Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest Travel Guide

This Oktoberfest travel guide will show how celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany can be one of the most exciting and unforgettable travel experiences of your life.

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Oktoberfest Trip Planning

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When is Oktoberfest?

Believe it or not, Oktoberfest actually takes place mostly in September. Oktoberfest lasts between 16-18 days and begins in mid/late-September and ends on either the first Sunday in October or October 3rd, whichever is later.

Where does Oktoberfest take place?

Oktoberfest takes place in Munich, Germany on the Theresienwiese–a large park/fairgrounds outside the city center.

Though the party is comprised of rides, booths, vendors, etc., the majority of the Oktoberfest party takes place inside the many enormous beer tents that can hold up to 10,000 people.

What can I expect at Oktoberfest?

For starters, you can expect to have one of the best experiences of your life. Oktoberfest is the biggest party you’ll ever attend but it’s not chaotic. It’s a great mix of traditional Bavarian folk festivals and modern celebrations.

For everything else you need to know about attending Oktoberfest, be sure to check out these posts:

– 49+ Super Detailed Oktoberfest Tips
– Oktoberfest For Non-Beer Drinkers: 15 Important Things You Need to Know (That Most People Don’t!)
– An Oktoberfest Tour Guide’s Most Frequently Asked Oktoberfest Questions

How do you dress for Oktoberfest?

At Oktoberfest, most visitors choose to dress in the traditional way:

For men: lederhosen
For women: a dirndl

…though it’s not mandatory. A lot goes into what to wear for Oktoberfest so be sure to check out my posts on the subject:

– How to Dress for Oktoberfest: A Complete & Honest Packing Guide
– Oktoberfest Shoes & Socks for Men and Women: Complete Guide to Oktoberfest Footwear
– Buying a Dirndl Online: 9 Crucial Things to Know First
– 12 Easy Ways to Upgrade a Cheap Dirndl: Simple Oktoberfest Outfit Hacks

Is Oktoberfest expensive?

There are a few ways to answer that. First, Admission into Oktoberfest and admission into the beer tents is 100% free. The only things you pay for at Oktoberfest are the food and drink you consume, the souvenirs you buy, and the rides you ride.

Where you will spend most of your money is on hotel accommodation.

Where to stay for Oktoberfest

There are a ton of choices when it comes to where to stay when attending Oktoberfest, however I do have my favorites.

My personal recommendations

– Hotel Senator
– Four Points Sheraton Munich Central

Both of these hotels are quality places to stay and within a 5-10 minute walk from the Theresienwiese.

When you decide where in Munich you want to stay, I recommend reading hotel reviews on Tripadvisor, then booking your room through Booking.com (my favorite booking site).

And don’t forget, there’s always vacation rentals. Check out some of Munich’s vacation rental listings here!

If you would like more information on travel to Germany in general, check out my Germany Travel Guide.

My blog posts on Oktoberfest

Below you’ll find my posts that focus on the awesome celebration of Oktoberfest — all the way from how to dress, where to stay, what to expect, and loads more.