49+ Super Detailed Oktoberfest Tips From an Oktoberfest Tour Guide

When people planning their trips to Oktoberfest find out I’m an Oktoberfest tour guide, I get asked for all the Oktoberfest tips and advice. And since Oktoberfest is my favorite two weeks of the year, I’m always happy to talk tracht, discuss drinking, and lecture you on lagers! I’m also starting to lose my voice so I decided to put all my Oktoberfest tips into one blog post-shaped basket.

Oktoberfest is a celebration on a massive scale. A lot will go into planning your trip, especially if this will be your first time to Oktoberfest. It’s huge, it’s overwhelming, and you want your trip to be absolutely perfect. Enter: Ashley *curtsies dirndl*

Oktoberfest tips from the pros

I’ve included all my top Oktoberfest tips here on topics like where to stay, the best Oktoberfest beer tents, money stuff, how not to anger the locals, and, most importantly, the secret way to always know where the nearest bathroom is. (But just a brief introduction to some of the biggest Oktoberfest scams.)

I’ve perfected these tips over years of attending and working at Oktoberfest. (You can find me there every year for the whole two weeks.) I’ve also included Oktoberfest tips from locals as I’ve tapped my native Munich friends for their best advice as well.

For this list of must-know Oktoberfest tips, I’ve done my best to bunch them into categories that make sense. I think I’ve covered everything in this post, but if there’s something else you’d like to know, please feel free to ask it in the comments section!

General Oktoberfest tips

Here you’ll find a few general Oktoberfest tips and some of the most important things you should know before even starting to plan your Oktoberfest trip.

1. Oktoberfest starts in September

Maybe you already know this. Or maybe you’ll call your tour leader mid-October to request your hotel details. After the festival has already ended. This actually happens. Don’t be that guy. I can’t stress the importance of knowing this enough: Oktoberfest starts in September.

Oktoberfest begins annually in mid/late-September and ends at the beginning of October. Every year. Most years Oktoberfest lasts just 16 days. But because its end date revolves around German Unity Day (a national holiday), some years we get a few extra days as a bonus!

2. Never pay anyone for “Oktoberfest tickets”

Oktoberfest is a free event. By that I mean: admission to get into both Oktoberfest and the beer tents is 100% free. Don’t let anyone scam you into buying “Oktoberfest tickets.”

Oktoberfest tickets do not exist. At least, not official ones that weren’t printed in some guy’s mom’s basement and distributed from the trunk of his Corolla.

3. Never buy Oktoberfest tent reservations from a third party

I’ll talk more about Oktoberfest tent reservations in a minute, but I should note this right now. Anyone can apply to purchase beer tent reservations at Oktoberfest, but it must be done directly with the tent owners.

I repeat, it is illegal to sell Oktoberfest beer tent reservations. If someone who is not the tent owner is trying to sell you seats or tickets, or you see them for sale on Craigslist (or wherever), do not purchase!

Also read: 26+ Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Oktoberfest (But Definitely Should!)

 4. Spend at least 2 days at Oktoberfest

They don’t necessarily need to be back-to-back, but you should definitely spend more than one day at Oktoberfest. Actually, go ahead and budget a hangover day in between.

There is so much to experience at Oktoberfest. So many tents that all provide very different experiences. So much to see and do and so much fun to be had.

You may be able to get a general idea of what Oktoberfest is all about in a single day, sure. But to really experience Oktoberfest, you’ll need (and will most definitely want) more time. Two full days at Oktoberfest with a sightseeing day in between is perfect.

5. Start the party in Munich as soon as you land.

Why this isn’t more well-known is beyond me, but there’s actually a full-scale brewery and beer garden right there in the Munich airport. (To the surprise of absolutely no one who’s familiar with Bavarian levels of beer appreciation.)

Airbräu is the world’s first airport brewery and has been since 1999. They serve typical Bavarian meals and a wide range of beers with flight-related names. It’s really too cute.

It’s my favorite place to start my big beer/big meat Oktoberfest party. Don’t ease into Bavaria, just throw yourself in. Like how you teach a baby to swim by just tossing it in the pool.

Check out all the Airbräu details (where to find it, food and drink recommendations, etc.) in my post on Munich’s airport brewery.

6. Plan your Oktoberfest trip as early as possible

You already know Oktoberfest is an enormous event. But did you know the annual average attendance is 6.3 million people? (And attended by a record-setting 7.2 million people in 2023?) Needless to say, Oktoberfest isn’t an event you can just show up to all willy-nilly.

Many visitors included in that total are locals, sure, but most of that number isn’t. That means millions of people need hotels… and flights and dirndls and airport transfers and adequate time to practice drinking liters and liters of beer.

Please read my full guide to booking a hotel for Oktoberfest. It’s got tons of hotel suggestions, expert tips, and more.

