First of all what is Oktoberfest?
It’s a 16–18-day beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October.
What to expect at Oktoberfest?
A lot of people dressed up in traditional Bavarian clothes (lederhosen for guys, dirndls for girls), a lot of beer, a lot of singing, a lot of celebrating, a lot of carnival rides, a lot of bavarian food, a lot of people trying to chug beer and a lot that fail at it.
Accommodation?
Book well in advanced everything book up very quickly so make sure you have booked somewhere that is stable and that will not cancel a couple of weeks before you arrive like our accommodation did - some hotels and hostels book out up to a year in advance. The closer you get to the festival grounds, the more expensive beds are and the quicker everything fills up. I booked a room in April and most places were already sold out. We were lucky enough to grab a very basic room at an Airbnb about 3 stops on the train. That room cost me 120 euros per night.
Accommodation?
Book well in advanced everything book up very quickly so make sure you have booked somewhere that is stable and that will not cancel a couple of weeks before you arrive like our accommodation did - some hotels and hostels book out up to a year in advance. The closer you get to the festival grounds, the more expensive beds are and the quicker everything fills up. I booked a room in April and most places were already sold out. We were lucky enough to grab a very basic room at an Airbnb about 3 stops on the train. That room cost me 120 euros per night.
Getting your traditional outfit
You can’t go to Oktoberfest without the traditional Bavarian outfit (it just wouldn’t be right or as fun), and those are not cheap. A good lederhosen outfit begins at around 140 euros. Dirndls, the traditional outfit for girls, begin around 100 euros. (You can, of course, find cheaper outfits, though, if you aren’t looking for something of quality. We were lucky to find and cheap outfit on amazon for £40).
How long do I spend at Oktoberfest: We spent 2 days at the actual festival but then spent 1 day exploring Munich. 3 days is more than enough.You can’t go to Oktoberfest without the traditional Bavarian outfit (it just wouldn’t be right or as fun), and those are not cheap. A good lederhosen outfit begins at around 140 euros. Dirndls, the traditional outfit for girls, begin around 100 euros. (You can, of course, find cheaper outfits, though, if you aren’t looking for something of quality. We were lucky to find and cheap outfit on amazon for £40).
How much is Oktoberfest going to cost?
If you want to do Oktoberfest cheap attend the first weekend that is the cheapest time and not so expensive. Beer is typically 10 euros, and most full meals are 12–15 euros. You can get snacks and small meals for around 5 euros. You can also buy alcohol outside the tents (but not beer), and the drinks cost around 8 euros. You’ll also have to put a 2-euro deposit down on the glass they give you. You’ll find tons of stands everywhere with sausage and wurst for 4 euros too.
General survival tips
You’ll be drinking all day, so there’s no need to rush it. (We made this mistake and we were back at the Airbnb by dinnertime. Pace yourself. Those liters of beer are strong.
Hydrate: Drink a lot of water while you’re there. I had Powerade and water bottles lined up in my room for when I got home and and when I woke up.
Get to the Käfer tent early: Most of the tents close at 10:30pm. Käfer is the only one open until 1:00am, so everyone rushes there after the others shut down. Get there a bit before 10:30pm so you have a spot. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to get in or get served.
Get a table early: No reservation? Just winging it? If you aren’t there by midday, your chances of finding a table shrink greatly. Also try to avoid the times when they switch reservations. All the people that got kicked out are now looking for a free table, and competition is fierce.
Eat outside: While all the tents have amazing rotisserie chicken, the food inside is simply expensive. Just walk outside, buy a cheap sausage, and save your money for the overpriced liters of beer.
You’ll be drinking all day, so there’s no need to rush it. (We made this mistake and we were back at the Airbnb by dinnertime. Pace yourself. Those liters of beer are strong.
Hydrate: Drink a lot of water while you’re there. I had Powerade and water bottles lined up in my room for when I got home and and when I woke up.
Get to the Käfer tent early: Most of the tents close at 10:30pm. Käfer is the only one open until 1:00am, so everyone rushes there after the others shut down. Get there a bit before 10:30pm so you have a spot. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to get in or get served.
Get a table early: No reservation? Just winging it? If you aren’t there by midday, your chances of finding a table shrink greatly. Also try to avoid the times when they switch reservations. All the people that got kicked out are now looking for a free table, and competition is fierce.
Eat outside: While all the tents have amazing rotisserie chicken, the food inside is simply expensive. Just walk outside, buy a cheap sausage, and save your money for the overpriced liters of beer.
All of this stuff adds up. It’s virtually impossible to do this event on a tight budget, but it’s definitely worth the expense. It only happens once a year, I don’t regret any of the money I spent. My friends and I are already considering returning next year.
