Updated: 1/5/2019 | January 5th, 2019
“How many days are you at the Wiesn (Oktoberfest) for?” the German girl wearing her Bavarian dirndl across the table asked me.
“We’re here for five days,” I replied, putting down my umpteenth stein of beer.
Her face became a mix of shock, disbelief, and horror.
“Five days! That is crazy! You’re a bit insane, huh?” she said. “You only need one day for the Wiesen. I hope you survive.”
And she was right. My friends and I were a bit insane to think five days wasn’t that long at Oktoberfest. We quickly learned that most Germans come for a day because that really is “enough time at the Wiesn.”
It’s the tourists who stay longer.
Five days at Oktoberfest was something I wouldn’t do again. It was pure overkill. Even the group I was with, filled with able-bodied, hardened drinkers, was exhausted by day 3 and uninterested by day 5.
By the end, I never wanted to see a beer again.
But I survived the experience – and in the process had a great time, made a lot of new friends, hardened my liver, met some other cool travel bloggers, and learned just how to plan the perfect Oktoberfest trip.
Planning your Oktoberfest visit
- What is Oktoberfest?
- What to Expect at Oktoberfest
- How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?
- A List of Oktoberfest Tents
- How to Make Table Reservations at Oktoberfest
- Booking Accommodation at Oktoberfest
- How to Get Your Oktoberfest Outfit
- General Oktoberfest Survival Tips
- How to Visit Oktoberfest in 2019
What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest was one of the best festivals I’ve ever attended. It’s a 16–18-day beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It all began when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city, which the locals call “Wies’n” (which means grass, and why Oktoberfest is nicknamed Wiesn in Germany). Ever since then, it has become a major event, especially in the last few decades as more and more international travelers have been attracted to the festival thanks to tours, cheap flights, and better accommodation options. It’s such a big thing that you’ll find Oktoberfest activities in cities around the world (though nothing beats the original).
What to Expect at Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a wild, wild time. An estimated 7 million people visit every year, with the majority of those Germans (they represent 85% of attendees)! You’ll see just about everyone dressed up in traditional Bavarian clothes (lederhosen for guys, dirndls for girls), having a good time, and drinking lots and lots of beer. These pictures and video will help paint the scene for you:
You get a lot of people chugging beer….
….and a lot of people who fail at it….
….but no matter what, there’s a lot of singing.
Outside the beer tents, you’ll find a carnival atmosphere. Literally. The grounds contain a carnival with games, rides, and even haunted houses. It is like a theme park in Anywhere, USA. If it wasn’t for people dressed up, you wouldn’t have known you were in Germany. (This is also where you’ll find everyone passed out from too much beer!)
Inside the tents is where you find the traditional Oktoberfest you’ve come for: lots of hearty food, traditional music, large decorated tents, friendly people, large steins of beer, and communal happy atmosphere that breeds friendship and joy! Everyone is here for a good time and in high spirits!
How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?
All the tents are free to enter. Beer is typically around 11 EUR and most full meals are 12–15 EUR. You can get snacks and small meals for around 5 EUR. You can also buy alcohol outside the tents (but not beer), and the drinks cost around 8 EUR. You’ll find tons of stands everywhere with sausage and wurst for 4 EUR too. Reserving a table is technically free, however, a reservation requires you to order food and drinks. Usually, this is the equivalent to 2 beers and half a chicken (which is around 30 EUR per person). So a table for 10 will be around 300 EUR, depending on the tent.
It’s virtually impossible to do this event on a tight budget. You can buy beer or food outside the event grounds, which will lower your costs (get drunk and full before) but if you’re purchasing anything in the tents, expect to pay!
How to Make Table Reservations at Oktoberfest
All the tents are free throughout the day and all have free tables as well as reserved tables for people eating meals (these are also prime seats in the center of the tent). If you want to eat or guarantee that a table (and not fight for all the free tables), you’ll need to make a reservation. We had a table reservation every day because my friends and I wanted to make sure we had a place to sit. To make a reservation you’ll need to contact the tent directly via email, phone, or fax (yes, they still accept faxes!). This is typically done at the start of the year between January and April. Tables at the best tents fill up quickly.
If you do book at one of the tents, be aware that most tables seat 6-10 people and cost about 300 EUR (about 30 EUR per person). You’re required to book a whole table, so even if it’s just one of you going, you reserve the table as though you are going fill it. While you’re supposed to have a full table when you sit down, we showed up minus a few people and they didn’t seem to care. This reservation includes some beer and food.