When to start planning for Oktoberfest

To attend Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany you’ll need a good amount of advance planning. Ideally, you should start planning your Oktoberfest trip just after Oktoberfest has ended the previous year.

I know I sound like I’ve had a few already, but the later you wait to book everything, the harder it’ll be to find anything at all. And what you do find at that point will be so incredibly unaffordable you may just be stuck chugging longnecks in the Corolla with the sketchy ticket guy instead.

And when you need personalized help planning your trip, I’m here for you! I offer one-on-one Oktoberfest trip planning to get you all the advice you need.

Oktoberfest tips on booking hotels

This is, quite possibly, one of the most important Oktoberfest tips for planning.

7. Book your Oktoberfest hotel before you do anything else

Planning your trip as early as possible is key, yes. But the most important part of that is booking your hotel. Before you do anything else, put the beer down and book your Oktoberfest hotel room.

Those 7 million people will need a place to sleep and I can tell you right now there aren’t that many beds in Munich. There aren’t even that many people in Munich (population: 1.5 million).

Hotel rooms in Munich during Oktoberfest are in short supply so snag yours as early as possible. My favorite way to book is on Booking.com—that link will take you straight to Munich hotels.

Don’t forget, vacation rentals are always an option, even for Oktoberfest. They may not be best deals you’ve ever scored, but it’s an option. Check out Munich vacation rental listings here but read this post first about Oktoberfest Airbnb scams.

8. Stay as close to the Wiesn as possible

Keeping in mind that at its core Oktoberfest is a festival centered around beer and its consumption, it should go without saying you’ll want to limit your time in transit. And by that I mean, the closer you are to the festivities, the easier it will be for your drunk ass to get home.

Wiesn (pronounced vee-zin) is local-speak for the Theresienwiese–the large park where Oktoberfest takes place (or “fairgrounds” as we say in the U.S.).

I can’t recommend enough staying at a hotel as close to the Wiesn as possible. After your day consuming strong German beer by the liter, getting back to your hotel may pose a challenge. (Huge understatement alert!) The fewer trains, cabs, trams, subways, or physical walking steps it takes to get there, the better.

Obviously, since this is prime Oktoberfest real estate, prices will be higher. (Book as early as you can for the best deals.) But lemme tell you—there is nothing more worth the extra money than a hotel just outside the Wiesn.

Here’s why:

• Getting to and from Oktoberfest is fast and easy, especially when the Munich weather isn’t great.
• If you get turned away because of a big purse, or if you decide you want to leave your jacket behind, you can easily drop it off at your hotel and return to the party.
• If you have to catch a cab home from Oktoberfest and you’re staying far away, you’ll probably pay the equivalent of a hotel room anyway.
• That’s if you can catch a ride in the first place, which is highly unlikely.
• You may just score a room with some awesome Oktoberfest views
• There’s nothing better than people-watching the Oktoberfest crowds (and horse-drawn beer wagons) coming and going.

Also read: 16 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hotel to Pick the Perfect One Every Time!

If you can’t get a hotel close to the Wiesn

If all the hotels near the Wiesn are sold out or are simply too pricey, don’t panic. Munich’s U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and tram systems are cheap, easy to use, and can get you to many hotels around Munich.

If you have to go this route, look for hotels along these routes and with as few stops as possible in between. (Falling asleep on the train after a few liters of beer is not unheard-of.)

There are three main modes of Munich public transportation to know: the U-Bahn is the underground train (i.e., the subway); the S-Bahn is the suburban train (goes out of the city a bit farther); and the tram is an above-ground rail tram that goes around the city. Check out all the Munich public transportation route maps here.

Best time to attend Oktoberfest tips

PSA: the only place to get a beer at Oktoberfest is inside the beer tents (or one of the special bars outside). And the only way to get a beer inside a beer tent is to park your tuchus at a table.

9. Go to Oktoberfest early in the day

With how many people attend Oktoberfest, this isn’t an event you can just show up to whenev. You and the sun are going to have to race each other there and you better win!

Remember when I said 6.3 million people attend Oktoberfest each year? Over a period of 16 days? I’ll do the math for you – that’s almost 400,000 people a day. There are only so many seats for so many butts in the 32 Oktoberfest beer tents. And since I still have my calculator out I can tell you that that is 12,304.5 butts in each tent. Someone must be sitting on the edge of the bench.

Your best bet of getting a seat at Oktoberfest is to go as early in the day as possible. The beer tents open at 10 AM during the week and 9 AM on the weekends (with some exceptions). And puh-lease, like you’ve never had beer before breakfast. I don’t even want to hear it

Get there when the tents open and you’ll be absolutely spoiled with seating. Wait until noon and you might have to search for a spot. Get there any time around 5 PM and there’s a good chance the tent will be at capacity and therefore closed to new butts. It’s definitely not impossible, it’ll just be a little more work.

