Before you start searching for flights, it’s good to know that Munich International Airport (MUC) is a major Star Alliance hub. This means there are countless direct and connecting flights worldwide with airlines such as Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air Canada, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, ANA, and many more.
Of course, other alliances also serve Munich: oneworld carriers (British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia, Finnair, Qantas) and SkyTeam airlines (KLM, Air France, Delta, Korean Air). From almost any major airport around the world, you will find easy flight options to Munich.
Nonstop or Connecting?
From many European cities (London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin), Munich is just a 1–2 hour flight away – usually nonstop and often at the same price as connecting options. A layover in this case rarely makes sense, as it only adds travel time.
For long-haul flights (North America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand), your choice depends on budget, time, and comfort:
- Nonstop is faster and more convenient, but often more expensive.
- One-stop flights can be cheaper but mean extra waiting and potential travel fatigue.
Traveling from North America (USA, Canada, Mexico)
When you start your journey in North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) there are quite good one-stop connections, but keep in mind you will have to wait for your connection flight 1-4 hours (best case) or up to 13 hours (worst case). Nonstop-flights take 8 to 12 hours depending where you start. If you have a long layover in a European city, you can make use of this stop to visit this city for one day. Think of visiting Paris, the city of love before you proceed your journey to Munich, the city of beer. But there are downsides to these stops.
- Nonstop flights: 8–12 hours, depending on your departure city.
- Connections: often via London, Paris, Madrid, Dublin, or Reykjavik.
- Tip: Be prepared for jetlag. Eastbound flights are harder on the body, since you usually land in Munich in the morning and need to stay awake for the rest of the day. If you don’t sleep well on planes, avoid scheduling too much on your arrival day.
Traveling from Asia (China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, etc.)
When you start your journey in Asia there are one-stop connections for example via Beijing, Helsinki, Frankfurt, Dubai, Doha or Vienna. Unfortunately these one-stop flights take quite a long time 13-20 hours compared to a nonstop flight (11-12 hours). The stops are usually not long enough to explore for example Helsinki or Dubai, so when starting in Asia, consider booking a nonstop flight, even it is more expensive.
- Nonstop flights: 11–12 hours from major cities such as Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, or Beijing.
- One-stop flights: 13–20 hours via Moscow, Dubai, Doha, Vienna, or Frankfurt.
Advantage: Jetlag is generally easier to handle than on eastbound flights from North America.
Traveling from Australia & New Zealand
First I have to say there is no direct connection from Australia or New Zealand to Munich. You have to stop at least once on your journey to Munich Airport. It is up to you whether to coose the eastward route and have a stopover in the USA or the westward route with a stopover in eastern Asia. Keep in mind that the human body can handle the jetlag on westward flights better than on eastward flights. When coming from Down Under, keep also in mind that the journey to Munich usually takes around 16-20 hours.
- No direct flights to Munich.
- Typical routes include:
- Westbound via Asia (Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha).
- Eastbound via the USA.
- Travel time: around 16–20 hours.
Recommendation: Plan for a rest day in Munich after arrival, unless you sleep well on planes.
Bottom line
Munich is extremely well connected worldwide thanks to its role as a Lufthansa/Star Alliance hub. Whether you fly nonstop or with a layover depends on your budget, time, and how comfortable you are on long flights.