Munich

Most international visitors to Munich arrive in the city at Munich International Airport, a large, amenable airport conveniently located near the center of Munich. Munich International Airport and its affiliates have made getting to Munich easy, with literally scores of airlines receiving flights and making departures here every day of the year. Many countries have several airlines that fly to Munich International Airport, so airlines compete for customers, resulting in affordable ticket prices for you. If you can, shop around before choosing your airline.

Traveling to Munich from other German cities and European countries is similarly quick and affordable. A number of high-speed train networks traverse most parts of the European continent, making travel from country to country extremely convenient. Travel inside Germany couldn't be simpler, with both regional railways and trams connecting all the major cities. Visitors doing business in Munich, for example, can make a stop in Berlin without sacrificing their timetable or missing a flight.

If the train or tram isn't your cup of tea, you can contact one of many busing companies or car services, both of which provide an alternative form of transportation for the businessperson in Germany.

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Navigating the heart of Munich couldn't be easier, when you utilize the city's highly sophisticated public transportation network. The Munich Transportation and Tariff Association (MVV) coordinates a group of associated transportation networks that include a number of types of transportation, connecting virtually every nook of the vast city and region. In total, the network managed by the MVV is comprised of an urban and underground rail, 10 tramlines, numerous city bus routes, and regional buses.

Have a short wait before your bus arrives? Don't worry! All the network stations are bright, clean, very safe, and easy to find. At any given time of the day or night, there is a bus or train near you that is heading to the Munich International Airport.

Need to make a stop at the airport? If you're in the center of the city, simply find the S1 or S8, both of which travel between the city's heart and the airport. With the S-Bahn, you'll be on your flight before you know it. Trains arrive at the stations in steady intervals, and each train gets to the airport in just a little over half an hour.

You also have the option to take any of a number of buses traveling to and from the city center and airport. Purchase a single ticket from the MVV, and you can travel throughout the entire MVV network for the entire day. Need to do a little shopping or get a bite before heading to your appointment? No problem. One ticket in Munich does it all!

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Whether you need a break from the boardroom, or would like to show your clients some cultivated fun, Munich has just what you're looking for. If you're a sports fan, come see a game of football at Munich's own Allianz Arena, an enormous stadium and sports complex featuring an innovative nighttime light display. The arena has over 2000 "business seats," offering you the perfect place for you and your colleagues to bond over a beloved international pastime.

If a bit of quiet relaxation is what you're after, visit one of Munich's many sprawling outdoor gardens and parks. Getting back to nature for a few hours is easy at the English Garden, the largest and most impressive of the gardens Munich has to offer. Here, you and your business colleagues can chat during a long, leisurely stroll before heading over to the beer garden for a refreshing taste of the famous regional beer.

The Nymphenberg Palace is quite possibly the most popular attraction in Munich, and makes a great choice for an afternoon break from business. Architectural enthusiasts will especially love the palace grounds, which feature a number of pavilions and outcroppings, all representing a different architectural style and period in history. The palace itself was home to five Bavarian monarchs, and offers the visitor a wealth of historical and education fun, as well as a chance to see some outstanding collections of art and sculpture.

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For many Munichers, a trip to the famous Bavarian National Theatre is the perfect night on the town. Take your music-loving client to any one of the many ballets that show throughout the ballet season, starting in early winter. The Bavarian National Theatre is the perfect place to experience ballet as it was meant to be experienced: in a grand hall with superior acoustics, wonderfully comfortable seating, and the best theatre staff and orchestra that the region has to offer.

Or visit the Bayerische Staatoper, the regional opera troupe that also performs in the Bavarian National Theatre. Over the centuries, Germany has been home to many of the world's greatest composers and musicians. Take advantage of your time in Munich, and listen to the wonders of music in the German tradition. Each year, Munich hosts an opera festival, the Münchner Opern-Festspiele. Taking place in the summer months, this festival is a must-see event for business travelers with an ear for fine music.

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No matter what time of year you do business in Munich, there are always seasonal events that thrill and entertain. In February, the people of Munich deck the halls and revel in Fasching, this German region's answer to Carnivale. During this splendid month, people get festive with music, great food, and special events, like the extravagant holiday parade that takes place in the middle of the month.

Nearly every visitor to Munich has heard of Oktoberfest, the month-long autumn beer festival in Germany; however, when questioned, most travelers from outside the region admit that they hadn't the faintest idea that Munich hosts another equally festive and fun beer season. The months of February through April mark the "strong beer" season in Munich. These months are the optimal chance to savor the strong flavor of a true, legendary German brew. They are like nothing else on earth!

In the warmer months, the Munich Spring Festival and Tollwood Summer Festival provide the opportunity to enjoy the German culture while spending time in Munich on business. Your familiarity with local events and attractions will flatter your business associates, who, like most people, are quite proud of their culture and heritage. Take that extra step, and impress while you enjoy!

