Oktoberfest is expensive, crowded, loud, occasionally ridiculous, and…one of the most fun things I've done lately!
My son and I went to Munich's Oktoberfest in 2026, and over two visits we drank enormous beers, sang Bon Jovi at the tops of our lungs, made new friends, and spent a slightly horrifying amount of money.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
A gloriously sunny day at Munich's Oktoberfest 2026. Blue skies, giant beer tents, and absolutely no idea how much money we were about to spend.
But there are a few things I wish I'd known beforehand. Especially how quickly the euros disappear, which beer tents are easiest to get into, and why buying oversized lederhosen is a cringe idea.
Here's what I learned at my first Oktoberfest, including what I'd recommend, what I'd skip, and how to enjoy the madness without getting too drunk or going broke.
Oktoberfest First-Timer Tips: The Short Version
- Bring cash. Lots of it. We spent approximately €200 per visit for two people, even while sharing meals.
- Visit during the week. Finding seats was much easier on Wednesday afternoon than Friday night.
- You don't need reservations. Just ask a server where the unreserved tables are, then find some friendly people to join.
- Wear traditional clothing. Dirndls and lederhosen are everywhere, and dressing up is part of the experience.
- Pace your drinking. A Maß contains a full liter of relatively strong beer. Radlers are a lighter alternative.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You'll walk a lot and may end up dancing on the benches.
- Don't miss Oide Wiesn. The historic section has cheaper rides and a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Know your route home. Figure out your U-Bahn station before you've had several liters of beer.
When and Where Is Oktoberfest?
Taking Oktoberfest fun to new heights! The spinning swings offer a bird's-eye view of the Wiesn, assuming you can keep your eyes open.
Despite the name, Oktoberfest takes place mostly in September, finishing in early October. (I know! I was also shocked and surprised, and…a little late booking my hotel.)
In 2027, Munich's Oktoberfest runs from September 18 through October 3 at Theresienwiese, the enormous festival grounds locals simply call the Wiesn.
The main festival is free to enter, and you don't need tickets to visit the beer tents.
But don't confuse free admission with a cheap day out.
Nothing else about Oktoberfest is cheap.
How Much Does Oktoberfest Really Cost?
Even the beer arrives in style! Beautifully decorated draft horses pull a traditional brewery wagon through Munich's Oktoberfest.
Let's start with my biggest surprise: the money.
I knew Oktoberfest was expensive. We were attending one of the world's most famous festivals, not bargain hunting at the local pub. But knowing something will be pricey and watching the euros disappear are two very different experiences.
Here's what we spent during one afternoon:
What We Spent at Oktoberfest
| What we bought | Cost |
|---|---|
| One pork knuckle lunch, shared | €40 |
| Two small pretzels | €16 |
| Four beers, including tips | About €80 |
| One shared Radler | About €16 |
| Fries on our way out | About €20 |
| Total | €172 |
Yes! That much. And that was NOT a wild afternoon/evening.
We shared our main meal, didn't order anything fancy, and skipped the expensive rides in the main fairground.
By the time we included transportation and other small expenses, we spent approximately €200 per visit for two people.
Across our two visits, that's roughly €400.
For comparison, official Oktoberfest beer prices in 2026 ranged from €14.80 to €15.90 per liter, before tips.
We generally paid close to €20 per beer once we'd tipped our server. They're carrying enormous trays through crowded tents, and tips are an expected part of the experience. (And as a former server, I never stiff the wait staff.)
Bring More Cash Than You Think You'll Need
The Oktoberfest toboggan ride is on my list for next time! Preferably when my son isn't standing nearby worrying about his mother's questionable decisions.
While a few stalls accept cards, I would absolutely recommend arriving with plenty of euros.
We withdrew cash from ATMs near the festival entrance, where I encountered a €5.99 withdrawal fee whether taking out €100 or €200. Your bank and machine fees may vary, but I would avoid making multiple small withdrawals.