And if you’re looking to party hard well into the nacht, make sure you…

10. Go to Oktoberfest during the week

And if you’ve ever been, well, anywhere, then you should already know that Oktoberfest tends to be much busier on the weekends than it does during the week.

On weekdays the crowds are much lighter and they show up much later. On the weekends, Saturdays especially, the crowds start forming to get into the Wiesn around 6 AM. For a beer tent that opens at 9. You don’t need a calculator to solve this no-brainer.

Don’t get it twisted (lil pretzel humor for ya), Oktoberfest in the morning on a weekday is still going to be a good time. It’ll also be a better chance to get a seat (especially if you need a bunch of them together) and I can’t think of a better way to start a day.

11. Best weekend to attend Oktoberfest?

If I had to choose the best weekend to attend Oktoberfest, I’d personally go with the second one. It’s not as insane as the first, but still more lively than the last. It’s a real Goldilocks situation over here. However, there are many things to consider. So, what are the differences?

Opening weekend

Oktoberfest begins on a Saturday. On that day the Wiesn opens at its usual 9 AM, but the festivities don’t get underway until noon. At noon, the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first keg, shouts “O’Zapft is!” (“It is tapped!”) and then, and only then, can Oktoberfest begin.

This is the busiest and most insane day at Oktoberfest. Thousands of people start lining up pre-dawn to get in. When they open the gates, it’s an all-out, every man and woman for themselves, mad dash to the tents where you’ll then sit for three more hours without beer. Get a sample of the chaos in this video.)

If you can get into the Schottenhamel tent to witness the tapping of the keg, it may be worth it to experience just once. Otherwise, maybe sit this one out?

Gay Sunday

The first Sunday of Oktoberfest is unofficially known as Gay Sunday. Special festivities—prepare to get whipped—take place inside the Pschorr-Bräurosl tent.

Middle Weekend

The second weekend of Oktoberfest is, again, unofficially but pretty much officially, “Italian weekend.” This is when seemingly everyone from Italy chooses to head north to trade in wine and pasta for beer and brats.

The vast majority of this festa takes place in the Löwenbräu tent and they even bring their own police force to curb tensions between Germans and Italians brought on by the Italians’ frequent use of flagrant hand gestures. I kid you not, that was their actual reason (from an article they’ve since taken down).

Last Weekend

Oktoberfest typically ends on the Sunday of the last weekend. On the last night, there’s an “unofficial” closing party in the Hacker-Pschorr tent. They dim the lights, strike up the band, and everyone who’s been drinking boatloads of beer for hours, possibly days, waves lit sparklers through the air. And everyone is totally fine with this.

It’s another hard to get into “event” but would be worth a try maybe once. Other than this, by the last weekend of Oktoberfest the party is slowly but surely winding down.

Obviously the best weekend to attend Oktoberfest will depend on your own personal desires, but I prefer the soft middle. It’s juuuust right.

Oktoberfest tips on what to wear

Oktoberfest tips on what to wear are kinda my bread and butter pretzel and mustard. I have several detailed blog posts on the topic of how to dress for Oktoberfest that cover just about anything you could think to ask on the topic.

Click on that (it opens in a new tab) and read it after you finish this. In the meantime, here are a few of my top Oktoberfest outfit tips:

12. Wear the traditional Oktoberfest outfits

Are you required to wear traditional Bavarian clothing to Oktoberfest? Oh yes, absolutely! No, not officially. But should you? Hell yeah! (Also, click on that link for all of your questions answered!)

I mean, what is Oktoberfest without the dirndls and lederhosen? A regular Monday morning, that’s what. Wait. Downing beers by the liter is not how you spend your weekdays? That will all change soon enough.

If you’re concerned you’ll be the only one dressed up, trust me you won’t. The vast majority of Oktoberfest attendees wear one of these two items and you’ll most likely feel out of place if you don’t dress up. (And here’s where you can buy your Oktoberfest outfits!)

My post on what to wear to Oktoberfest covers everything: what to buy and where to buy it (both online and in Munich), how to wear it all, some helpful dos and don’ts, and so much more. All your Oktoberfest outfit questions, answered. I also have a full guide to buying a dirndl online with everything you need to know and a post on easy ways to upgrade a cheap dirndl too!

Don’t want to wear a dirndl or lederhosen? Check out the fun Oktoberfest alternatives in my Oktoberfest shop!

At Oktoberfest, you’ll be standing, walking, and dancing for days on end. Make sure you wear a cushy, comfy shoe that can keep your feet going that long.

Also, the later it gets in the day, the more broken glass you’re bound to encounter. By the end of the night, you’re almost wading in glass shards through the tents. Don’t wear any type of sandal or open-toed shoe. That would be a bigger mistake than riding the Drop Tower after three liters of beer.

