Munich/East

East Munich comprises all the districts of Munich east of the river Isar; however the area around Ostbahnhof the east railway station is described separately as Haidhausen. It's mostly residential: the main attractions are Filmstadt theme park, the zoo, and Messe trade fair halls.

Understand
Riverside south from Haidhausen is the area with most visitor attractions, with the zoo and Filmstadt. The districts of Ramersdorf-Perlach, Obergiesing and Untergiesing-Harlaching are mostly residential.

Berg am Laim in a sense built Munich: "laim" means loam or clay, made into bricks for city masonry. (Laim district west of city centre has the same meaning.) The railway arrived in 1871 and a mix of industry and housing developed, though the clay deposits were exhausted by 1900. Pfanni the potato processor had a large factory next to Ostbahnhof, which was abandoned in the 1990s and became an industrial-sized party and entertainment zone. As it's adjacent to the station, this zone (called Werksviertel) is described as part of Haidhausen, though it's within Berg am Laim township.

Trudering and Riem were little villages along the salt route, the medieval highway from Salzburg to Augsburg. They urbanised in the 19th and 20th century, and were combined as a district when incorporated into the city in 1936. By that date the city's first airport in the Olympia area was congested, so it moved to Riem in 1939. That in turn became congested with no room for expansion, and in 1992 the airport moved north to its present site in Freising. The disused airfield then became home to Messe trade fair halls, which are still expanding. These are so big they have two U-Bahn stations, see map.

By road
All autobahns converge on A99, the outer ring highway that for practical purposes defines the city limits. A94 from Passau and the Austrian border east continues past A99 and Messe trade fair halls to end at R2 the inner ring highway at Leuchtbergring. A8 from Salzburg approaches from the southeast and likewise ends at R2.

Parking is usually not a problem this far out.

By train
Mainline trains converge on Hauptbahnhof from all parts of Germany and beyond, so you normally change there for S- and U-Bahn trains to Munich's eastern districts. A taxi between Hauptbahnhof and Messe in 2022 has a fixed price of €39.

Trains from Austria and Hungary stop at Ostbahnhof on their way to Hauptbahnhof. These all stop in Salzburg on the border, and crossing Bavaria the regional trains stop at Freilassing, Teisendorf, Trauenstein, Bergen (Oberbay), Übersee, Bernau a Chiemsee, Prien am Chiemsee, Bad Endorf and Rosenheim.

(East Station) is the transport hub for Haidhausen and nearby eastern neighbourhoods, with interchange to S- and U-Bahn trains, trams and buses.

S-Bahn suburban trains run west-east across the city via Hauptbahnhof and Altstadt to Ostbahnhof, then fan out.


 * S8 runs from the airport every 30 min to Leuchtenbergring and Ostbahnhof, then cross-city west to Altstadt, Hauptbahnhof, Pasing and south to Herrsching. S1 from the airport takes longer as it runs from the northwest via Hauptbahnhof to terminate at Ostbahnhof, so you have to change.
 * S2 from Petershausen and Dachau cross the city to Ostbahnhof and continue to Leuchtenbergring and Berg am Laim, then turn northeast via Riem to Erding.
 * S4 and S6 run from the southwest via Pasing and city centre to Ostbahnhof, Leuchtenbergring and Berg am Laim, then turn southeast to Trudering (change to U-Bahn for Messe), Gronsdorf, Haar and out to Zorneding and Ebersberg.
 * S3 from Holzkirchen via Fasengarten and S7 from Kreuzstraße via Neuperlach Süd and Perlach meet at Giesing and head north via St-Martin-Straße to Ostbahnhof. S7 then crosses the city before turning southeast through Sendling to Wolfratshausen.

