25/01/2025
When planning a trip, particularly one involving air travel, understanding your onward transportation options from the airport is paramount. Memmingen Airport (FMM), often referred to as Allgäu Airport, serves as a crucial gateway to the beautiful Bavarian region and beyond. For many UK travellers, navigating a new transport system in a foreign country can be a daunting prospect. This guide aims to demystify the various ways to get from Memmingen Airport to your desired destination, offering insights into buses, trains, and, of course, the ever-reliable taxi and private transfer services. Making an informed choice before you even land can save you time, stress, and potentially a good deal of money, ensuring a smooth start to your German adventure.
Upon arrival at Memmingen Airport, travellers are presented with several public transport options designed to connect them to the nearby town of Memmingen or directly to major cities like Munich. Each mode of transport offers a different balance of cost, convenience, and travel time, making it essential to consider your priorities.
Firstly, for those looking to reach Memmingen town itself, a direct bus service is readily available and remarkably efficient. These buses depart directly from the airport terminal, offering a seamless connection to Memmingen. The journey is surprisingly quick, taking approximately just 10 minutes to reach the town centre. Services run hourly, operating every day, which provides a consistent and reliable option for local connections. This local bus service is often the most cost-effective way to cover the short distance to Memmingen town.
Once in Memmingen, the railway station serves as a hub for onward travel, particularly for those heading to Munich. It's important to note that the railway station is located in the centre of Memmingen, approximately 4 kilometres from the airport. This means that if your ultimate destination is Munich by train, you'll first need to take the aforementioned direct bus from the airport to Memmingen town. From Memmingen, train journeys to Munich typically take around 1 hour and 33 minutes. Ticket costs for the train start from approximately EUR 23.7. A key point to remember with train tickets is that, contrary to what one might expect with some UK train services, tickets bought in advance for this specific route might actually be more expensive than those purchased closer to the departure time. Always check the latest pricing on the Deutsche Bahn website.
Beyond the local bus and train, a dedicated shuttle bus service operates directly from Memmingen Airport to Munich. This is a popular choice for many travellers, offering a direct link without the need for an intermediate stop in Memmingen town. These shuttle services generally take between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 25 minutes to reach Munich, depending on the specific carrier and traffic conditions. Ticket prices for the shuttle vary slightly between EUR 13.75 and EUR 15. A useful tip for these shuttle services is to purchase your tickets online beforehand. Buying tickets directly from the driver before boarding can incur an additional cost of several euros, making online booking a more cost-effective strategy. Furthermore, these shuttle services often provide excellent discount systems for group transfers, including 'family' and 'children' travel cards, which can offer significant savings for those travelling together.
The Unrivalled Convenience of Taxis and Private Transfers
While public transport options from Memmingen Airport offer affordability and good coverage during the day, there are specific scenarios where the comfort, speed, and round-the-clock availability of a taxi or pre-booked transfer become invaluable.
For those whose flights arrive or depart outside of typical public transport operating hours, particularly late at night or very early in the morning, taxis and pre-booked transfers stand out as the only viable option. Unlike buses and trains, which cease operations at night, these private services are available 24/7, providing peace of mind for travellers with irregular schedules.
The journey from Memmingen Airport to Munich by taxi or pre-booked transfer typically takes approximately 1.5 hours, covering a distance of 110 kilometres. While this duration is comparable to the shuttle bus, the experience is vastly different. The cost for such a private transfer is significantly higher, often around EUR 216. However, this price reflects the premium comfort: a direct, door-to-door journey without stops, the luxury of personal space, and assistance with luggage. For families, groups, or business travellers with tight schedules, the added expense can be well justified by the convenience and reduced travel stress. Imagine stepping off your flight and being met by a driver ready to whisk you directly to your hotel or meeting, bypassing any need to navigate unfamiliar public transport systems with luggage. This level of service is particularly appealing after a long flight.
Booking a transfer from Memmingen Airport in advance is highly recommended. This ensures a vehicle is waiting for you upon arrival, eliminating any potential wait times or language barriers when trying to hail a taxi. Many services allow you to book online, providing a fixed price and clear confirmation, which adds another layer of certainty to your travel plans.
Connecting from Munich Central Station to Memmingen Airport
The journey can also be reversed, of course, for those needing to travel from Munich Central Station back to Memmingen Airport. Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, offers a particularly convenient integrated solution for this route.
