Cheers without the hustle and bustle
Our Oktoberfest tips
Being together is nice, but too much hustle and bustle can quickly become exhausting. From Saturday, September 20 to Sunday, October 5, 2025, the Theresienwiese in Munich will once again be transformed into the venue for the world-famous Oktoberfest. For over 200 years, the largest beer festival in the world has attracted millions of visitors from all over the world – and now perhaps you too! Our tips and tricks will help you get through the hustle and bustle of the Oktoberfest.
Our Oktoberfest 101
Good planning is half the battle
Being together is nice, but too much hustle and bustle can quickly become exhausting. Visitors can avoid the biggest crowds during the week, as the Oktoberfest lasts for 16 days. However, the huge tents fill up quickly – the earlier you visit, the better your chances of getting a spot. For evening visits and weekends, we recommend booking in advance.
Our insider tip: The “Mittagswiesn” with discounts during the week from 11 am to 3 pm.
Spoilt for choice
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a marquee. The 17 large and 21 small festival tents all have different focuses. Popular tents such as the Augustiner-Festhalle, the Hofbräu-Festzelt and the Hacker-Festzelt each offer a unique atmosphere. The rule here is: sitting in is allowed! Sharing tables and making new friends is part of the Oktoberfest culture.
The Schottenhamel festival hall is a historical highlight. Opened in 1867, it is the most traditional tent on the grounds. This is where the Lord Mayor of Munich opens the festival every year with a hearty “O’zapft is!”. Paradoxically, it is mainly Munich’s young people who meet here in the oldest festival tent.
If you feel the urge for some fresh air or find the tents overcrowded, you can explore the colorful world of rides and fairground attractions – great fun for children in particular, but less so for parents’ wallets.
The "Big 6" beers and more - culinary variety for every taste
These six traditional Munich breweries dominate the festival: Augustiner, Paulaner, Spaten-Franziskaner, Löwenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr and Hofbräu. Radler and non-alcoholic drinks as well as spritzers are also available for families – but not for less than 12 euros per liter.
Those who drink should of course also eat plenty – she traditional Oktoberfest cuisine is sweet and hearty. Classics such as roast pork with dumplings, crispy knuckle of pork, spicy sausages and warm pretzels with Obatzda are among the must-try specialties. Roasted almonds, gingerbread hearts and the famous Kaiserschmarrn pancakes provide a sweet finish.
A welcome fact for modern visitors: nowadays, vegetarians and vegans can also find suitable options such as cheese spaetzle, pumpkin soup or vegan bratwurst – there’s something for everyone!
Traditional costumes: Wearing tradition the right way
Authentic traditional Bavarian costumes can be rented for around 50 euros per day or purchased as a personal souvenir from 150 euros. Only the dirndl knot requires caution: If it’s taken, the bow goes on the right, waiters and widows wear it on their backs, while the left signals that they are single and ready for new love.
Only cash is king
Cash rules at the Wiesn, so visitors should pack plenty of bills and coins – but be careful when storing them. After all, Oktoberfest only takes place once a year! Admission to the festival grounds is free. Tipping is appreciated: The heavy mugs that waiters carry for hours on end weigh quite a bit!
Enjoy the Wiesn with children
Oktoberfest fun for young and old
Many rides for young and old as well as tasty treats make the festival suitable for families. Tuesday is the official family day: there are not only discounts until 7 p.m., but also a relaxed atmosphere in the tents without excessive alcohol consumption.
If the little ones are hungry or the baby carriage is too heavy, the Familienplatzl at Wiesenstraße 3 offers a remedy: here you can get snacks and meals in child-friendly portions at family-friendly prices. There are also baby changing rooms and baby carriage parking spaces available.
As a safety measure, so-called “child finder wristbands” are distributed at the entrance, which can be provided with a cell phone number in case the little ones get lost in the hustle and bustle.
Important note: Pushchairs are only permitted on the festival grounds until 6 p.m. (Sunday to Friday); they are generally prohibited on Saturdays.
Experience pure tradition
Sunday spectacle
The Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich gathered at the gates of the city for this major event. From 1819, the horse races were replaced by beer floats and the festival was established as an annual tradition by royal decree. Fixed rituals still characterize the Oktoberfest today: the colourful traditional costume and marksmen’s parade takes place on the first Sunday, while the festival is traditionally concluded on the last Sunday at 12 noon with a ceremonial gun salute by marksmen.
The Oide Wiesn
The Oide Wiesn in the south of the Theresienwiese offers a special experience. The Oktoberfest is still celebrated here in its original form, just as it was in the 19th century. In addition to rustic festival tents, there are also historical rides and a museum tent. The rides cost just 1.50 euros, but admission is 4 euros per person (children under 14 are free).
The most important tips at a glance
From Stay2Munich directly to the Wiesn
On the Wiesn weekends (Saturday & Sunday), our hotel shuttle will take you to Neuperlach Süd from 10:00 to 23:00 – and back again, of course.
Advance registration required!
Bus route 210:
Directly from Stay2Munich to the Neuperlach Süd subway station – every 20-30 minutes, completely relaxed during the week or if you want to leave spontaneously.
From the colorful Oktoberfest hustle and bustle straight to coziness
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