U-Bahn underground trains are the best way to reach the trade fair centre at Munich Messe.
 * runs from the north of the city via Hauptbahnhof and Sendlinger Tor to Silberhornstraße, Untersbergstraße, Giesing, Karl-Preis-Platz, Innsbrucker Ring, Josephsburg, Kreillerstraße, Trudering, Moosfeld and the two trade fair stations of and
 * runs from the north via Hauptbahnhof and Sendlinger Tor into the southwest of this area, stopping at Candidplatz, Wettersteinplatz, St-Quirin-Platz and Mangfallplatz.
 * from the west end and Altstadt runs northeast to Arabellapark.
 * from the west end and Altstadt runs southeast to Ostbahnhof, Innsbrucker Ring, Michaelibad, Quiddestraße, Neuperlach Zentrum, Therese-Giehse-Allee and Neuperlach Süd.
 * and from northern districts run via Hauptbahnhof, Sendlinger Tor, Silberhornstraße and Giesing to Innsbrucker Ring, then join the route of U5 as far as Neuperlach Zentrum. They no longer run to Messe.

Trams will get you here, as lines run out from city centre. But it's usually more convenient to take the S- or U-Bahn across the city and change, see "Get around".

Get around
This district is spread out, so use public transport. All the attractions described on this page are within the M inner city travel zone, including Messe trade fair halls. See Munich for ticket options.

U2, U7 and U8 run across the south of the district, as described above, and U2 continues to Messe. U7 and U8 used to do so but are curtailed because of the COVID-related slump at Messe.

Tram 19 traverses the city from Pasing to Hauptbahnhof, Altstadt, Max-Weber-Platz, Flurstraße, Grillparzerstraße, Einsteinstraße, Vogelwiedeplatz, Riedenburger Straße and Berg am Laim.

Tram 21 runs from the northwest city across Altstadt to Max-Weber-Platz, Wörthstraße, Ostbahnhof, and six stops to St-Veit-Straße.

Tram 37 runs north from Max-Weber-Platz to Effnerplatz and eight stops to St Emmeram.

Tram 25 runs south from Max-Weber-Platz upriver via Ostfriedhof and Bavaria Filmstadt to Grünwald.

Tram 18 skirts the south of the city via Sendlinger Tor to Ostfriedhof, Giesing, Chiemgaustraße and Schwanseestraße. This line no longer runs to northeast neighbourhoods.

Buses connect between the tram routes. You might take Bus 52 for the zoo.

See

 * (U-Bahn U1: Candidsplatz) is the abode of the Knights Hospitaller & Templar, whose correct name in German is as long as Birkenleit the street on which it stands. The onion-domed church was built in 1880, but re-done in neo-Gothic in 1968. The 13 monks and 13 nuns live in seclusion so you can only admire the exterior.
 * is on the east riverbank in this district but by public transport is easier to access from west riverbank, taking U3 to Thalkirchen (Tierpark). From east side use Bus 52.
 * Russian Orthodox Cathedral is southside of the cemetery on Lincolnstraße. It's open W 17:30-20:30, Sa 15:30-20:00, Su 07:00-14:30.
 * Neuer Südfriedhof (Bus 139) 1 km east of MVG Museum beyond A8 is the cemetery opened in 1977 as Perlacher Forst neared capacity. Being relatively new, the monuments are simple, and it has not yet accumulated the usual roll-call of the great, the tragic and the infamous. But if you wonder whatever became of ZZ? - name the Bavarian TV or showbiz personality of your choice - then this is the place to start looking.
 * (U-Bahn U2, U7, U8: Karl-Preis-Platz) in its present form is 17th century baroque. It's been a pilgrimage destination since the 14th century when it acquired a "Relic of the True Cross". As this was sourced from an antipope, divine retribution eventually arrived by thunderbolt in 1791: the bell-tower was blasted and replaced with an onion-domed tower. The huge altar is the highlight.
 * (U-Bahn U2, U7, U8: Josephsburg) is a rococo church completed in 1751. It was wrecked during the Allied advance on Munich and only restored in 1982, with further work in the 21st century.
 * St Mina 100 m north of St Michael is a Coptic church built in 1851.
 * (Tram 16, 37: Effnerplatz) is the sculpture gracing Effnerplatz, a 52 m-high plastic hyperboloid (whatever that is) erected in 2011. Designed by Rita McBride, it does not much resemble that actress (Mary Jane West 1893-1980), but perhaps reflects the strained corseting of her imitators, or the film censorship of her era. Effnerplatz used to be a busy intersection but the highway was tunnelled, releasing an open plaza for which a sculpture or monument was wanted - the tram tracks run level right through Mae's, um, anyway towards St Emmeran. The plaza is surrounded by the modern high-rises Arabella-Hochhaus (75 m) and Hypo-Haus (114 m).
 * (Tram 16, 37: Effnerplatz) is the sculpture gracing Effnerplatz, a 52 m-high plastic hyperboloid (whatever that is) erected in 2011. Designed by Rita McBride, it does not much resemble that actress (Mary Jane West 1893-1980), but perhaps reflects the strained corseting of her imitators, or the film censorship of her era. Effnerplatz used to be a busy intersection but the highway was tunnelled, releasing an open plaza for which a sculpture or monument was wanted - the tram tracks run level right through Mae's, um, anyway towards St Emmeran. The plaza is surrounded by the modern high-rises Arabella-Hochhaus (75 m) and Hypo-Haus (114 m).