Check out my entire guide to Oktoberfest socks and shoes for both men and women here!

(All real examples I just found.) These aren’t traditional; no one wants to see your schnitzel; and my Bavarian friends find them extremely offensive. Plus, there are even parts of the Wiesn you won’t be allowed into dressed like that.

This is just one of the many truly embarrassing rookie mistakes you can make at Oktoberfest. Read my full post on what NOT to do at Oktoberfest, ever.

No other kinds of costumes either

On that note, many other costumes will actually get you kicked out of Oktoberfest. Trying to get into the beer tents dressed as Carry Me to Oktoberfest, for example, will get you a one-way ticket back to your hotel to change. (So I hope you’re staying close by!) I even saw a guy dressed as Jesus get booted.

And while a lederhosen T-shirt or dirndl T-shirt won’t get you turned away, it will make you stand out as a clueless tourist. That being said, if you don’t feel comfortable in lederhosen or a dirndl, wearing your everyday street clothes is perfectly acceptable.

When it comes to wearing costumes to Oktoberfest, we get it. You think you’re funny. But let us find that out once you start dancing and not a minute sooner.

15. Tie your dirndl apron the correct way

Did you know that how you tie your dirndl apron will reveal details about your love life?

• If you tie your apron with the bow on your left, it means you’re single.
• Tying your apron with the box on your right means you’re taken.
• If you tie it with the bow in the front middle, it means you’re a virgin.
• And if the bow is in the back, it can mean either that you’re a widow or a waitress.

Here’s a quick video to illustrate:

16. Tie the perfect bow

Maybe I’m a dirndl snob at this point, but it drives me crazy to see a limp, lifeless apron bow. #firstworldproblems, I know. Regardless, people are always asking me to tie their dirndls for them.

But I didn’t always know how to tie the perfect dirndl bow. My friend Erika showed me how. Watch her video on how to tie the perfect dirndl bow. It’s my favorite super power!

17. Leave big bags at the hotel

Large bags and purses over “3 liters” are prohibited from even entering Oktoberfest. To get into the Wiesn you must first pass through a line of security officers who will judge everything about you, especially the size of your purse. If they deem it too big, auf wiedersehen! (Hope your hotel is close!)

Besides, you don’t want to lug around anything more than chapstick all day anyway. Get all the additional information you need and some perfect Oktoberfest purse suggestions in my post: What you need to know about bringing a purse to Oktoberfest.

Tips for Oktoberfest tents

Inside the Oktoberfest beer tents is where the party really happens. And with 16 large Oktoberfest tents and just about as many smaller ones, there’s much to learn.

18. You don’t need Oktoberfest reservations

It’s understandable that with so many millions of people attending Oktoberfest and only a relatively small number of seats to go around you’d prefer to make reservations. And you can, but you don’t need them. By law, every beer tent has to set aside a certain percentage of its seats for walk-ins.

Anyone can reserve a table at Oktoberfest… if you’re willing to jump through the proper German hoops. The owners of each beer tent handle the reservation process for their own tent and each have their own set of requirements, deadlines, etc.

Acquiring beer tent reservations at some tents is pretty straightforward, most are complicated, and some are downright impossible if you don’t live in Munich.

Some tents open their reservation applications as early as February. Some even require the use of a fax machine. And some tents are already booked up with so many repeat customers the public never stands a chance.

The one thing all beer tent reservations have in common though, is that you must reserve an entire 8- or 10-person table. You can’t make reservations for just you and your husband, or you and your 3 friends.

19. Know how to get seats

It may sound like you need beer tent reservations but that’s entirely not true if you’re willing to try these Oktoberfest tips. To find a seat in a beer tent: 

Go early, on a weekday

Heading to Oktoberfest early in the day and/or on a weekday will be the most effortless way to get your butt on a bench.

Limit your group size

Don’t try to all sit together if you’re a large group. Any group larger than 4 may have a hard time finding seats together later in the day. (And FYI: ain’t no way your entire group will still be together by then anyway.)

Ask nicely

Find a server who’s not incredibly busy, tell him/her how many people are in your party, and do so as nicely as possible. They will know exactly where you can fit. Also, chances are if they have a party who hasn’t been ordering (or tipping), they’ll happily kick them out. (I know this from experience.)

Try the beer garden

Most of the large Oktoberfest beer tents also have large outdoor beer gardens that don’t fill up as quickly as the inside. Festbier with a side of vitamin D!

The Hofbräu tent is the only Oktoberfest beer tent with a standing room only section. At certain times of the day, you may be able to find a spot here if all the tables are taken.

