The Oktoberfest 2025 will take place from Saturday, September 20 to Sunday, October 5. In this post, I’ll share my experience, some tips I think you should keep in mind, and a few anecdotes. Hopefully, you’ll find it useful.
Let’s Talk About Money
It’s no secret that Munich is one of the most expensive and cosmopolitan cities in the world. So, it should come as no surprise that you’ll need a decent amount of money to enjoy the event—even if it’s just for a weekend.
But how expensive is it really? For starters, if you plan to stay in Munich, the cheapest option I found was around €80 per night in a mobile home. The more “standard” prices range between €150 and €200 on Airbnb. It’s worth noting that most accommodations are already booked months in advance due to high demand. So, if you know someone who can host you in Munich, consider yourself very lucky.
A beer at Oktoberfest costs €15, and it’s customary to leave an extra €1–2 as a tip. In my opinion, two steins are enough to have a good time without pushing your limits. Of course, there are cheaper alternatives such as Radler (beer mixed with lemonade) and bottled water. Personally, I started with one beer and then switched to two Radlers.
Cash is king here—most places don’t accept card payments. Luckily, there are ATMs inside and around the Oktoberfest grounds.
Rookie Mistakes
If you carry a backpack with even the bare essentials, like I did, you’ll be forced to leave it at a cloakroom inside the Oktoberfest grounds. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed in. The fee is €7 per item. Smaller purses or handbags are allowed, though.
Another common situation: beer spills. From what I saw, it happens a lot during the celebration. Bringing an extra T-shirt isn’t a bad idea. Luckily, it didn’t happen to me, but I saw a guy spill beer on a girl sitting at the next table, and she, in turn, spilled her drink on someone completely innocent behind her. These little chain reactions seem to be part of the Oktoberfest experience.
As for safety, Oktoberfest is one of the most heavily guarded events in Germany—you’ll notice the number of police officers and security guards around. That said, I suspect I may have been pickpocketed, since I found my jacket on the ground a few meters from my table with empty pockets. Fortunately, I hadn’t left my wallet inside, but I did lose a pair of headphones.
Dress Codes
Traditionally, women wear a dress called a Dirndl and men go for the leather shorts known as Lederhose. Thankfully, this dress code is optional, and you can also rent these outfits in the city. For women, the bow on the Dirndl tells a story: tied on the left means single, tied on the right means taken. From what I’ve heard, though, people don’t always take this very seriously.
Some creative tourists have tried to enter wearing costumes as if it were Halloween. Needless to say, they were turned away and had to either change clothes or leave their costumes at the cloakroom. Inside, however, you can buy funny accessories, like hats shaped like freshly roasted turkeys, among other quirky items.
What really surprised me was how many women chose to wear shorter, more revealing versions of the Dirndl. To my surprise, they were allowed in and got plenty of admiration from both men and women. As for me, I went with a comfortable outfit—shorts and a checkered shirt.
Finding a Spot
One of the biggest challenges at Oktoberfest is finding a table. Even though there are plenty of huge beer tents, many tables are reserved months in advance. I discovered a simple yet fun tactic: just walk around, go from table to table, and ask if you can join a group. Or wait for people to leave once they’ve had enough to drink. In my case, I was lucky—thanks to a friend, I already had a reserved table. Still, throughout the night, we welcomed strangers who were looking for a spot.
In the end, beer plus good music usually equals a great night—if you can stay on your feet. And it’s very likely you’ll make new friends to continue the party with outside the Oktoberfest grounds.
The Party Goes On
Officially, Oktoberfest ends at 10:30 p.m., with most people leaving by around 11 p.m. But don’t worry—the nightlife continues. Clubs around the city cater to all tastes, from electronic and techno to Latin music. Just make sure you’re still able to stand, because it’s common to see people stumbling around like zombies on their way home. This explains the constant flow of ambulances going in and out.
A funny yet practical tip I heard: write down an emergency contact number on your arm, or hang a sign with your information around your neck. That way, if you pass out, someone can help you get home. Honestly, I think this tip has saved more than a few people from a long and messy night.
Alejandro’s Tips
Based on my past visits to Oktoberfest in Munich, here are a couple of notes that might help you out:
Mobility: If you’re using a scooter, remember it counts as a motorized vehicle. The alcohol limit is 0.5 ‰, so don’t ride after drinking.
Accommodation: Jugendherberge hostels usually offer great rates. The cheapest prices are for members only, but the annual membership fee isn’t too high. Just make sure to book well in advance, or you’ll struggle to find a good spot.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Oktoberfest is one of my favorite events of the year. At the same time, it’s also one of the most expensive—at least for my budget. But as the saying goes: once a year doesn’t hurt. And I almost forgot—the tradition of dancing on benches to a good song creates truly unforgettable moments.
Nice!
so Jugendherberge Tipp was useful 🙂
for sure =)