How to get from Munich to Dachau – if you are a solo traveller or travelling with family and friends this one-day Munich to Dachau tour is for you.
Brief History of Dachau Concentration Camp
Dachau has historical importance as it was the first concentration camp built by the Nazis, which was opened in 1933.
The initial purpose of the place was to hold political prisoners, but later it became a death camp where many Jews died during the holocaust.
Germany is a beautiful country that is a bucket-list destination for many travelers—the country’s dark past is associated with World War II (WW II). A visit to some areas of Germany will show you how gruesome the war and its effects on the citizens were.
German is the primary language spoken in all parts of Germany. However, many people know to speak English, especially in the city. The currency used in Germany is Euro.
Table of contents
- Brief History of Dachau Concentration Camp
- About Dachau
- Munich to Dachau day trip
- How to get from Munich to Dachau?
- Tickets Cost for Munich to Dachau day trip
- How to get from Munich to Dachau by train
- From the Dachau train station to the bus
- Take the bus to Dachau Concentration Camp
- How to get from Munich to Dachau: Arrive at the Dachau Memorial
- Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial Site
- Traveling back to Munich from Dachau
About Dachau
Dachau is located approximately 16 km from Munich, the grounds of an abandoned munitions factory northeast of the medieval town of Dachau. After its opening in 1933, it was used for several purposes, including forced labor and the imprisonment of Jews, Germans, Romani, and Austrian criminals.
Dachau has a very dark past: there were 32000 documented deaths while thousands remain undocumented.
Munich to Dachau day trip
Firstly, getting from Munich to Dachau is easy as Dachau is located approximately 16 km north of Munich. Today, it is more of a suburb of Munich. Traveling from Munich to Dachau takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
The best time to visit Dachau is from May to September when the weather is perfect for traveling. Moreover, June to August are the warmest of the year.
How to get from Munich to Dachau?
A day trip is a perfect way to Dachau and its historical background. There are two options to get to Dachau from Munich.
- Option 1 – Munich to Dachau train ticket cost – Take a regional train + Bus 726
- Option 2 – Take the S Bahn + Bus 726
Taking the regional train will make the journey much faster.
Besides, both options require you to get off at the Dachau Bahnhof train station and walk for 3 minutes to get the bus.
Tickets Cost for Munich to Dachau day trip
Here are the ticket options available.
Single Day Ticket: €9.30 (10.15 USD)
This option is ideal for public transportation within Munich for one day. Further, you can use it until 6.00 am the following morning. Moreover, Dachau is also covered in this ticket and is best if you travel alone.
Group Day Ticket: €17 (18.56 USD)
This ticket is the same as above, except it extends to 5 adults. 2 kids between 6 and 14 years count as 1 adult, and kids under 6 are free.
How to get from Munich to Dachau by train
It takes to travel from Munich HBF to Dachau Bahnhof is approximately 30 minutes. The ‘DB Navigator app will show you what train to take to Dachau, when it comes, and what platform to use. Typically RB16 train is the one that goes past Dachau to its end destination, ‘Treuchtlinge’.
Alternatively, you can take the S Bahn from the Hauptbahnhof to Dachau, a 40-minute journey.
Tip: The advantage of taking the S Bahn over the RB train is that, depending on where you are coming from in Munich, you can grab the S2 easier than going to the HBF. Say you are closer to the Marienplatz or Karlsplatz; you can quickly grab the S2 there.
From the Dachau train station to the bus
The bus is directly opposite the train station. It’s likely about a 10-minute connection here, and it only takes 3 to 5 minutes to walk. Furthermore, buses come regularly, almost every 20 minutes.
Take the bus to Dachau Concentration Camp
From Banhof the 726 bus takes you directly to the Memorial site, which is about a 7-minute drive. Moreover, look out for the phrase “KZ- Gedenkstätte” to know where to get down.
Tota time from Munich to Dachau:
- Minutes for RB trains + bus: 32 minutes
- Minutes for S Bahn bus: 40 minutes
How to get from Munich to Dachau: Arrive at the Dachau Memorial
The KZ- Gedenkstätte stop is in front of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Once you leave the bus, cross the street to enter the main visitor building. Further, the path will lead you directly to the Concentration Camp and Memorial Site.
Entrance to the site is free so you can walk right in. However, getting an audio guide for a detailed historical aspect of the site is highly recommended. It will cost you €4.50 (4.91 USD). You can even get an English-guided tour, available from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm, which costs €4.00 (4.37 USD).
It’s best to get to the site early to avoid the crowds and get the full experience of the tour.
Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial Site
The Nazi regime opened the Dachau Concentration Camp on March 22, 1933. It was once a factory complex that produced ammunition and gunpowder. The prison has existed for 12 years and has seen more than 200,000 prisoners across 40 nations. In addition, at least 41,500 prisoners died of hunger, disease, and torture at the Concentration Camp.
The Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial Site serve as a remembrance of the suffering people endured at the hands of the Nazis and the deaths that occurred there.
Traveling back to Munich from Dachau
Lastly, you can get back to Munich from Dachau via the bus from the Memorial Site, which comes every 10 minutes. If you are taking the Sbahn, it is marked 1 as “Richtung Munich” (Return to Munich).
Finally, a day trip from Dachau to Munich will open your eyes to people’s suffering during WWII. Further, this trip will be informative for kids of this era. Younger children 13+ are allowed entry post parents permission.
This trip will be emotionally draining to most of the visitors. It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the people who lived during the era.