Oktoberfest FAQ

Oktoberfest is the world's largest folk festival, held annually on the Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany. It features 14 large and 21 small beer tents, over 200 fairground rides and attractions, and traditional Bavarian food and music. Around 6 million visitors attend each year.

Oktoberfest 2026 runs from Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, October 4 - a total of 16 days. The festival traditionally starts on the third Saturday in September and ends on the first Sunday in October.

Oktoberfest takes place on the Theresienwiese (locals call it 'Wiesn'), a 42-hectare open space in central Munich. The nearest U-Bahn stations are Theresienwiese (U4/U5), Goetheplatz (U3/U6), and Schwanthaler Höhe (U4/U5).

Oktoberfest lasts 16 days, from the third Saturday in September to the first Sunday in October. If October 3 (German Unity Day) falls on a Monday or Tuesday, the festival is extended to include it.

Not at all. While beer is a central part, Oktoberfest is also a massive fairground with roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and traditional rides. There are family days, cultural events, the traditional costume parade, and the Oide Wiesn (a nostalgic section with traditional attractions and folk music).

No, entry to the Oktoberfest grounds is completely free. You only pay for food, drinks, and fairground rides. The only exception is the Oide Wiesn, which has a small entrance fee of around €4.

No, but it's strongly recommended, especially on weekends and evenings. Without a reservation, you can still get in during weekday daytime hours (before 3 PM) or try the unreserved areas in the beer gardens outside the tents. On weekends after noon, most large tents close their doors when full.

The Hofbräu-Festzelt is the most popular tent among international visitors - it has the largest standing area (about 1,000 spots) and a high-energy party atmosphere. The Augustiner-Festhalle is a local favorite with a more traditional vibe. The Hacker-Festzelt ('Himmel der Bayern') is known for the famous hand-painted cloud ceiling.

Yes, especially on weekdays before 3 PM. Try arriving early (before 10 AM on weekends). All tents have unreserved areas in their beer gardens. Some smaller tents like Ammer or the Glöckle Wirt are easier to get into without a reservation.

Reservations are made directly with each tent, usually opening in spring. You typically need to reserve a full table (8-10 seats) and commit to ordering food and drink vouchers (usually €30-50 per person). Some tents offer smaller packages. Check each tent's website starting in January.

Most large tents open at 10:00 AM on weekdays and 9:00 AM on weekends. Beer is served from 12:00 noon on the opening Saturday and from 10:00 AM on all other days. Last call is at 10:30 PM, and the tents close at 11:30 PM. The Käfer Wiesn-Schänke stays open until 1:00 AM.

Only the six traditional Munich breweries are allowed to serve beer at Oktoberfest: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. The beer is a special Oktoberfest Märzen, slightly stronger than regular lager at about 5.8-6.3% ABV.

In 2026, beer prices range from €15.00 (Augustiner-Festhalle, cheapest) to €16.30 (Münchner Stubn, most expensive), with an average of €15.82. See the full per-tent breakdown at /beer-prices.

A realistic daily budget is €80-150 per person. This covers 2-3 beers (€30-45), a meal (€15-25), a snack or pretzel (€5-10), and a few rides (€5-15 each). You can spend less by eating before you arrive and sticking to fewer beers.

Yes. Entry to the festival grounds is free. You can enjoy the atmosphere, watch the parades, listen to music from outside the tents, explore the Oide Wiesn grounds, and people-watch. The opening ceremony and the traditional costume parade (Trachten- und Schützenumzug) on the first Sunday are free to watch.

Most beer tents are still cash-only for drinks and food inside the tent. Some have started accepting cards, but don't rely on it. There are ATMs on the festival grounds, but they often have long queues and fees. Bring enough cash for the day.

Rides typically cost between €4 and €12 per person. The Ferris wheel costs around €8, roller coasters around €6-10, and smaller rides around €4-6. Family Tuesday ('Familientag') offers reduced prices on one designated Tuesday.

Yes, you can wear normal clothes, but about 80% of visitors wear traditional Bavarian clothing (Tracht). Wearing a Dirndl (women) or Lederhosen (men) is part of the fun and will help you feel part of the celebration. You won't be turned away for wearing regular clothes.

You can buy Dirndl and Lederhosen at shops throughout Munich, especially around Marienplatz and Sendlinger Straße. Angermaier, Lodenfrey, and Ludwig Beck are popular stores. For budget options, try second-hand shops or online. Rental services like Dirndl-Verleih München offer rentals from around €50-80.

A decent Dirndl starts at around €80-150 for a basic set (dress, blouse, apron). Quality Lederhosen start at around €150-250. High-end designer versions can cost €500+. Fast-fashion stores offer cheaper options from €30-50, though the quality varies.

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes you don't mind getting dirty or wet. The grounds can be muddy, and beer will be spilled on your feet. Traditional Haferlschuhe or sturdy boots work well. Avoid open-toed shoes, flip-flops, or brand new shoes. Flat shoes are recommended as the grounds are uneven.

