Heading to Oktoberfest this year, or dreaming of it next year? Here’s what you need to know to have the best time at Oktoberfest!
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I’ve done beer festivals in the US before. I’ve been to city Oktoberfests in the US as well. None of these compare to the real thing.
The experience is closer to an American state fair, except that instead of the majority being rides, booths, and exhibitions, massive beer tents line much of the weisn (fairgrounds).
Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of food stalls, games and rides, novelty booths, and more: it’s one of the underrated parts of Oktoberfest!
When to Go to Oktoberfest
In 2024, Oktoberfest is September 21 – October 6.
I typically think you need one full day to “do” Oktoberfest. You can do more, of course, but in one relaxed day, you can experience the beer tents, wander the grounds, and try out the rides and activities. If you’re including it in a longer Germany or Europe trip, consider giving yourself a rest day the day after, or at least one more day to explore Munich.
If you can, go on a weekday; it’s much less crowded. You can check their predicted barometer for the least crowded times to visit if you’re flexible!
There are several parades and special events scattered through Oktoberfest as well. Check their calendar if there’s something special you want to see.
How Far in Advance Should I Plan?
The short answer: start early!
The Oktoberfest schedule runs on a formula. The last day is always the first Sunday of October (unless there’s a holiday that Monday or Tuesday, then it continues through then), and starts two weeks before on the Saturday.
Oktoberfest 2025 is September 20 – October 5!
It depends on your plan of attack. For some, making beer tent reservations is the most important part. Those open in March, so mark your calendars for next year!
You need to make individual reservations for each company and they’re almost always in German. You can see the full list here. I just use my browser’s translate feature. This is done tent by tent, so be prepared to pick your brand and go from there.
If you’re flexible, start looking at hotels in January! The rates won’t be much better than March, but the availability will be. Keep in mind that most hotels become nonrefundable during Oktoberfest, so once you book, you’re committed.
Tips for Winging It
A reminder that you don’t have to have reservations. A quarter of the tables are unreserved, and half on weekends!
So if you don’t make reservations, go early inside the tents. We showed up around opening time and got a table immediately! We stayed for several hours in one before heading out to enjoy the fairgrounds and explore more.
When in doubt, the beer gardens and external areas have no reservations!
Should I Buy the Lederhosen or Dirndl?
Short answer: yes! Your best bet is to either buy a real one or rent one!
Save yourself the effort and don’t get one of the Amazon ones. While I hate to overspend, the cheaper ones look super costume-y and are badly made, and they’re already more than $50.
Renting is pretty easy, although you need to give yourself time to go pick it up! Drindls and lederhosen sets are typically around 50€ for one day. Two popular rental companies are Bavarian Outfitters and Lederhosenverleih – both allow for ordering online ordering and picking up in store!
I found authentic dirndl options around 200€ including the dress, apron, and blouse. When I say authentic dirndl, I mean sets from a company that makes them for Bavarians that they wear to weddings and special events. It’s not cheap, but if you’re going buy one, why not get an authentic one?
I ordered a dirndl from Krueger, a Bavarian company. They have stores all over Germany, Austria and even Switzerland and northern Italy. Unfortunately, they don’t ship to the US, but they do ship to most of Europe.
You could always plan to get there a day early and shop on day one! You roll the dice on sizing/colors, but it may give the simplest solution.
Once you pick a dirndl, don’t forget that the side you tie the bow on matters! A bow on the left means you’re single and on the right means you’re taken or married. Tied in the center back means you’re either widowed or a waitress.
Looking for lederhosen? My husband got his from Amazon and it was much better quality than anything I found for dirndl! This one is made of real leather and fit in well with the Germans at Oktoberfest. Obviously, the locals had lederhosen perfectly worn in and his were brand new, but it was a good fit!
Don’t forget the Bavarian socks men wear! They’re two parts (ankle socks and then leg warmers), and hilarious.
Where to Stay in Munich
It’s a big deal! Book your hotels as soon as you know you’re going, but for future years, you want to book six months in advance if you can.
