Munich, metro: description, history, scheme, interesting facts and reviews

The capital of Bavaria, the birthplace of BMW cars, the largest cultural and industrial center of Germany - all this about Munich. Metro, despite this, it appeared relatively recently, in 1971, although it was planned since 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 under the ground from the Main Railway Station to the Eastern Railway Station. But due to the lack of passenger traffic this plan was not implemented. He 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.

The war time had a devastating effect on Munich. 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 lack of financial opportunities, the construction of the subway was not returned for a long time. Only when it was announced that the city would become the venue for the Olympic Games, the construction of the metro began in full force, and on October 19, 1971, it opened its doors to passengers.

general description

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, travolators, escalators and even defibrillators - special devices to help with cardiac arrest. In addition, there are mobile communications and the Internet.

The operating mode of the subway - from 4 am to 1 am, and on weekends and holidays - until 2:00. Trains run at intervals of 10-20 minutes, during peak hours this gap is reduced to 5. The maximum speed with which this mode of transport can travel is 80 km / h, but the average is 36.7 km / h.

All stations are equipped with a scoreboard, where you can see the arrival time of the next train. Also at each stop there is a metro map of Munich. Avoid long-term expectations and correctly calculate the time will help special mobile applications (for example, Google Maps). They can see when the next train arrives to arrive at the specified time.

Munich, metro: zones

The public transport network is divided into four parts, which are marked on the map in different colors. Depending on the zone, which is planned to go, the price of tickets for the subway 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 sights: Karlsplatz, Marienplatz, BMW Museum, English Garden, Nymphenburg, Olympic Park, Main Station and the zoo.

The second zone under the name Munchen XXL is highlighted in white and green colors. It includes Starnberg, Schleissheim, Wildlife Park Poing and Dachau.

The third zone in the Munich subway in Russian is called the "Outside 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 "Whole Network" - the white, red, green and yellow zones. It also belongs to the Munich airport and two lakes - Starnberger and Ammersee.

How to buy tickets for the subway?

First of all, it is worthwhile to plan the route and calculate, through which zones it will pass, since the amount directly depends on it, which will have to be spent for travel (from 2.7 to 10.5 euros).

It should be noted that if you plan to combine several modes of transport in one trip (for example, a metro and a trolley or a tram), you do not need a separate ticket for everyone. Travel documents in the capital of Bavaria are unified and provide for the possibility of transfers during the validity period of the ticket. You can buy them in special machines in the metro of Munich (in Russian and English), at the airport ticket offices and even at the reception of hotels.

For one passenger

A one-time 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 buy 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 on the subway or train.

If you plan several trips within one day, it is better to buy a day 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 it will be necessary to pay 15 euros.

The most profitable options will be travel for a longer time. But it should be borne in mind that for a week they can be purchased only on Monday, and for a month - only in the first of its numbers. Travelers are allowed to bring children from 6 to 14 years (if there are documents confirming family ties) on weekdays, beginning at 9 am and on weekends.

How to save money with a company

There is a so-called striped ticket consisting of 10 strips. From the social status, the age of passengers and the range of the trip depends on how many lines you need to tear. The denomination of one strip is 1.3 euros. For example, to travel within the same zone, the child will need to tear off one line, and the adult - two.

If you plan to travel several times by public transport with the company for one day, you can buy a day ticket, which is intended for groups of up to 5 people. Its price is 11.2 euros.

Another option - the Bavarian ticket - allows you to travel to all areas of Munich, to its suburbs and some cities of other lands. It costs 22 euros, and it can ride up to 5 people (for each need to pay 4 euros).

Is it possible to travel without a ticket?

At the stations there are no turnstiles, but this does not mean that it will turn out to be free of charge. Behind this vigilantly watch the inspectors, who do not care, the tourist in front of them, who could not really understand all the intricacies of the transport system, or a local resident. In any case, they will write out a fine of 40 euros.

But do not think that when buying tickets and making routes, there must necessarily be some difficulties. Although the Munich metro scheme is not available in Russian, it is possible to find a friendly menu in the vending machines for tourists who do not speak German and English.

Before the escalators are validators, with the help of which it is necessary to compost the purchased ticket. After this procedure, it will reflect the date, time and station name. It is this information that checkers check.

Metro Features

In places where the subway connects to the city electric train, there are special points, consisting of several cafes, large elevators, in which are placed several wheelchairs and wheelchairs, and bicycle parking. You can not smoke here, but you can drink beer (as well as almost anywhere in Germany).

On one track there are trains of different branches. To understand which one you need to sit down, the Munich metro scheme will help you - it can be found at every stop and on the official city public transport website. There is it in our article.

Despite the short distances in a city like Munich, the metro includes a lot of stations (and occupies one of the first places in the world by their number per 1000 inhabitants). The trains move rather slowly and quietly, allowing passengers to talk among themselves, without straining the vocal cords. Most stations are underground, with the exception of one located on the flyover, and five, built above the ground.

Interesting Facts

In 1972, the city hosted the Olympic Games, and in 1980 the pope came to Munich. Metro Nuremberg for these purposes lent several trains, as their designs were similar. There was also an opposite exchange - in 1978 for the Nuremberg Christmas Fair. At present, such an operation is technically impossible, since the train designs in these cities have changed.

Reviews about the underground in Munich

The majority of passengers note the convenience of this type of transport: they praise the presence of bike parks, elevators, electronic scoreboards, route schemes at each station, the coincidence of the station name with the city land train.

Not very pleased with foreign tourists, a complex system of ticket purchases, because of which it is not always possible to understand what to choose in this or that case. You have to spend time, which is often limited, in order to understand this.

Minus and in a rather high fare - especially for those who travel alone. But in general, the ticket price does not exceed the average price for 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 any point in Munich.