🍺
~7 million
Litres of beer served
🏟️
17
Large tents (Zelte)
🌍
6 million+
Visitors each year
💰
€14–17
Cost of one Maß (1L beer)
📅
16 days
Length of the festival
🇦🇺
Top 5
Aussies among most visitors
Getting a table reservation
Without a reservation, you can still get in — but you'll be standing outside or hoping for a walk-in table. Here's how it works:
When reservations open
January–February each year for that September's festival. For Oktoberfest 2026, start watching tent websites in January 2026.
How to book
Each tent has its own website and booking system. No central booking. Popular tents: Hofbräu-Festzelt, Schottenhamel, Augustiner-Festhalle.
What's included
A reservation buys you a table for a set time slot (usually 2–4 hours) and a food/drink voucher (~€30–40) which counts toward your order.
Walk-in tips
Arrive when the tent opens (10am weekdays, 9am weekends). Walk-in tables open up after the first reservation slot ends (~3–4pm).
Aussie Facebook groups
Search "Australians at Oktoberfest" — Aussies often post spare reservation spots. Cheaper than scalpers.
What to wear — Dirndl & Lederhosen
Traditional dress is not mandatory but strongly encouraged. You'll feel more comfortable and locals will warm to you immediately. Turning up in regular street clothes isn't a disaster, but you'll feel out of place.
👗 Dirndl (women)
- Dress + apron + blouse
- Bow on right = taken; left = single
- Knee-length or longer is most traditional
- Buy in Munich at Trachten Angermaier or Wiesn-Shop
- Budget: €80–200 for a decent quality set
🩳 Lederhosen (men)
- Leather shorts + suspenders + shirt
- Knee socks (Loferl) are part of the look
- Quality leather lasts decades — worth buying genuine
- Avoid synthetic imitations — they look cheap and uncomfortable
- Budget: €120–300 for real leather
Choosing your tent
| Tent |
Vibe |
Good for |
Capacity |
| Hofbräu-Festzelt |
Loudest, most international, non-stop singing |
Aussies, backpackers, big groups |
10,000 |
| Augustiner-Festhalle |
Most authentic Munich atmosphere, older crowd |
Local experience, traditional Oktoberfest |
6,000 |
| Schottenhamel |
Opening ceremony tent, very Bavarian |
Couples, locals, sitting down |
6,000 |
| Hacker-Pschorr |
Beautiful ceiling, "Heaven of Bavaria" theme |
Photography, slightly quieter |
9,300 |
| Löwenbräu |
Famous lion roaring every time a new barrel opens |
Groups, good humour |
8,000 |
Ordering food and beer
The beer is served in 1-litre glass steins called a Maß (pronounced "maas"). You cannot order half-litres at most tents. Food is essential — the pretzels, roast chicken and pork knuckle are legendary.
Ein Maß, bitte!
One beer (1 litre), please!
The most important phrase you'll need. Pronounced "mine maas, bitter"
Zwei Maß, bitte!
Two beers, please
Learn your numbers — the waitresses move fast
Eine Brezn, bitte
One pretzel, please
Giant salted pretzels — get one with your first beer
Ein halbes Hendl
Half a roast chicken
The signature Oktoberfest food
Prost! / Zum Wohl!
Cheers!
Always make eye contact when clinking — serious German superstition
Die Rechnung, bitte
The bill, please
Pay in cash if possible — faster and tips are easier
What things cost (2025)
Maß (1L beer)
€14–17
~AUD $25–30
Pretzel (Brezn)
€5–7
~AUD $9–12
Half roast chicken
€15–18
~AUD $26–31
Pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe)
€22–27
~AUD $38–46
S-Bahn from city centre
€3.70
~AUD $6.50
Dirndl / Lederhosen rental
€30–60/day
If you don't buy
Hotel near Wiesn (peak week)
€300–600/night
Book 12 months ahead
Campsite (Theresienwiese area)
€50–80/night
Cheaper, popular with younger crowd
Essential German phrases for Oktoberfest
Prost!
Cheers!
Wohl bekomm's!
Enjoy your drink!
Ich bin aus Australien
I'm from Australia
Haben Sie noch Platz?
Do you have space?
Entschuldigung!
Excuse me!
Wo ist die Toilette?
Where is the toilet?
Das schmeckt gut!
This tastes great!
Noch eine Runde!
Another round!
Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?
How do I get to the station?
Ich brauche Hilfe
I need help
Survival tips for Australians
- Eat before you drink. The Maß is 1 litre of ~6% beer. On an empty stomach in a hot tent, Australians underestimate this constantly.
- Carry cash. Many tents prefer cash. ATMs near the Wiesn queue badly during peak times — get cash the day before.
- Wear your traditional clothes from your accommodation. Public transport in full Lederhosen on the S-Bahn is half the experience.
- Book accommodation 9–12 months ahead. Everything within 30 minutes of Munich sells out. Use the search tools below.
- The first and last weekends are the busiest. Mid-week sessions (Tuesday–Thursday) are noticeably quieter and easier to get walk-in tables.
- Don't steal steins. It's very common and very illegal. You'll be charged €30+ and potentially escorted out.
- The lost and found (Fundbüro) at Theresienwiese recovers thousands of items. If you lose something, check it — Australians forget phones, wallets and even Lederhosen here.
Getting there from Australia
Munich (MUC) is the destination. Most Australians fly Sydney or Melbourne → Singapore/Dubai/Frankfurt → Munich. Direct flights from Australia don't exist. Budget AUD $1,800–2,800 return if booked 3–6 months out.
From Munich Airport, the S-Bahn S1 or S8 runs directly to the city centre in about 40 minutes. No taxi needed.
✈️ Find flights to Munich
Compare fares from Australian airports to Munich (MUC) on Expedia.
Search flights →
🔒 Stay secure in Munich
Use NordVPN on public wifi at the airport and around the Wiesn.
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