Everything a first-timer needs for Oktoberfest in Munich: when it runs, what it really costs from London or New York, how to get a table, what to wear, and how to get home after the last stein.
Oktoberfest is not a ticketed music festival, it is the world's largest folk festival. Sixteen days of one litre beer steins, brass bands and roast chicken on a fairground in the middle of Munich, with around six million people passing through. For a first-timer the scale can be overwhelming, so this guide focuses on the parts that actually trip people up: the dates, the real cost, how to get a seat, and how to get home.
When is Oktoberfest 2026?
Oktoberfest 2026 runs from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October. It always opens on a Saturday in mid September with the mayor tapping the first keg at noon, and closes on the first Sunday of October. Both weekends and the final week are the busiest stretches. If you want a calmer first visit, aim for a weekday in the opening week.
Is Oktoberfest free?
Yes. Walking onto the Theresienwiese, the fairground locals call the Wiesn, costs nothing, and so does walking into any of the big beer tents. There is no entry ticket and no wristband. What you pay for is what you consume: a litre of beer, the famous Mass, runs around 15 EUR, a half chicken or a pork knuckle is in a similar ballpark, and the fairground rides are paid per ride. The only corner with an entry fee is the Oide Wiesn, a quieter, more traditional section with historical rides and tents, and that fee is only a few euros.
How to get a table (the part everyone gets wrong)
You do not need a reservation to get in, but you do need a seat to be served, because servers only bring beer to people sitting at a table. On weekday mornings and afternoons you can usually walk into a tent and find a bench. On weekends and every evening the tents fill up and close their doors once they are full, often by late morning on a Saturday. The rule of thumb: if you want a Saturday table, be inside and seated by 10am.
Reservations are free to make, but they are organised tent by tent, they are released months ahead, and most require you to commit to buying food and drink vouchers in advance. For a first visit it is often easier to skip the reservation, arrive early on a weekday, and grab seats in the unreserved central area or in the beer garden outside, which stays open later.
What to wear
Tracht, the traditional Bavarian dress, is genuinely welcomed rather than treated as fancy dress. Men wear Lederhosen, women wear a Dirndl. You do not have to, plenty of visitors come in normal clothes, but it is half the fun and locals appreciate the effort. If you buy a dirndl, the side you tie the apron bow on carries a meaning: left for single, right for taken. It is a small tradition worth knowing before you go. Whatever you wear, layer underneath and bring a jacket, because September afternoons are warm but the evenings turn cold fast.
Getting there and getting home
The Wiesn is very central. From Munich Airport (MUC) take the S-Bahn, the S1 or S8, to Hauptbahnhof, the main station, which is a short walk or one U-Bahn stop from the grounds. The closest U-Bahn stations are Theresienwiese on the U4 and U5, and Goetheplatz or Poccistrasse nearby. The tents stop serving and close around 11pm, and the U-Bahn packs out the moment they do. Buy a day travel pass in advance so you are not queuing for a ticket at midnight with several thousand other people.
First-timer tips
- Carry cash. Most tents are cash first and many will not take a card at the table. Bring euro notes and tip the server to keep the steins coming.
- Pace yourself. The beer is stronger than a standard lager, it is served by the litre, and the day is long. Eat properly and drink water between rounds.
- Tuesdays are family day. Rides and many stalls run at a discount and the daytime atmosphere is gentler, which helps if you are bringing children.
- Mind your belongings. Packed tents and the U-Bahn are working ground for pickpockets, so a zipped, front-worn bag is worth it.
- Have a backup tent. If your first choice has closed its doors, the beer gardens outside stay open longer and the smaller tents are far easier to get into.
How much does Oktoberfest cost?
Oktoberfest entry is free, so your trip cost is really flights, a few nights in Munich, and what you spend on beer, food and rides. Here is what four nights works out to per person from a handful of major cities, using a mid range hotel and a typical daily spend.
| Flying from | Flights | Typical / person | Budget to premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | $250 | $1,450 | $970 to $2,730 |
| New York | $750 | $1,950 | $1,470 to $3,230 |
| Dubai | $450 | $1,650 | $1,170 to $2,930 |
| Singapore | $900 | $2,100 | $1,620 to $3,380 |
| Sydney | $1,500 | $2,700 | $2,220 to $3,980 |
Per person, based on 4 nights in Munich with a mid range hotel. Munich room rates spike hard during the festival, so booking six months ahead makes a real difference. These are FESTGO planner estimates in USD, not quotes.