Visiting a new place for the first time without planning can lead to setbacks, hiccups, and even a frustrating experience. Oktoberfest, like any other adventure, requires some preparation to fully enjoy the celebration the way it is meant to be.
The festival lasts two weeks, and deciding the visitation days, setting a budget, booking accommodation, and arranging transportation in advance help with a smooth visit. With just a few right steps, like onsite orientation and checking the menu and ride prices beforehand, the first Oktoberfest traveler can make it a bucket list adventure!
Premeliery Planning for First-time at Oktoberfest
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Things to Consider for Your First Oktoberfest Trip
Your first Oktoberfest trip can become a core memory, influencing the decision to make the festival a tradition. A lot of planning and scheduling goes into having a perfect visit to the world’s biggest annual Volkfest, celebrated in Munich.
Beer Tent Admission and Reservation
A general misconception to which many first-time visitors fall pray is “Purchasing the Oktoberfest entry ticket.“ The festival has no entry feel; even the entrance to the beer tent costs nothing. Reservation against the vouchers (covering two beers and half a chicken per person) guarantees a spot. The reservation can only be made for the whole table of 8-10 people.
When Not To Reserve a Table?
Oktoberfest attracts an average of 6 million people each year, but that doesn’t mean the tents are always full. Sometimes, finding a spot is not an issue, and making reservations during those hours of the day is a total waste of money.
- The beer tents are mostly empty in the morning, especially around 11 a.m., from Monday to Thursday.
- 25% of the general area in the tent is kept unreserved during weekdays and 35% before 3 p.m. on the weekends.
When to Make Reservations at Oktoberfest Tent?
Reservations are helpful during busy days like Friday and Saturday. Due to overcrowding, the beer tents often close their entrances during those hours.
Notes: The reserved and unserved spots in the tent are indicated by the signs.
It’s best to tag along with a bigger group during hours when first-time visitors are unwelcome and regular visitors are given priority.
Tables in the beer garden are unreserved. The general reservation is that most of the large tents open between December and May.
Deciding the Dates and Days to Visit
The Oktoberfest celebration lasts 16-18 days, so you must decide in advance how long you want to stay. The slower days at the festival are generally more enjoyable, especially the first-time visitors get a chance to explore more.
- Sundays are preferable to Saturdays if you want to visit on the weekend
- October 3 (German Unity Day) if Friday is crowded
- First Saturday (the landlords and brewery parade) and Sunday (the Trachten—und Schützenzug parade) are packed but wholesome
- Tuesdays are the family days when the prices are reduced
It is not best to plan the whole visit from Friday to Saturday or only on the weekdays. The best first-time Oktoberfest experience can be coming on both weekends and weekdays.
Ideal Visit: Generally, three to four days are enough to experience every aspect of the festival, including the carnival rides and beer tents.
Setting a Budget for the Oktoberfest
The cost of the festival can vary for everyone. Setting a budget aside so you do not exceed it while enjoying the festivities is the best tip to consider as a first-time Oktoberfest traveler.
Check the prices on the carnival rides and the menu of the beer tent to get a rough idea of your spending budget.
To be served well, expect to pay a tip of 5-10% of the beer price, which rounds off to 1 to 2 Euros per beer.
Cash is the king at the festival. Most of the tent accepts cash only for unreserved orders.
Carnival rides and reserved seat orders can be paid through cash.
Tip: Get the money exchanged from the banks or the credit union to get the best rates.
Packing for the Festival
The Oktoberfest celebration calls for the traditional attire- dirndl and lederhosen men– which many first-time visitors oversee.
The dress code is not mandatory, but the festival experience is incomplete without premium lederhosen and a vibrant dirndl dress.
The last stretch of Volksfest gets chilly, so you must wear a warm jacket like a Bavarian cardigan (Janker) and Loferl socks.
Accessorizing the outfit is a must! Men should consider styling their leather pants with:
- Checkered or plain white shirt
- A matching leather suspender
- Traditional knitted socks
- Leather boots
Women should style their dresses with the;
- A classy blouse
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Bag
- Cardigan
You can purchase these Oktoberfest costumes directly from Munich or online.
Transportation and Getting Around Munich
The Munich Public Transportation is very effective. Two of the easiest and most convenient ways to commute around the Munich area are
- The Train
- The Bus
Most long-distance trains arrive at the Main Station (Hauptbahnhof), which is within the limits of Oktoberfest fairground (Theresienwiese).
Two airports, one for large carrier operations and the other for small planes connect the city to the outside world.
The buses taking to the outskirts of Munich are fairly priced and present at the central bus station.
Tip: If there is a language barrier, use the Google Lens option to scan and translate the sign boards.
Booking Accommodations
Accommodation is the most important aspect of planning a first-time Oktoberfest experience.
Munich has over 80,000 hotel beds, but demand skyrockets during the festival. A good location and reasonable rates are both necessary. Book early—ideally right after the previous Oktoberfest.
Staying within walking distance of Theresienwiese (the festival grounds) or near Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) is the most convenient option.
Hotels in these areas have easy access but tend to be pricier. Hostels or hotels in nearby S-Bahn-connected suburbs, such as Erding or Holzkirchen, are great for staying on a limited budget.
Historic hotels in Munich’s Old Town are a good balance of luxury in a reasonable amount.
Tip: Before making hotel reservations, check the Munich Public transportation route. Cabs or carpooling are usually costly.
The Oktoberfest Fairground Orientation
The Oktoberfest has seven entrances. Getting a little know-how beforehand is helpful.
Munich’s Oktoberfest is divided into two main areas.
- On the right (west) side, from the main entrance, is Wirtsbudenstraße, home to most of the large beer tents.
- On the left (east) side is Schaustellerstraße (Showmen Street), where the major rides and attractions are located.
Several cross-paths connect these areas, with Matthias-Pschorr-Straße in front of the Bavaria statue being the largest.
Food stalls, Weißbier (wheat beer) bars, and even a few liquor bars are spread along the Wirtsbudenstraße.
General Tips for a Successful First-Time Oktoberfest
- Do not dare to stand on the table or be ready to be kicked out.
- Many first-time visitors ignore that the Oktoberfest Marzen beer has a higher alcohol content (average 6% ABV). Drink responsibly!
- The beer served in tents is from one of Munich’s 6 breweries (Augustine, Hofbräu, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.)
- Not everything is allowed at the fairground. There is a list of things that are restricted at Oktoberfest.
- Each tent has a different personality. Enter the one with vibes that match yours.
- If you plan to stay late, go to Kafer in time. It is open until 1 a.m., and the rest of the tent closes by 11 p.m.
- Prefer wearing a dirndl dress and avoid going for Halloween-like costumes as they can hurt Bavarian sentiments.
- Try at least some of the traditional Oktoberfest dishes-Hendl, pretzel, and apple strudel.
- Never smoke in the beer tent. Most marquees have designated smoking areas outside.
- Experience the traditional carnival rides: the Wellenflug, Feldl’s Teufelsrad, the Ferris Wheel, the Toboggan, Olympia Looping (Five Loops), and the Krinoline.
