Central Station to the Christmas Market

Step 1: Central Station → Marsstraße 13

At Central Station take the north exit (Arnulfstraße), follow Arnulfstraße west and turn right into Marsstraße. After about five minutes you reach number 13. Drop off your luggage and set off hands-free. Getting back to the station takes another five minutes.

To the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz

• S-Bahn: S1–S8 (main trunk line) from Central Station, two stops via Karlsplatz (Stachus), about 3 minutes. You exit right under Marienplatz.
• On foot: about 20 minutes (1.5 km): Central Station → Bayerstraße/Prielmayerstraße → Karlsplatz → Karlstor → Neuhauser Straße → Kaufingerstraße → Marienplatz. The first stalls appear along the way.
• From Marsstraße 13: about 25 minutes on foot, or 5 minutes to the station plus S-Bahn – about 12–15 minutes in total.

To the Tollwood Winter Festival (Theresienwiese)

• U-Bahn: U4/U5 from Central Station to Theresienwiese, one stop, about 2 minutes.
• On foot: about 15 minutes via Schwanthalerstraße.
• From Marsstraße 13: about 15–20 minutes in total.

To the Residenz, Wittelsbacherplatz and Odeonsplatz

• U-Bahn: U4/U5 from Central Station to Odeonsplatz, two stops, about 4 minutes. From there 2–3 minutes to the Christmas Village in the Residenz courtyard and to the medieval market at Wittelsbacherplatz.
• On foot: about 25 minutes via Karlsplatz, Lenbachplatz and Brienner Straße.

To Sendlinger Tor and Pink Christmas

• U-Bahn: U1/U2 from Central Station to Sendlinger Tor, one stop, about 2 minutes.
• On foot: about 15 minutes along Sonnenstraße.
• Pink Christmas at Stephansplatz is about 5 minutes south of Sendlinger Tor.

To the Chinese Tower and Schwabing

• Chinese Tower: U4/U5 to Odeonsplatz, change to U3/U6 to Giselastraße, then about 15 minutes on foot through the English Garden. Allow 30–35 minutes.
• Schwabing Christmas Market: U4/U5 to Odeonsplatz, then U3/U6 to Münchner Freiheit – about 15 minutes.

To Haidhausen

S1–S8 from Central Station to Rosenheimer Platz (about 6 minutes), then about 5 minutes on foot to Weißenburger Platz.

Sample tour with times

Here is what half a day after arrival could look like:

1. 1:00pm arrive at Central Station, north exit.
2. 1:05pm drop luggage at Marsstraße 13.
3. 1:15pm S-Bahn from Central Station, 1:20pm Marienplatz – Christkindlmarkt and crib market.
4. 2:45pm walk (approx. 10 min) to Wittelsbacherplatz and the Residenz.
5. 4:15pm U4/U5 from Odeonsplatz to Theresienwiese (direct, via Central Station) – Tollwood.
6. 6:30pm U4/U5 back to Central Station, collect luggage (until 9pm).

Times are an example; Tollwood only opens at 2pm on weekdays.

With suitcase, pushchair or wheelchair

Most central U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations have lifts, and big stations like Marienplatz and Central Station have several entrances. During Advent, though, lifts are in high demand and the markets themselves are crowded in the evening. If you travel with a suitcase, drop it off first – it leaves more room for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Tickets: all destinations mentioned are in MVV zone M. Single and day tickets are available at machines and in the MVV/MVG apps. Please check current fares with MVV.

Notes

All times are estimates without waiting. On Advent Saturdays trains are very crowded, and in the city centre walking is often just as fast. Please check timetables and disruptions with MVG/MVV on the day. All market dates: guide.