Personally, I’m not so sure I’d reserve tables again. It’s nice to know you have a place to sit down, but other than on weekends or at night, it seemed like you could always find an open seat, even if you had to stand for a while. If I booked a table again, I would only do it for the nighttime hours, when tables are harder to get, you’ll want a place to eat, and you might not want to stand around waiting.
Keep in mind weekends, when the Germans aren’t working, are incredibly busy and it’s much harder to get a reservation as well as find free tables. If you don’t have a reservation, get there early!
If you want to take some of the stress off of booking an Oktoberfest trip, Fat Tire Tours has a great Oktoberfest tour that will help you make the most out of your visit. You’ll get a local, experienced guide to take you around, a table reservation with food and beer, and transportation to and from the festival. It’s a great way to enjoy Oktoberfest without having to worry about everything yourself!
A List of the Best Oktoberfest Tents
There are 14 main beer tents at Oktoberfest and each one has its own personality. Some tend to be heavy on Americans, other Australians, others older Germans, other rich celebrities, while others are just everyone under the sun. Here are the fourteen major tents and some information about them:
- Marstall – This tent holds over 3,000 people and is the newest addition to the event. It’s a bit more modern and inventive (you can actually get vegetarian food here) and caters to a younger, hipper crowd.
- Armbrustschützen-Festhalle – This comfortable tent has also been home to a crossbow competition since 1895! It’s one of the most popular.
- Hofbräu Festzelt – This is the most popular tent for international visitors, especially Americans, and is one of the biggest and most famous tents in the faregrounds. It gets busy but I loved it!
- Hacker-Festhalle – This tent is known for it’s painted blue sky and white clouds on the ceiling that can, if the weather is nice, open up to actually show the blue sky above. It’s also one of the more popular tents.
- Schottenhamel – This is the oldest tent at Oktoberfest and hasthe capacity for over 10,000 people. It’s where the party gets started and is very popular with Germans.
- Winzerer Fähndl – This massive tent is the largest at Oktoberfest with room for 11,000 partygoers. You’ll be able to recognize it by the giant rotating beer glass.
- Schützen-Festzelt – This tent is located off the main drag which means you can sometimes beat the crowds by heading here.
- Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke – This tent is known to be a favorite of both local and international celebrities as well as their late night ending time! Lots of people finish their night here.
- Fischer Vroni – If you’re tired of all the pork (the main dish in most tents) then head here for something else: fish!
- Ochsenbraterei – This tent has been around since 1881 and is known for its numerous ox dishes and its big brass band.
- Augustiner-Festhalle – This tent is considered to be the most family-friendly option. It’s also the hardest tent to get a table at as many locals have reserved seats here.
- Pschorr-Bräurosl – The Heide family has been running this tent since 1901 and has their own yodeler.
- Löwenbräu-Festhalle – This tent, which has a giant 15-foot lion at the entrance, has a bit more of an older crowd to it. It’s the favorite of local football players.
- Weinzelt – This tent is another more family-friendly choice, with less traditional offerings like seafood, Thai food, and even wine (something you don’t really see often here).
Booking Accommodation at Oktoberfest
Simply put: Book your Oktoberfest room early. Accommodation fills up incredibly quickly — and some hotels and hostels book out up to a year in advance. The closer you get to the festival grounds, the more expensive beds are and the quicker everything fills up. I booked a room in April and most places were already sold out. That room cost me 120 EUR per night, but it was close to the festival grounds. Hostel dorms often go for 60–80 EUR.
There’s not a lot of budget accommodation around but there are a few options if you don’t want to stay in the city center (or want to save money):
- Stay at The Tent, a hostel (well, really, a massive tent) outside the city for 40 EUR per night.
- Couchsurf (which is hard, because locals get a lot of requests from people looking for a free place to stay) or have friends you can stay with.
- Using Airbnb is another good option as long as you book in advance.
How to Get Your Traditional Oktoberfest Outfit
You can’t go to Oktoberfest without the traditional Bavarian outfit (it just wouldn’t be right or as fun), and those are not cheap. A good lederhosen outfit begins at around 140 EUR. Dirndls, the traditional outfit for girls, begin around 100 EUR. (You can, of course, find cheaper outfits, though, if you aren’t looking for something of quality.) You can order them online before you go or find them in stores throughout the city. Stores just selling outfits spring up just for the festival. We found lederhosen the day we arrived. You can rent costumes for around 40 EUR per day but that’s only a good option if you are going for a day or two. If you’re going for longer, it’s cheaper to buy an outfit.
