According to new data from the Bavarian State Office for Statistics (Landesamt für Statistik), no other German city attracts more commuters than Munich.
In 2024, more than 529,000 people travelled into the Bavarian capital for work — securing Munich’s title as Germany’s undisputed commuter capital once again.
Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg follow – but the gap is closing
The report ranks Berlin in second place with around 477,000 inbound commuters, followed closely by Frankfurt am Main with 472,000, and Hamburg with 466,000.
While Munich still leads the national list, statisticians note that the difference between Munich and other large cities is slowly shrinking, as remote work, rising rents, and regional job growth are beginning to balance commuter flows.
Across Bavaria, about 4.6 million residents commute to work outside their home municipality, while around three million are employed locally.
Munich leads in public transport use
When it comes to mobility behaviour, the figures highlight Munich’s exceptional position in the national “Verkehrswende” (transport transition).
Across Germany, 63 percent of commuters still rely on cars to get to work.
In Munich, however, public transport dominates, with the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses forming the backbone of daily commuting — a rare example of a major German city where public transit outweighs car traffic.
The Bavarian capital’s integrated transport system, managed by the MVV (Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund), continues to be cited as a model for sustainable urban mobility, though experts warn that capacity and infrastructure must keep pace with population growth.
Commuting culture – a reflection of Munich’s economic pull
The data underscores Munich’s role as one of Europe’s strongest regional job magnets.
High-tech industries, media companies, and major corporations headquartered in and around the city attract workers from across Bavaria and neighbouring states.
However, the high volume of commuters also brings increasing pressure on housing and transport networks. Urban planners argue that further investments in affordable housing, cycling infrastructure and suburban rail expansion are essential to keep the city moving.
