Der Weihnachtsmarkt Layover
So, who would intentionally lengthen their travel time by several hours on an international itinerary with a toddler? This girl! Why would I do such a thing? Munich.
I originally did this to give us time for a visit to Airbrau (which is getting its own lover letter soon). But the better reason ended up being the serendipitous timing of our trip. Our layover coincided with the opening day of the airport’s Weihnachtsmarkt (that would be Christmas Market) and it was glorious.
I have a soft spot for the Munich airport and the activities that can be found in the courtyard between the terminals 1 and 2 year-round. It is my favorite European airport to transit through when I have a kind of awkward layover length for this reason. I am talking 3-5 hour layovers. There is always Airbrau which is a brewery located at the airport that has weisswurst on its breakfast menu which is an all-time favorite of mine.
Also, nothing beats German beer. Yes, this is a hill I will die on. I especially appreciate a layover with an Airbrau stop during years like this year where we do not make it to Oktoberfest.
One year I had a long layover and it was one of those perfect days and I wanted to see what was up outside. The answer was surfing! I don’t even remember where I was headed to but I DO remember sitting in a beach chair with the sun on my face while watching surfing lessons in the courtyard. This was so long ago it was before my first iPhone so no picture for you! Have more pics of the market and what is on offer (with prices) at one of the stalls in 2023.
I am not going to pretend that this market is the be-all-end-all of Christmas markets but for those transiting? It is heaven and a really nice dose of a wonderful tradition. How many airports can you say have provided anything like that (outside of Asia)? None.
We stepped off our flight from the US and went through immigration. The officer asked why we were exiting the airport if our final destination was Athens and he just kind of smirked and stamped our passports when I just stated “Airbrau.” After our pilgrimage to Airbrau, the Christmas market had officially opened for the season, and we proceeded to drink some gluhwein while watching locals play a form of curling on the ice rink.
Then we let Bear run around as it was not crowded and he just went into happy hyperdrive with all of the huts and areas set up. I probably would have bought of ton of stuff after that second gluhwein if our ultimate destination was somewhere colder than Greece.
Bear even rode on his first carnival ride! All of this on a 4.5 hour layover! We got some very excellent family bonding accomplished and got to experience the particular brand of magic that Germany brings to Christmas and it was all thanks to an airport.
Look, no airport is perfect. But a few try to not be miserable experiences and Munich will always be my favorite transit airport for the programming they have. I would pick Munich over Frankfurt any day unless I am trying to fly the 747 out of IAH on Lufthansa. Sorry, I love that airplane more but that is a summer only attraction. If you have a layover there of any length, see what they have going on in the courtyard. Or at the very least give Airbrau a try! Munich really is full of transit treasures.
Best wishes and bon voyage!