When booking your journey with Deutsche Bahn, you can specify “Memmingen Allgäu Airport” as your final destination on their website (www.bahn.de). The clever aspect of this service is that the journey with the Memmingen Airport City Shuttle – the bus service that connects Memmingen town centre (and thus the railway station) to the airport – is already included in your train ticket. This streamlines the process significantly, meaning you purchase one ticket for the entire journey from your departure station (e.g., Munich Central Station) right through to the airport terminal. This integrated ticketing is a testament to the efficiency of German public transport planning and removes the hassle of buying separate tickets for different legs of your journey.
Comparing Your Memmingen Airport Transport Options
| Transport Type | Destination | Approx. Travel Time | Approx. Cost (EUR) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Bus | Memmingen (Town Centre) | 10 mins | Low (not specified, but implied) | Direct, Hourly, Daily, Most Local, First Leg to Train Station |
| Shuttle Bus | Munich | 1 hr 15 mins - 1 hr 25 mins | 13.75 - 15 | Direct to Munich, Online Booking Recommended, Group Discounts |
| Train (via Memmingen Town) | Munich | 1 hr 33 mins (from Memmingen) | Starts from 23.7 | Requires Local Bus to Memmingen Station First, Integrated DB Ticket for Airport |
| Taxi/Private Transfer | Munich | 1.5 hours | 216 | 24/7 Availability, Door-to-Door, Premium Comfort, Best for Late Arrivals/Groups |
Note: Costs are approximate and subject to change based on booking method, time, and specific carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a bus from Memmingen Airport (FMM) directly to Memmingen town?
Yes, absolutely. There is a direct bus service departing from Memmingen Airport and arriving at Memmingen town centre. These services run hourly, every day, and the journey takes approximately 10 minutes, making it a very convenient option for reaching the local area.
How far is Memmingen Airport (FMM) from Memmingen (Station)?
The Memmingen railway station is located in the centre of Memmingen town, which is about 4 kilometres from Memmingen Airport. You would typically take the direct local bus service from the airport to reach the station.
How do I travel from Memmingen Airport (FMM) to Memmingen (Station) without a car?
The most straightforward way to travel from Memmingen Airport to Memmingen (Station) without a car is by using the direct bus service. It's quick, frequent, and drops you off conveniently close to the main railway station.
Can I travel to Munich from Memmingen Airport by train?
Yes, you can travel to Munich by train. However, there isn't a direct train station at Memmingen Airport itself. You would first need to take the direct bus from the airport to Memmingen town, where the main railway station is located. From Memmingen station, you can then catch a train to Munich. Deutsche Bahn also offers integrated tickets that include the shuttle bus from the airport to Memmingen station.
Are there any transport options available from Memmingen Airport at night?
Based on the information available, most public transport options (trains and buses/shuttles) from Memmingen Airport do not operate during the night. The primary exception, and indeed the most reliable option for late-night or early-morning travel, is a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer. These services offer 24/7 availability.
Is it cheaper to buy Memmingen Airport bus or train tickets in advance?
For the shuttle bus from Memmingen Airport to Munich, it is generally more cost-effective to buy your tickets online in advance rather than from the driver on the day of travel. For train tickets from Memmingen to Munich, the information suggests that tickets bought in advance might actually be more expensive than those bought closer to departure, which is an interesting contrast to typical travel advice. Always check the Deutsche Bahn website for the most current and accurate pricing and booking options.
Conclusion
Navigating your way from Memmingen Airport, whether to the charming town of Memmingen or further afield to the vibrant city of Munich, is made straightforward by a range of transport choices. From the efficient local bus to the integrated train services and the direct airport shuttles, there's an option for almost every budget and schedule. However, for those prioritising speed, uninterrupted travel, or navigating challenging arrival times, the private transfer or taxi remains the gold standard, offering a seamless, door-to-door experience. By understanding these options and planning ahead, travellers can ensure their journey from Memmingen Airport is as relaxed and enjoyable as their destination itself. Always consider your specific needs, luggage, travel companions, and arrival time when making your choice.
If you want to read more articles similar to Memmingen Airport: Transfer Solutions for Travellers, you can visit the Transport category.