What can you do in Munich airport on Christmas Eve (December 24) if you have seven hours to pass?

Taxis used to be around 100€ return and take 20-30 minutes. Alternatively you can take the train/subway (S-Bahn), which will be a a lot cheaper but will take 45-60 minutes for each direction. There really is not much to do at the airport other than go to one of the restaurants and maybe a bit of shopping, if shops are still open. Spending a couple of hours in the inner city will be a much nicer way to enjoy Christmas eve - I'd recommend the area around Marienplatz. Munich is a beautiful city, and even more so around Christmas time.

It's a tough call since on the 24th in the afternoon pretty much everything will be closed - shops, museums and even the Christkindlmärkte (xmas markets) close at around 14:00. The only thing that will be open are churches (some of which might have a sepcial holy mass or in the afternoon) and restaurants (also not all of them). But if it's a nice day (and not raining) of couse you could just stroll around in the inner city (the Viktualienmarkt has some special light decoration right now) do a bit of sight seeing or pay a visit to the Englischer Garten (if you have a long flight ahead of you that might acually be a nice way to stretch your legs and get your son to run around so he can have a nice nap later on the plane) Of course you could have some typical Bavarian food at a restaurant, though maybe you want to be careful with the Hax'n (Ham Hock) which might lie a bit hard in your stomach later on. In any case I recommend you to take the S-Bahn into the city (it's really simple and goes right to the city center without any need to change trains) - there is a special Airport-City-Day-Ticket which costs 21,30 € and which is valid for all three of you for the entire day and allows you to take any subway, tram and bus anywhere.

If you decide to stay in the airport, try a glass of airbrau - only in Munich do they brew special beer just for the airport!

From what I observe, Munich is the only city in South Germany with its airport in North Germany. Yes, the airport is that far - takes around 1 hour on public transportation from Munich Airport to Munich Central station around which is what one might call 'Downtown' or 'City Center'. 7 hours is ideal to travel to and from Munich city. Take a 'Gruppen Tageskarte' (Group Day ticket) which is valid for 5 people to travel from and to the airport. It costs 21 Euros. http://www.mvv-muenchen.de/de/tickets-preise/tickets/tageskarten/airport-city-day-ticket/ Come down to Marienplatz (2 stops from Munich Central station). I am guessing the Christmas market would have been closed on Christmas Eve. But I'm sure there will be some decoration, lighting etc., around the Rathaus (Town hall building). At the stroke of every clock-hour they have this on their building. Enjoy this in peace Just around the corner is this Frauenkirche. On Christmas Eve they are likely to have a Mass or something. Hop in and listen to some German carols. They are good. http://images.fotocommunity.de/bilder/architektur/architektur-bei-nacht/frauenkirche-mit-alpen-muenchen-a7124109-8968-486b-8a38-e4fce09d720a.jpg Walk around the place, it will be empty and desolated but that will give you the chance to observe the architecture in peace. There will be a couple of coffee shops or bar/restaurants open. Gulp in a couple of Glühwein (or Feuerzangenbowle), eat some Bavarian food. http://http://images.fotocommunity.de/bilder/stillleben/tabletop/feuerzangenbowle-fe7b5756-5471-480a-9cc9-a09244dfc3d2.jpg You should be able to kill 3 hours easily. From there walk to Odeonsplatz (walkable even with grumpy kids). There is a huge stage with huge lion statues that you got to see. Sometimes it looks like this - But on Christmas eve, it will look like this - There are couple of other buildings around, München Residenz in particular. It will look something like this at Night. Take a couple of pictures and contemplate why normal people like you and I can never build and live in such residences. Screw that feeling.  Remember, the Glühwein will keep you warm to walk around on a December night. If you are tired by now, take the train and go back to the airport. You will still have a couple of hours for the flight. If you want to squeeze every bit of your time exploring Munich, there is one more place you can visit in this short time. Welcome to Theresienwiese. Simple statue in open space, not far from the U Bahn station that you just got out from. It will look more majestic than this in real - http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria#mediaviewer/File:The_Bavaria_statue.jpg It is behind this statue that they organize the Oktoberfest. Einstein sold beer just few metres away from this. Remember those glorious days of single-hood when you were able to drink beer whenever, wherever and how much ever you wanted ? Those days arent coming back ! So now you are all tired, happy and contended. Use the same ticket and go back to the airport. Have a safe flight :)