Grüezi und Prost!
By train from Zurich or by car via Lindau – the Wiesn is quick to reach from Switzerland. Here are the best places to stay and a few traps to avoid.
Many Swiss visitors combine Oktoberfest with a long weekend in Munich. The direct train from Zurich makes the journey easy, and Munich prices usually feel pleasantly moderate to Swiss visitors – just not during the Wiesn.
Because Switzerland is not in the EU, there are a few things to keep in mind: roaming can get expensive, and customs allowances apply on your way home – including for that beer mug souvenir.
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
Hostels at Central Station are ideal if you arrive by train: step off and you're in your room within minutes.
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
Guesthouses and private rooms in Sendling or the Glockenbach quarter offer lots of charm for the money and are quieter than the area next to the Wiesn.
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
If you're after comfort, the old town has elegant hotels – with a spa to recover after a long day in the tent.
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
Swiss providers often charge separately for EU roaming. Buy a data package in advance or use an eSIM, otherwise that Wiesn video could get expensive.
At card terminals, always choose to pay in euros rather than francs – the automatic conversion is usually much more expensive. Cash in euros is fastest in the tent.
Keep the Swiss allowances for alcohol and the total value of your purchases in mind. A purchased beer mug is no problem – just keep the receipt.
Taking mugs from the tent is theft and is checked at the exits. Souvenir mugs are sold at stalls on the Wiesn.
You need a green sticker for Munich's low-emission zone inside the Mittlerer Ring, even with Swiss number plates.
Your health insurance card works as an EHIC in Germany too. Emergency: 112, police: 110.
FAQ
Take the EuroCity direct to Munich Central Station (approx. 3.5–4 hrs). From the station it's about a 15-minute walk to the Theresienwiese.
No, you pay in euros. Cards are widely accepted – but always choose to be charged in euros.
It can be, as Switzerland isn't part of the EU roaming rules. Check your plan or book a roaming package in advance.
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