 * (Tram 16: St Emmeran) is a park on the ribbon of island between the main channel of the Isar and a side canal. It's a relaxing area to lounge and have a few beers, and since it's outside R2 the city ring highway barbecues (but not campfires) are permitted. Very few tourists will discover it, and it's close enough to public transport yet far enough from housing to make a good private party venue.
 *  English Garden can be reached by footbridge from the island. This is the bucolic northern Hirschau section, and you need to walk some distance to find the beer gardens.
 * (U-Bahn U2: Messestadt West or Messestadt Ost) was laid out on the former Riem airfield. It was landscaped for a garden show in 2002 then became a public park (24 hours). Riemer See is the large lake within it, suitable for swimming. Dogs are allowed in most areas. Aircraft from Riem took off west into the prevailing wind, so any that developed early problems might crash on the city. The worst disaster was in 1960 when a USAF Convair hit St Pauls in city centre and killed 20 on board and 32 in a passing tram. The 1958 Munich Air Disaster claimed 20 lives, including eight Manchester United players and three staff. The team were returning from a match against Red Star Belgrade and the aircraft had stopped to refuel. It made three attempts to take off in a blizzard - on the third it reached V1 the point of no return then was impeded by slush on the runway, flopped, hit a house and fuel-storage hut, and burst into flames.

Do

 * Football:
 * Golf: Golfzentrum München Riem is a nine-hole course and driving range within the harness-racing track.
 * East Ice Rink is across the park from the swimming pool and beer garden, on Staudingerstraße.
 * Golf: Golfzentrum München Riem is a nine-hole course and driving range within the harness-racing track.
 * East Ice Rink is across the park from the swimming pool and beer garden, on Staudingerstraße.
 * East Ice Rink is across the park from the swimming pool and beer garden, on Staudingerstraße.
 * East Ice Rink is across the park from the swimming pool and beer garden, on Staudingerstraße.
 * East Ice Rink is across the park from the swimming pool and beer garden, on Staudingerstraße.
 * Messe is the huge trade fair site at the east edge of the city. This area was Munich-Riem Airport, which closed in 1992 when the present airport opened. Fairs held in city centre relocated to this "Neue Messe" with a grid of 6 x 3 exhibition halls. It's so big, it has two U-Bahn stations (see Get around), so check whether you're aiming for the west or east entrance and station - the halls are immediately north of the U-Bahn line and Willy-Brandt-Allee. There's also a north entrance on Paul-Henri-Spaak-Straße, where yet more halls are under construction. The congress centre is by the west entrance. Fairs sometimes extend onto the open ground to the east, which at other times hosts a flea market and pop-up Oktoberfest campsite. South of the railway and Allee is retail and light industry, with Riem Arcaden shopping mall next to West station. Further south is Riem Park and lake. Messe lacks an S-Bahn link: from the airport take S8 to Leuchtenbergring then S4 or S6 to Trudering then the U-Bahn. By road take Exit 5 off A94; there are 5700 parking spaces.
 * (U-Bahn: U1 Mangfallplatz, Bus: 139 Griechenstraße) covers over 13 km² (so you probably need a bike), with its spine trail Oberbiberger Straße running north-south. It began as forestry plantations with a monoculture of spruce; as these are harvested or succumb they are replaced by mixed deciduous trees. In the centre is Perlacher Mugl, a wartime anti-aircraft gun position and bunker; this couldn't be removed so it was heaped with earth to form a hillock. The pavilion on top has views but in summer these are curtailed by foliage.
 * (U-Bahn: U1 Mangfallplatz, Bus: 139 Griechenstraße) covers over 13 km² (so you probably need a bike), with its spine trail Oberbiberger Straße running north-south. It began as forestry plantations with a monoculture of spruce; as these are harvested or succumb they are replaced by mixed deciduous trees. In the centre is Perlacher Mugl, a wartime anti-aircraft gun position and bunker; this couldn't be removed so it was heaped with earth to form a hillock. The pavilion on top has views but in summer these are curtailed by foliage.