My advice? Budget approximately €100 per adult for a modest Oktoberfest visit if you're planning on eating, drinking, and spending several hours enjoying the bands. Budget more if you want multiple meals, rides, or souvenirs.
You might spend less, particularly if you don't drink more than one beer, but I wouldn't arrive expecting a budget-friendly afternoon.
It's a splurge. Plan for it and enjoy yourself.
When Should You Visit Oktoberfest?
Weekdays are your friend.
We visited on Wednesday and Friday, and the difference became noticeable as the evenings progressed.
By late afternoon, Munich's Oktoberfest beer tents are packed with revelers, enormous beers, and plenty of enthusiastic singing. Finding a seat gets harder as the evening rolls on!
On Wednesday, we arrived at the Paulaner tent around 3:30 p.m. and found seating without much trouble. We stayed most of the afternoon, enjoying the music and atmosphere, before moving to another tent around 7 p.m.
Finding seats at that point was trickier, but we eventually found some friendly people and joined the fun.
Friday afternoon was still manageable. We explored Oide Wiesn, visited one tent around 3 p.m., and moved to another for food around 6 p.m. Both had available seating.
Later that evening, when I went out alone in the main festival, things were considerably busier. One fancy tent near the entrance was no longer admitting guests, and the staff were less than charming about it.
I eventually found another tent and had a great time with a group of women, but the later it got, the harder it became to find a seat.
If I returned, I'd probably choose a shorter Tuesday visit and a longer Thursday, skipping the weekend altogether.
Do You Need Beer Tent Reservations?
Even the angels are ready to party! An enormous angel watches over the festivities from the ceiling of one of Munich's elaborately decorated Oktoberfest beer tents.
Not necessarily!
We never reserved a table, and we still managed to visit four different beer tents.
Our strategy was simple: ask a server where the unreserved seating is, then politely ask people if you can join them.
The unreserved sections can change throughout the day as reservation periods begin, so check rather than assuming an empty table is available.
If you're traveling with a large group or determined to visit a particular tent on Saturday evening, reservations are worth investigating.
Otherwise, be flexible. We enjoyed every tent we visited, and moving around was part of the adventure.
Which Oktoberfest Beer Tents Are Best?
We spent time in four tents, and the bands were fantastic in all of them.
Each had a slightly different personality, though the atmosphere also changed depending on the time of day.
The Four Oktoberfest Beer Tents We Tried
Paulaner Festzelt: A Great First Stop
Paulaner was our introduction to Oktoberfest, and we loved it. Busy and festive without feeling overwhelmingly chaotic, it was a wonderful place to spend Wednesday afternoon singing, drinking, and making friends. I'd happily recommend it for first-timers.
Hofbräu Festzelt: Bring Your Party Pants
Louder, wilder, and very much a party tent. We had a blast.
Look up to spot Aloisius, the enormous angel hanging from the ceiling. He's a famously grumpy character from a Bavarian satire about a man sent to heaven who isn't thrilled with the lack of beer. I appreciate an angel with priorities.
Löwenbräu Festzelt: Excellent for Lunch
We enjoyed a fantastic pork knuckle here, along with a more traditional, relaxed atmosphere. Just remember that a fairly calm tent at 3 p.m. might turn into a spectacularly rowdy beer party a few hours later.
Pschorr Bräurosl: More Singing, More Dancing
On Friday night, I joined a group of women at this green-and-white tent for more singing, dancing, and general merriment. Another excellent evening!
My advice: Don't agonize over which tent is best. We enjoyed all four, and your experience will depend as much on the people you meet and when you arrive as the tent itself.
What Should You Wear to Oktoberfest?
Ready for Oktoberfest! My son and I in our Tracht, feeling festive and delighted to be joining the fun.
Traditional Bavarian clothing!
Women generally wear dirndls, while men wear lederhosen.
Technically, there's no requirement to dress traditionally, but almost everyone we saw was dressed this way. You'll probably stand out more wearing ordinary street clothes than you will in a dirndl.
And honestly, getting dressed up is part of the fun.