Another amazing way to find an open seat at Oktoberfest is to…

20. Download the official Oktoberfest app

Update: As of 2023 they have discontinued the Oktoberfest app. If you’ve already downloaded it, you can still use it, but it is no longer being updated. Instead, they simply refer you to the official Oktoberfest website where you can find all the same information (with the exception of the Friend Finder and the Tent Capacity, of course).

In the official Oktoberfest app you’ll find many things to help you navigate Oktoberfest smoothly, both literally and figuratively (and while drunk).

This app includes a map of the Wiesn to easily find the beer tents you’re looking for. It has the official Oktoberfest event calendar to keep track of what’s happening and when. It’s got a list of helpful Oktoberfest tips and hours. But the two most important things it offers are:

The friend finder

The app keeps track of where you and your friends are so you can easily find each other among the millions of people after millions of liters.

21. Be prepared to get cozy

If this is your first time outside the U.S., you may be shocked at the fact that you *gasp!* have to share a table with strangers. Welcome to the German beer hall.

You will be cozy with everyone around you. The tables are long, narrow, and fit as many people as is physically possible. Don’t expect to see open space just waiting for you to sit in it—you gotta squeeze if you want that cheese. Obatzda, specifically.

And, whatever you do, do not save seats. Don’t show up early and try to save an entire table for your friends that might show up later. So much no to this. This is not gemütlichkeit.

22. Check out a bunch of the Oktoberfest beer tents

So, yes. There are around 32 tents at Oktoberfest and all with their own vibes. Half of them are large holding around 10,000 people at a time, and the rest are smaller (holding anywhere between 100 and 5,000+).

Try out a few during your time at Oktoberfest to see how they all differ. You may be shocked by how the day changes upon entering a new tent. Some tents are more laid back while some are major party tents. The food, beer, bands, and the entire experience are different in all of them.

This is best done before 5 PM, but not entirely impossible afterwards. Besides, what are the chances your whole group is still together at this point anyway? Zero. A zero chance.

Do I personally know people who’ve opened a tent at 9 AM and not left until it closed at 10:30 PM? Yes! I mean, more power to them, but don’t be like them.

23. Get familiar with the Oktoberfest tents ahead of time

Have a plan as to which Oktoberfest beer tents you’d like to check out ahead of time. You can get to know each of them better in this post I wrote on the different Oktoberfest beer tents.

Don’t miss the Marstall tent and its horse and carousel theme. And the Hacker tent with its beautiful Bavarian Heaven motif and rotating bandstand. Or the Armbrustschützenzelt that has an honest-to-goodness crossbow shooting range inside.

And be sure to visit the Schottenhamel tent for the best half chickens. As well as the Augustiner tent for the best beer. And there’s even a wine tent for you non-beer drinkers!

24. The Schottenhamel tent has the best tables

Unlike most of the other beer tents that have long, narrow, typical beer hall tables, the Schottenhamel tent has much better versions.

The Schottenhamel tent has larger square-ish tables–much better for legroom, talking to your friends, and fitting multiple dinner plates. But these tables also have something no other tent has: mesh netting underneath to hold your purses and sweaters!

This is a great function to utilize, just don’t leave your purse in there when you leave.

Local’s tip: If you want to avoid the insanity of the most popular tents (with mostly international visitors), head to the more local tents like Hacker-Pschorr and Augustiner.

25. Never smoke in the beer tents

All Oktoberfest beer tents are non-smoking. Most Oktoberfest beer tents have designated smoking areas outside. If you think you can (omg) hide under the table and smoke your cig, you’re fooling no one. Don’t be a jerk. News flash: Oktoberfest is locked and loaded with bouncers who, I assume, were used as stunt doubles in the Terminator franchise.

26. Never stand on the tables

The further you get into the afternoon at Oktoberfest, the less likely it is you’ll be sitting down. At some point—and it’s different in every tent—the crowds move to the benches for dancing and celebrating of all sorts.

While this is totally fine, encouraged, and expected, you are to never stand on the actual tables. Dancing on the benches is dangerous enough—no need to add increased heights to fall from, beers to knock over, sauerkraut to slip on, or more glass to break.

You’ll be immediately yanked down by an employee of the beer tent and may or may not get das boot.

27. Know what the white powder is

Before you freak out and write home to your grandmother about how Oktoberfest is just one huge drug-fueled keg party, get the (very weird) facts.

There’s a chance you’ll see some Oktoberfest-goers snorting white powder right there in the beer tents. This is not cocaine. I’ll admit I was also confused when I first saw the white powder being passed around and no one thinking twice about snorting it right there at the table. I was like, “For sure I’m getting arrested today.”

This is wiesn-koks—okay fine they call it “Oktoberfest coke,” moving on—a harmless mixture of glucose and menthol. It’s sweet, has a refreshing cooling effect, and is intended to give you a short burst of alertness while clearing up those bogged down beer sinuses.

