The Ultimate Oktoberfest Guide for Munich, Germany

Attending Oktoberfest in Munich Germany is a bucket-list experience for many, blending local festivities with rich Bavarian traditions.

After attending three times in the last decade, I put together an ultimate survival guide that will help you navigate the world’s largest beer festival like a pro.

Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a first-timer, these essential tips will ensure you make the most of your Oktoberfest adventure. Get ready to immerse yourself in a celebration filled with beer, food, and fun!

Why Visit Oktoberfest in Munich?

Oktoberfest in Munich Germany draws more than 6,000,000 visitors a year. The festival traditionally takes place for 16 days, through the end of September, including the first Sunday in October.

Visiting Oktoberfest offers a unique opportunity to experience Bavarian culture and tradition on a grand scale. Beyond the food and drinks, Oktoberfest is a lively celebration filled with music, dancing, and carnival rides, creating a festive atmosphere that attracts people from around the globe.

Most people assume it is only for young, drunk, college kids. But it is truly a festival for all ages and demographics. It is also a mix of tourists and locals. Locals tend to arrive later in the day as they have larger groups of 10, to secure table reservations.

The festival is FREE however you need to pay for food, drinks, souvenirs and rides.

The festival contains 34 beer tents serving that specific company’s locally brewed beer. Lowenbrau-Festhalle, Hofbrau Festzelt, and Schottenhamel are just some examples.

The tents are huge, with seating for up to 10,000 people. You sit at wooden picnic tables with other guests, so even if you go alone, you are guaranteed to make friends.

Familiarize yourself with the grounds before they open. You can walk (or even take a run) through the festival grounds before they open to the public. Explore the area the day before you plan to go to see which tents you want to visit, where certain rides are, and which tents are smaller than others.

When to Visit Oktoberfest in Munich + Tips

Oktoberfest typically begins in mid-September and ends on the first Sunday in October. The festival usually runs for 16 days.

If you want to avoid the major crowds, avoid the first few days and the very last weekend.  Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the most crowded.

The beer tents open at 10 am every day.

In the past, the beer tens would be full by 10:15 am. However, more recently, the seats fill up by 1 pm. You need a seat to order a beer so I suggest arriving at your tent by 11 am at the latest to guarantee a seat. Order lunch and commence drinking around noon.

Families with children will be prevalent in the early afternoon hours.

The locals tend to arrive around 3 pm and later. Even though there are no seats left, you can stand in the rear of the tents. Reservations can be made in advance but only for parties of 10 or more. Go to the official website for group reservations.

The tents close promptly at 10 pm.

They sing one last song, stop serving beer, and escort everyone out. They keep things very organized.

Beer Tent Tips for Oktoberfest

Not all Oktoberfest tents are loud, crowded, and wild like you see on social media.

There are smaller tents on the side streets that offer a calmer atmosphere. Some also offer different-sized glasses, so you are not forced to drink a liter of beer.

Hofbrau is the tourist tent and (for me) the most entertaining.  This is where I always start and end the day. I suggest spending two hours in this tent and then exploring the fairgrounds.

Quick Plan for One Day at Oktoberfest

If you did not have a chance to go to the fairgrounds the day before to get a lay of the land, get to the grounds by 10 am. Find the tent locations where you want to spend the majority of your day.

Plan to be at the tent of your choice by 11 am the latest (if you are not a group of ten and unable to secure a table reservation in advance). The tables fill up fast and you need to make sure you get a seat as you cannot be served a beer without a seat.

Spend at least 2-3 hours inside the tent so you can make as many friends as possible and watch the live bands get the crowd excited.

Take a break around 3 pm to visit the food vendors and ride the carnival rides on the festival grounds.

Walk back to your favorite tent (or loudest tent like Hofbrau) around 8 pm. In the rear of the tent, there are high tops to stand at, as there will be no more seating available. Even if you cannot secure a seat, you can walk around the balconies and watch the crowds from afar.

Oktoberfest Drinking Tips

Group Reservations

You can only make a table reservation for parties of 10 or more. If you have less than 10 people, go early at 11 am and you will get a seat.

Around 3 pm is when they will ask people to move from their seats, for the people who made reservations. Take this opportunity to take a break and wander the festival grounds.

Beer Cost and Size

The tents serve beer in liter glasses with handles. Liters of beer are €11 ($13 USD) each.

You need to pay each time the waitress comes to the table (no open tabs allowed)and you must pay in cash in the majority of the tents. Credit cards are not accepted everywhere.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

You can also purchase soda, just be aware they will be served in the liter glasses. If you order a Coke, you will get thirty-three ounces of Coke. They will give you a liter of water upon request for free.

Wine 

There is one wine tent. It is open a shorter amount of time than the other tents and the specifics change each year. This official website has the most up-to-date information on the tents offering beverages besides beer.

