I’m going to let you in on a little secret: there’s a lounge at Munich Airport where guests are treated like VIPs regardless of airline or cabin class. This VIP experience includes dedicated security screening, expedited passport control and customs clearance, and private car transfers between the terminal and the aircraft.
Opened in 2011, Munich Airport’s VIP Wing is situated in the south wing of Terminal 1. Designed by Erich Gassmann and Tina Assmann of Munich-based Erich Gassmann Architekten, the 13,000-square-foot lounge blends modern design with Bavarian tradition. The open, airy layout includes quiet workspaces, generous bathroom and shower facilities, an interdenominational prayer room, a Bavarian-style beer garden and an extensive buffet.
Beyond private transfers and fast-track security and immigration, signature services include access to a guest liaison who can assist with VAT forms and customs stamps, baggage handling, multilingual staff and a 370-square-foot fully equipped conference room. These services are designed to make travel smoother and more private for business and leisure travelers alike.
© Munich Airport
For greater privacy, the VIP Wing offers three individually designed suites. Schloss Linderhof, at 425 square feet, provides a living area with flat-screen satellite TV, WiFi and a spacious bathroom with a rain shower. The 425-square-foot Neuschwanstein Suite features a living and dining area, flat-screen satellite TV and a minibar. The 420-square-foot Nymphenburg Suite includes a queen-sized sleeping nook, offering a comfortable private retreat between flights.
The VIP experience is premium and priced accordingly. Admission for one is approximately $350, with an additional per-person charge of about $175 for companions. For travelers who find that price steep, Munich Airport offers alternative experiences that still provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at airport operations.
One accessible option is a 50-minute coach tour of the airport. These tours, which cost roughly $11 for adults and $6 for children aged 5–14, run Monday through Friday at 1:30 p.m., and at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Groups of 20 or more can arrange a private tour any day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The route covers roughly seven and a half miles, traversing the Terminal 1 and 2 aprons and passing both runways and two fire stations. Highlights include close views of freight buildings, maintenance hangars and the engine-testing facility.
Another popular alternative is a 90-minute tour of an Airbus A380, offered on weekends and holidays at 1:30 p.m. This tour costs about $17 for adults and $12 for children aged 5–14 and gives visitors an up-close look at one of the world’s largest passenger aircraft.