Expect hotels to have higher prices for those weeks. They’ll regularly be double or triple the usual rate, and typically nonrefundable.
There are some great options in the Altstadt, some of which are within walking distance to the fairgrounds. But keep in mind you’ll pay premium prices for these, often $500 a night or more.
Generally, the further out of the city you stay, the less expensive hotels get. I stayed at the Schwabinger Wahrheit by Geisel. It wasn’t near the fairgrounds, but it was a great hotel and had reasonable prices for the holiday, especially considering I only booked about 3 months in advance.
Getting Around Munich to Oktoberfest
Wherever you stay, getting to and from Oktoberfest is important! But it’s not hard.
There are tons of public transportation options:
On the UBahn (subway), take the U4/5 to Theresienwiese or the U3/6 to Goetheplatz, less than 5 minutes walk away.
On the S-Bahn (local train), take any of the S1 to S8 Hackerbrücke.
Some several buses and trains can get you there as well. All the details for those are on the official website.
If you’re with a small group, taxis and Uber are everywhere. We opted for this plan and it was so easy! Saved us the push of crowds and wasn’t too expensive.
I’ve heard stories about getting home from Oktoberfest at night; catching a cab was impossible or the public transportation was mobbed. I didn’t have this experience. Yes, public transport at night will be full, because everyone’s going home at the same time. But this is true of public transportation after any major concert, game, or event: it’s part of the experience! And again, we had an easy time finding a cab and jumping in to go straight to our hotel, even on a Saturday night.
What You Need to Know to Go to Oktoberfest
Outside the tent
Oktoberfest opens at 10 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends plus October 3, a holiday. The beer tents open then as well. They stay open until 11:30 pm, with last call at 10:30 pm. However, don’t forget that if you leave in that last hour, so will tons of other people! We left earlier than that to avoid the stampede home.
Entry is free!
There is a security checkpoint to enter the grounds, and you can’t bring luggage or big purses in. They say a maximum size of 3 liters, which my brain cannot compute: just bring a small purse.
You can buy food at the stalls outside and bring it inside a beer hall. Many of the beer halls also have food for sale if you don’t want to go find your own.
Inside the tent
You only order from YOUR server, so make sure you notice who takes care of your table!
Many tents take credit cards, but keep some cash on you! You wouldn’t want to give up your seat to go find an ATM. ATMs exist inside the fairgrounds, but they charge extra fees.
There are bathrooms in the big tents!
Attractions (Other than Beer)
One of the lesser-known parts of Oktoberfest (to Americans, that is!) is that there are plenty of rides and attractions beyond the beer tents! From classics like the Ferris wheel and roller coasters to more unique rides, there’s something for everyone.
Possibly my favorite is the Teufelsrad (Devil’s Wheel)! It’s basically just a wooden circle. The caller will announce a category or age range, and everyone who wants to play will grab a spot. The circle then spins, slowly but increasingly fast, to sling everyone off!
There’s also a smaller festival within Oktoberfest: the Oide Weisn! It’s a more historic corner, with more of a focus on Bavarian customs. There are three big tents with cultural programming and some of the more old-school rides! It’s worth the small additional entry fee.
Really, how was Oktoberfest?
The best part is the camaraderie! We chatted with everyone around us: as many Germans as not. Everyone is happy to be there with their friends, and happy to meet new people as we sing German songs and drink great beer.
Media in the US often portrays Oktoberfest as a drunken mess, full of people chugging beer and getting wasted. This isn’t the atmosphere. Most people are enjoying themselves, enjoying their beer, chatting with neighbors. It’s raucous but felt 100% safe and fun. Sure, some people drink too much too fast (often Americans), but the vast majority want to actually remember their experience at Oktoberfest.
Heading to Oktoberfest this year? If not, save this to start planning for next year!
If you’re headed to Munich, grab my weekend guide to the city, Munich restaurants, or castle hunting day trips!
