A Travel Guide to the Oktoberfest in Munich

Jun 6

3 min read

If you are a true beer lover you must have heard about the Oktoberfest that is held in Munich every year. This is one of the biggest beer events in the world.

The Munich Oktoberfest has been taking place for over 200 years and is poised to welcome 6 million visitors in 2025. This is one huge party that you must experience at least once in your lifetime.

So here is a guide of everything you need to know about the Oktoberfest to help you have the best time ever!

Cool Facts

The legendary Oktoberfest beer is brewed exclusively by only six renowned Munich breweries.

There is only 1 type of beer called the Fest Beer or Oktoberfest Beer that is available at the venue and only in 1-litre glasses (yup!)

Event Dates

Oktoberfest officially begins on the second to last Saturday in September at noon and concludes on the first Sunday of October.

The dates for Oktoberfest 2025 are – Saturday, 20th September to Sunday, 5th October.

Venue

The official venue for Oktoberfest is Theresienwiese, a large open space in Munich, Germany. It is also known as "Theresa's Meadow" and is where the festival has been held since its inception in 1810

to Get There

You can reach the venue in environmental-friendly ways by taking the bus, train, or the tram. The closest U-Bahn (subway) stations are Theresienwiese (U4 and U5) and Goetheplatz (U3 and U6). From there just follow the crowds to the festival grounds.

What to Do There

There are 14 large and 21 small tents at the Oktoberfest ground. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to reserve tables at any of the tents. Entry to the grounds and to the tents is FREE!

Having said that, if you are a large group and would like to sit together, then it is probably advisable to reserve a table. But keep in mind, the tables get booked months in advance. The tables outside each tent cannot be reserved and are always open for anyone to have a seat.

Inside each tent there is live music playing and beer flowing. Just grab a seat, order a beer, and connect with the people at your table. This is the best part of the fest – meeting people from so many different countries under one roof.

Not a Beer Person?

Fear not. While Oktoberfest is known for its beer, you can find many other drinks, including non-alcoholic options, wine, and even cocktails. In fact, we met an Italian couple who own a vineyard (wow), where the husband loved his beer but the wife refused to have anything other than wine.

Hungry?

There are multiple food stalls at the Oktoberfest grounds for you to choose from. During lunch hours, most tents, such as the Hofbräu tent, offer a different discounted lunch dish every day during the week. Hearty home cooking is served here as well as light vegetarian cuisine.

Carnival Time

The Munich Oktoberfest has a range of rides, fun houses, and shows to offer that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. Children will enjoy a number of small carousels, wild water rides, and several family roller coasters.

Age Limit for Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest is not just a highlight for adults; children enjoy it too because of all the rides as well as the food and activity stalls. But there are a few rules and tips to make it a great experience for the whole family.

In the mornings and the afternoons, especially during the week, you can bring children into one of the large or small tents for a cozy lunch. The rules are:

Children under 6 years old are not permitted in the beer tents after 8 pm – even accompanied by their parents
After 8 pm children and young people under 16 can only remain on site at Oktoberfest if accompanied by a parent or guardian
Beer can be served to young people from 16 years old – but they will have to have proof of age