People buy this stuff (essentially “grape sugar”) directly from the beer tent servers and at the souvenir booths inside the tents. And while using this isn’t exactly encouraged (or maybe it is, they sell it right there!), you won’t get in trouble for trying it.

And if you do want to try it, please purchase your own. Don’t just snort any white powder that gets passed your way. (A bottle of it runs around 5 euros.)

28. Know what Ein Prosit is all about

There will be one song you hear more than any others at Oktoberfest: Ein Prosit. You’ll hear this song pretty damn often actually. You’ll be expected to sing along each and every time. And, though it’s in German, there are only a few words you need to know.

(raise your mugs high in the air)

Ein Prosit, ein prosit, der gemütlichkeit
Ein prosit, ein prosit, der gemütlichkeit
Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa!

(toast and drink)

The lyrics basically mean: “A toast, a toast, to cheers and good times” followed by “1, 2, 3, drink!” Watch this video for a prep course.

Get ready for Oktoberfest by downloading my expertly curated Oktoberfest playlist here for free. It’s got everything you can expect to hear at Oktoberfest in Munich from traditional music to the biggest hits and is perfect for any Oktoberfest-themed celebration.

Oktoberfest tips about money

There are just a few Oktoberfest tips I can give on money-spending being that I’m the farthest thing from a financial expert. But let’s start with the big one…

29. Prepare to splurge

I’m not gonna zucker-coat it here. Oktoberfest isn’t a budget destination. Sure, I guess there are ways to do Oktoberfest on a budget. But do you feel like camping in a tent in a communal field? I DIDN’T THINK SO.

First of all, with limited hotel rooms, obviously prices during Oktoberfest are going to be higher than what you might normally agree to pay. This will be your biggest expense.

Inside the festival, you can expect to pay around €15 euros per liter of beer (before tip), and anywhere from €5 – €30 euros for food. But I’m telling you, Oktoberfest is so worth it. Given that you have to plan this trip about a year in advance, that gives you plenty of time to save save save!

30. Bring cash and plenty of it

Inside the beer tents and just about everywhere else at Oktoberfest, credit cards are not accepted. Bring cash with you to the festival and plenty of it. Yes, there are ATMs all around the Wiesn, but the ATM fees at those machines can be steep. I mean, Alpine steep.

I recommend hoarding cash from ATMs in other spots like the airport, your hotel lobby, or around town before coming to Oktoberfest.

Before you travel internationally, you should also look into picking up a credit card that does not charge any foreign transaction fees (most do nowadays) or one that reimburses international ATM fees.

31. Always tip your servers

A good portion of that cash should go to your server(s). Did you know these people work 16 straight hours for 16 straight days? On their feet, running around, carrying heavy beers and food trays, dealing with lord knows what?

Yes, the beers are pricey, but toss your server an extra couple of euros and you, too, shall be rewarded. Not tipping an Oktoberfest server is the easiest way to simply not get served anymore. When you see what they go through, you’ll see they deserve all the cash in your fanny pack.

Oktoberfest food tips

Oktoberfest food is the wurst. And by that I mean the absolute best you’ll have on your travels. The meals here are huge, hearty, beautifully Bavarian. Try as many different dishes as you can. And don’t leave without having an Oktoberfest pretzel or twelve.

Want to get in the party mood with some great Oktoberfest food? Check out this post on Oktoberfest party foods that you can make and serve at home.

32. Try the daily specials

One great way to try some Bavarian foods you may never have tried before is to take advantage of the beer tent lunch specials. Each tent already has their own unique menu and specialties, but during the week they also offer lunch specials.

Sometimes these are classic favorites like hendl (1/2 roast chickens) and sometimes they’re dishes you’d never think to order, like knuspriger schweinerollbraten (crispy rolled roast pork). (Which is amazing by the way!) These lunch specials typically come with sides and a reduced price. You can find them listed on the beer tent food menus.

33. Don’t eat the gingerbread hearts

Did I learn this the hard, drunk way? Absolutely. The pretty gingerbread hearts (lebkuchenkerzen) are to be given as gifts to your friends and lovers. With sayings like “I love you” and “You are my sweetheart,” I hope you’re not passing these out to coworkers.

Regardless, after many liters of beer a lebkuchenherz may look like the perfect sweet treat for the walk back to the hotel. I mean, it’s literally hanging right there under your nose!

However, it is very… much… not. They’re technically edible, yes, but they’re gross. Do you really want to eat food that’s not actually intended to be eaten?

If you’re looking for something sweet at Oktoberfest, get yourself a dampfnudel. Check out my page on how to make dampfnudel at home to learn more about them!

Oktoberfest tips for drinking

I knew all that beer drinking would eventually come in handy for my readers!

34. Try the beer, even if you “don’t like beer”

I know, I know, you don’t like beer. And that’s fine, you can still enjoy Oktoberfest. However, I do want to point out that I’ve attended Oktoberfest with many of my non-beer-drinking friends. And guess what? They drank the beer! And they loved the beer!

