Munich Airport Arrivals: Two Terminals, Two Levels

Munich is Germany’s largest airport by area, and you feel that scale the moment you land: the two terminals are laid out differently on arrival, on different levels, with different routes to baggage claim. Knowing which terminal you’re arriving into saves a fair amount of walking by the end.

Terminal 1: arrivals on level 4

In Terminal 1, the arrivals level sits on level 4, along with passport control. Since 21 April 2026, the new Terminal 1 pier has also been in operation, changing the layout of the whole terminal.

The new pier is arranged over three levels: level 3 with baggage claim and bus gates, level 4 with shopping and dining for the departures side, and level 5 with the arrivals area, including passport and security control. If you’re landing into Terminal 1, watch the signage for the right level — the new pier has changed the familiar routes noticeably compared with previous years.

Terminal 2: arrivals on level 3, baggage centralised

In Terminal 2, the arrivals level sits on level 3. Baggage claim is centralised in Terminal 2, comfortably reached via escalators, with 14 carousels built to keep processing quick.

For passengers who land in Terminal 1 but whose luggage is routed through Terminal 2’s central claim area — which happens with certain airline combinations — that means an extra walk between terminals. If in doubt, check the carousel display for which belt serves your flight rather than relying on the terminal you landed in alone.

Accessibility in the arrivals area

As Germany’s largest airport, Munich is built for accessibility with corresponding consistency: lifts and ramps connect every relevant level in both terminals, and at central points — including right at the MAC — you’ll find staff on hand to assist with onward travel where needed. Ideally, flag that need when booking your flight, so the airline can arrange assistance at the destination airport in advance.

Travellers with small children are worth a look too: baby-changing facilities sit near arrivals in both terminals, and luggage trolleys are free at baggage claim.

The route through customs

After baggage claim comes customs, with two exits: the red-marked exit for goods requiring declaration and the green-marked exit for everything else, or when arriving from an EU member state. That split is set up the same way at every German airport, but especially after a long flight with tired fellow travellers, the moment it takes to pick the right lane beats ending up in the wrong queue.

SIM cards, cash and first errands

For international arrivals, it’s worth a quick look at what can be sorted before you even leave the terminal. The MAC area has mobile providers for a local SIM card, several cash machines and currency exchange desks — handy if you need cash or a working connection right after landing rather than hunting for one in the city.

Check exchange rates critically even so: bureaux right at the airport rarely offer the best rates, and for larger amounts your own bank’s cash machine usually beats the terminal exchange counter.

If you’re flying onward the same day

On an international connection the same day, budget extra time for going through security again, even if your luggage is already checked through to your final destination. Munich is a well-organised connecting airport, but airlines’ minimum connection times are set for a smooth handover, not for a terminal change with the extra walking described above.

Munich Airport Center: the central hub

From the same level you reach the Munich Airport Center (MAC) — the central point with a meeting point, information desks, hotel booking, travel agencies, shops, restaurants, car rental desks, bus stops, shuttle services, taxi ranks and S-Bahn access.

For a pick-up, the MAC is the most practical agreed meeting point: it’s reachable from both terminals, well signposted, and large enough to still work as a fixed landmark even when busy. Agree a specific spot within the MAC with whoever’s collecting you, not just “at the exit” — with two terminals and several exits, that’s too vague.

Onward travel from Munich

From the MAC, several options open up for onward travel, and they differ considerably in price and speed.

S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 connect the airport with central Munich, with journey times of roughly 40 to 45 minutes depending on your destination and line.

Taxis wait right at the MAC — the fastest but also the most expensive option into the city.

Rental cars can also be picked up right at the MAC — the relevant desks sit in the same building complex as the other services.

How parking for those picking someone up actually works at Munich Airport, including the free short-stay options, is under parking at Munich Airport.

Connecting flights between terminals

One point that matters especially if you’re changing flights in Munich: land in Terminal 1 with a connecting flight departing from Terminal 2, or the other way round, and you need a route between buildings, not just within one terminal. Budget for going through security again on a terminal change, since both terminals run separate security areas.

Check your connecting flight’s terminal before you even depart, not after landing — with a tight connection, a terminal change is the single most common reason for a missed connection in Munich, well ahead of an actual flight delay.

Lost or damaged baggage

If your bag doesn’t show up on the belt or arrives damaged, the relevant airline’s desk sits right in the baggage claim area, usually near the carousels themselves. Report damage or loss while you’re still at the airport, before leaving the building — reporting it afterwards is possible but considerably more cumbersome and extends processing time significantly.

Hold on to your baggage tag until the case is fully resolved, even once your suitcase has turned up — it’s the only direct proof of which item belonged to which flight, should a query come up later.

What to know for a smooth arrival

Check your terminal before departure, not just on landing — airlines occasionally switch terminals, especially since the new Terminal 1 pier opened.

Expect the new pier layout in Terminal 1 if it’s been a while since your last visit to Munich — the routes have changed noticeably since April 2026, and older experience only gets you so far.

Use the baggage display actively rather than assuming a fixed link between terminal and carousel — with 14 belts in Terminal 2, a quick glance at the screen is worth it.

Agree a specific meeting point within the MAC if someone’s picking you up — it saves both sides unnecessary searching after landing.

Arriving outside peak hours

One point that directly affects your wait: like any major airport, Munich has pronounced peak windows, particularly late morning and early evening, when several long-haul flights land in quick succession. Passport control and baggage claim are noticeably busier during those windows than, say, in the early morning.

If you still have a choice when booking and a relaxed arrival matters more than the exact time, it’s worth comparing your arrival time against other flights landing the same day — a flight landing an hour either side of the main rush can make a difference of ten to twenty minutes at the carousel.

The reverse journey — check-in, security and which terminal belongs to which airline — is under Munich Airport departures.

If you want to visit the airport without a boarding pass, the winter Christmas market is its own reason to go, covered under Munich Airport’s Christmas market.

All details reflect the position in 2026, per Munich Airport. Terminal assignments, routing and individual opening hours can change, particularly in the first year after the new pier opened — check the current position directly with the airport before your flight. More on arrivals and baggage at German airports is under Arrival & Baggage.