G'day, Oktoberfest!
The longest journey, the best vibe: Australians are among the happiest guests at the Wiesn. Here you'll find places to stay from backpacker camps to hotels.
For many Australians, Oktoberfest is a fixed stop on the big Europe trip. The Wiesn is often combined with a working holiday year, an Interrail pass or a bus tour – and the accommodation is just as social.
Watch out when packing: while spring is starting at home, Munich's autumn is cool and often rainy. And because the journey is so long, plan a night or two to settle in before your first tent visit.
Accommodation
During Oktoberfest, Munich is the most expensive city in Germany to stay in. Pick the right category, book early, and you will still find your room.
approx. €40–130 per person/night
Tent camps, campsites, hostel dorms and simple rooms outside the city – ideal for backpackers, groups and anyone who mainly comes to party.
Our tip for you
Oktoberfest tent camps and hostels are hugely popular with Aussies – party atmosphere included. Book early; the cheapest beds are often gone months ahead.
approx. €150–350 per room/night
Private rooms, guesthouses and mid-range hotels – with your own bathroom, a quiet night and good connections to the Theresienwiese.
Our tip for you
After weeks in dorms, a private room with your own bathroom is a treat. You'll find affordable guesthouses along the S-Bahn.
from approx. €350 per room/night
4- and 5-star hotels and design apartments within walking distance of the Wiesn or in the old town – with concierge, spa and breakfast until noon.
Our tip for you
Spend your first two nights in a quiet hotel with blackout curtains to beat the jet lag – then head into the tent well rested.
Rough guide prices for the Oktoberfest period, no guarantee. Fridays and Saturdays are the most expensive; Monday to Wednesday is often much cheaper. Booking 9–12 months ahead gives you the best choice.
Location
The Theresienwiese is central. U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains get you there quickly from almost every neighbourhood – and staying outside the city often saves a lot of money.
5–15 min on foot
Right next to the festival grounds. Perfect for walking home after the tent – but lively, loud and the first area to sell out.
10–20 min on foot
The largest choice of hotels and hostels, direct S-Bahn to the airport and long-distance trains. A little hectic around the station at night.
1–3 stops on U3/U6
Quiet residential areas with cafés and beer gardens, close to the south entrance via Goetheplatz and Poccistraße. A good balance of location and price.
15–25 min by U-Bahn
Museums, university buzz and lovely cafés. Ideal if you want to combine the Wiesn with sightseeing and a bit of calm in the evening.
15–30 min by S-Bahn
Pasing, Laim, Giesing or the area around Ostbahnhof are cheaper. Get off at Hackerbrücke – from there it is about a 10-minute walk to the Wiesn.
20–60 min by regional train
Often half the price of Munich. Plan your last train back – late-evening trains on Oktoberfest weekends are packed.
Practical tips
Plan at least one day without the Wiesn after landing. Daylight, exercise and an early night help you adjust fastest.
Evenings in September and October often drop below 10 °C. A cardigan over your dirndl or a traditional jacket with your lederhosen is both Bavarian and practical.
Beer at the Wiesn only comes by the Maß, a full litre at around 6 %. Order water with it and eat in between.
It's easy to lose each other in the huge tents, and the mobile network is often overloaded. Pick a fixed meeting point outside the tent.
Visa and Mastercard mostly work, but cash is faster in the tent. Choose to pay in euros at card terminals.
Travel health insurance is a must. Emergency: 112, police: 110. The Australian Embassy in Berlin helps if you lose your passport.
FAQ
No, stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area are visa-free. Check whether ETIAS is already mandatory, and keep the 90/180-day rule in mind on longer Europe trips.
In Oktoberfest tent camps, at campsites and in hostel dorms. Book as early as possible – weekends in particular sell out quickly.
Usually between 5 and 20 °C, often chilly in the evening and sometimes rainy. Pack a warm jacket and comfortable, waterproof shoes.
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