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So you’ve decided to plan a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich?
Great choice – it’s just about the best party on Earth.
But before we cue the dreamy harp and cut to shots of you guzzling beer by the litre and dancing on tables, we need to do some of the… less sexy stuff. Namely, sweet, sweet logistics.
Don’t worry, we can hold your hand if you want us to. In this step by step guide to planning your own Oktoberfest trip, we’ll run you through everything you need to do to plan a flawless trip to the world’s largest beer festival.
… We promise it’s worth every bit of stress and effort!
Step One: Decide When to Go to Oktoberfest
If you’ve read our article about when Oktoberfest takes place, you’ll know that it takes place over 2.5 weeks, from the end of September to the beginning of October.
And while a lot of people assume that weekends are THE best time to go, we’d actually caution against going on a weekend unless you (and your limited time off) require it.
Honestly, Oktoberfest is such an unhinged party that even going on a weeknight is sufficiently messy. Weekends at Oktoberfest mean crowds, higher prices, and an overall sense chaos.
… Which can be fun, don’t get us wrong, but we’d definitely recommend planning your Oktoberfest trip for weekdays if possible.
Pros of visiting Oktoberfest on weekdays:
- Cheaper hotel rates
- Easier to get a table
- Chiller atmosphere
- Not as many crowds
- Discounted Family Days on Tuesdays
- Unique church service in the Marstall tent on the 1st Thursday
- Less Hunger Games-y
Cons of visiting Oktoberfest on weekdays:
- Probably a higher density of tourists
If you do happen to plan your trip for a weekend however, let it be known that not all weekends are created equal.
The first weekend has a lot of fun events: there’s the opening day keg tapping at the Schottenhammel tent, where the mayor comes and taps the first keg of the festival. It’s a whole thing, but the flipside is that beer isn’t served until noon on the first day (until the mayor taps that first keg). This means there’s a few “dry” hours before the party can really start, which comes as a shock to many first-timers, so beware of that. There’s also usually a costume and hunters’ parade on the first Sunday that’s quite fun to watch.
The second weekend is known locally as “the Italian weekend”, during which literal busloads of Italian people drive up to Munich, get absolutely obliterated, and then get back on the bus to Italy, without so much as spending the night. We have no idea how this became a thing, but it undoubtedly is, and visiting during the 2nd weekend is a sure recipe for meeting many drunk Italian people, which is either a huge pro, or con depending on your perspective. There’s also usually bands performing on the stairs on the second Sunday, with special guests like the mayor who conduct.
The third weekend is usually lot of fun, although there aren’t too many special events that take place until the final day, during which there is a Bavarian gun salute at noon, and if you can make it into the Hacker-Festzelt for the last day, they light sparklers and sing a song at the very end of the festival, which is extremely sentimental.
So, with all that information in mind, be sure to pick the best Oktoberfest dates for you (and your vacation days, if that’s a factor).
Step Two: Book Your Flights to Oktoberfest
Alright, with your Oktoberfest dates in mind, it’s time to book your flights!
Flights should be booked well in advance for your Oktoberfest trip, given that they’re likely to be among the biggest expense for your entire trip… and well, if you can’t physically get there, then those giant pretzels and beers will have to be chomped down by someone else.
For those needing more thorough guidance on how to book the cheapest flights to Oktoberfest, we’ve written a full step by step guide.
Step Three: Book Your Oktoberfest Accommodation
After your flights to Oktoberfest have been secured, it’s time to make sure you have a place to rest your weary, incoherent head after a marathon of drinking oversized beers.
When it comes to Oktoberfest planning, probably the most crucial thing is that you book your accommodation well in advance. The glory of Oktoberfest is certainly no secret, and each year it seems to get more popular. The most affordable hotels are known to book out months, even a year in advance, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
If you need more help making an informed decision, we’ve written several articles that help narrow down the options. For instance…
- The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in for Oktoberfest
- The Best Munich Hotels for Oktoberfest
- The Best Munich Hostels for Oktoberfest
If you just want some quick answers though, here is a table summarizing the best rated hotels within walking distance to the festival grounds:
| Hotel | Rating | Type | Walking Distance | Additional Notes | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Metropol | 9.0 | Deluxe | 11 min | 24h Bar Free internet corner | Check reviews & availability |
| Marc München | 9.0 | Deluxe | 13 min | Breakfast Included Bar Stylish decor | Check reviews & availability |
| Bavaria Boutique Hotel | 8.9 | Deluxe | 4 min | Breakfast Included In-house bar | Check reviews & availability |
| Aloft München | 8.9 | Deluxe | 14 min | 24h Fitness Centre Free WiFi Self-service pantry kitchen Stylish design | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Brack | 8.8 | Mid-Range | 5 min | American Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian | 8.8 | Deluxe | 16 min | Sauna Bar Stylish design | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Kraft | 8.7 | Mid-Range | 12 min | Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| VI VADI HOTEL BAYER 89 | 8.7 | Deluxe | 6 min | Bar Terrace | Check reviews & availability |
| Motel One München-Westend | 8.7 | Deluxe | 16 min | 24h food and drink service Stylish design | Check reviews & availability |