We bought our outfits in Vienna before traveling to Munich, but you can also rent traditional clothing or shop secondhand.
I'd recommend choosing something reasonably authentic rather than a cheap Halloween-costume version. You don't have to spend a fortune, but poorly made costumes tend to look out of place among people wearing actual traditional clothing.
Lederhosen Shopping Tip: Buy Them Snug
My son learned this one the hard way.
His lederhosen stretched after a couple of wearings, and he was teased for “wearing his grandfather's lederhosen.” (But we were honored the Germans thought we were German, too, and therefore worthy of a fierce but jovial ribbing. They were also very sweet and apologetic once they realized we only understood enough to know we were being teased.)
Leather naturally relaxes with use, so don't buy them too loose.
And whatever you wear, choose comfortable, stable shoes.
You'll spend a lot of time walking, standing, and dancing on wooden benches. This is not the occasion for painful heels or slippery soles. I also wouldn't bring anything expensive or delicate that you're terrified of getting wet.
Spend enough time in a beer tent and somebody is almost guaranteed to spill beer on you.
Ask me how I know…
Oktoberfest Beer Is Strong. Pace Yourself.
The band gets the whole tent singing at Oktoberfest! Between the traditional drinking songs, rock anthems, and hundreds of people dancing on benches, the atmosphere is so much fun.
A traditional Oktoberfest beer comes in a Maß, an enormous one-liter mug.
That's almost three standard American 12-ounce beers, and Oktoberfest beer is generally stronger than your average American lager. Which means that two mugs can add up to a LOT of alcohol.
Take your time, eat real food, and drink water.
You can also order a Radler, a refreshing mixture of beer and lemonade or lemon soda, if you want something lighter.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend getting drunk at Oktoberfest. You're in a foreign city, surrounded by thousands of people, and possibly navigating public transportation late at night.
A fun buzz? Sure.
Being so intoxicated that you can't take care of yourself? No thanks.
The Best Part: Singing on the Benches
One of my favorite moments at Oktoberfest: singing at the top of our lungs with my son.
The highlight of Oktoberfest for me wasn't actually the beer. It was the music.
The bands were excellent everywhere we went, and the communal singing was former musical theater kid catnip.
Before you go, I’d recommend learning the words to Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit, the traditional Oktoberfest drinking song. You'll hear it constantly.
You'll also want to brush up on "Sweet Caroline" and Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," both of which we heard several times.
My favorite moments were standing on the benches singing at the top of my lungs with my son.
After spending so many years being the responsible parent, suddenly finding myself drinking beer and belting out ridiculous songs with my almost-grown kid felt like entering a new chapter.
It was a blast.
I’m so excited to grow into a new, adult relationship with my kids, and hopefully keep the fun rolling for the rest of their lives. What a gift to age into new joys with the ones we love.
Don't Skip Oide Wiesn, the Historic Oktoberfest
Vintage bumper cars at Oide Wiesn, Oktoberfest's charming historic section. The old-fashioned rides, nostalgic displays, and bargain prices make this a delightful escape from the madness of the main festival.
One of our favorite discoveries was Oide Wiesn, a separate historic section celebrating the traditional side of Oktoberfest.
It has old-fashioned rides, a museum, traditional beer tents, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the main festival.
We visited on Friday, and while the rest of Oktoberfest was increasingly crowded, Oide Wiesn felt comparatively peaceful and more local. We explored the museum, visited the tents, and rode the old-fashioned rides, which cost just €1.50 each.
Some were wonderfully cheesy, but that was half their charm.
I'd recommend Oide Wiesn to families, older visitors, or anyone who wants the traditional festival experience without quite so much chaos.
But even if you love the main party atmosphere, don't skip it.
We loved both sides of Oktoberfest.
Is Oktoberfest Safe?
The sprawling Oktoberfest fairgrounds at Munich's Theresienwiese. During the day, it's a colorful mix of beer tents, carnival rides, food stalls, and thousands of people enjoying the festivities.