The easiest way is by U-Bahn. Take U4/U5 to Theresienwiese station (direct access to the grounds) or U3/U6 to Goetheplatz. You can also walk from Munich Hauptbahnhof (central station) in about 15-20 minutes. Do not drive - there is no parking at the festival grounds.

Munich Airport (MUC) is the main airport, about 40 minutes from the city center by S-Bahn (S1 or S8). Memmingen Airport (FMM), used by budget airlines like Ryanair, is about 1.5 hours away by shuttle bus. Nuremberg Airport is about 1.5 hours by train.

There is no parking directly at the festival grounds. The best option is to use Park+Ride facilities outside the city center and take public transport in. Popular P+R lots include Fröttmaning (U6), Messestadt Ost (U2), and Garching (U6). Inner-city parking garages are expensive and fill up quickly.

The U-Bahn runs extended hours during Oktoberfest, typically until around 2:00-3:00 AM on weekends. Taxis are available but expensive and hard to find at peak times. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and FREE NOW work in Munich. The best strategy is to plan your route home in advance and note the last train times.

No, you need a valid MVV ticket. A single day pass (Tageskarte) for Munich's inner zone costs around €8.80 and covers unlimited travel. The €49 Deutschlandticket works on all local and regional public transport. Group day tickets (up to 5 people) offer good value at around €17.80.

Yes, though Oktoberfest is traditionally meat-heavy. Vegetarian options include Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Obatzda (cheese spread), pretzels, potato dumplings, and salads. Some tents now offer vegan dishes. The smaller tents and food stalls outside often have more diverse options. The Fisch-Bäda tent serves great fish dishes as an alternative.

No, you cannot bring your own food or drinks into the beer tents. Outside on the festival grounds, there are no strict checks, but it's not common practice. Bags are checked at tent entrances, and backpacks larger than 20 liters are not allowed.

The classics are: Hendl (half roast chicken, €14-16), Schweinshaxe (roast pork knuckle, €18-22), Brezen (giant soft pretzel, €5-7), Obatzda (Bavarian cheese spread with pretzel, €10-12), Würstl (sausages, €8-12), and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake, €12-15) for dessert.

Yes. All tents serve non-alcoholic beer, Spezi (cola-orange mix), Apfelschorle (apple spritzer), water, and lemonade. Radler (beer mixed with lemonade, lower alcohol) is also popular. Non-alcoholic drinks are significantly cheaper than beer, usually €8-10 for a liter.

Yes, Oktoberfest is generally very safe. There's a strong police and security presence on the grounds. For solo travelers: stick to well-lit areas, watch your drinks, and don't leave with strangers. The 'Safe Wiesn' point near the first aid station offers help specifically for women and vulnerable persons.

Pickpockets are active at Oktoberfest, especially in crowded tents and on public transport to and from the festival. Keep valuables in front pockets or a body pouch. Don't leave bags unattended. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and keep your phone secure. The biggest risk is when you're distracted or intoxicated.

Oktoberfest has a dedicated lost and found office (Fundbüro) on the festival grounds. After the festival ends, items are transferred to the city's main lost and found office (Kreisverwaltungsreferat). Thousands of items are found each year, including phones, wallets, IDs, and even dentures. You can also check online at fundbuero-muenchen.de.

Yes. Backpacks and bags larger than 20 liters (about 20×15×10 cm) are not allowed on the festival grounds. Small handbags, fanny packs, and diaper bags are permitted. There are no official luggage storage facilities at the grounds, so leave large bags at your hotel or use lockers at Munich Hauptbahnhof.

The festival grounds are open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Beer tents open at 10:00 AM on weekdays and 9:00 AM on weekends. Beer is served from 12:00 noon on opening day and from 10:00 AM all other days. Rides and outdoor stalls typically open at 10:00 AM and some stay open until midnight.

Free Wi-Fi is limited on the grounds. Some tents offer Wi-Fi, but the connection is usually slow due to the massive number of users. Most visitors rely on mobile data. If you're visiting from abroad, consider getting a German prepaid SIM card or an eSIM for reliable data. European visitors can use EU roaming.

Yes. Oktoberfest is very family-friendly, especially during the day. Children under 6 enter beer tents for free, and children under 18 are allowed in tents until 8:00 PM. There are dedicated family rides, and 'Family Tuesday' offers reduced prices on rides. The Oide Wiesn has a special children's area.

For a relaxed visit, come on weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday before noon). The first and last weekends are the busiest. Rainy days tend to be less crowded. The opening weekend has a special energy, and the second week is generally calmer. Tuesday is 'Family Day' with reduced ride prices.

Do not bring: large bags or backpacks (over 20L), glass bottles, selfie sticks, folding chairs, pets (except service dogs), weapons of any kind, or professional cameras with detachable lenses. Leave valuables you don't need at your hotel.