Confused by Munich public transport? Need an MVV zone map and current 2026 fares? We’ve got you — here’s the simple, saveable guide.
This cheat sheet breaks down the MVV (Munich transport association) in plain English: zones, tickets, apps, and the Deutschlandticket. Los geht’s!
Munich Public Transport at A Glance
How Munich Public Transport Works (2026)
Munich uses an honour-based system, no entry gates on U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams or buses. Random inspections happen often (yes, sometimes incognito). If you’re on a paper ticket, validate it at the blue stamp machine before boarding; app tickets don’t need stamping.
Fines are issued for the wrong or unvalidated ticket, so buy the right one for your zones and trip length.
Where To Buy Tickets (Fast + Foolproof)
MVV Journey Planner and the city’s app MVGO give you live routes, correct fares, and mobile tickets. MVGO also bundles sharing options (MVG bikes, e-scooters, and car sharing) — handy for first/last mile. Pair it with DB Navigator if you’ll ride regional trains beyond Munich.
Munich Zones (MVV) — What You Need To Know
MVV is split into Zone M (the urban core) plus outer zones 1–12. Most city trips stay in M; Munich Airport is in Zone 5. The official zone maps mark each stop with its zone.
Ticket logic in 20 seconds: More zones = higher price. Very short rides can use a Kurzstrecke (short trip); otherwise buy a regular single, a day ticket, or one of the passes below.
Short Trip vs Single Ticket
Kurzstrecke covers up to 4 stops on tram/bus or 2 stops on U-/S-Bahn/Express bus (transfers allowed as long as the total stays within the limit). Anything longer needs a regular single ticket for the zones you cross. All singles are one-way; transfers are fine, backtracking isn’t.
Best Tickets & Passes (2026)
Deutschlandticket (D-Ticket) — the easy button if you’re here a month or doing frequent regional trips. Price 2026: €63/month (personalized, non-transferable). Valid on all local & regional transport nationwide (U-/S-Bahn, tram, bus, RB/RE). Not valid on ICE/IC/EC.
- Day Tickets: Great for 3+ rides in a day inside Zone M (or M+outer zones). Certain single day tickets now include free child accompaniment — check the app before purchase.
- Stripe (Streifenkarte): Flexible, stamp as you go (paper) or use the digital equivalent in the app.
- IsarCard: Weekly/monthly zones-based pass for heavy users who don’t need nationwide travel.
Deals Worth Knowing
Therme Erding Ticket: combo deal that includes transport plus timed entry to the spa/waterpark (upgrade on site for sauna areas). Great rainy-day plan, see our Munich in the rain guide for more cozy ideas.
Current MVV Prices (2026)
Key fares to know right now (always check the app before you ride):
- Short-distance (Kurzstrecke): €2.10
- Single ticket Zone M / Zone 1: €4.20
- Single ticket within one of Zones 2–12 (intra-zone): €2.70
- Children’s single (M–outer zones): €2.00
- Stripe ticket: €18.70 | U21 stripe: €10.20
- Deutschlandticket (D-Ticket): €63/month (local & regional nationwide)
Children & Teens
- Under 6: travel free
- 6–14: reduced child fares
- U21 Stripe Ticket: discounted stripes up to age 20
- Day tickets: select variants include free child accompaniment, see product details in MVGO.
Downloadable Maps (2026)
Grab the latest MVV network/zone PDFs from the MVV website. They’re easy to zoom on mobile (English page available).
Still Stuck? Ask Away!
Drop questions in the comments and we’ll help you pick the right ticket for your trip. And for fresh, bite-size Munich tips, follow @boredinmunich and TikTok.
