How to reach Garching and ESO
This page provides information how to reach Garching by plane, by rail or using your car.
The second section of the page gives directions how to come to ESO.
How to reach Garching and your Hotel
The town of Garching lies about 13 km north-east of Munich. For an overview of the Munich area with the location of Garching and of ESO, please consult the maps. A detailed map of Garching with the location of ESO, hotels, restaurants and bus stops is also available.
IF YOU ARRIVE BY PLANE
The Munich FJS Airport lies approx. 17 km north-east of Garching. The easiest way to get to Garching from the Airport is by taxi. The fare is about EUR 40-50 and takes roughtly 15 minutes.
Alternatively, if you wish to use Public Transport, you can take the train (S-Bahn S8) from the Airport to Ismaning (20 min.; EUR 6) and from there either a taxi (EUR 12-15) or Bus 230 (first bus at 06:11 and then every 20 or 40 minutes until 18:52 on weekdays). On working days (Monday - Friday) Bus 230 goes to Garching, Forschungszentrum with a stop in Garching. There is a hourly taxi service from Ismaning to Garching on Saturdays and Sundays. For detailed information please the Bus 230 time table.
If you take the Bus 230 from Ismaning, the stops for the hotels in Garching are:
- For hotel Park Residence: Bus stop Wasserturmstrasse.
- For hotel Am Park: Bus stop Garching Maibaum . The hotel is next to the REWE supermarket.
- For hotel König Ludwig: Bus stop Garching Maibaum; cross over the main street and go left. After the flower shop you enter the pedestrian area (fountain!); the sign of the hotel is now visible.
- For hotel Hoyacker Hof: Bus stop Garching Maibaum ; continue approx. 100m on the Freisinger Landstrasse direction north (Forschungsinstitute); the hotel is to your left.
- For hotel Bei Maria: Bus stop Lehrer-Stieglitz-Strasse; cross over the main street at the traffic light, continue approx. 50m on the Lehrer-Stieglitz-Strasse and turn right into the Neufahrner Strasse, where you will find the hotel on your left. Note that on Saturdays and Sundays Bus 230 service ends at Garching Maibaum.
- For hotel Coro Garni : Bus stop Garching Maibaum, then cross the road and take Bus 290 with destination Garching-Hochbrück. Get off at stop Keltenweg. The hotel is across the road, about 50m in the direction from which you have come. A time table for Bus 290 is available.
IF YOU ARRIVE BY RAIL
The easiest way from the Main Railway Station is to take a taxi to your hotel in Garching (the fare is approximately EUR 40).
Alternatively, if you wish to use Public Transport (single fare: around EUR 4), take the S-Bahn (underground railway) from the Main Railway Station to Marienplatz and then the U-Bahn U6 to Garching, Forschungszentrum. The U6 stops in Garching centre.
Then from the U6 Garching stop:
- For hotel Residence: Take Bus Service 290 direction Ismaning and get off the bus at Wasserturmstrasse. Alternatively you can walk to the hotel (see map; 10 min).
- For hotel Am Park: Go right and take the U-Bahn exit Maibaum. The hotel is next to the REWE supermarket.
- For hotel König Ludwig: Go left and take the U-Bahn exit Bürgerplatz. After leaving the U-Bahn station the sign of the hotel is visible.
- For hotel Hoyacker Hof: Go right and take the U-Bahn exit Maibaum. Continue approx. 100m on the Freisinger Landstrasse direction north (Forschungsinstitute); the hotel is to your left.
- For hotel Bei Maria: Go right and take the U-Bahn exit Maibaum. Then take Bus 230 direction Garching, Forschungszentrum and exit the bus at the first stop (Lehrer-Stieglitz-Strasse) ; cross over the main street at the traffic light, continue approx. 50m on the Lehrer-Stieglitz-Strasse and turn right into the Neufahrner Strasse, where you will find the hotel on your left. Note that this bus service is only available Monday to Friday.
- For hotel Coro Garni: Go right and take the U-Bahn exit Maibaum. Cross the road and take Bus 290 with destination Garching-Hochbrück. Get off at stop Keltenweg. The hotel is across the road, about 50m in the direction from which you have come. A time table for Bus 290 is available.
IF YOU COME BY CAR
There is a system of motorways (Autobahn) and ring-roads in and around Munich. For details see the separate page with the maps or the schematic map. Follow these to the Autobahn for Nürnberg (A9). To reach Garching there are two turnoffs (Ausfahrt): Garching-Süd (Garching-South) and Garching Nord (Garching North). Both exists lead you directly into the town of Garching.
How to come to ESO - Garching ("Forschungszentrum")
ESO is located roughly 2 km north-east of the City of Garching. The ESO building is situated in the "Forschungszentrum" area. Below follows a description how to reach ESO by plane and rail or using a car. A schematic map show you where ESO is located and how it can be reached. The map also how to reach ESO using Public Transport.
IF YOU ARRIVE BY PLANE OR RAIL
If you travel by plane, please proceed as indicated above. If you want to use public transportation with the S-Bahn to Ismaning and bus (Bus 230), please note that Bus 230 will bring you to ESO (Garching, Forschungszentrum) from Monday to Friday only. On the weekends the service ends in Garching (centre). If you travel by train you can use the S-Bahn and U-Bahn (U6 to Garching, Forschungszentrum) as describes above.
To reach ESO from the Bus 230 stops and from the U6 stop Garching, Forschungszentrum please see the separate map.
IF YOU COME BY CAR
Same as above but take the turnoff Garching-Nord (Garching-North), which leads you directly to the "Forschungsinstitute" area. Go straight ahead at the traffic lights and continue until the road makes a sharp turn to the left. Do not turn left: ESO is straight ahead.
ESO Offices at the IPP Institute
A number of ESO offices (e.g. parts of the Data Management and Operations Division, the Software Development Division, and the ALMA Division) are located in IPP institute buildings. The main travel page provides information how to reach these offices (ESO Facilities at ESO Headquarters in Garching).