All about the Oktoberfest

How to survive to the Oktoberfest!

“Munich is looking forward to celebrate Oktoberfest for 349 days a year! During the remaining 16 days Munich celebrates the Oktoberfest!" Locals love the traditional beer fest and are proud to be possibly the best entertainers in the world! Follow our tips in HostelsClub.com FAQs Oktoberfest Guide and have fun!

Event

This traditional Bavarian festival since 1810 is the world's largest beer event and takes place annually in Munich usually from the last week of September to the 1st weekend of October. During these 16 days more than 6 million people visit the city.

Location

The main Oktoberfest event is held in an area named the Theresienwiese (called Wiesn or Festwiese by locals). The location is close to Munich city centre and is a spacious site composed by about 14 large tents and twenty small ones where you can by food, beer and souvenirs. You can party till 10.30 pm during the week and 11.30 pm on weekends. Don't get stuck in a tent though, enjoy the whole atmosphere at the Theresienwiese.

Rules

To be able to get a space in the tent you usually have to make a reservation, especially if you would like to attend the party in the evening. However if you are going to be on the Wiesn before 2.30 pm and before 11:00 on weekend, you will be able to get easily seats. Each tent has its own reservation policy, but there is no entry fee for the party: you just have to find a free table! Any tents are fine eventhough each one has its own atmosphere: make sure you choose the right one.

Food and Drink

At the Oktoberfest there is only one size beer called “Eine Mass” which means 1 liter. Beer is good and strong, so think about how much beer can you hold. (In Munich there is world a “Bierleiche”, what mean beer corpse, so try to not be one of those and don't drink too much). There are also many amusement games and traditions, all about drinking! Food served is traditional and delicious: try the typical Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Würstl (sausages) and Brezel (bretzel) or Weisswurst (a white sausage) with Sauerkraut. Important to know, that you are not allowed to bring your own drinks, beer or wine must be purchase directly there.

Money

You can buy beer for about 10€, roast chicken with potatoes for 15€ and a sausage with Brezel for 7-9€. The cheapest tents are Heimer and Heinz Hühnerbraterei and the most expensive ones are Schottenhamel, Löwenbräu Festhalle and Hochreiter. Once in a tents, you can pay only cash but there are ATM's.

Accommodation

The 16 days during Oktoberfest are the busiest for hotels and hostels in Munich and also in the surroundings, so it is highly recommended to book accommodation in advance. But if you are still looking for budget beds for Oktoberfest in Munich, HostelsClub.com offers last minute accommodation. There are still free beds at Oktobefest-Beds (about 89€ per bed) or HI Munich North Dachau (about 45€ per bed). A&O München Hackerbrücke offers bed at 49€ during the week and in All Inclusive Munich you can sleep for 60€ night. Good news for HostelsClub Membershipcard holders: A&O München Hackerbrücke offers a 15% and All Inclusive Munich a 25% off when booking with a HostelsClub Membershipcard.

Dress Code

“Dirndl“ are an absolutely “must” for firls during Oktoberfest , while guys wear ‘lederhosen’ (leather pants.). Many shops in Munich sell dirndl and lederhosen if you also want to follow the Oktoberfest dress code: you can also order online on Cunda.de, you will find many offers.

Oktoberfest is the best place to flirt, have fun and party!

Make sure you learn "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" and check out if there are still free beds available in our hostels in Munich during the Oktoberfest.