General Oktoberfest Survival Tips
It’s a marathon, not a sprint — you’ll be drinking all day, so there’s no need to rush it. Too many people pass out on the lawns by dinnertime. Pace yourself. Those liters of beer are strong.
- Hydrate: Drink a lot of water while you’re there. I had Powerade and water bottles lined up in my room for when I got home and when I woke up.
- Get to the Käfer tent early: Most of the tents close at 10:30pm. Käfer is the only one open until 1am, so everyone rushes there after the others shut down. Get there a bit before 10:30pm so you have a spot. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to get in or get served.
- Get a table early: No reservation? Just winging it? If you aren’t there by midday, your chances of finding a table shrink greatly. Try to avoid the times when they switch reservations. All the people that got kicked out are now looking for a free table, and competition is fierce.
- Eat outside the event area: While all the tents have amazing rotisserie chicken, the food inside is simply expensive. Just walk outside, buy a cheap sausage for a few Euros, and save your money for the overpriced liters of beer.
- Set a meet-up point: The grounds are huge. If you’re there with friends, set a meeting point in case you get separated (which is inevitable).
- The tents don’t really matter: While everyone tent will offer a unique experience, the differences won’t be that drastic. Every tent will offer up a great time, so there’s no need to be picky. Find a tent you like and just stay there!
- Bring cash: Keep your life (and the life of your server) simple and just stick to cash.
- Keep your stuff safe: Pickpockets aren’t too much of a problem but you might get drunk and lose stuff. Only bring the essentials of what you need and be sure to keep them safe in a zipped poach so they don’t get wet and ruined!
How to Visit Oktoberfest in 2019
Oktoberfest begins on Saturday, September 21st with the opening ceremony at the Schottenhamel tent. At noon, Munich’s Mayor will tap the first keg and kick off the celebration. The festival will go until Sunday, October 6th.
Oktoberfest Hours
Opening day: 12:00 – 10:30pm
Weekdays: 10:00am – 10:30pm
Weekends and Holidays: 9:00am – 10:30pm
Tents Open late: Käfers and Weinzelt open until 1:00am
Getting to Munich is easy as it’s accessible by rail from all major points in Europe and has its own major, international airports.
Oktoberfest takes place on Theresienwiese. It walkable from the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and the closest U-Bahn is, aptly called, Theresienwiese. Just follow the mass of crowds to the grounds. You can’t miss it!
Oktoberfest only happens once a year, and though it sort of busted my European budget, I don’t regret any of the money I spent. I’m really glad after years of false starts that I finally got to visit and celebrate Oktoberfest. My friends and I are already considering returning next year (though maybe not for five days again).
Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!
My detailed, 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money while backpacking around Europe. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started!
Book Your Trip to Munich: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Munich by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.
Book Your Accommodation
For a cheap place to stay, check out The Tent. To book another hostel in Munich, use Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.
Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!
Want More Information on Munich?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Munich for even more planning tips!
Cal
Awesome! I’ve been wanting to do this for years. I just got to do it.
I can imagine 5 days being too much. We did 5 days in New Orleans during Mardi Gras and had the same results. By the third day we were done. You had to force yourself to drink.
Similar would be Vegas. I did a marathon stretch in Vegas that lasted for 7 days! I had a 1 day break about the fourth day in. Which just was not enough.
Three days, four days tops for these events is a safe play.
Great pictures!
Michael Turtle
Wow! If the photo of the beer in your previous post is anything to go by, I don’t know how you survived 5 rounds, let alone 5 days!! 🙂
NomadicMatt
It was a struggle by the end.
Deej
Great story Matt! Reminded me of a trip to Vegas with my more party savvy buddies. We were there 5 nights, and by day 4 my body was physically shutting down. Glad you survived!
Derek Wood
Hey Matt
Sounds and looks like you had a great time – Back in my punker days we use to go out for “cheap, bottom of the barrel beer night, all you can drink for $5.” Oh, the hangovers, reminds me of the Spirit of the West song – “Home for a rest.” I still enjoy beer but I drink less but better quality. I found a reasonably priced German import ($2 CAN.) for 500 ml, called Holsten (Maibock- strong golden and Festbock- strong dark) made in Hamburg, Germany. At 7% alc., two of them does the trick.
coley
I went alone this year to meet up with people I work with, and I had the greatest time. It’s certainly an experience to remember!!
Gina
Great Oktoberfest survival tips! Love that you bought the full gear before you went 🙂
NomadicMatt
If you are going to go, go all the way!
Rachel
Where did you buy your lederhosen? Any suggestions?
