Servus und Grüß Gott!
Most Oktoberfest visitors come from Germany – from Hamburg to Lake Constance. Here you'll find the best way to get there, places to stay for every budget and tips for groups.
Stag parties from Cologne, club outings from the Allgäu or company events from Berlin: visitors from Germany make up the largest share of the Wiesn crowd. Many come just for a weekend – exactly when rooms in Munich are scarcest and most expensive.
By ICE you can reach Munich Central Station from almost any major city in a few hours – just a 15-minute walk from the Theresienwiese. Booking early, staying flexible on location or sleeping outside the city saves a lot of money.
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
With the Deutschlandticket you can stay cheaply outside Munich: rooms in Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Landshut or Rosenheim often cost much less and are well connected by regional train.
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
For club and company trips: request guesthouses and apartments for the whole group early – ideally at the same time as your table reservation in the tent.
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
Hotels at Central Station are ideal if you arrive by ICE: step off the train, check in and walk to the Wiesn in 15 minutes.
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
Deutsche Bahn saver fares sell out quickly for Oktoberfest – book early and reserve a seat. Sunday evening trains out of Munich are especially full.
The Deutschlandticket is valid on all regional trains and on MVV transport. From within Bavaria, the Bayern-Ticket is good value for groups of up to five – but expect crowded trains.
3 October always falls during Oktoberfest. Around the holiday the Wiesn is extremely busy and rooms sell out early.
Reserve tent tables and accommodation as early as possible, ideally at the start of the year. Coach groups should clarify drop-off and pick-up in advance – many streets around the Wiesn are closed.
Munich has many traditional-dress shops and rental services. A simple, good-quality dirndl or real lederhosen beats a cheap fancy-dress costume.
„Servus“, „Grüß Gott“, „a Mass“ and „a Brezn“ – a few words of Bavarian go down well. Jokes about northern Germans („Preißn“) are usually meant affectionately.
FAQ
Take the ICE directly to Munich Central Station – about six hours from Hamburg. Alternatively, fly to Munich in about an hour or take an overnight coach.
Yes, German Unity Day always falls during Oktoberfest. Expect especially full tents on the holiday and plan early.
From Augsburg, Nuremberg, Stuttgart or Regensburg, yes – the journey takes one to just over two hours. From further away, at least one night's stay is more relaxed.
Trip planning
Oktoberfest is the highlight – but Munich and Bavaria have so much more to offer. Everything about getting here, getting around and day trips.
Who is it for?