Buy

 * Farmers Market is held in the street outside Riem Arcaden F 10:00-18:00.
 * Flea Market is on the open ground by the east Messe entrance when no trade fairs are on, Sa 06:00-15:00, parking €3.
 * Farmers Market is held in the street outside Riem Arcaden F 10:00-18:00.
 * Flea Market is on the open ground by the east Messe entrance when no trade fairs are on, Sa 06:00-15:00, parking €3.

Eat

 * McDonald's (Tram 15, 25: Tegernseer Landstraße) at Martin-Luther-Straße 26 is 100 m north of the TSV football stadium, open daily 10:00-02:00. Opened in 1971, it was the first branch in Germany. There are lots of better places along this street but you could always eat here ironically.
 * Poseidon is a Greek restaurant next to Karl-Preis-Platz U-Bahn station, open daily 11:00-00:00.
 * Messestadt West U-Bahn station and Riem shopping arcade has a cluster of eating places near the trade halls. These include König Ludwig (below), Lezizel-Manti, Akiko, and half a dozen fast-food outlets.
 * Poseidon is a Greek restaurant next to Karl-Preis-Platz U-Bahn station, open daily 11:00-00:00.
 * Messestadt West U-Bahn station and Riem shopping arcade has a cluster of eating places near the trade halls. These include König Ludwig (below), Lezizel-Manti, Akiko, and half a dozen fast-food outlets.
 * Poseidon is a Greek restaurant next to Karl-Preis-Platz U-Bahn station, open daily 11:00-00:00.
 * Messestadt West U-Bahn station and Riem shopping arcade has a cluster of eating places near the trade halls. These include König Ludwig (below), Lezizel-Manti, Akiko, and half a dozen fast-food outlets.
 * Poseidon is a Greek restaurant next to Karl-Preis-Platz U-Bahn station, open daily 11:00-00:00.
 * Messestadt West U-Bahn station and Riem shopping arcade has a cluster of eating places near the trade halls. These include König Ludwig (below), Lezizel-Manti, Akiko, and half a dozen fast-food outlets.

Budget

 * Pop-up Oktoberfest campsites are in the area northwest of Riem S-Bahn station (S2). Only for the festival, which is late September southwest of city centre.

Mid-range

 * Ibis Munich Messe is next to the Holiday Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn another 50 m west.
 * H2 Hotel next door to H4 is part of the same chain, similar price and quality.
 * H2 Hotel next door to H4 is part of the same chain, similar price and quality.
 * H2 Hotel next door to H4 is part of the same chain, similar price and quality.
 * H2 Hotel next door to H4 is part of the same chain, similar price and quality.
 * H2 Hotel next door to H4 is part of the same chain, similar price and quality.
 * H2 Hotel next door to H4 is part of the same chain, similar price and quality.
 * H2 Hotel next door to H4 is part of the same chain, similar price and quality.

Splurge

 * Best Western and Impressum have chain hotels next to the Sheraton.
 * Best Western and Impressum have chain hotels next to the Sheraton.
 * Best Western and Impressum have chain hotels next to the Sheraton.

Connect
As of Nov 2022, the entire city of Munich has 5G from all German carriers. Wifi (WLAN in German) is widely available in public places.

Go next

 * Haidhausen west is the party district, with lots of eating and drinking places.
 * Altstadt a few km further west is Munich's medieval core.
 * Erding northeast via S-Bahn S8 has a large brewery and Europe's biggest spa and sauna.
 * Salzburg is reached by trains that stop in Ostbahnhof and a dozen other places across Upper Bavaria.