourist in front of them, who did not really manage to understand all the intricacies of the transport system, or the local resident. In any case, they will write a fine of 40 euros.
But do not think that when buying tickets and making routes, certain difficulties must arise. Although the Munich metro scheme in Russian is not available here, it is possible to find an understandable menu for tourists who do not speak German and English in the vending machines.
Escalators are faced by validators, with the help of which it is necessary to validate the purchased ticket. After this procedure, it will reflect the date, time and name of the station. This information is checked by controllers.
Metro Features
In places where the subway is connected to the city train, there are special points consisting of several cafes, large elevators, which accommodate several baby strollers and wheelchairs, and bicycle parking. You can’t smoke here, but you can drink beer (like almost anywhere in Germany).
On one rail track trains of different branches pass. The metro scheme of Munich will help you understand exactly what you need to take - it can be found at every stop and on the official website of the city’s public transport. There is one in our article.
Despite the small distances in a city such as Munich, the metro includes a lot of stations (and occupies one of the first places in the world in their number per 1000 inhabitants). Trains move quite slowly and quietly, allowing passengers to talk to each other without straining the vocal cords. Most stations are underground, with the exception of one located on a flyover and five built above the ground.
Interesting Facts
In 1972, the Olympic Games were held in the city, and in 1980 the pope came to Munich. The Nuremberg metro borrowed several trains for these purposes, since their designs were similar. There was an opposite exchange - in 1978 for the Nuremberg Christmas Market. Currently, such an operation is technically impossible, since the design of trains in these cities has changed.
Munich metro reviews
Most passengers note the convenience of this type of transport: they praise the presence of bicycle parking, elevators, electronic displays, route diagrams at each station, and the station names coincide with the city ground electric train.
The complicated system of buying tickets is not very pleasing to foreign tourists, because of which it is not always possible to understand which one should be chosen in this or that case. You have to spend time, which is often limited, to figure it out.
The downside is the relatively high cost of travel - especially for those who travel alone. But in general, the ticket price does not exceed the average cost in Europe.
Despite the shortcomings, the metro in this city is one of the fastest and most convenient modes of transport, allowing you to comfortably reach almost anywhere in Munich.