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Whether the occasion is a business brunch or a happy hour cocktail, Munich has hundreds of restaurants that fit the bill precisely. Hankering for an early evening bite, many guests on business in Munich stop at one of the appetizer bars that dot the downtown section of Munich, such as Mongdratzerl, a Spanish "tapas" inspired restaurant. These restaurants, most of which serve German appetizers, drinks, and small entrees, cater to the businessperson out looking for a light meal with clients. At an appetizer bar, patrons can snack on olives, sausages, vegetables, and a myriad of other treats while chatting with business partners or friends.

If the evening calls for fine dining, the visitor to Munich will find that he or she is in the perfect locale for a grand, sumptuous meal. The center of Munich is home to a number of Germany's finest restaurants. These upscale restaurants cater to a sophisticated clientele with an appreciation for the delicious meals that Bavarian epicurean tradition has to offer. Restaurants in Munich vary widely in their décor and atmosphere-so the patron wishing for a meal steeped in luxury can enjoy the finest linens, silver, crystal, and more at Weinhaus Neuner, while the adventurous can enjoy an equally delicious meal from the comfort of a sofa in N.E.K.T.A.R., one of Munich's avant garde hot spots, where celebrities and business professionals often dine side by side.

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From the ultramodern, to traditional luxury, to country chateau inspired, Munich has hundreds of beautiful hotels, each fulfilling the expectations of the most exacting individuals, and offering businesspersons a place to rest, work, or meet with important clients or partners. Many of these hotels cater specifically to the needs of business travelers and can provide a wide variety of services, including parking facilities, broadband Internet access, state-of-the-art fitness and spa facilities, room service, cable televisions, radio, a safe for your important documents and valuables, laundry service, and much more.

If you have highly individual needs on your business trip to Munich, simply inquire at area hotels about the services that they offer their valued business guests. Many hotels will go the extra mile for their customers, and upon inquiry can provide you with the items you need to do business, including a fax machine for your room, a stock ticker, conference communications equipment, and many other items and services often requested by business professionals. Some Munich hotels have a service by which they can have conference materials printed in large quantity, and most large hotels in Munich have conference rooms and catering services that will help your business meeting run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Many upscale hotels also employ convenient, elegant chauffeur services that can quickly get you across town to your important meeting or event. Your concierge will be glad to help you with the minutest details of your stay in Munich. If you need a restaurant recommendation, directions to the nearest train station, or have any other concerns or inquiries, simply ask the hotel concierge, your most valuable business partner during your stay in Munich.

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As an international hub of business and commerce, Munich has innumerable business facilities available to you during your business stay here. The first stop for the person conducting a conference in Munich should be the Convention Bureau of the Munich Tourist Office, a bureau designed with your specific business needs and goals in mind. The staff at the Convention Bureau can help you choose the perfect venue for your convention, acquire any of the business services required for your event, coordinate transportation for attendees and speakers, and can even help you plan fun activities or trips for attendees prior to or following your big event.

In addition to making individualized conferences easy and affordable, Munich also hosts a number of trade fairs and events designed to help businesspeople market and network within their field of trade. If you would like your business to participate in one of the hundreds of trade fairs that take place each year in Munich, Munich Trade Fairs International Group can help you plan your transportation, accommodations, and any other concerns surrounding your involvement in Munich's business fairs. Altogether, over 30,000 exhibitors from 100 countries participate in Munich trade fairs each year, making Munich the ideal location for you to market your business and expand your network with other related international companies and services.

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For the business traveler with general questions about getting around, conducting business, and having a fun time in Munich, the Office of Tourism should be the first stop on the list. Here, one can get information on just about anything tourism related, from shopping and eating, to hotel accommodations, public and private transportation, theater and museums, conducting business in Munich, and planning fun, exciting excursions in the surrounding, culturally-rich region of Germany. Or, if you have questions about larger events, such as participation in a trade fair or planning a convention in Munich, the Convention Bureau, a subsidiary of the Office of Tourism, can answer any questions that you might have.

If an unforeseen problem occurs during your stay in Munich, the embassy representing your country of citizenship can help you find a quick solution. Munich is a clean, safe, wonderful city in which to do business, but occasionally travelers lose a passport or visa or have a similar mishap. If anything like this should occur, you should visit the embassy immediately.

Likewise, even when business travelers plan well for their stay in Munich, sometimes they find that they've forgotten something, such as purchasing travelers checks or withdrawing a little spending money against their credit card. If you are in need of an exchange of currency, or would like to purchase travelers checks, Munich's Travel Centre SSKM should prove quite helpful. The Travel Centre is easily accessible and equipped to help you with your financial needs or questions.

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