Pace yourself

If you begin drinking at noon, be aware that you may not make it until nighttime. You need to take breaks, eat, and wander into other tents to dance and watch shows.

What to Eat at Oktoberfest

There are multiple food stands outside the tents, as well as food for purchase in the tents. The portions are HUGE, so be prepared to share.

Most of the food items include bratwurst, potato salad, pretzels, gingerbread hearts, and various meats on a stick. Don’t miss these seven German dishes when visiting Munich.

Entertainment During Oktoberfest

There is live music with German bands in almost every tent that will play a mix of classic German music and American sing-a-long songs.

Every twenty minutes the bands will play En Prosit. This popular song gets everyone cheering their beers at once and singing in their best German accents.

What to Wear at Oktoberfest

Many of the festival goers will be wearing Lederhosen (for men) and Dirndls (for women). It is not necessary to wear these outfits, but it sure does make for great pictures!

Depending on your travel situation, you can either bring a traditional outfit with you or you can rent one. Here are your two options:

Option 1: Rent a Dirndl or Lederhosen

You can rent the entire outfit which will include the dress or pants, shirt, and even socks. I have rented from Bavarian Outfitters several times.  

Prices will vary and you can pick up the outfit in person or have them deliver it to your accommodation. I would suggest making the time to go to the store to try on the outfit to make sure it fits, however!

Option 2: Buy a “Fake” Outfit in Munich

There are shops outside of the train station that sell cheap, fake-looking outfits. If you are only going for one day, this will be your cheapest option. You can buy them for €30 – €40 ($35-$45 USD).

Where to Stay for Oktoberfest

There are hotels and hostels within walking distance of Theresienwiese (the festival grounds) but you need to book early. The metro system is easy to use in Germany if you book a place further away from the festival. Use the MVV app for the maps, schedules, and pricing.

Accommodations will usually sell out by March. Here are three options for places to stay:

Hotels in Munich Near Oktoberfest

Even if you book well in advance, hotels will not be cheap. The city knows the tourists are coming, so they increase the room rates across the entire city.

The majority of hotels will have a 3-night minimum during Oktoberfest so plan to stay for at least three nights.

Oktoberfest Hostels (Near the Grounds)

There are two hostels that I have stayed at during my multiple visits to Munich during Oktoberfest.

The first is the MEININGER Hotel München Zentrum, it is more of a hotel than a hostel.

The building used to be a hotel, they just removed the beds and replaced them with bunk beds. The hostel is within walking distance of the festival grounds and offers a paid breakfast.

When I was traveling alone I got lucky and instead of a dorm room, they gave me a private room for the same cost!

The second Oktoberfest Munich Germany hostel is Wombats’s City Hostel.

It is located right next to the main train station Munchen Hauptbahnhof and the city center. It is very clean and the staff are super friendly.

Community Tent (15 minutes from Theresienwiese)

The Oktoberfest campground, known as Wies’n Camp, offers an affordable and social accommodation option for festival-goers.

It is located outside the city center, but it provides tents, caravans, or space to pitch your own tent, with basic amenities like showers, restrooms, and food stalls.

Safety at Oktoberfest

Solo Travel

I went to Oktoberfest solo on my second visit. I made friends with people at the hostel and met up with them for early morning shenanigans two days in a row. At some points, I did wander into other tents on my own, and not once did I feel unsafe.

Going to Oktoberfest solo can be fun, as long as you don’t mind being alone at the end of the night, as some people do get rowdy and you may feel uncomfortable alone. It all depends on the person.

Drink Water

Take breaks and drink plenty of water. Take the time to ride a few carnival rides, the rides that go upside down will be sure to sober you right up!

Accidents at Oktoberfest

There are multiple first aid tents throughout the festival grounds and it was helpful during my first visit to Munich.

In 2010 my friends and I were clinking glasses and the liter shattered and cut my friend’s arm!

The waitress appeared in seconds and whisked him away to a medical tent. Five stitches and 45 minutes later, he was back in the tent with a new beer in hand.

Oktoberfest in Munich is an experience like no other, blending tradition, culture, and celebration in a vibrant, unforgettable way. It is up to you what type of experience you want to have at Oktoberfest.

If you want to just enjoy a beer, people watch, go on some rides, and mingle with locals; then you should arrive early on a weekday and avoid the large tents.

If you want to get trashed and sing American songs with Americans at Oktoberfest Germany, then go at 7 pm on a Saturday night.

Whether you choose to go for just the food or to drink beer all day you’re sure to make memories that last a lifetime.

By planning ahead, knowing what to expect, and following the tips in this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to dive into the festivities with confidence. Prost to an amazing time at Oktoberfest!

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