Oktoberfest (Munich): visitor guide

Oktoberfest is a free-entry fairground on the Theresienwiese in Munich, not a ticketed event. You walk in, and you pay for what you consume. The beer comes in 1-litre mugs (Maß) at roughly €14–15 in 2026, with food from about €10–20 a plate; the 2026 figures are estimates and change each year.

The festival runs around 16 days and ends on the first Sunday in October, so most of it falls in the second half of September. Tents generally open at 10:00 and close at 23:30, from 09:00 on weekends, with last orders around 22:30. Exact 2026 dates and hours: check the official site before booking travel.

Reserved tables are the main constraint. Bookings for the big tents open months in advance and are usually gone by spring. Without one, you queue at the door and take whatever unreserved seats are free, which is realistic on weekday mornings and much harder on weekend evenings.

The site sits about 1.5 km west of Munich Hauptbahnhof, an easy 20-minute walk. Trains are the better option on busy days: the S-Bahn stops at Hackerbrücke, and the U4/U5 stop at Theresienwiese, both a short walk from the entrances. Follow the crowds and the signs; the walk from Hackerbrücke is the shortest.

Do not drive. Parking around the Theresienwiese is closed or full, and the city runs extra S-Bahn and U-Bahn services through the festival. If you are coming from Munich Airport, take the S1 or S8 to the city and change; allow about an hour. Long-distance trains arrive at Hauptbahnhof, which is walkable to the grounds.

Inside Munich, a day ticket or the Deutschland-Ticket covers the S-Bahn and U-Bahn legs. Taxis and ride-hailing drop off some distance away on busy nights, so plan the last part on foot.

The best time to visit is a weekday, arriving before 15:00. Tents fill from late afternoon, and weekends are the busiest. If you want the atmosphere without the crush, aim for the first days of the festival or a Tuesday to Thursday.

The opening Saturday and the middle Saturday are the heaviest days; the first Sunday has the costume parade and is also crowded. Weather in late September is variable: mild days around 15–20 °C, cool evenings, and rain is possible, so bring a jacket. October dates are cooler and often quieter.

Bavarian school holidays and the German public holiday on 3 October (German Unity Day) can fall inside the festival window and push crowds up; check the calendar for the year you travel.

Munich itself is the base: the old town, the Englischer Garten and the museums are all within a few U-Bahn stops of the grounds. Staying near Hauptbahnhof or Sendlinger Tor puts you within walking distance of the festival and the city centre.

Hotel prices in Munich spike during the festival and rooms sell out months ahead. Book early, or stay in Augsburg, Freising or along the S-Bahn and commute in. Bavaria beyond Munich, including the Alps and the castles, works well as a trip either side of the festival.

Cash still helps at smaller stalls and for tips, even where tents accept cards. Tipping follows the German habit: round up or add 5–10% and say the amount as you pay.

Inside a tent, service is fast and the etiquette is simple: order a round, keep your seat, and do not stand on the benches. Security checks bags at the entrances, and large bags are not allowed. Lost friends are normal; agree a meeting point outside.

If you want a calmer version of the same thing, Munich's beer gardens run all summer and need no reservation. For a different festival mood, Germany's Christmas markets open from late November.