Oktoberfest beer is far superior to all other beer (I’ll fight you). Plus, when you’re in a beer tent with 10,000 people all singing together, that festbier just hits different. Before you know it, a liter is gone and you’re like “OMG I LOVE OKTOBERFESTTTTT!” I’m just saying, maybe Oktoberfest beer is worth a try.

And if you don’t drink beer at all for whatever reason, check out my complete guide to Oktoberfest for non-beer drinkers. It has everything you need to know: wine, liquor, cocktails, and all the popular non-alcoholic options and where to find them.

35. Prepare for stronger beer than you’re used to

Oktoberfest beer is pretty misleading. It’s surprisingly light (in color) and incredibly smooth (in your mouth) but packs a bigger punch than you realize.

Despite its outward appearance, Oktoberfest beer actually clocks in between 5.8% (Hacker-Pschorr) and 6.3% alcohol (Augustiner and Hofbräu).

So though it goes down easier than most other beers you’ve tried, don’t be deceived! Add in the fact that you’re drinking it liters at a time and you may be in for a surprise when it all catches up to you. Or so I’ve heard…

Oktoberfest is a marathon not a sprint.

Local’s tip: Never ask for a small beer! The beers at Oktoberfest come in one size and one size only: a liter. This liter mug is known as a maß (pronounce moss).

36. Try a radler

And if the thought of drinking 6.3% alcohol beer by the liter all day worries you, switch to a radler–a maß of half beer, half lemon soda. It’s sweet, refreshing, and perfect for the beer gardens. It looks like beer so no one would ever know the difference and it’s what I start all my early Oktoberfest mornings with.

Most of the tents offer them (with the exception of Augustiner) and they cost the same as a liter of beer.

37. Or hit up the wine tent

And if beer is just an absolute hell-no, there is a wine tent at Oktoberfest! The Kufflers Weinzelt is actually a really great time, even for non-wine drinkers.

They sell a whole menu of wine, sparkling wine, and other delicious things for you types. And as far as beer goes, they only sell Paulaner Hefeweizen. (More info on the Oktoberfest wine tent here.)

The wine tent is unique in many ways actually. Instead of your standard Oktoberfest tables, this tent has cozy wooden booths, a huge upper deck, and amazing, upbeat bands that are always ready to party.

38. Know proper Oktoberfest beer drinking etiquette

Bavarian beer culture is pretty laid back for the most part. But don’t you dare break these beer drinking rules.

The most important of Oktoberfest tips, don’t ever pour what’s left of a beer into a new beer. This is known as noagerl and is a huge faux pas ‘round these parts. Plus, it’s just gross. Do you even know how long it took you to finish that liter? (If you’re me, then about two hours.)

When cheers-ing, hold the mug by the handle (so you don’t break your fingers—I’ve seen it happen). But when drinking, put your hand through the handle.

When you prost, touch mugs on the bottom, not the top. That’s just standard sanitary practice right there.

As you can expect, I wrote an entire article on all the proper Oktoberfest beer drinking etiquette. But also this one on Oktoberfest facts to learn about the Oktoberfest beer police squad that really and truly exists.

Oktoberfest tips for the Wiesn

Believe it or not, there’s plenty to do at Oktoberfest outside the beer tents.

39. Ride the ferris wheel for the best views of Oktoberfest

So maybe you’re not all that into riding rides at a beer festival (huh? Why not?), but there is one you should ride: the ferris wheel.

It’s not loopy or stomach-turning, and from the ferris wheel you can get the best views of Oktoberfest. You can see all the tents and the hundreds of thousands of people. You can see all the rides and lights, and even the snow-covered Alps to the south.

Also read this post on where to find all the best views and photo spots at Oktoberfest!

40. Save money by riding the rides on Tuesdays and Thursdays

And if the steep price tag of riding the ferris wheel and other rides turns you off, know that on Tuesdays and Thursdays all Oktoberfest rides are half price. They call these “family days.”

41. Don’t be shocked to see children at Oktoberfest

So yes. Tuesdays and Thursdays are “family days” but that’s not the only time you’ll see children at Oktoberfest. Children are allowed at Oktoberfest every day (with a parent) but have to be out of the beer tents by 8 PM.

However, my favorite is seeing groups of school children on field trips to the Wiesn. Learning the proper Oktoberfest ways at an early age, I love it.

42. Don’t take a nap in the grass

Behind all the beer tents on the western side, you’ll see a grassy hill. This area is typically covered in, among other things, extremely drunk people. Don’t be those people! (Get a hotel near the Wiesn!)

