Our journey to Italy started with an unexpected bonus — an eight-hour layover in Munich, Germany. When we booked our flight on Lufthansa, we decided to treat ourselves and upgrade to Premium First Economy, and honestly, it was one of the best travel decisions we’ve made. The reclining seats with leg rests were exactly what we needed for the overnight flight. A few hours of real rest made all the difference before our first full day abroad.
Deciding to Explore Munich
Justin has always wanted to visit Germany, so when we realized our connection was in Munich, we figured — why not make the most of it? I spent the week before the trip diving deep into YouTube travel videos about how to leave the airport during a layover and explore downtown Munich. Germany actually makes it really easy to do — they let travelers leave the airport, and even have baggage storage options for short-term visitors.
We had reserved a spot to drop off our bag, but in true travel fashion, our plans took a detour. The videos had made getting to Marienplatz sound so simple: just hop on the S-Bahn train, and it takes you straight to Marienplatz, the heart of Munich. Well, not quite for us. The train we boarded stopped halfway, and suddenly everyone got off — except us. Cue the confusion. We stood there trying to figure out the transit map while the locals went about their day, probably amused by the lost Americans with rolling luggage.
Finally Reaching Marienplatz
Eventually, we figured it out and made it to Marienplatz, and it was worth every bit of the chaos. The city square was alive with sound, movement, and color. From there, we walked to the world-famous Hofbräuhaus — one of the oldest beer halls in Munich and one that Justin had really been looking forward to.
As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by the sound of live Bavarian music, long wooden tables, and a sea of people enjoying giant mugs of beer. The place was packed but welcoming. We shared a table with a group of friendly Americans — that’s just how it works there — and ordered classic German food and beer. Justin got the biggest beer I’ve ever seen, and the food came out surprisingly fast. Everything was delicious, hearty, and exactly what we needed after a long flight.
A Caffeine Stop and Oktoberfest Energy
Afterward, the jet lag started to creep in, so we did the most American thing we could think of — we found a Starbucks. A quick caffeine boost was just what we needed to power through a walk around downtown. It was late August, and there were already hints of Oktoberfest in the air — decorations, music, and people setting up for the festivities. You could feel the excitement building, and it made the city even more fun to wander.
Heading Back to the Airport
As much as we loved Munich, we started to get a little nervous about making it back to the airport. The last thing we wanted was to miss our flight to Milan, so instead of testing our luck with the trains again, we grabbed a taxi. Our driver turned out to be hilarious and super curious about life in the U.S. He was from Afghanistan but had spent most of his life in Germany. On top of his interest in the US he was a HUGE Michael Jackson fan! We talked about everything from travel, music to politics, and it ended up being one of those great, unexpected conversations that makes travel so memorable.
We made it back to the airport with plenty of time to spare — maybe a little too much — but we were grateful to know we’d make our connection. Sitting there at the gate, we looked at each other and laughed about getting lost, the beer hall, and how much we’d enjoyed Germany in just a few short hours.
A Little Taste of Germany
If you ever have a layover in Munich, take it. Even with our little misadventure on the train, the city was easy to navigate, full of energy, and well worth exploring. Eight hours was just enough to give us a taste of Germany — and to make us want to come back someday, this time without the luggage in tow.
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