BMW Museum

The Basics

Highlights of the museum’s extensive car collection include a 1928 Dixi car, the BMW 328 that won the historic Italian Mille Miglia race in 1940, and a rare 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL "Batmobile." Museum tours offer insight into the company’s evolution and product history, while guided factory tours go behind the scenes at the BMW Group Plant for a peek into the manufacturing rooms. Additionally, some hop-on hop-off tours of Munich stop at the BMW Museum.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The BMW Museum is a must-see for history buffs and car enthusiasts.

• BMW World (BMW Welt) and all its facilities, including the museum and manufacturing plant, are fully wheelchair accessible.

• BMW World has five restaurants (Restaurant M1, Biker's Lodge, Copper’s, EssZimmer, and Restaurant Bavarie), which serve snacks, coffee, and meals.

How to Get There

Located in Munich, Germany, the BMW Museum is easily accessible by public transportation. Take the U3 subway line to either Olympiazentrum or Petuelring, Tram 27 to Petuelring, or Bus 173, 177, or 178 to Petuelring. There is a parking garage on-site.

When to Get There

The BMW museum is open year-round with the exception of Mondays. Weekdays tend to be quieter with easier bookings for popular behind-the-scenes tours. Arrive at opening time or in the afternoon to avoid the most crowded times of the day.

BMW New-Car Pickup

A special time to visit BMW World is during the pickup of a new car. Visitors who have purchased a new BMW receive personalized service and a one-on-one introduction to their new vehicle. Some pickup packages include premium tours of the plant, BMW World, and the BMW Museum.

Ways to explore

Many Munich tours include a stop to admire the complex’s futuristic architecture: The towering headquarters are the biggest 4-cylinder building in the world and a Munich landmark that features on hop-on hop-off bus routes. Book tickets for the museum online and explore independently, or join a guided tour to go deeper into a story that begins with World War I airplane manufacture. Other parts of the complex are also open for tours, including BMW Welt, the BMW plant, and the group’s classic collection.

Accessibility

The BMW Museum is wheelchair accessible and offers gloves for people with visual impairments to experience the exhibits.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Bring headphones so that you can listen to the museum’s guide app plus a card or contactless payment option as the museum does not take cash.

What to wear

The museum does not have a dress code.

Not allowed

Large bags, coats, and winter jackets are not allowed: Leave them in the cloakrooms.

Amenities

Restrooms, restaurant, shop, Wi-Fi

Address 

The BMW Museum is out near the Olympiapark in north-central Munich, adjoining the BMW plant, BMW headquarters, and BMW Welt. It’s about a 4-mile (7-kilometer) drive north of Marienplatz.

Driving

From central Munich, get on the Mittlerer Ring (B2R) in the north of the city and follow signs for BMW Welt. Coming from the east, it’s soon after you exit the Petueltunnel; coming from the west, it’s immediately after you drive through the Olympiapark. There’s paid parking on-site.

Public transportation

The BMW Museum is a bit more than a 5-minute walk from the Olympiazentrum station (U3).

Best times to visit

The museum and restaurant is open 10am–6pm Tuesday through Sunday, with last admission at 5:30pm. Arrive at opening time or in the afternoon to avoid the most crowded times of the day.

Best days to visit

The museum is closed on Mondays. It’s quieter during the week than on weekends.

Best months to visit

The museum is indoors and climate-controlled so you can visit year-round. If you’re also planning to take in the Olympiapark, the weather will be more clement in summer, late spring, or early fall.