Mostly, yes. But there are a few things worth knowing, particularly if you're a woman traveling alone.
During the afternoon, I found the atmosphere friendly, festive, and comfortable. As the evening progressed and people drank more, however, things became noticeably more aggressive. I was grabbed around the waist by multiple men during our visits.
Sometimes they seemed to be trying to dance or flirt. Sometimes it was simply unwanted touching.
When I told these men to stop, they did. But don't assume everyone will respect your personal space, especially later at night.
(And for what it's worth, the men behaving this way around me were German speakers, not obviously international tourists. It's not fair to blame all the rowdiness on visitors.)
I'd still go back alone, but I'd keep my wits about me, limit my drinking, and make sure I knew how to get home.
Getting to Oktoberfest and Where to Stay
The journey home from Oktoberfest! Munich's U-Bahn makes getting to and from the festival relatively easy, though you'll have plenty of company on the trains.
Munich's public transportation made visiting Oktoberfest easy.
We used the U-Bahn, and trains were frequent and busy without being unbearably packed.
The bigger challenge was locating the right station entrance after dark.
Figure out your route home before you start drinking.
Book Your Hotel Early
Where to Stay Near Oktoberfest
If I were booking again, I'd aim for somewhere within walking distance of the Wiesn. These three hotels are worth checking for your dates, but book early because Oktoberfest accommodation fills up fast!
Bavaria Boutique Hotel
A stylish boutique option close to Theresienwiese, ideal if you want a comfortable retreat after a long day of beer tents and singing.
Check availability and prices →Schwan Locke
Apartment-style accommodation with kitchen facilities, convenient for longer Munich stays or anyone wanting a little more space and flexibility.
Check availability and prices →Westend Hotel
A straightforward, practical hotel near the festival grounds, worth considering if location matters more than luxury.
Check availability and prices →Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
If I could do it again, I'd love to stay within walking distance of Theresienwiese.
Unfortunately, we booked relatively late, and the conveniently located hotels were already outrageously expensive.
Staying farther away worked fine thanks to the U-Bahn, but walking home would have been lovely.
For the best selection and potentially more reasonable rates, I'd start looking for accommodation many months in advance, possibly close to a year if you have firm dates.
How Many Days Do You Need at Oktoberfest?
Even the badgers are unhinged at Oktoberfest! One of the wonderfully bizarre decorations we spotted while exploring Munich's beer gardens.
I recommend two visits if you have the time and budget.
One day is enough to experience the beer tents, eat some traditional food, and join the singing. But two visits give you a chance to explore Oide Wiesn, try different tents, and enjoy both the daytime and evening atmosphere without cramming everything into one exhausting marathon.
Especially if you've traveled a long way to get there.
If I returned, I'd choose two weekdays and probably make one visit shorter than the other.
Is Oktoberfest Worth It?
For me? Absolutely.
Yes, it's crowded. Yes, it's expensive. And yes, there are moments when you wonder whether several thousand people drinking enormous beers in one room is humanity's finest idea.
But it's also joyful, festive, and genuinely unlike anything else I've experienced.
Come hungry! Oktoberfest is about more than enormous beers, with tables piled high with hearty Bavarian food, traditional specialties, and plenty of delicious reasons to take a break from singing.
I loved the traditional clothing, the old-fashioned rides, the fantastic music, and the fun of singing with strangers.
And I especially loved sharing it all with my son.
If you enjoy festivals, live music, delicious Bavarian food, and the occasional slightly unhinged communal singalong, Oktoberfest deserves a place on your travel list.
And when the band starts playing "Sweet Caroline," get up on that bench and sing.
You can be responsible again tomorrow.
Planning Your Munich Adventure?
There's more to Munich than enormous beers and questionable decisions! Discover where to stay for Oktoberfest and explore Oide Wiesn, Munich's charming old-fashioned Oktoberfest.
You can also get my tips on what to wear to Oktoberfest, and staying safer as a woman visiting Oktoberfest alone.