Scott
As a veteran of Oktoberfest 2007, 2008, & 2010 ,you are pretty spot on my man. Yeah, 5 days is a ton. I feel like you need to 2 days on and then one day off at Oktoberfest. I feel like the perfect plan would be 6 days, 4 at Oktoberfest and then 2 days exploring southern Bavaria. Anyway, glad you had fun!
NomadicMatt
I think if I go back (and I will) I will do that. I think if you are going for 5 days, taking a break half way is essential.
Jessica Fitz.
I’m studying in Strasbourg, France for the semester, so a friend & I headed to Oktoberfest for just a night. We were sad that we only could make it for a night, but afterwards it was all okay.
We stayed at The Tent, which was a really great place to be. You meet a lot of people from all over and sit around campfire, it has a great atmosphere! Overall, i’d say Oktoberfest was one of the highlights so far, definitely something to remember.
Steve
Wow – I loved Oktoberfest, but 5 days straight is just being hard on yourself. Even on two week rugby tours we’d arrange a three days drinking, one days activities pattern.
deifl
A small correction…
‘You can’t go to Oktoberfest without the traditional Bavarian outfit, and those are not cheap. A good lederhosen outfit begins at around 140 Euros. Dirndls, the traditional outfit for girls, begin around 100 Euros. (You can of course find cheaper outfits, though, if you aren’t looking for something of quality.)’
Replace in the above sentence the word ‘good’ with ‘lousy’. A traditional bavarian outfit costs a little bit more and ist normally custom made.
Lauren
That photo of you is AMAZING! Hahahaha.
Nancy
I’ve been wanting to get to Oktoberfest for years! Someday I need to do it. (Although I can’t stand beer, so have no idea why I want to go!)
The GypsyNester
Great tips! Haven’t had the guts to do this fests of fests yet, but have bookmarked this page for when we finally make it! What a party!
Stephanie
Brings back good memories of my trip there a few years ago. I hope to go again. I survived the first time, but I’m sure I can do better the second 🙂
Drew Meyers
Yea..I did 4 days in 2009. It was an unbelievable experience. But I did 2 days there, then went to Prague for 3 days, then back to Munich for 2 more days. if i did 4 days straight? I would have been close to dead..
NomadicMatt
If I go back, I would do a few days on, a few days off, and then back on again.
Stuart
Great article Matt. Germany’s one of our favourite biking destinations. We started this years family expedition in Munich earlier this year and wished we’d been around for some of the Oktoberfest madness. We noticed there’s no kids in the photos, is it just something for adults or is there a way of experiencing it with the family, without falling over in front of the kids.
NomadicMatt
I can’t say I noticed many kids inside the tents. I saw some walking around and I’m sure there is a family oriented tent somewhere but I didn’t see it.
Cole
Loved it, but blew out big time the first day. But thats what happens when you start at 11am and all over by 6pm haha. Good times and will try to go again next year. 2 days was enough for me.
James
hahaha… OK, noted. This year I’m going to the Peru version of the Oktoberfest in Lima and I will be there just one day.
Vasco
Did it once in Frankfurt in the late 90s. Quite a memorable experience and definitely something to consider for your travel plans.
NomadicMatt
I can’t even remember how many of those steins I drank. I know I always had one in my hand.
NomadicMatt
Next year!
Henry Williams
i did it about 3 years ago and lets just say i dont have much memory of the event haha
NomadicMatt
We’re in the same boat, brother.
Charu
Thanks for such a comprehensive Oktoberfest guide, Matt! I have to make it to Munich one of these Oktobers…Meanwhile, will have to settle for a brand new Biergarten in Hoboken-it’s no Munich but the selection of beer and food is as good as one might find in Deutschland. Hofbrau, Paulaner, Spaten, Pilsner and many other German and Czech brew houses are all well represented. Sauerkraut, bratwurst, weisswurst and Hungarian goulash are generously consumed by thirsty and happy patrons-it almost feels like Germany without lederhosen and dirndls…
Kathleen
I’ve had a conversation with a swedish guy in a bus in Beijing and we talked about typical festivals in our countries and it was like :
” You have this famous beer festival right?”
” Actually it’s called Oktoberfest, or festival, however”
” Are there any differences? ”
” …No 😀 ”
We really have a whole festival for only drinking beer. So mad..
John
I like beer, especially when is served in an iced glass along with a plate of sausages… next year i will attent it again…..
Simone
Excellent guide…. i will use it when i go next year….. any tips on how to choose my beer?
George HJ
Anybody please let us know which beer to choose.. or shall we try allof them… 😉
NomadicMatt
Try them all.