| Bayer's Boardinghouse und Hotel | 8.6 | Budget | 11 min | Apartment Fully-equipped kitchen Free hot drinks & bottled water | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Mirabell | 8.5 | Mid-Range | 10 min | Free WiFi 24h Bar | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Meier City München | 8.5 | Mid-Range | 18 min | Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| Roomers Munich, Autograph Collection | 8.5 | Luxury | 15 min | In-room hot tub Spa and fitness center Garden and terrace In-house restaurant | Check reviews & availability |
| Bavaria Boarding House | 8.5 | Deluxe | 5 min | Apartment Self-catered; toaster and stovetop in every room | Check reviews & availability |
| Fleming's Hotel München-City | 8.5 | Deluxe | 12 min | Breakfast Included Saunas & gym In-house restaurant | Check reviews & availability |
| Eurostars Grand Central | 8.5 | Deluxe | 15 min | Indoor pool Sauna and gym Stylish design In-house restaurant | Check reviews & availability |
| Hampton By Hilton Munich City West | 8.5 | Deluxe | 19 min | Breakfast Included Business Centre | Check reviews & availability |
| Acanthushotel | 8.5 | Budget | 17 min | Library | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Jedermann | 8.4 | Mid-Range | 6 min | Breakfast Included Bar | Check reviews & availability |
| Krone Hotel München | 8.4 | Deluxe | 3 min | Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| HOTEL ISARBLU | 8.4 | Deluxe | 5 min | Rooftop Terrace On-site Bar | Check reviews & availability |
| Sheraton München Westpark Hotel | 8.4 | Deluxe | 17 min | 24h Fitness Centre Spa/Sauna Free WiFi | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Ambiente Garni | 8.4 | Budget | 14 min | Breakfast Included Free WiFi | Check reviews & availability |
| Eurostars Book Hotel | 8.3 | Deluxe | 10 min | Literary themed rooms available Lobby bar | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Uhland | 8.2 | Mid-Range | 7 min | Breakfast Buffet Included | Check reviews & availability |
| Aparthotel Adagio Muenchen City | 8.2 | Mid-Range | 9 min | Fully-equipped kitchen Laundry Room Fitness Center | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Exquisit | 8.2 | Mid-Range | 15 min | Breakfast Included Sauna | Check reviews & availability |
| KN Kahtan Boarding House | 8.2 | Deluxe | 7 min | Apartment Unlimited coffee, water and soft drinks included | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Bayernland | 8.2 | Deluxe | 8 min | Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| relexa hotel München | 8.2 | Deluxe | 10 min | Soundproofed windows Locally sourced breakfast available | Check reviews & availability |
| Pension Belo Sono | 8.2 | Budget | 8 min | Shared Bathrooms | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Andra München | 8.2 | Budget | 10 min | Terrace | Check reviews & availability |
| carathotel München City | 8.2 | Budget | 12 min | Breakfast Included Bar and terrace | Check reviews & availability |
| Maritim Hotel München | 8.1 | Mid-Range | 13 min | Large indoor pool Piano bar | Check reviews & availability |
| Leonardo Hotel München City Center | 8.1 | Mid-Range | 14 min | Lounge/Bar | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Senator | 8.1 | Deluxe | 4 min | Lobby Bar Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel GIO | 8.1 | Deluxe | 7 min | Newly renovated Rainfall showers | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Condor | 8.1 | Budget | 16 min | Bar/Courtyard Terrace Free Newspapers | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Cristal | 8.0 | Mid-Range | 12 min | À la carte dining available | Check reviews & availability |
| City Aparthotel München | 8.0 | Mid-Range | 15 min | Fully-equipped kitchenettes Laundry machines | Check reviews & availability |
| Hotel Pension Haydn | 8.0 | Budget | 5 min | Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| Brunnenhof City Center | 8.0 | Budget | 12 min | Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
| Superior Hotel Präsident | 8.0 | Budget | 14 min | Breakfast Included | Check reviews & availability |
Step Four: Make Oktoberfest Table Reservations (If Needed)
Do you need to make a table reservation for Oktoberfest?
If you are a big group of 6-10, then this would be advised (assuming you want to all sit together).
If you are a smaller group of 6 or less, then you could probably get away with not reserving a table, and simply arriving early and (if needed) splitting up to join the ends of others’ tables. In every tent, there are always sections of tables set aside for ‘walk-ins’, so as long as you get there early (ready to run at opening time, for weekends), you will probably end up finding a table.
But even if you’ve decided “yeah, I’d like to reserve a table!”, it’s really not as easy as just phoning up and requesting one.
Every tent has its own reservation system, and some of them are really stuck in the Stone Age (although faxes are slowly being phased out, thank goodness).
Check out our guide on how to get Oktoberfest reservations for more details on how to reserve for each tent.
NOTE: The complicated thing about Oktoberfest reservations is that returning customers often have first dibs, and over the years, this has decreased the number of available reservations for newbies… to the point where some of the most popular tents among locals aren’t even taking any new reservations at all (like the Augustiner tent).
Of course, most tents still have reservation slots for newbies, but they are usually restricted to only afternoon slots. This can be fine if you don’t mind leaving early, but often it’s a bit of a buzzkill to be forced out of your table when the party is just getting started.
So – to reserve or not to reserve? That is the question.
Step Five: Decide What Else You’ll Do In Munich
Munich is an amazing city, with plenty more to do than just Oktoberfest.
So, the next step of the planning process is figuring out how to spend your rest days/free days in the city.
Here are some articles that can help:
Step Six: Enjoy Oktoberfest!
Alright, with all the tough planning out of the way, you should feel a huge weight off your shoulders.
Now, all there’s left to do is familiarize yourself with where Oktoberfest is in Munich, plan all the best foods to try while you’re there, and figure out which tents you want to hit up.
… We hope you have an amazing time!
We hope you enjoyed this step by step Oktoberfest Planning Guide!
Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions about planning your dream trip to Oktoberfest in Munich.