Puke Hill, as it’s locally known, attracts the drunkest of the drunk—those who simply have nowhere else to go. The grass is full of vomit, pee, lord knows what else, and, regrettably, people sleeping on it. It may look like a delightful little spot for a break, but don’t let it tempt you!

43. Know how to find the restrooms

Inside the beer tents you’ll find large restrooms with plenty of stalls. These restrooms are maintained all day and night and the attendants work hard to keep the place clean and the line moving fast. (Always leave a small tip.)

If you’re looking for a restroom outside the beer tents, let the angels be your guide. In other words, look for the giant cupids sitting on what I can only assume are soup crocks? Their arrows point the way to the nearest restroom.

Check out everything you want to know about the bathrooms at Oktoberfest + some stuff you probably don’t, in that link.

44. Check out Oktoberfest’s secret section

I’m going to let you in on the biggest Oktoberfest secret there is: the Oide Wiesn.

The Oide Wiesn is a part of Oktoberfest most tourists never experience. “Oide Wiesn” means Old Wiesn and this whole area is designed to replicate the first Oktoberfest back in 1810. The rides and carnival-style games are vintage and the tents are more traditional than your typical Oktoberfest beer tent.

The Oide Wiesn is located behind the ferris wheel and costs 4 euros to enter. (This is the only time you’ll have to pay an admission for Oktoberfest.)

In here, you’ll experience Oktoberfest as it used to be—before AC/DC and white powder came along. You’ll see traditional dance troupes and brass bands, whip-cracking and alphorn performances, and even get to dance on the main stages yourself (à la Clark Griswold).

In the Festzelt Tradition (the largest tent in the Oide Wiesn) you’ll drink Augustiner beer out of traditional stone mugs and eat amazing food. But know that the Oide Wiesn expects you to dress traditionally and act appropriately. No “saucy beer wenches” allowed.

If you’re looking for a wonderfully traditional Oktoberfest experience, or are just looking for a low-key break from the madness of the other tents, head to the Oide Wiesn!

45. Send your postcards directly from the Wiesn

Update: As of 2022 they no longer operate the Oktoberfest post office. Booo!

Get all your Oktoberfest souvenir shopping done at the Wiesn and send your packages and postcards directly from there.

Just inside the main entrance, Oktoberfest has its very own post office. You can buy postcards and postage, and mail everything directly from there. Send a postcard from here and you’ll get to see the exclusive Oktoberfest cancellation stamp. #nerdalert

46. Check out one of the many Oktoberfest events

Besides beer drinking and rides, there’s also a whole calendar of special Oktoberfest events. There are the traditional parades through town, concerts, and even a crossbow-shooting contest (and more).

Check out the Oktoberfest 2024 schedule of events here.

Miscellaneous Oktoberfest tips

I have to end this list at some point! So let’s do it with a few Oktoberfest tips that just don’t fit anywhere else.

47. The more the merrier

Oktoberfest really is a “more is merrier” situation. Why do you think they pack those beer tents 10,000-strong? Attending with your husband or wife is great, but attending with a group of your best friends is an all-out BLAST.

48. Go with an Oktoberfest tour group

And if you just so happen to be friends with a bunch of non-drinkers (shame), you can always go to Oktoberfest with a tour group.

As an Oktoberfest tour guide, I can vouch for the fact that this is a great way to go. Not only do you automatically have a fun group to party with, but you also get:

• Beer tent reservations in awesome tents
• Food and beer vouchers
• Prime hotels within a 5-10 minute walk from the Wiesn
• Someone to do all the planning and troubleshooting for you
• And a group of knowledgeable and local guides who know all the best Oktoberfest tips and are there to make sure you have the best time ever (like, me!)

If you’re interested to see what all a tour includes, check out these Oktoberfest tours for which I am the tour guide. *curtsy*

49. Plan some time for exploring Munich

And whatever you do, don’t leave amazing Munich without seeing more of the city. There’s so much more to Munich than just Oktoberfest. There are tons of great museums and landmarks, lots of Munich World War II history, beautiful parks (with river surfers!) and some of the best bars and restaurants everrrr.

Get the full list of awesome things to see and do in Munich here!

You can even take some fantastic day trips from Munich like:

• Neuschwanstein Castle tips
• Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• Salzburg, Austria day trip
• and many, many more.

For all the best day trips from Munich during Oktoberfest, click that link for my full post!

More info and Oktoberfest tips

• Heading to Oktoberfest? Read my post on where to stay (or just book your room here).
• Need a rental car? Check out the best Munich deals on rentalcars.com.
• Visiting more of Germany? Pick up a Germany guidebook for all your sightseeing. And be sure to pick up this Germany customs and culture guide too!
• Keep yourself and your belongings safe at Oktoberfest with these must-pack travel safety items.

What other kinds of Oktoberfest tips would you like to see here? Have questions? Let me know in the comments below. Have fun at the Wiesn!

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