Stella
You are so lucky to be at Octoberfest! I visited Munich last year, just when Octoberfest was over and I will definitely go next year!! This town is amazing, I was all day at Marienplatz listening to the musicians that play with their bands all over the place, my favorite one was KOnnexion Balkon! Have you seen them performing?
Of course beer and sausages were the thing I did the most while being there 😉
NomadicMatt
I might see you there.
Kieran
5 Days? Me and 2 of my friends did 2 weeks, and stayed in a horrible ‘hostel’ called hostival (dont ever stay there) we would get up at 9am each day; shower, maybe eat,get to fest for 10am and drink until about 6 then get back to ‘Ostbanhof’ and go in the clubs drinking Jager and Budweiser until about 4am. 2 WEEKS!
Absolutely brilliant place, going back this year (for 5 days) unbelievable experience and one that has to be had.
Adam
I have done 6 Oktoberfests. 3 of them for the whole 16 days of the festival! Its one of my favourite places to visit in the world. Too many good times.
5 days? You’re just warming up!
Jordan
I like Cold beer, and i read a lot of articles abot Oktoberfest!! It is the best Beer Festival. Next time i will attent it and i taste my favorite draft beer!!!
Lee
I’ve been there twice and plan a third time this year. It’s not just for the young drinkers. Last trip I took my parents who are 70 and they had a great time. We went early and had no problem getting a table, and later on when we went to a second tent I begged in my very bad German to give my parents a seat and people were very nice.
Kaleb
To save you all money this year…Erfurt in Thuringia, Germany has a great Oktoberfest during the same dates. The biggest beers are 8 euro, small are 4, bratwursts are 2 Euro. It’s small enough that you can couchsurf like me, and it’ll save you a bundle!
Gianluca Orlandi
Great story! If you liked Oktoberfest in Munich I will suggest to visit also Cannstatter Volkfest in Stuttgart! Went there last weekend just for 2 days.. amazing!
Hannah
I am currently planning our Oktoberfest plans for this year! Great article, we are on the fence about a table, thinking going to wing it!
Jessica
This is great to info to know! I’m planning on doing Oktoberfest this year for my husband’s 30th birthday but wasn’t sure about how much time to really spend there. Knowing that it’s going to be pretty expensive to get out there from Chicago and all that we will spend while we are there, are there areas (in or outside of Germany) you recommend visiting that we can more easily do on a budget and make the whole trip out there worth it?
Debbie
We’re planning to go in 2016. Which tents would be good for age 40+? Tents with a mix of ages would be the best. We were thinking 3 days in Munich, with the middle day as a rest and sighteeing lol.
Swanny
Haha,
well I went last year but I am a Celiac so it was kind of weird going to a beer festival and not drinking beer. Drank Wine and Cider but not quite the same unfortunately….
Still an awesome atmosphere and I would absolutely go again.
Alex
Let me start by saying that Oktoberfest is one of the most amazing experiences I have every been to. The only way I can relate to it is by calling it Disneyland for adults (even though Disneyland is awesome as an adult too). I was in Munich this past September for 12 days and loved Oktoberfest so much that I went 2.5 days. It had been a long time dream of mine to go to Munich for the history. Doing during Oktoberfest was just an added plus.
The beer and the food are better than some restaurants here. I can’t wait to go back.
Allie
Hey Matt,
Did you go at the beginning, middle, or end of the fest? Just curious if you had any suggestions as when the best time to go is?
best,
Allie
Ana
Oktoberfest was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had!
I would definitely recommend it! Even for those who don’t like beer! Alone the atmosphere is amazing and there are many other things you can do there, besides drinking beer all day 😀
Chadwick
There’s also the Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) in April/May. Same thing as Octoberfest, slightly smaller and way fewer tourists. Probably cheaper to travel and stay without the ‘Octoberfest season’ price premium.
Ryan Biddulph
Being a non drinker, 1/2 day would suffice buddy. But definitely worth the experience. Plus my mom grew up in the Black Forest so it’d be a homecoming of sorts.
JSTR
I’ll be going again this year. This will be my eighth time. Getting plastered is a waste of time and money. One or two beers and that is it. Don’t forget that it is a lot stronger than the yellow water you get here in the states. Have a beer, then walk the grounds and sample the foods. You have a wide variety. You won’t be able to sample it all. And yes, one day is enough but for those hard core dudes and duchesses, two max. Why ruin it?
Kevin
Thanks for the listing of tents. I guess having a fixed table is the golden rule when you celebrate with a group of people, otherwise you just get lost! I speak from experience. 😉